Yep, Thompson has essentially created Frankenstein setting up class warfare in his own conference.

What's happening out west is a new take on the same script. The West could have become what the Big East had hoped to be (post C7 split), but the western schools are so dysfunctional that they've already F'd that up.

A MWC with Boise, SDSU, BYU, Tulsa, Houston, SMU and UTEP would have become the best of the F'd Five, but they can't get out of their own way. Now, there is no way Houston or BYU is going to walk into that cluster.

(01-13-2013 10:54 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(01-13-2013 10:48 AM)Steelbeard Wrote:  He knows that nothing he says or does is going to stop teams from leaving, so rather than create bad blood, he's trying to put Conference USA in the best position he possibly can. Thompson on the other hand has pissed off a lot of people, and it's going to come back to bite the Mountain West in the ass sooner rather than later.

Well it's not just that. Thompson knew and was smart to assume that it was very possible he could get Boise and SDSU back. Britton knows the C-USA schools won't come back under any reasonable circumstances.

...boy, that was a stretch due to geographical revenue eh?

...maybe he realizes that CUSA is trying to survive like the rest and has no clout

...as long as schools are shifting and ESPN is shelling out the dollars to force these moves, this is long from over...for him to posture the conference as a stepping stone is his only move on the chess board

IMO, all this has done is give schools like the UCFs of the world opportunity....we missed our chance (like we ever had one in a state that has TWO SEC teams)....will be very interesting to revisit some of these threads in 3 or so years....

(01-13-2013 09:50 AM)WeatherfordMeanGreen Wrote:  I bet he wishes he could take that one back unless we (or the media) really didn't get the context it was said. Sometimes the media and the internet misinterpret, you know?

He also said: “It's a group with a whole lot of upside potential.” Hell, he's got 2 USA Top 10 TV markets in his conference of which both seem happy to be there and whether
some accept it or not, that does catch the eyes and ears of potential TV advertisers, but CUSA's mixture of medium and big markets looks like most others and I think looks damn good
looking at all the schools.

I think other former BCS so-called "powers" going to the Big Least are like a dog running circles chasing its tail. Anyone ever see a dog catch its tail yet?

GMG!

Regarding the bolded statement, he's said that from day 1. He does encourage it. It's kind of strange but he really does believe it.

FWIW, we do continue to post here because we're still members. Posts from departing, remaining, and entering programs should be mostly civil and if that happens, there's no problem.

What kind of commish says we promote our members leaving. What a Fing moron. Sounds like a peanut comment.

Commish seems satisfied losing long time members and replacing them with crap Sunbelt teams.

(01-13-2013 10:27 AM)WeatherfordMeanGreen Wrote:  

(01-13-2013 10:20 AM)GoGold Wrote:  I see nothing wrong with that comment. There is no way a program can better the conference without first becoming better itself.

The problem with that line of thinking is you don't really have to better yourself to move up. Quality takes a second seat to market size.

And I've said the same thing, GoGold.

I think USM is head and shoulders above all of the ones from CUSA who left for the nBE, but the upside to that for USM is just look what NIU did as a MAC school?

Big Least'ers are going to be bashing their brains out on the grid iron as they watch schools from other Go5 conferences go "Beep! Beep!" right past them to a BCS bowl. That is an easy prediction as you look at the make-up of the new Big Least. (Actually, many would call that poetic justice truth be known).

GMG!

My understanding is that Strength of Schedule will be a very big factor in determining what school represents the five. I don't think it is as easy as saying a school from Conf USA will beat out a BE school. With this logic, the easiest conf, which is the Sun Belt, will always be the rep from the 5.

I have said it so many times I am sick of it, and yet I feel compelled to again, To those leaving best of luck, enjoyed your time in the conference. If USM had been invited they WOULD have accepted as stated by the AD Hammond, so to blast the schools for leaving is not really good thinking, and honestly even though the whatever it is going to be named conference is now looking rather wierd, don't be surprised if they don't tap Tulsa, USM, Marshall and one other school to help them.

USM will be asked because of it's football, baseball, and with the improving basketball, it will be given an invite, but the tv market, lack of crowd numbers, size of venues, and frankly Hattiesburg itself, might be too much to overcome.

(01-13-2013 11:18 AM)baruna falls Wrote:  

(01-13-2013 10:27 AM)WeatherfordMeanGreen Wrote:  

(01-13-2013 10:20 AM)GoGold Wrote:  I see nothing wrong with that comment. There is no way a program can better the conference without first becoming better itself.

The problem with that line of thinking is you don't really have to better yourself to move up. Quality takes a second seat to market size.

And I've said the same thing, GoGold.

I think USM is head and shoulders above all of the ones from CUSA who left for the nBE, but the upside to that for USM is just look what NIU did as a MAC school?

Big Least'ers are going to be bashing their brains out on the grid iron as they watch schools from other Go5 conferences go "Beep! Beep!" right past them to a BCS bowl. That is an easy prediction as you look at the make-up of the new Big Least. (Actually, many would call that poetic justice truth be known).

GMG!

My understanding is that Strength of Schedule will be a very big factor in determining what school represents the five. I don't think it is as easy as saying a school from Conf USA will beat out a BE school. With this logic, the easiest conf, which is the Sun Belt, will always be the rep from the 5.

An undefeated school from the Go5 will always take the spot from a team with one or two loses.

The only times SoS will matter is if there are two or more teams from different conferences with the same records.

It'll be easier for schools from the MAC, MWC, and CUSA to go undefeated than it will be for a nbe school. I've excluded the SBC because despite being the weakest league, there is a lot of parity and no team has ever been ranked.

Now if there are multiple 1 loss teams, then sure, the nbe might take the spot, but then again one of the other schools might have had a very strong ooc schedule.

Also, what is to say that the nbe will always be the strongest Go5 conference, none of the teams in that conference are immune to downswings. Houston, ECU, UCF, Uconn, USF, SMU, and Cincy have all sucked or been very mediocre in the recent past. Memphis and Tulane currently suck.

(01-13-2013 10:27 AM)WeatherfordMeanGreen Wrote:  I think USM is head and shoulders above all of the ones from CUSA who left for the nBE, but the upside to that for USM is just look what NIU did as a MAC school?
Big Least'ers are going to be bashing their brains out on the grid iron as they watch schools from other Go5 conferences go "Beep! Beep!" right past them to a BCS bowl. That is an easy prediction as you look at the make-up of the new Big Least. (Actually, many would call that poetic justice truth be known).
GMG!

North Texas is fast becoming my favorite new invite.

(01-13-2013 11:22 AM)SgtGoldenEagle Wrote:  I have said it so many times I am sick of it, and yet I feel compelled to again, To those leaving best of luck, enjoyed your time in the conference. If USM had been invited they WOULD have accepted as stated by the AD Hammond, so to blast the schools for leaving is not really good thinking, and honestly even though the whatever it is going to be named conference is now looking rather wierd, don't be surprised if they don't tap Tulsa, USM, Marshall and one other school to help them.

USM will be asked because of it's football, baseball, and with the improving basketball, it will be given an invite, but the tv market, lack of crowd numbers, size of venues, and frankly Hattiesburg itself, might be too much to overcome.

....have to ask what the nBE offers relative to where we are currently at in the world today?

...how about letting the ACC get raided for the next go-round and see how it plays out...in our world it is nothing more than reposturing

We are in a bad spot. Period. We have no choices and it sucks. We have to win a big game (or two) next year to even be a blip on the radar, IMO....don't see it any other way

If I am Monken, this is my dream job and accept the challenge wholeheartedly....times are changing quick and our window has shrunk to basically nil

I am very nervous about football recognition moving forward....and I am not even considering the bigs....my concern is restructuring affecting recruiting to the point where Oak Grove pulls in more fans than the Rock...again, for the first time, I am nervous for our school

(01-13-2013 10:20 AM)GoGold Wrote:  I see nothing wrong with that comment. There is no way a program can better the conference without first becoming better itself.

The problem with that line of thinking is you don't really have to better yourself to move up. Quality takes a second seat to market size.

And I've said the same thing, GoGold.

I think USM is head and shoulders above all of the ones from CUSA who left for the nBE, but the upside to that for USM is just look what NIU did as a MAC school?

Big Least'ers are going to be bashing their brains out on the grid iron as they watch schools from other Go5 conferences go "Beep! Beep!" right past them to a BCS bowl. That is an easy prediction as you look at the make-up of the new Big Least. (Actually, many would call that poetic justice truth be known).

GMG!
[/quote]

My understanding is that Strength of Schedule will be a very big factor in determining what school represents the five. I don't think it is as easy as saying a school from Conf USA will beat out a BE school. With this logic, the easiest conf, which is the Sun Belt, will always be the rep from the 5.
[/quote]

No no no, sorry to bust your bubble but truth is the TV markets decided it not the teams fielded. I know it a matter of school pride, and I understand that, but look at the facts, USM has been a power in football since the conference started and has been in the running every season until 2012 for the title. In fact, USM was brought into the Metro because the conference wanted football and USM was playing good basketball at the time, so we got tapped for membership. Since the conference started USM has had a winning season every year until 2012, been to a bowl each year but 1996, 2001, and 2012. In basketball we are weakest although last year was an NCAA appearance, and this year we are looking good and could be back in the NCAA, in baseball we have been in the NCAA regions regularly, been to the CWS, so our success and no invitation should let you know, it is about the MONEY. Don't be fooled we are in a period of GREED and Love of Money.

This conference is a joke and Banowsky is a huge reason why

(01-13-2013 11:34 AM)Beagleagle23 Wrote:  This conference is a joke and Banowsky is a huge reason why

I have to respectfully disagree. I have seen each and every year of this conference and it has been good for the teams that have been it. I can remember teams like Louisville, Cincinnati, and others who needed C-USA to help them in football. I remember schools in Florida wanting to have a FBS program with some status and they have gained from the conference.

As for USM it has gained, because teams didn't want to schedule USM in football since it wasn't an easy win, and grabbing home games was pretty much limited to schools that were not football names. Some where teams who had made a bit of a name before but had hit rough sailing, so with that conference usa came into being.

We all can thank the conference and while it is not perfect, without most of us would certainly see a difference.

(01-13-2013 11:34 AM)SgtGoldenEagle Wrote:  

(01-13-2013 10:20 AM)GoGold Wrote:  I see nothing wrong with that comment. There is no way a program can better the conference without first becoming better itself.

The problem with that line of thinking is you don't really have to better yourself to move up. Quality takes a second seat to market size.

And I've said the same thing, GoGold.

I think USM is head and shoulders above all of the ones from CUSA who left for the nBE, but the upside to that for USM is just look what NIU did as a MAC school?

Big Least'ers are going to be bashing their brains out on the grid iron as they watch schools from other Go5 conferences go "Beep! Beep!" right past them to a BCS bowl. That is an easy prediction as you look at the make-up of the new Big Least. (Actually, many would call that poetic justice truth be known).

GMG!

My understanding is that Strength of Schedule will be a very big factor in determining what school represents the five. I don't think it is as easy as saying a school from Conf USA will beat out a BE school. With this logic, the easiest conf, which is the Sun Belt, will always be the rep from the 5.
[/quote]

No no no, sorry to bust your bubble but truth is the TV markets decided it not the teams fielded. I know it a matter of school pride, and I understand that, but look at the facts, USM has been a power in football since the conference started and has been in the running every season until 2012 for the title. In fact, USM was brought into the Metro because the conference wanted football and USM was playing good basketball at the time, so we got tapped for membership. Since the conference started USM has had a winning season every year until 2012, been to a bowl each year but 1996, 2001, and 2012. In basketball we are weakest although last year was an NCAA appearance, and this year we are looking good and could be back in the NCAA, in baseball we have been in the NCAA regions regularly, been to the CWS, so our success and no invitation should let you know, it is about the MONEY. Don't be fooled we are in a period of GREED and Love of Money.
[/quote]

...this country is a republic not a democracy....so, yes, you are right and justifiably so

(01-13-2013 10:27 AM)WeatherfordMeanGreen Wrote:  

(01-13-2013 10:20 AM)GoGold Wrote:  I see nothing wrong with that comment. There is no way a program can better the conference without first becoming better itself.

The problem with that line of thinking is you don't really have to better yourself to move up. Quality takes a second seat to market size.

And I've said the same thing, GoGold.

I think USM is head and shoulders above all of the ones from CUSA who left for the nBE, but the upside to that for USM is just look what NIU did as a MAC school?

Big Least'ers are going to be bashing their brains out on the grid iron as they watch schools from other Go5 conferences go "Beep! Beep!" to a BCS bowl. That is an easy prediction as you look at the make-up of the new Big Least. (Actually, many would call that poetic justice truth be known).

so you admit that CUSA football is ******* horrible sans maybe 2 programs?

(01-13-2013 12:09 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(01-13-2013 10:27 AM)WeatherfordMeanGreen Wrote:  

(01-13-2013 10:20 AM)GoGold Wrote:  I see nothing wrong with that comment. There is no way a program can better the conference without first becoming better itself.

The problem with that line of thinking is you don't really have to better yourself to move up. Quality takes a second seat to market size.

And I've said the same thing, GoGold.

I think USM is head and shoulders above all of the ones from CUSA who left for the nBE, but the upside to that for USM is just look what NIU did as a MAC school?

Big Least'ers are going to be bashing their brains out on the grid iron as they watch schools from other Go5 conferences go "Beep! Beep!" to a BCS bowl. That is an easy prediction as you look at the make-up of the new Big Least. (Actually, many would call that poetic justice truth be known).

so you admit that CUSA football is ******* horrible sans maybe 2 programs?

gonna answer for him....more upside....just like UL, Cincy, USF, UCF were in the past....you used to be just like us at one time...

You guys should hope that UNC and NC St get absorbed into SEC and B1G...might be another door for you guys....hope you get it to be honest

(01-13-2013 10:06 AM)WeatherfordMeanGreen Wrote:  I keep noticing that schools that are leaving keep frequenting this board, too. Why is that?

Uh, because they are still CUSA members?

Where should a UAB-Memphis game thread be, on the BE board?

Your statement of course begs the question as to why a current Sunbelt member is posting on a CUSA board.

(01-13-2013 12:09 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(01-13-2013 10:27 AM)WeatherfordMeanGreen Wrote:  

(01-13-2013 10:20 AM)GoGold Wrote:  I see nothing wrong with that comment. There is no way a program can better the conference without first becoming better itself.

The problem with that line of thinking is you don't really have to better yourself to move up. Quality takes a second seat to market size.

And I've said the same thing, GoGold.

I think USM is head and shoulders above all of the ones from CUSA who left for the nBE, but the upside to that for USM is just look what NIU did as a MAC school?

Big Least'ers are going to be bashing their brains out on the grid iron as they watch schools from other Go5 conferences go "Beep! Beep!" to a BCS bowl. That is an easy prediction as you look at the make-up of the new Big Least. (Actually, many would call that poetic justice truth be known).

so you admit that CUSA football is ******* horrible sans maybe 2 programs?

No I don't and to believe such is a trap set by conferences such as the $EC. There are several schools that can put a football team on the field and play very good football, such as USM, La. Tech, Marshall (yes I know they have struggled lately, but they will be back), Tulsa, Rice has started playing better, UAB could if they would play as well against everyone else as the do USM, MTSU certainly can, and I can see teams like UTSA, at least one of the two FAU, FIU will and Charlotte, ODU will in a few years be good programs. I see good things happening with North Texas as well. We lost ECU a good football program, Memphis a football program not exactly a big winner, but could be improving, Tulane who has so far to go it will be awhile if ever. Houston is a decent program and SMU is improving although not yet where it would be considered a perrential toughie. So frankly I think in football, C-USA still has several schools that can be tough and several who could be.

(01-13-2013 12:35 PM)SgtGoldenEagle Wrote:  

(01-13-2013 12:09 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(01-13-2013 10:27 AM)WeatherfordMeanGreen Wrote:  

(01-13-2013 10:20 AM)GoGold Wrote:  I see nothing wrong with that comment. There is no way a program can better the conference without first becoming better itself.

The problem with that line of thinking is you don't really have to better yourself to move up. Quality takes a second seat to market size.

And I've said the same thing, GoGold.

I think USM is head and shoulders above all of the ones from CUSA who left for the nBE, but the upside to that for USM is just look what NIU did as a MAC school?

Big Least'ers are going to be bashing their brains out on the grid iron as they watch schools from other Go5 conferences go "Beep! Beep!" to a BCS bowl. That is an easy prediction as you look at the make-up of the new Big Least. (Actually, many would call that poetic justice truth be known).

so you admit that CUSA football is ******* horrible sans maybe 2 programs?

No I don't and to believe such is a trap set by conferences such as the $EC. There are several schools that can put a football team on the field and play very good football, such as USM, La. Tech, Marshall (yes I know they have struggled lately, but they will be back), Tulsa, Rice has started playing better, UAB could if they would play as well against everyone else as the do USM, MTSU certainly can, and I can see teams like UTSA, at least one of the two FAU, FIU will and Charlotte, ODU will in a few years be good programs. I see good things happening with North Texas as well. We lost ECU a good football program, Memphis a football program not exactly a big winner, but could be improving, Tulane who has so far to go it will be awhile if ever. Houston is a decent program and SMU is improving although not yet where it would be considered a perrential toughie. So frankly I think in football, C-USA still has several schools that can be tough and several who could be.

MTSU fans paralleled ours at the NOLA bowl (where they beat our arse). They were amazingly cool and were a blast to party with.

You hit it right on the head....times are a changin' and maybe we are okay with the new additions. I think so.

I see Tulane/ECU/MEM 2 of 4 OOC games annually (why not, just too easy) with a couple of SEC/Bigs scattered in as the other two.

...and I am okay with that (am afraid of the alternative)

*******. I always knew this guy was a problem, but this guy may be THE problem.

what the hell does he think he is there for?

(01-13-2013 01:24 PM)EagleX Wrote:  *******. I always knew this guy was a problem, but this guy may be THE problem.

what the hell does he think he is there for?

...right this minute??? ...to keep it from sinking and build a future ...just like the next head coach we have to hire