It actually makes me a little sad to see all the angst, disrespect, anger and vitriol that flows between both CUSA and Sun Belt posters.

I completely understand the desire to out perform and one up each others conference. That is just good competition. But it doesn’t have to come at the expense of tearing each other up with personal shots or attacks at each other, universities, or the conferences.

Recognizing the good qualities and accomplishments of others doesn’t take the shine away from our own outstanding play or accomplishments. Nor will it make anything better amidst the struggle or shortfall of our own rooting interest. It just makes one look petty, jealous, angry, arrogant or obnoxious.

The Sun Belt Conference is made up of great member institutions with some pretty good fans. Just this year the SBC has accomplished a lot as many of the posters have pointed out. These are things that should be applauded. JMU had a fantastic season, as well as Troy. The SBC has soooo many bowl qualified teams. There were big wins over P5 schools, more than any other conference. And I think they had the best G5 winning percentage. I give them credit for excelling. It shows the strength and competitiveness of the conference.

Will be cheering for and watching App St. in the Cure Bowl, Arkansas St. in the Camilla Bowl, Ga. State in the Potatoe Bowl, USA in the 68 Bowl. Hope the other SBC teams have good games.

Of course we’ll get to settle conference and team superiority on the field when ODU vs. WKU and Jax St. vs. Louisiana face off in bowl games. As a CUSA member I will be pulling for our teams, though I won’t be upset too much if ODU wins, as I have followed that program for years. But… Go Tops!

CUSA has had great moments this year too. The further rise of both Liberty and New Mexico St. has been great to see. Liberty earned the G5 NY6 slot and we deserve much credit for that. Beyond that, the conference as a whole gained stability and growth. CUSA, like the SBC, are moving forward and gaining traction on the P5 competitively.

What it boils down to is we don’t have to sink into the muck of insults and belittlement. Rather, we can rise higher, show discipline, class, and, believe it or not, goodwill toward one another.