(11-29-2012 11:13 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:11 AM)Blazer85 Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:47 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  I think the BE will be much much stronger most years....... Boise+UH+UCF+Cincy+USF+ECU is a pretty good combo... only problem is will we beat up on each other too much, thereby hurting our rankings.

I don't think Big East will be stronger in football. You may have the strongest team overall in Boise more often than not (and of course that's assuming the BE holds on to Boise), but depth of the league will likely be stronger in CUSA.

Are you serious?

All of the people who have won the league (sans USM and Tulsa, are gone).... the BE will add the best of the MWC as well......

The BE will have an edge but all one has to do is look at what's happening this year. C-USA is down and no threat for a BCS at-large. MWC, even with BSU, is not going to have a BCS at-large. BE champ may well end up ranked below Kent St of the MAC. Yes I said Kent St! So there is your team in the group of 5 slot in the BCS bowl. Doesn't matter that most people think the BE is somewhat stronger than the MAC.

(11-29-2012 11:11 AM)Blazer85 Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:47 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  I think the BE will be much much stronger most years....... Boise+UH+UCF+Cincy+USF+ECU is a pretty good combo... only problem is will we beat up on each other too much, thereby hurting our rankings.

I don't think Big East will be stronger in football. You may have the strongest team overall in Boise more often than not (and of course that's assuming the BE holds on to Boise), but depth of the league will likely be stronger in CUSA.

I genuinely hope you're not being serious.

(11-29-2012 09:29 AM)forphase1 Wrote:  Would I take a Big East invite? Sure. However, I'm not frantic for us to get out of CUSA. Really, from a Marshall standpoint, what have we lost?

Houston - who cares?
SMU - who cares?
Tulane - who cares?
Memphis - hurts in basketball, but who cares in football?
UCF - hurts some as this was a 'rivalry game'. But as far as recruiting in FL, we now have 2 schools there. Shouldn't really hurt us, other than the rivalry factor
ECU - big loss, no question.

However, from a GEOGRAPHIC and traveling standpoint, we may have gained. We will now have games in Charlotte (320 miles) versus Greenville (460 miles), Norfolk, VA (460 miles) versus Memphis, TN (550 miles), Murfreesboro, TN (370 miles) versus New Orleans (far, far away), and we may be adding Bowling Green KY (278 miles). While this may not be as driving friendly as the MAC was, it will be a huge improvement over the old CUSA. Money should stay roughly the same. If (and I know that's an if with how we have been playing) but IF we can get back to 97-2002 Marshall football, and dominate this 'new' conference like we did the MAC, we can put our flag back on the national mind, and who knows what happens then? After all, from everything I'm reading we will have the same access to the big bowls as the Big East does, right? They may make more money, true. But I think Marshall isn't in nearly as bad of a position as some are making this out to be. JMHO.

An excellent post, and I fully agree! I know some will still ***** and moan, but I think the future looks pretty good for us.

(11-29-2012 11:57 AM)the1sttransport Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:11 AM)Blazer85 Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:47 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  I think the BE will be much much stronger most years....... Boise+UH+UCF+Cincy+USF+ECU is a pretty good combo... only problem is will we beat up on each other too much, thereby hurting our rankings.

I don't think Big East will be stronger in football. You may have the strongest team overall in Boise more often than not (and of course that's assuming the BE holds on to Boise), but depth of the league will likely be stronger in CUSA.

I genuinely hope you're not being serious.

CUSA might be more competitive top to bottom, but BE, as a whole, will be better.

(11-29-2012 09:42 AM)daonepro Wrote:  Both conferences will be fine. Both are wannabes.

If by "fine", you mean both will suck, then yes.

I think it's hilarious that some of the same people who were arguing that LA Tech doesn't carry the Shreveport market are now claiming ULL carries the New Orleans market.

(11-29-2012 11:59 AM)herdfan2013 Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:57 AM)the1sttransport Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:11 AM)Blazer85 Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:47 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  I think the BE will be much much stronger most years....... Boise+UH+UCF+Cincy+USF+ECU is a pretty good combo... only problem is will we beat up on each other too much, thereby hurting our rankings.

I don't think Big East will be stronger in football. You may have the strongest team overall in Boise more often than not (and of course that's assuming the BE holds on to Boise), but depth of the league will likely be stronger in CUSA.

I genuinely hope you're not being serious.

CUSA might be more competitive top to bottom, but BE, as a whole, will be better.

Everyone has made their peace about the financial impact on travel but what no one is considering is the competitive impact. ECU fans, do you really think that your football team will be playing at 100% in San Diego at a time when it would normally be midnight in Greenville? Are you pumped to stay up late enough to watch it? If anyone knows the impact that long distance conference travel can have on your team it is a fan on LTU. It was damn HARD to be competitive in the WAC, not because everyone was so much better but because we were doing 18-26 hours of traveling every single week in October and November.

(11-29-2012 09:29 AM)forphase1 Wrote:  Would I take a Big East invite? Sure. However, I'm not frantic for us to get out of CUSA. Really, from a Marshall standpoint, what have we lost?

Houston - who cares?
SMU - who cares?
Tulane - who cares?
Memphis - hurts in basketball, but who cares in football?
UCF - hurts some as this was a 'rivalry game'. But as far as recruiting in FL, we now have 2 schools there. Shouldn't really hurt us, other than the rivalry factor
ECU - big loss, no question.

However, from a GEOGRAPHIC and traveling standpoint, we may have gained. We will now have games in Charlotte (320 miles) versus Greenville (460 miles), Norfolk, VA (460 miles) versus Memphis, TN (550 miles), Murfreesboro, TN (370 miles) versus New Orleans (far, far away), and we may be adding Bowling Green KY (278 miles). While this may not be as driving friendly as the MAC was, it will be a huge improvement over the old CUSA. Money should stay roughly the same. If (and I know that's an if with how we have been playing) but IF we can get back to 97-2002 Marshall football, and dominate this 'new' conference like we did the MAC, we can put our flag back on the national mind, and who knows what happens then? After all, from everything I'm reading we will have the same access to the big bowls as the Big East does, right? They may make more money, true. But I think Marshall isn't in nearly as bad of a position as some are making this out to be. JMHO.

+1
I hate that ECU is leaving and I really enjoyed my trips to Memphis and talking with their fans on here. Not going to miss Houston at all.
I am very much looking forward to adding our new conference mates and being able to drive to a few more road games. Hope we add Western Kentucky to the mix for their solid programs and as forphase1 stated, they are within 278 miles which makes for a very easy road trip.
Things could be alot worse.

(11-29-2012 10:38 PM)gata_dawg Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:59 AM)herdfan2013 Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:57 AM)the1sttransport Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:11 AM)Blazer85 Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:47 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  I think the BE will be much much stronger most years....... Boise+UH+UCF+Cincy+USF+ECU is a pretty good combo... only problem is will we beat up on each other too much, thereby hurting our rankings.

I don't think Big East will be stronger in football. You may have the strongest team overall in Boise more often than not (and of course that's assuming the BE holds on to Boise), but depth of the league will likely be stronger in CUSA.

I genuinely hope you're not being serious.

CUSA might be more competitive top to bottom, but BE, as a whole, will be better.

Everyone has made their peace about the financial impact on travel but what no one is considering is the competitive impact. ECU fans, do you really think that your football team will be playing at 100% in San Diego at a time when it would normally be midnight in Greenville? Are you pumped to stay up late enough to watch it? If anyone knows the impact that long distance conference travel can have on your team it is a fan on LTU. It was damn HARD to be competitive in the WAC, not because everyone was so much better but because we were doing 18-26 hours of traveling every single week in October and November.

Man I have all the respect in the world for CUSA. But bottom line is the BE is just a better conference. Well probably only play SDSU once every few years anyway.

Charlotte will be fine.

(11-29-2012 10:49 PM)Tintin Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:47 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  I think the BE will be much much stronger most years....... Boise+UH+UCF+Cincy+USF+ECU is a pretty good combo... only problem is will we beat up on each other too much, thereby hurting our rankings.

Boise, yes. The rest, not so much.

Is history suddenly going to change? Those are strong programs. Everyone of them have been ranked in the past 4 years

(11-29-2012 10:45 PM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:38 PM)gata_dawg Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:59 AM)herdfan2013 Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:57 AM)the1sttransport Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:11 AM)Blazer85 Wrote:  I don't think Big East will be stronger in football. You may have the strongest team overall in Boise more often than not (and of course that's assuming the BE holds on to Boise), but depth of the league will likely be stronger in CUSA.

I genuinely hope you're not being serious.

CUSA might be more competitive top to bottom, but BE, as a whole, will be better.

Everyone has made their peace about the financial impact on travel but what no one is considering is the competitive impact. ECU fans, do you really think that your football team will be playing at 100% in San Diego at a time when it would normally be midnight in Greenville? Are you pumped to stay up late enough to watch it? If anyone knows the impact that long distance conference travel can have on your team it is a fan on LTU. It was damn HARD to be competitive in the WAC, not because everyone was so much better but because we were doing 18-26 hours of traveling every single week in October and November.

Man I have all the respect in the world for CUSA. But bottom line is the BE is just a better conference. Well probably only play SDSU once every few years anyway.

Please understand I'm not trolling you at all. Tons of credit is due for what your program has accomplished, but the travel is going to be much harder than you think it will be. Come to think of it, wasn't it ECU fans on this board who were so hell-bent on adding regional teams during the last round of expansion? Who is the closest opponent for you in the BE now?

(11-29-2012 10:44 PM)Herd Fan 4-Life Wrote:  I hate that ECU is leaving and I really enjoyed my trips to Memphis and talking with their fans on here.

I've said this before... I will roll with whatever punches come USM's way when it all settles and finishes. We were a "no-name team" who scared the hell out of whomever we played before, and I believe we will be so again.

(Hey Nebraska, you listening? Don't expect the next two games to be pushovers jsut because they're in Lincoln, because Coach "I don't give a s***" is NO LONGER here.)

My one (and really major) disappointment is that a lot of our long term rivalries (Memphis, Tulane, ECU) are no longer year-in/year-out. I felt the same way when L'ville left...

But you know what, unless our new coach (whomever he is) completely lets this team fall apart, I'm going to make myself more than happy to look forward to new "rivalries".

(Of course, I hope that means that my future EC donations are used CORRECTLY by the PTB.)

That includes La Tech, and if we move West, Tulsa, UTEP, Rice, UTSA, etc... and if we don't that means Marshall, UAB, the Mutts (yes, I'm borrowing that one from 76 (if it was 76 who threw it out there), Queens (yep Monarchs that's you :) ), the FU's, Charlotte, (I'm trying to avoid the "69'ers" for Charlotte.. that's just a little too childish.. but something will come up!! i swear!)

(11-29-2012 10:57 PM)gata_dawg Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:45 PM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:38 PM)gata_dawg Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:59 AM)herdfan2013 Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:57 AM)the1sttransport Wrote:  I genuinely hope you're not being serious.

CUSA might be more competitive top to bottom, but BE, as a whole, will be better.

Everyone has made their peace about the financial impact on travel but what no one is considering is the competitive impact. ECU fans, do you really think that your football team will be playing at 100% in San Diego at a time when it would normally be midnight in Greenville? Are you pumped to stay up late enough to watch it? If anyone knows the impact that long distance conference travel can have on your team it is a fan on LTU. It was damn HARD to be competitive in the WAC, not because everyone was so much better but because we were doing 18-26 hours of traveling every single week in October and November.

Man I have all the respect in the world for CUSA. But bottom line is the BE is just a better conference. Well probably only play SDSU once every few years anyway.

Please understand I'm not trolling you at all. Tons of credit is due for what your program has accomplished, but the travel is going to be much harder than you think it will be. Come to think of it, wasn't it ECU fans on this board who were so hell-bent on adding regional teams during the last round of expansion? Who is the closest opponent for you in the BE now?

Navy... 45 minute plane ride.

(11-29-2012 11:23 PM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:57 PM)gata_dawg Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:45 PM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:38 PM)gata_dawg Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:59 AM)herdfan2013 Wrote:  CUSA might be more competitive top to bottom, but BE, as a whole, will be better.

Everyone has made their peace about the financial impact on travel but what no one is considering is the competitive impact. ECU fans, do you really think that your football team will be playing at 100% in San Diego at a time when it would normally be midnight in Greenville? Are you pumped to stay up late enough to watch it? If anyone knows the impact that long distance conference travel can have on your team it is a fan on LTU. It was damn HARD to be competitive in the WAC, not because everyone was so much better but because we were doing 18-26 hours of traveling every single week in October and November.

Man I have all the respect in the world for CUSA. But bottom line is the BE is just a better conference. Well probably only play SDSU once every few years anyway.

Please understand I'm not trolling you at all. Tons of credit is due for what your program has accomplished, but the travel is going to be much harder than you think it will be. Come to think of it, wasn't it ECU fans on this board who were so hell-bent on adding regional teams during the last round of expansion? Who is the closest opponent for you in the BE now?

Navy... 45 minute plane ride.

Well, ok. Glad you have it all figured out.

(11-29-2012 10:38 PM)gata_dawg Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:59 AM)herdfan2013 Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:57 AM)the1sttransport Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:11 AM)Blazer85 Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:47 AM)NBPirate Wrote:  I think the BE will be much much stronger most years....... Boise+UH+UCF+Cincy+USF+ECU is a pretty good combo... only problem is will we beat up on each other too much, thereby hurting our rankings.

I don't think Big East will be stronger in football. You may have the strongest team overall in Boise more often than not (and of course that's assuming the BE holds on to Boise), but depth of the league will likely be stronger in CUSA.

I genuinely hope you're not being serious.

CUSA might be more competitive top to bottom, but BE, as a whole, will be better.

Everyone has made their peace about the financial impact on travel but what no one is considering is the competitive impact. ECU fans, do you really think that your football team will be playing at 100% in San Diego at a time when it would normally be midnight in Greenville? Are you pumped to stay up late enough to watch it? If anyone knows the impact that long distance conference travel can have on your team it is a fan on LTU. It was damn HARD to be competitive in the WAC, not because everyone was so much better but because we were doing 18-26 hours of traveling every single week in October and November.

I have nothing but respect for La Tech. You guys bust your butt to improve every year. I was looking forward to playing y'all.

By the way, La Tech does have he Shreveport market and UL doesn't come close to Tulane's history, program or carrying the NO market.

(11-29-2012 11:27 PM)gata_dawg Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 11:23 PM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:57 PM)gata_dawg Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:45 PM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(11-29-2012 10:38 PM)gata_dawg Wrote:  Everyone has made their peace about the financial impact on travel but what no one is considering is the competitive impact. ECU fans, do you really think that your football team will be playing at 100% in San Diego at a time when it would normally be midnight in Greenville? Are you pumped to stay up late enough to watch it? If anyone knows the impact that long distance conference travel can have on your team it is a fan on LTU. It was damn HARD to be competitive in the WAC, not because everyone was so much better but because we were doing 18-26 hours of traveling every single week in October and November.

Man I have all the respect in the world for CUSA. But bottom line is the BE is just a better conference. Well probably only play SDSU once every few years anyway.

Please understand I'm not trolling you at all. Tons of credit is due for what your program has accomplished, but the travel is going to be much harder than you think it will be. Come to think of it, wasn't it ECU fans on this board who were so hell-bent on adding regional teams during the last round of expansion? Who is the closest opponent for you in the BE now?

Navy... 45 minute plane ride.

Well, ok. Glad you have it all figured out.

I mean, Philly and Annapolis aren't very far. Itll be nice.

Where does the SDSU success talk come from? A decent year in basketball and now they are a powerhouse? If I remember correctly, they got beat in their bowl last year by ULL.

I am just glad to see some positive talk instead of the negative nancies that continue to down CUSA. I am also glad that some of these whiney azz ECU fans have went over to the BE board. Not all ECU posters are bad but:

Blunder
StillJonesing
bOnds

and a couple of others will not be missed.

And another thing, you nBE posters that say travel will not be an issue with the current configuration...go f'd yourselves.

You're were some of the same posters that crucified CUSA for being to spread out. Well, the little more money that you will get is going to go into your travel budget because the nBE has teams further apart than: