TopCoog Wrote:There are no credible reports showing a BE vs SEC game in the LB. This is the least likely matchup the LB will offer.

I hate to admit it, but you're right. The Big East will not play the SEC in the Liberty Bowl.

TopCoog Wrote:There are no credible reports showing a BE vs SEC game in the LB. This is the least likely matchup the LB will offer. The LB coluld not wait to replace the BE in the 90's and they would not take that road again. Louisville would be a good draw.....but what happens when they get SU and the others....? No, a renewed CUSA vs MWC is the most likely outcome. Following that the current SEC team in the Indy bowl could easily move to the Liberty. Lets try to be at least a little realistic.

While I agree it's likely that C-USA will stay affiliated with the Liberty Bowl, forgive me if I don't consider you a credible source TopCoog. You're the same guy that said the Big East would lose their BCS bid, Notre Dame was leaving for a new conference, Pitt and others were leaving for other conferences, the Big East would never split, even though the commissioner himself said it's a possibility a month or so ago, etc., etc.

Not as a Tiger fan but a college fball fan and non-biased observer, I will say that I've worked in the PA booth (for the Liberty Bowl staff) for the last 4 LB's and the Ville has brought some good crowds. Last year was amazing with the number of Cards in attendance. I'd say of the 58,000+ at the game (could be more [especially last 4 games, all near/or sellouts] if LB officials didn't want to place advertising in endzones and limit number of seats for future propaganda), at least 35k (that's what the school's Assit. AD told us were sold by them or reported) were Louisville fans. Probably 12k were Boise fans with the other 11k being locals (maybe Tiger fans or other such area schools' fans). I did do some ticket/sponsorship sales on the side and can say those numbers are close to the breakdown of the '04 game's crowd.

However, the local market is very important if not the majority determining factor to the game's attendance and has become even more influential since '96 (Liberty Bowl Alliance). I know Steve, Harold, Perry relatively well and there's no way that they would jeopardize the Bowl's community relations/university relations/majority bowl supporters by cutting the U of Memphis out of any variable (even if it is unlikely) for a LB bid. Not including the Tigers, Southern, UTEP, Marshall (to a certain degree) travel in large enough numbers to sustain the integrity of C-USA being a partner in the AutoZone LB for several years to come. In previous years especially those with Colorado State or BYU as MWC opponents, the local market (Memphis and Mid-South) have been huge in contributing to the game's attendance and that's not going change...unless Memphis is left out of the equation. Many U of M season ticket holders are also members of the Bowl's (can't remember it's real title) community board, which includes prominent and sponsoring businesses of the game. Also the organization committee and Bowl's board are local politicians and businessmen that probably don't want to jeopardize themselves in whatever form or fashion by excluding the home town U.

While I can see where SEC, BE, ACC or whatever other affiliations might guarantee better hotel room sales (especially for hotel sponsors), it would still be dumb to exclude C-USA b/c of aforementioned reasons. The LB has done the Big 10 vs. SEC experiment and other such ventures and not meet near the attendances that have come within the last ten years (the introdcution of the LBA and then C-USA, both of which included U of M). However, SEC vs. whomever match-up (C-USA preferable) that would guarantee a spot for a SEC team where an Ole Miss or Miss. State or Arkansas would finish might just be the right ticket as it would bring large numbers of out-of-towners while including the local market and create a truly regional bowl. That regional bowl is something that LB officials have wanted to pursue, but the SEC for year's had traditional agreements with the likes of the Independence bowl and such that the SEC didn't want to sever. Well, now it sounds like they can...so who knows. SEC vs. BE would sound great if you could guarantee L-Ville ever year (b/c of the poor travel of other teams in previous LB games) that would still satisfy a small local market, but would still damage LB-community relations that could hurt the Bowl more than some would expect.

Either way, good luck this football season to all.

35,000- 40,000 sounds about right. The Louisville side and a good bit of the endzones were full of red. Boise brought a healthy and boisterous crowd, too, especially given the distance. I'd say at least 10,000 and probably more. Although a few were interspersed, the seating is designed to be distinct by stadium sides and it was 99% that way. The picture above is taken from the Boise side so the fans you see across the field are almost entirely Cardinal faithful.

To be fair to Memphis, they did have quite a few local fans in attendance. I bought my 10th row lower seats directly from the Liberty Bowl people and the crowd in that area was about ten percent Memphis season ticket holders, rooting hard for Boise I might add. On Boise's side there were quite a bit more. They're definitely a presence, and I imagine more so in years with slight attendance.

And on the LB matchup debate, I'd have no problem with the BE playing the CUSA champion. CUSA is solid at the top and will put a good team in that bowl game.

BullsFanatic Wrote:

Quote:if the BE were to sign a contract with the LB, Steve Earhart would have to take his family out of town in the middle of the night and never again set foot in the state

If he's giving the bowl from Memphis to Tennessee? Somehow, I don't think the state will weep over Memphis losing a bowl.

Nobody in Tennesse outside of Memphis gives a crap about the Tigers.

That may or may not be, but the bowl game is in Memphis and relies upon the Memphis community and region, not the state.

CardFan636 Wrote:the crowd in that area was about ten percent Memphis season ticket holders, rooting hard for Boise I might add.

This is 1 Tiger fan that was cheering for the Cards.

The Louisville-Memphis rivalry has seen its classics. And part of being rivals means a passionate hatred for the other school coupled with respect.

One aspect that nobody shoul deny is the local's love for the game and the festivities surrounding it. Every LB I have been to I have noticed the number of locals who line the streets for the parade and the number of locals at the game. This is part of their community and an annual tradition for them, regardless of whose playing. They should be credited for their support.

Bearcats#1 Wrote:

BullsFanatic Wrote:

Quote:if the BE were to sign a contract with the LB, Steve Earhart would have to take his family out of town in the middle of the night and never again set foot in the state

If he's giving the bowl from Memphis to Tennessee? Somehow, I don't think the state will weep over Memphis losing a bowl.

Nobody in Tennesse outside of Memphis gives a crap about the Tigers.

oh please...there are more Ohio State fans in Cincy than Bear-cat fans...a sell-out for cincy is what 35,000 people...wow!

Go Tigers!!!
Drew

Quote: (BullsFanatic @ Jul 19 2005, 11:17 AM)

I can see it when Memphis fans post here. They will be Big East members soon enough 

Memphis will not be invited to the Big East as long as RC Johnson is the AD...however, if he quits or is fired, then we have a different ball game...

Quote:3601 Posted: Jul 19 2005, 02:12 PM 
You don't know 5hit from shinola. 

It is not a big secret that RC Johnson and Tom Jurich do not get along. And if Memphis wants in the Big East, they're gonna need Louisville's vote and support. It's that simple. I think if Jurich got along with the Memphis AD, that they could work their way in....but not while they are in a feud with the Cardinals.

This is also assuming Memphis maintains/improves their academic and athletic position.

tigerpikapp Wrote:Not as a Tiger fan but a college fball fan and non-biased observer, I will say that I've worked in the PA booth (for the Liberty Bowl staff) for the last 4 LB's and the Ville has brought some good crowds.  Last year was amazing with the number of Cards in attendance.  I'd say of the 58,000+ at the game (could be more [especially last 4 games, all near/or sellouts] if LB officials didn't want to place advertising in endzones and limit number of seats for future propaganda), at least 35k (that's what the school's Assit. AD told us were sold by them or reported) were Louisville fans.  Probably 12k were Boise fans with the other 11k being locals (maybe Tiger fans or other such area schools' fans).  I did do some ticket/sponsorship sales on the side and can say those numbers are close to the breakdown of the '04 game's crowd. 

However, the local market is very important if not the majority determining factor to the game's attendance and has become even more influential since '96 (Liberty Bowl Alliance).  I know Steve, Harold, Perry relatively well and there's no way that they would jeopardize the Bowl's community relations/university relations/majority bowl supporters by cutting the U of Memphis out of any variable (even if it is unlikely) for a LB bid.  Not including the Tigers, Southern, UTEP, Marshall (to a certain degree) travel in large enough numbers to sustain the integrity of C-USA being a partner in the AutoZone LB for several years to come.  In previous years especially those with Colorado State or BYU as MWC opponents, the local market (Memphis and Mid-South) have been huge in contributing to the game's attendance and that's not going change...unless Memphis is left out of the equation.  Many U of M season ticket holders are also members of the Bowl's (can't remember it's real title) community board, which includes prominent and sponsoring businesses of the game.  Also the organization committee and Bowl's board are local politicians and businessmen that probably don't want to jeopardize themselves in whatever form or fashion by excluding the home town U.

While I can see where SEC, BE, ACC or whatever other affiliations might guarantee better hotel room sales (especially for hotel sponsors), it would still be dumb to exclude C-USA b/c of aforementioned reasons.  The LB has done the Big 10 vs. SEC experiment and other such ventures and not meet near the attendances that have come within the last ten years (the introdcution of the LBA and then C-USA, both of which included U of M).  However, SEC vs. whomever match-up (C-USA preferable) that would guarantee a spot for a SEC team where an Ole Miss or Miss. State or Arkansas would finish might just be the right ticket as it would bring large numbers of out-of-towners while including the local market and create a truly regional bowl.  That regional bowl is something that LB officials have wanted to pursue, but the SEC for year's had traditional agreements with the likes of the Independence bowl and such that the SEC didn't want to sever.  Well, now it sounds like they can...so who knows.  SEC vs. BE would sound great if you could guarantee L-Ville ever year (b/c of the poor travel of other teams in previous LB games) that would still satisfy a small local market, but would still damage LB-community relations that could hurt the Bowl more than some would expect.

Either way, good luck this football season to all.

Good point Tiger.

Living in a Bowl City....many fans of teams don't realize the importance and VOLUME of tickets that are sold every year to Sponsors and local fans.

Most Bowls need 10,000-25,000 plus annual ticket holders (Sponsors, locals, community, etc...) to stay afloat.

Most bowls do that...and in many cases much more.

Point being...there is a very nice base of tickets accounted for (sold, sponsorship packages, comps, etc...) well before the 2 teams in a Bowl Game are even announced.

Many local packages are sold in the summer/early fall...even before football season even starts. (Then throw in thousands sold locally after the teams are announced).

KL

BullsFanatic Wrote:

Quote: (BullsFanatic @ Jul 19 2005, 11:17 AM)

I can see it when Memphis fans post here. They will be Big East members soon enough 

Memphis will not be invited to the Big East as long as RC Johnson is the AD...however, if he quits or is fired, then we have a different ball game...

Quote:3601 Posted: Jul 19 2005, 02:12 PM 
You don't know 5hit from shinola. 

It is not a big secret that RC Johnson and Tom Jurich do not get along. And if Memphis wants in the Big East, they're gonna need Louisville's vote and support. It's that simple. I think if Jurich got along with the Memphis AD, that they could work their way in....but not while they are in a feud with the Cardinals.

This is also assuming Memphis maintains/improves their academic and athletic position.

Jurich is a business man first. If he is as brilliant as the Card fans say he is, he will be intelligent enough to not let personal differences get in the way of a good deal. If the split occurs and Memphis is the most logical choice for expansion, Jurich will vote for them. Once that happens you would see some very much improved relations between the 2 programs.

Bearcats#1 Wrote:

BullsFanatic Wrote:

Quote:if the BE were to sign a contract with the LB, Steve Earhart would have to take his family out of town in the middle of the night and never again set foot in the state

If he's giving the bowl from Memphis to Tennessee? Somehow, I don't think the state will weep over Memphis losing a bowl.

Nobody in Tennesse outside of Memphis gives a crap about the Tigers.

Except for West Tn, thats pretty much the truth. I'm sure the people in Cleveland, Toledo etc are on pins and needles about the success of Cincy in the BE.

We both have a similar situation in that we are City schools, by name if not by definition. Other parts of the state(s) outside the metropolitan areas of Memphis or Cincinnati for the most part do not care one way or the other. Fortunately, we both have rather good size metro areas to boost fan support.

We, Memphis, have had success in getting that support, UC, football wise, has for the most part failed at that.

cuseroc Wrote:

BullsFanatic Wrote:

Quote: (BullsFanatic @ Jul 19 2005, 11:17 AM)

I can see it when Memphis fans post here. They will be Big East members soon enough 

Memphis will not be invited to the Big East as long as RC Johnson is the AD...however, if he quits or is fired, then we have a different ball game...

Quote:3601 Posted: Jul 19 2005, 02:12 PM  
You don't know 5hit from shinola. 

It is not a big secret that RC Johnson and Tom Jurich do not get along. And if Memphis wants in the Big East, they're gonna need Louisville's vote and support. It's that simple. I think if Jurich got along with the Memphis AD, that they could work their way in....but not while they are in a feud with the Cardinals.

This is also assuming Memphis maintains/improves their academic and athletic position.

Jurich is a business man first. If he is as brilliant as the Card fans say he is, he will be intelligent enough to not let personal differences get in the way of a good deal. If the split occurs and Memphis is the most logical choice for expansion, Jurich will vote for them. Once that happens you would see some very much improved relations between the 2 programs.

Exactly. Bull, you still don't know 5hit from shinola. You're relying on what a few Louisville fans have said on message boards. Grown men don't let personal feelings affect business decisions. I'm not saying that Memphis will ever be a member of the Big East. But if not, it certainly won't be becasue someone doesn't like our AD or our BB coach.

cuseroc Wrote:

BullsFanatic Wrote:

Quote: (BullsFanatic @ Jul 19 2005, 11:17 AM)

I can see it when Memphis fans post here. They will be Big East members soon enough 

Memphis will not be invited to the Big East as long as RC Johnson is the AD...however, if he quits or is fired, then we have a different ball game...

Quote:3601 Posted: Jul 19 2005, 02:12 PM  
You don't know 5hit from shinola. 

It is not a big secret that RC Johnson and Tom Jurich do not get along. And if Memphis wants in the Big East, they're gonna need Louisville's vote and support. It's that simple. I think if Jurich got along with the Memphis AD, that they could work their way in....but not while they are in a feud with the Cardinals.

This is also assuming Memphis maintains/improves their academic and athletic position.

Jurich is a business man first. If he is as brilliant as the Card fans say he is, he will be intelligent enough to not let personal differences get in the way of a good deal. If the split occurs and Memphis is the most logical choice for expansion, Jurich will vote for them. Once that happens you would see some very much improved relations between the 2 programs.

No it will not happen.

It is extremely naive to believe that personal feelings do not impact business decisions especially when the bottom line is only a marginal difference between competing interests. As we saw with the addition of USF, they are not heads and shoulders above Memphis. You always choose your business partners on how well you believe the group can work together unless of course the personal strength of an individual member is too obvious to ignore. In that case you hold your nose, capitulate and move forward.

RC made no friends in the Big East during his short stint at Temple.

And do not forget the Cal factor, from what I gather he rubbed many in the NE the wrong way duing his tenure at UMASS.

L-yes Wrote:

cuseroc Wrote:

BullsFanatic Wrote:

Quote: (BullsFanatic @ Jul 19 2005, 11:17 AM)

I can see it when Memphis fans post here. They will be Big East members soon enough 

Memphis will not be invited to the Big East as long as RC Johnson is the AD...however, if he quits or is fired, then we have a different ball game...

Quote:3601 Posted: Jul 19 2005, 02:12 PM  
You don't know 5hit from shinola. 

It is not a big secret that RC Johnson and Tom Jurich do not get along. And if Memphis wants in the Big East, they're gonna need Louisville's vote and support. It's that simple. I think if Jurich got along with the Memphis AD, that they could work their way in....but not while they are in a feud with the Cardinals.

This is also assuming Memphis maintains/improves their academic and athletic position.

Jurich is a business man first. If he is as brilliant as the Card fans say he is, he will be intelligent enough to not let personal differences get in the way of a good deal. If the split occurs and Memphis is the most logical choice for expansion, Jurich will vote for them. Once that happens you would see some very much improved relations between the 2 programs.

No it will not happen.

It is extremely naive to believe that personal feelings do not impact business decisions especially when the bottom line is only a marginal difference between competing interests. As we saw with the addition of USF, they are not heads and shoulders above Memphis. You always choose your business partners on how well you believe the group can work together unless of course the personal strength of an individual member is too obvious to ignore. In that case you hold your nose, capitulate and move forward.

RC made no friends in the Big East during his short stint at Temple.

And do not forget the Cal factor, from what I gather he rubbed many in the NE the wrong way duing his tenure at UMASS.

Cry me a river. Somebody hurt my feelings.

Quote:You always choose your business partners on how well you believe the group can work together unless of course the personal strength of an individual member is too obvious to ignore

Exactly.

Quote:Cry me a river. Somebody hurt my feelings.

Why did Memphis not get in the Big East? If you think it is geography, you're wrong....that was a BS answer.
RC Johnson is not the man some of you Memphis folk make him out to be...over the past year, he's put his foot in his mouth a ton. Trying to badger Louisville in to playing you in basketball, for example, will not improve your status with the Big East.
Honestly, you guys should stop worrying about your "crap conference" and just play the games. CUSA is not holding you back from BCS games or NCAA tournaments if you are good enough.

gomemphistigers1:

You are wrong. There are more Cincinnati fans in Cincinnati than there are Ohio State fans with more than 200,000 UC alums in the Cincinnati metro area.

It is true that our campus stadium only seats 35,000. However, how large is the on campus stadium at Memphs? Oh, I forgot! You don't have one. Neither do you have an on campus basketball arena. Don't talk smack until you check your own house or lack thereof.

P.S. Isn't it strue that when Memphis plays Ole Miss at the Liberty Bowl Stadium that Ole Miss fans always out number the Memphis fans?

3601 Wrote:Photos of the Louisville game at the Liberty Bowl. It was a weeknight game and Louisville brought less than 3K. Not capacity, but pretty damn close...

I stand corrected.

gomemphistigers1:

Here is some additional information I'd like to convey to you.

There are more Ole Miss fans in Memphis than there are Memphis State fans. Does Ole Miss still play some of its home football games in Memphis?

There are more SEC fans in Memphis than there are CUSA fans. There are probably more Arkansas fans in Memphis than there are Memphis State fans. And, since the University of Tennessee Medical Center is in Memphis, I am sure there are just as many, if not more, Tennessee fans in Memphis as there are Memphis State fans.

Ohio State has no campus or any other type of presence in Cincinnati. The same can't be said for Memphis State and the University of Tennessee. Even Ole Miss has a campus within minutes of downtown Memphis. Again, check out your own situation before criticizing others.

You Memphis State fans are not the majority of college sports fans in Memphis. You are the minority.

Memphis does not belong in the Big East. Make CUSA work. It's a good conference.

Go 'Cats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Big East!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!