Shof

It will certainly be interesting to see how CUSA handles the UAB situation. Staying at 13 just doesn't seem like a good idea; but finding that "1" program to add will be dicey. Others have suggested, and I agree, that using 2 8-team divisions for a total of 16 makes a lot of sense. Sure, it slices the revenue up a little more; but that amount could easily be made up with reduced travel expenses in a tighter geographical footprint, and reduce the time student athletes miss class.....which you would think is important to the people making these decisions (Univ Presidents). This is big for the Olympic sports. Obviously I'm a biased Cajuns fan; but our demographic fits well with existing programs in CUSA West. And we have fielded strong teams in numerous sports; most notably softball (nationally recognized) and baseball. Football drives the bus, and that has improved significantly over the past 4 years, and seems to be steadily improving as a "program" with improving facilities and other campus improvements. Our biggest drawback has always been our lack of vision (athletically) by our administration. Maybe they are working behind the scenes; but their apparent lack of initiative/drive to sell the program to other/better conferences seems to be seriously lacking. Most fans IMO do not have any confidence in the current AD. He certainly isn't endearing himself to the fans, and most think he just wants to stayed tied to the hip with his alma mater (Georgia Southern). I can only hope I'm wrong in that regard, and we really are pursuing an improvement in our conference affiliation.

Correct dawg. NSU is actually the older of the 3. Tech was established 4 years prior to UL. All established prior to 1900.

Sadly, there are quite a few fans in the recent bowl run that have only attended that 1 game. The one in New Orleans! Lots of alumni there. I would expect more to recognize the North Texas logo. The game in Lafayette with you guys a few years back is still a top-ten attendance game I believe.

To the best of my knowledge, the only forbidden reference is "University of Louisiana" without the city tag. Given time, I'm sure the legislature will figure out a way to ban "Louisiana" as well. Anyway, doubt moving conferences would help in this regard. And while the Tech administration might support our entry, or perhaps better stated, not oppose it; I don't think they would endorse the name without Lafayette. No worries though. Cheers!

We often wonder if they do this on purpose! The Leopards logo pops up too darn often to not know better. You'd think they know better; especially since we've been in this bowl, covered by ESPN, 4 straight years! Just makes you shake your head. Regardless, proud of the team. They really showed up saturday. Would like to have seen that defense during the season! Happy Holidays.

If I recall, it was a weeknight (Tuesday?) and cold as ****! Really wanted to drive up for that one.

Hey guys! Long time since I've visited the site. Just my 2 cents; but I feel USM and La Tech "administrations" would support the Cajuns. Now if you are basing your opinions off of fan sites; we don't have a chance! LOL But realistically, La Tech and the Cajuns help each other within the UL System for a number of initiatives. We have to, or fall further and further behind LSU for anything. And both schools do a very good job of presenting a good product with the budgets we have. And I'm talking about the big picture, not just athletics. For the Cajuns, having Rice (and UTSA) within easy driving to the West, Tech (and UNT) to the North, and USM to our East would make for a tight geographic footprint. And that works for all of us, not just those in Lafayette. The main concern around UL for the fans is whether or not the administration is willing to give this opportunity (if it actually exists) its full attention and actually try to "sell" the benefits of our program this time around. They were caught with their collective pants down the last time around! But the athletic program as a whole has never been stronger. Many of us feel its a "now or never" position. Much like ASU might think; it's not so much whether we get in; rather who else might get in, further diluting the SBC product. P.S. And be honest. You know you want to come tailgate with us again!

The guys who do these rankings most not be watching the same games most of us are seeing! You guys have earned the move up; the just look at the Tulane and LaTech rankings to realize just how messed up this is. Really, Tech at 90 and Tulane at 116????? After Tulane beat them in Ruston???? Memphis whooped Ark State; yet ASU at 93 and Memphis at 102. Sorry. Head-to-head means something and they are way off on some! Like what you guys are doing this year. Good luck the rest of the way.

Harry, Money (around $20M) is in place for the initial changes (endzone seating, athletic complex addition, track/soccer). The plan is supposed to go to the UL Board this month for approval. With any luck, dirt starts turning this summer. Not sure that is enough time to get endzone seating done before fall season though. The next phase will be the toughest. Huge money to replace the upper deck/press box, etc. But at least we now have a President who is willing to give athletics a chance to succeed. Shof

A couple weeks ago rumors were floating around about ASU and the MWC. Anything "new" on that front? Definitely a good group of schools there; but only if enough Eastern MWC schools remain for a divisional split east/west. Shof

Congrats on a hard fought win. I thought the game was well played on both sides. Good, clean, competitive football. Good luck the rest of the way.

I think you get there with 6 this year. Some schools not eligible (Ohio State, Penn State); plus CUSA probably won't fill their slots this year. Good chance the Belt gets 4 bowls.

FWIW, both teams had the "mini bye week". Cajuns 24-17. Here's to a clean, injury free game!

Probably played his final game at QB. Broken (throwing) hand in the FIU game. I'm glad Broadway has a start under his belt (Tulane game). I think this game is going to be closely contested; and not too high scoring.

Gautier has not looked good for the Cajuns so far. Not sure why, as he ended last year on a tear. Broadway had to come in Saturday agaist Troy and managed the game well. Not sure who will get the start at OSU this week.

Hope this doesn't repeat! @ DallasGreen. The game in Lafayette last year was a great crowd! 32,823 reported attendance. Pretty sure that is the top Sunbelt conference game crowd. It was our top home attendance crowd last year; but comes in at #5 all-time. 2009 we hosted Southern University. Crowd was 41,357; much of which was due to Southern fans as they travel VERY well! We've hosted Texas A&M (38,783) and Alabama (36,133), and our old-time rival McNeese (33,828) in 2007. That said, for a Sunbelt conference game, the one with you guys was outstanding. Hoping I can make it up to Denton this season to see your new digs! Hope both teams are healthy. Should be a good game. Shof

Funny how "every" program that is small (compared to the Big 6 schools) and has some success, is compared to Boise. Everybody is the next Boise! LOL In Hud's defense, he didn't make the comparison; but simply said it's nice to be compared to Chris Peterson and the Boise program. We (the Cajuns) are no where close to being like Boise. That said, like so many, we believe we have the environment and resources to be competitive in a Boise-like fashion. The hard part is reeling in the long-lost Cajun fans who turned to LSU football (in particular) while our program was practically abandoned by the last University President. It will take time to recover from that neglect; but we have good leadership in place now to make that push. Hopefully we can keep Hud around for a few years to build a solid foundation. That said, Boise put their entire focus into football; at the expense (IMO) of the remainder of their program. And there are some things I would certainly NOT like to be compared to Boise in; for instance, academics! :<)

I'm not sure what the original allotment was; but the university asked for more and got them. Bowl payout has a lot to do with selling your allotment. Thought I had read that SDSU had an original allotment of around 9,000 tickets; but returned many. Lots of UL alumni in the Greater New Orleans area too that purchased tickets direct from the Bowl. Given the cost to go there the Cajuns will make money off this bowl. Not a lot; but won't lose money.

I see the pattern you are referring to. And it's still better than our Belt programs. As for my statement regarding San Antonio embracing the team as "their own", I didn't say it has happened yet; rather that is how the AD is trying to promote the program. There is no other D-1 program in SA; so it has a chance to succeed attendance wise, which in turn will provide publicity and funding to continue building the program. I absolutely agree that the initial game attendance was a novelty. Heck, it was promoted with the hope they could break the attendance record for a first game. Still, over 30,000 came back for game 2 (a bad loss IMO); and after getting wholloped on the road, 33,000 came back again for game 4. I expect them to maintain 25,000+ the rest of this season. And that is against a crappy schedule for the most part. Point is, while many here in SA root for either the Longhorns or Aggies; many would like to have their own team to pull for too; and now they do. Finally, I do expect them to fall on hard times (performance wise) as they quickly transition to FBS. But I think they will get better faster than most of us (myself included) expected. Personally (and this is my opinion only) I'd much rather see UTSA, and even Tx State part of the Belt before NMSU, and especially Utah State. And I do understand what NMSU and USU bring basketball wise. Just not sure that is worth the entry! Many of us have been there.....seen that!

I haven't finished this thread completely, so hope I don't duplicate posts. One thing the UTSA AD has done is effectively promote the UTSA football program as "San Antonio's team". They have also done a good job PR wise of educating the fans that this is a process, and they are on an aggressive schedule that will have big bumps in the road. I think the attendance will settle in around 30K for the remainder of this year. How many SunBelt programs would be jacked about having that problem! Their basketball program attendance is poor; but I suspect the addition of football will also increase support for all their programs in the long run. As for as the SunBelt goes, they might not be ready for primetime; but they have demonstrated (so far) that football will be supported. Funny thing you hear from most fans down here is that they still view the Belt as a bottom-feeder program, and that the WAC is FAR superior. So obviously many of the fans are drinking too much of the WAC koolaid right now! Question is, how does the administration view the WAC vs SB? That I just don't have a feel for yet. Shof P.S. Congrats on the big win saturday!!!

OK PMG. What do you consider to be the "average" SunBelt stadium? I won't argue that the new NT stadium is at the top right now; but many belt schools are improving facilities. Obviously FAU with it's new stadium. WKY made nice upgrades recently, and others have "plans" to improve as well. BTW, hope to make it up to Denton next year for the Cajuns game with you guys. Shof

I certainly don't have all the answers; but can help some. Probably one of the biggest things (from a University perspective) is that LaTech is a National University with high research, while ULM is a Master's University, with very little research activity. So academically, there is a big difference. Athletically, Tech has prospered (to a degree) while being Div 1 (FBS) for many years now; whereas ULM only recently moved from D-1AA (FCS). And honestly, ULM may not be FBS today had the SunBelt not needed teams to retain it's FBS (BCS) status as a football league. Tech has a larger enrollment, highter admissions standards, and about twice the athletic budget of ULM. Next, they are just right down the road from each other. And while that might seem like a good way to build a rivalry, it just wants the Tech folk to seek "separation" all the more. And honestly, it's not all that different WRT the Cajuns and ULM. We don't have the same geographic problem that Tech has; but academically we are pretty much the same at Tech; but with higher research activity (while Tech has some other advantages to us). But, still very comparable. I think the Cajuns' biggest beef with ULM is the name issue; but I REALLY don't want to get into that over here!

Exactly. I think the season ticket sales, plus decent student turnout will keep their attendance respectable. Lets face it, that first game had people attending that may NEVER return to see a UTSA game. There was definitely a fair amount of novelty with that first game. Heck, that's primarily why I was there; and the only reason I may go to more is due to my kids being grads and I like spending time with them at these kind of events. Regardless, it's too early to really say how well the team will do in the future (WRT attendance). Unlike the metroplex, this is the only game in town (FCS/FBS); so I think they will be fine in the long run. And let's face it, they need to be graded WRT the affiliation they are now part of - - the WeAC; and no one there is setting the world on fire attendance wise.

Now some more info from aTm regarding the issue: President R. Bowen Loftin, Texas A&M University Statement Regarding Conference Situation “We are certainly pleased with the action taken last night by the presidents and chancellors of the Southeastern Conference to unanimously accept Texas A&M as the league’s 13th member. However, this acceptance is conditional, and we are disappointed in the threats made by one of the Big 12 member institutions to coerce Texas A&M into staying in Big 12 Conference. These actions go against the commitment that was made by this university and the Big 12 on Sept. 2. We are working diligently to resolve any and all issues as outlined by the SEC.” Also heard the SEC might sue the Big 12 for "misrepresentation", etc etc. Do you remember the scene from Animal House - - "FOOD FIGHT!!!"

My understanding is that Red bought single game tickets for the inaugural game only; not season tickets. They've actually done well with the season tickets and suites. Game 1 will be a hoot; but attendance will definitely drop following game 1. Especially if they lose to Northeastern. Should be fun day regardless. Good luck at FIU. Tough opener; but more winnable than my Cajuns opener!