(01-07-2013 09:51 AM)MU42 Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:40 AM)ECUgradstudent Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:23 AM)wh49er Wrote:  UMass is under alot of pressure from their faculty to drop down to FCS and reduce costs. I don't see it happening.

I wonder if UMASS might join as a non football member to go along with Navy being a football only member? That would allow them to go back to FCS if they wanted to?

Doubt it. Navy isn't going to join the Big East at this point. UMass though would likely be an all sports member, they are probably trying to keep some sort of eastern team in the Big EAST. Once UConn leaves the only true east school left will be Temple. Wow. What a difference a year makes.

Navy recently confirmed they are fully on board with the nBE. They stated that the nBE would give them a schedule very similar to what they would play as an independant. Gives them bowl and scheduling security too and I'm surprised that Army has not reconsidered and tried to join the nBE. Perfect fit for them.

(01-07-2013 09:23 AM)wh49er Wrote:  UMass is under alot of pressure from their faculty to drop down to FCS and reduce costs. I don't see it happening.

Just about any football playing school that would take a faculty vote on the football program would get the same results. Doesn't really mean anything at this point. Now if they are losing too much money the administration may rethink their place in the world of college athletics.

UTEP to MWC makes a lot of sense for both UTEP and the MWC.

I'm glad Tulsa is being considered by the BE. I look forward to games with them now in CUSA and they are the strongest program in CUSA that's left.

(01-07-2013 09:45 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:38 AM)Orange County Owl Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:02 AM)baruna falls Wrote:  Adding Rice to the Big East would be a good add. Great academics and competitive football. Would Rice like to stay in the same conf as Houston and SMU?

I'm guessing that we'd like to remain tied to peer athletic institutions, but - quite frankly - there are probably benefits to having Rice/UH in separate leagues.

That being said ... if the economics worked and we received an invite, I'm sure we'd obviously accept it. The MWC also holds some appeal (particularly for me living out in SoCal).

Much of our fan base (myself included) remains skeptical that we'll receive an invite from either league - but I will say that I'm slightly more optimistic than I was two weeks ago.

I could see how Rice could be a choice for an invite from whatever conference Houston doesnt go to. If Houston and SMU stay in the Big East, Rice, UTEP, and maybe UTSA or N Texas all could be attractive targets for the MW to access Texas. If Houston and SMU go to the MW, Rice and UTSA as urban universities, could be interesting travel partners for Tulane.

I agree with your Rice/Houston point. I think the nBE is aware that Houston has at least had talks with the MWC. They would want Rice to get back into the Houston market if Houston went to the MWC. And the MWC may well go after Rice if Houston stays in the nBE. A lot depends on what SDSU does. If they stay nBE then I would be very surprised if UTEP didn't end up in the MWC. If SDSU goes back to the MWC, they may stand pat at 12 but if they go to 14, either Rice or Houston would be top candidates.

(01-07-2013 09:54 AM)ultraviolet Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:40 AM)ECUgradstudent Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:23 AM)wh49er Wrote:  UMass is under alot of pressure from their faculty to drop down to FCS and reduce costs. I don't see it happening.

I wonder if UMASS might join as a non football member to go along with Navy being a football only member? That would allow them to go back to FCS if they wanted to?

You can't say you're serious about football and not mention Southern Miss.

we would be harder to ignore if everyone hadn't beat our johnson last season.

(01-07-2013 11:15 AM)EagleX Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:54 AM)ultraviolet Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:40 AM)ECUgradstudent Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:23 AM)wh49er Wrote:  UMass is under alot of pressure from their faculty to drop down to FCS and reduce costs. I don't see it happening.

I wonder if UMASS might join as a non football member to go along with Navy being a football only member? That would allow them to go back to FCS if they wanted to?

You can't say you're serious about football and not mention Southern Miss.

we would be harder to ignore if everyone hadn't beat our johnson last season.

Last season sure didn't look like USM football, but people around the nation knows it was not the USM you will get on schedule normally. I am always amazed at how much respect USM has around the country among informed football fans, and we have been known as a program you don't want to play if you are in the range of a title, because even if you beat USM afterwards you are so banged up it could cost you down the road. However the things that get in the way of USM realizing it's full potential are, the small market, the lack of respect in the South Mississippi area (especially Hattiesburg) and the area is likely to let the program go under than to put a 1 penny tax on tourist trade to save money for the school because the word tax is there. I grew up in the area (Columbia) and I am almost 60 so I have a very good knowledge of the area (also went to USM), and I have always be shocked at how they will drive to Oxford for an Old Mess game but refuse to put one cent into helping USM.

(01-07-2013 11:15 AM)EagleX Wrote:  we would be harder to ignore if everyone hadn't beat our johnson last season.

^ I see what you did there ^


I'll be one suicidal Herd fan if we get left behind in all this, that's all I know.

I really want to continue to be conference mates with ECU, Southern Miss and UCF.

(01-07-2013 09:39 AM)ECUgradstudent Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 08:59 AM)JustAnotherAustinOwl Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 08:55 AM)baruna falls Wrote:  per Andy Katz. This is only if Big East decides to expand.
http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketbal...rik-murphy

"Rice and Southern Miss were also tossed around."

Surprising. Good to hear our name tossed around, though I don't have any idea what my preference is. I'm happy with the current future CUSA West. But who knows if it will still exist next year. Or next week.

Would not be suprised if ECU is one of the ones tossing USM name around.

Well they should be seeing how we went to bat for you guys big time when Louisville tried to keep you out of CUSA.

(01-07-2013 10:07 AM)baruna falls Wrote:  Why do you say that Navy is not joining the BE? Their AD confirmed that they were still committed to the BE last week. Has there been another statement from them?

And Boise State AD confirmed on DEC 29 they were fully committed to the BE. Then DEC 31st came along.....

I really only see cincy & uconn saying no to us. unless memphis & tulane turn on us in hopes of getting an upper hand in fb recruiting.

I wouldn't say too much in college football is secure. The big boys of course are, but the mid-majors are a fruitbasket turnover right now and regardless of how a school might feel, any shift could change their plans. I wouldn't fall in love with any conference at our level right now because it would be setting up for a heartbreak. Greed is a horrible disease.

(01-07-2013 11:15 AM)EagleX Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:54 AM)ultraviolet Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:40 AM)ECUgradstudent Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:23 AM)wh49er Wrote:  UMass is under alot of pressure from their faculty to drop down to FCS and reduce costs. I don't see it happening.

I wonder if UMASS might join as a non football member to go along with Navy being a football only member? That would allow them to go back to FCS if they wanted to?

You can't say you're serious about football and not mention Southern Miss.

we would be harder to ignore if everyone hadn't beat our johnson last season.

As Monken said, 18 winning season out of the last 19 is pretty good.

once again nobody wants LaTech

(01-07-2013 09:02 AM)baruna falls Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 08:59 AM)JustAnotherAustinOwl Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 08:55 AM)baruna falls Wrote:  per Andy Katz. This is only if Big East decides to expand.
http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketbal...rik-murphy

"Rice and Southern Miss were also tossed around."

Surprising. Good to hear our name tossed around, though I don't have any idea what my preference is. I'm happy with the current future CUSA West. But who knows if it will still exist next year. Or next week.

Adding Rice to the Big East would be a good add. Great academics and competitive football. Would Rice like to stay in the same conf as Houston and SMU?

Speaking for myself, yes to SMU, no to UH. I think Rice and UH increase their respective utilities to their conferences if they do not double up. I would love to have an annual OOC game with UH at a neutral site.

(01-07-2013 12:47 PM)techdawg88 Wrote:  once again nobody wants LaTech

Not surprised. Not much of a market and LA is already represented. You guys may be a better program than Tulane, but I doubt the BE wants to Louisiana schools unless LSU suddenly becomes available.

(01-07-2013 01:03 PM)Niner National Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 12:47 PM)techdawg88 Wrote:  once again nobody wants LaTech

Not surprised. Not much of a market and LA is already represented. You guys may be a better program than Tulane, but I doubt the BE wants to Louisiana schools unless LSU suddenly becomes available.

so we're just good enough for a one night stand and not a long term committment?

(01-07-2013 09:38 AM)Orange County Owl Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 09:02 AM)baruna falls Wrote:  Adding Rice to the Big East would be a good add. Great academics and competitive football. Would Rice like to stay in the same conf as Houston and SMU?

I'm guessing that we'd like to remain tied to peer athletic institutions, but - quite frankly - there are probably benefits to having Rice/UH in separate leagues.

That being said ... if the economics worked and we received an invite, I'm sure we'd obviously accept it. The MWC also holds some appeal (particularly for me living out in SoCal).

Much of our fan base (myself included) remains skeptical that we'll receive an invite from either league - but I will say that I'm slightly more optimistic than I was two weeks ago.

I'd say keep the optimism. Rice is similar to Tulane- Great TV market and FANTASTIC academics. Plus Rice brings a baseball power.

(01-07-2013 11:49 AM)eagleriffic Wrote:  I really only see cincy & uconn saying no to us. unless memphis & tulane turn on us in hopes of getting an upper hand in fb recruiting.

For dozens of reasons, I can't imagine either Tulane or Memphis not supporting USM for membership.

(01-07-2013 12:47 PM)techdawg88 Wrote:  once again nobody wants LaTech

We can form a club!

(01-07-2013 01:32 PM)mistabinks Wrote:  

(01-07-2013 12:47 PM)techdawg88 Wrote:  once again nobody wants LaTech

We can form a club!

I think UTEP might get into MWC as their 12 member once they get turned down by BYU again