C-USA Expansion #2

[Cheesesteak]

MeanGreenGem -

Not many Mustangs are in favor of inviting UNT to CUSA, but, we generally respect your sincere efforts to promote your school/team.

Your posts have some interesting points.

Good luck to UNT whatever happens.

[MeanGreenGem]

Originally posted by Cheesesteak:
MeanGreenGem -

Not many Mustangs are in favor of inviting UNT to CUSA, but, we generally respect your sincere efforts to promote your school/team.

Your posts have some interesting points.

Good luck to UNT whatever happens.

Thank you...

I learned long ago you can't make someone do what they really don't want to do & why would anyone want to try to force the matter for what its worth?

I really think this thing about North Texas from some (not all) SMU'ers is more a territorial deal than anything.

Casepoint: Why would schools like Boise, Fresno, La Tech, San Jose State and others of similar scope you all would not have given the time of day, least of all scheduled 20 years ago; anyway, why the acceptance of those schools now when 20 plus years ago, North Texas was scheduling, playing (and sometimes beating) the likes of Tennessee, Louisville, Memphis, Houston, Texas, TAMU, TTech, TCU, Okla. St. Miss.St. etc, etc, etc, and so forth?

If it is about SMU's need to be the "ONLY" Metroplex CUSA member that is one thing, but to suggest our program and school are not on a par (and in some cases) even above a few of the aformentioned schools in the WAC and present CUSA I find to be quite puzzling.

Also, I realize this is a smack and flame board and some posters (whether they be true SMU'ers or fake SMU'ers) are never going to admit that black is black and white is white no matter what the real facts are.

Peace...

<small>[ 02-02-2004, 02:30 PM: Message edited by: MeanGreenGem ]</small>

[Charleston Pony]

MGG: you are looking for an explanation and I will offer my 2 cents. Remember that I am in the minority on this board and actually would favor a rebuilt SWC for SMU long term and believe SMU, TCU & UNT should all be part of that conference....but having said that, I can give you a couple of reasons why CUSA may favor La Tech to UNT at this time.

First, while you have every reason to be proud of your improved football program, winning the Sun Belt 3 yrs running hasn't brought you any more respect and noteriety that La Tech has earned with road wins against programs like Alabama and Michigan State.

Second, since SMU & Tulsa don't field baseball teams, the fact that La Tech would add another baseball program to the conference is a big plus for them.

Third: your point about CUSA east being loaded with public schools (and notably stronger football programs) is well taken. I think the eastern group will clearly favor adding the strongest public school program available and that's why UTEP is under consideration. One thing working against BOTH UTEP and UNT is the fact you are in Texas. I expect the eastern group is leary of concentrating TOO MUCH in Texas. Two schools in La may be better than 4 in Texas where they are concerned.

No question this decision will be priarily about football, so you have a chance. If basketball comes into the picture, your hopes diminish against La Tech (decent men's program and top ranked women's) or UTEP (quickly improving, good attendance and a national championship in their history)

Just my thoughts. It will definitely be an interesting choice, but my gut feeling is that La Tech gets the invite.

[MeanGreenGem]

Originally posted by Charleston Pony:
MGG: you are looking for an explanation and I will offer my 2 cents. Remember that I am in the minority on this board and actually would favor a rebuilt SWC for SMU long term and believe SMU, TCU & UNT should all be part of that conference....but having said that, I can give you a couple of reasons why CUSA may favor La Tech to UNT at this time.

First, while you have every reason to be proud of your improved football program, winning the Sun Belt 3 yrs running hasn't brought you any more respect and noteriety that La Tech has earned with road wins against programs like Alabama and Michigan State.

Second, since SMU & Tulsa don't field baseball teams, the fact that La Tech would add another baseball program to the conference is a big plus for them.

Third: your point about CUSA east being loaded with public schools (and notably stronger football programs) is well taken. I think the eastern group will clearly favor adding the strongest public school program available and that's why UTEP is under consideration. One thing working against BOTH UTEP and UNT is the fact you are in Texas. I expect the eastern group is leary of concentrating TOO MUCH in Texas. Two schools in La may be better than 4 in Texas where they are concerned.

No question this decision will be primarily about football, so you have a chance. If basketball comes into the picture, your hopes diminish against La Tech (decent men's program and top ranked women's) or UTEP (quickly improving, good attendance and a national championship in their history)

Just my thoughts. It will definitely be an interesting choice, but my gut feeling is that La Tech gets the invite.

Charleston Pony, I have always enjoyed reading your posts and respect your opinions and insight (as those of others on PonyFans.com who I really think are true SMU'ers on this board that I don't necessarily agree; but discussion like these are what these forums are all about now aren't they?

La Tech is a specialist in beating a Big Boy ever so often, but then they will lose to those they are supposed to beat that would enable them to gain a bowl berth which would be a nationally televised reward.

Granted, the Bulldogs beat the MSU Spartans this year but only weeks later were trying to garnish alumnus support to have their head football coach fired after losing to schools they were supposed to beat. Haven't we all at one time caught lightning in a bottle against some of the Big Boys for what its worth? Ours have been a few wins over Texas Tech and near wins over the Texas Longhorns thru the years. SMU's has been an uncanny dominance over the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Yet I believe CUSA powers that be are going to be more concerned about what La Tech does on the Ruston home front and if their athletic budget is (or can ever be) comparable to most other CUSA members.

Can't recall the score but didn't SMU play La Tech a fairly competitive game last Fall yet in a crowd some on this board said was less than 10,000 real butts in seats? NOTE: Last time SMU played UNT in Denton in a locally televised game, we had to turn 2,000 students away because the Denton Fire Marshall decreed that there would be no more fans allowed in the stadium.

But concerning La Tech, let me add this: CUSA cannot afford Ruston, Louisiana, and their limited TV and population center and here is a reason why. CUSA Commish' Banowsky must somehow find a way to replace to some extent the combined losses of total CUSA TV's and viewership potential of the 4 schools his league has only recently lost.

Some die-hard SMU traditionalists are not going to like this statement but UNT has proven to ESPN II officials in the last 3 years (according to the SBC Commish) that we can more than pull merely nominal local TV ratings, yet have been much higher. But what is this Metroplex TV market? The North Texas Council of Goverment (NTCOG) says there are 5. 2 million citizens in the Metroplex which (get this) is a larger population center than that of 28 states in the USA.

CUSA has been all but gutted with the loss of TV viewership from the loss of the 4 schools. IMO, if CUSA chooses La Tech, that will be a signal to 2 (maybe 3) present CUSA schools that they are not interested in trying to recover any semblance of their lost TV market. That would be a red flag CUSA Commish' Banowsky is not going to want to raise.

Can UNT alone bring it for CUSA and the battle for Nielsen TV ratings against the Big 12 and the MWC/TCU partnership in the Metroplex? I don't think so...Can the SMU Mustangs pull the feat by themselves? I don't think so... Can SMU and UNT as CUSA members together keep their presence among the TV media types as they'd compete against the Big 12 and MWC/TCU coverage? I believe this private/public school combo in CUSA would go a long ways in helping CUSA recover some lost TV sets.

Some should try to understand this CUSA realignment thing is not about a popularity contest or trying to fit round pegs into sometime not so round holes. CUSA is concerned with survival among the TV network gurus who are the final word in the approval of conference packages.

If this elite group of TV moguls do not play a significant part of CUSA's future, then there will be no viable CUSA presence compared to the other non BCS leagues but rather a glorified 1-AA type conference with no semblance of TV interest from those who put conference TV packages together.

<small>[ 02-02-2004, 05:28 PM: Message edited by: MeanGreenGem ]</small>

[gostangs]

Mean green is like that movie - Groundhog Day - you wake up and its the same ol thing all over again. When does spring football start again?

[Stallion]

I've never made it past the first paragraph!!!

[MeanGreenGem]

Originally posted by Stallion:
I've never made it past the first paragraph!!!

Hellbells, you say you didn't? Well here's you one: I fell asleep 3 X's typing the damn thing!

Over, out & peace..... :smart:

<small>[ 02-03-2004, 04:42 AM: Message edited by: MeanGreenGem ]</small>

[Bergermeister]

Let'em in.......

[EastStang]

I too have some feelings that the MAC teams won't leave, the only hope there is that the new NCAA attendance qualifications would give them some concern about the continued viability of their conference. Bowling Green, Miami and Toledo are joined at the hip and I believe they would not come unless as a package. I would expand to 14 if it meant adding these three programs. They bring basically even out the loss of Cincinnati if nothing else in Ohio. They would also move Memphis and USM south to our division. Memphis barbecue and Biloxi casinos every other year sounds good to me. If they won't come, Temple would be next on my list. Good basketball, major market presence in Philly. After that UTEP gets the nod. 50,000 average home attendance and 20,000 fans at the SMU game in Dallas last year convince me that they are a good conference investment even if the Sun Bowl isn't an option, but you never know. When there was a Sun Bowl openning several years ago, TCU got the nod (because they were in the same conference with UTEP) and now they are on a roll. La. Tech gets the nod over UNT for three reasons (1) they have baseball; (2) nationally recognized women's basketball; (3) they've been in a conference with us for 4 years so there is some albeit small history there. I still would like to see Army and Navy as partial members and would favor them if we add only one team. Call it selfish, but I'd like to be able to drive an hour up the road to Annapolis to see the Ponies every four years or so.

[OldPony]

Who cares? When our program has fallen to where we talk about who is best for our conference- UNT or LaTech- it makes me sad. The saddest thing of all is MG's argument. Can you believe that UNT wants to be in a conference with SMU? Does that help anyone's football stature? Maybe Army and evidently UNT.

[GoRedGoBlue]

UNT might hinder SMU's recruiting, plain and simple.

LaTech offers more national respect at Football, although they haven't done much since beating BAMA 6-7 years ago, and toasting UNeb for over 600 yards passing with Troy Edwards (??)