GrayEagle

You still didn't speculate on how this alliance manifests itself but I did glean a couple of things from your response. It is your opinion that the two divisions will never play one another. Then why are we doing this charade? Why should the west get to decide what the east does and vice-versa? If the only item to be gained in merging is a bigger TV contract then form some quasi-legal entity for the purpose of negotiating as one and forget this falderol. It doesn't take a merger for conference champions to play one another. Admittedly, I don't know or understand the purpose of the alliance set-up is but it seems that it will lose a lot in terms of NCAA basketball revenue distribution if it is only one league. From what I read, it hasn't been determined whether the merger is football only or for all sports nor for how many teams will be involved. I don't know who North Texas' friends or enemies are but my perception is definitely different than yours. Your argument that we would get no support from the west because there's no recruiting advantage since we don't play one another. Then wouldn't the opposite be also true? Why would they vote against us since we don't play? We were in a conference with Tulsa for a dozen or so years and got along just fine. I would expect their support. You might have a valid argument about Tulane (and maybe Rice) if the other school being considered were private but it appears to me that only public universities are being considered. Furthermore, I have doubts that Rice would pick a Florida college over one in Texas for a conference partner. It's a given that ECU would prefer FIU over us but I'm not that sure about the others. Denton, Texas is exactly 18 miles further from Huntington, WV than Miami. They also understand that there aren't other qualified candidates in their area. They might have to hold their nose but if enough are for us then I don't believe that they would remain against us. Denton is even closer to Birmingham than Miami and I don't believe that they would feel strongly about accepting or rejecting us. Maybe it's just a sign of the times but I don't understand how you choose a school with seven years of FBS play over one with forty years, especially when the older school has a better winning percentage. The larger one is in a larger metro area, TV market and is better located for the universities involved. I guess politics is just dirty at any level.

Thanks for the correction on the Utags. He could see some playing time this coming year. I don't think that he'll be ahead of Jackson, Lee, Warner, Swarn, Trice, and possibly Marshall. I also don't think that they're bringing in DQ Johnson to ride the bench. But, especially if he plays corner, he should have an excellent chance for the two-deep.

That was the Utes, not Aggies, that offered.

The old Southwest Conference plus Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and North Texas.

Rivals short-sheeted Busby with a rating of only 5.4 (two star). Every other rating service that I've seen (24 7, ESPN, Scout) rated him higher.

Guys...Guys...what are you reading? Let me quote three excerpts from the KMPH article: "...at least eight schools" Unless they dump Hawaii there will be at least nine in one of the conferences/divisions and other sources have said that there will be at least nine in each division. "the numbers could change as schools are moved around or added" Does this possibly indicate that the number and structure are not final? What we definitely don't know is how many may be added. "If it all comes together as planned the proposed conference could have bigger demographic numbers than the Big East and the ACC" DFW is the fifth largest TV market in the country and is not currently included in the makeup of the Alliance. It is the largest population center within the footprint. There are 5.777 million people in just the counties that abut Denton County. How can you surpass the Big East without those numbers? If you want to beat yourselves up go ahead but this article actually gave me more hope, not less, than previously.

Oh, I thought that they'd made the requirements more stringent.

Let's see if I get this right. In the western CUSA the big factor is who you recruit against. In the east it's where you're located. It sounds like lawyer-speak to me. I know what I want my answer to be and this is what I'll use to prove my point. C'mon ArkStFan, I've always respected your opinion, but this? If I were choosing a replacement team for my conference, recruiting would likely be the last factor that I would consider. How about what you can contribute in the way of power-rating, market, attendance, size, facilities, time in grade, prestige and location among others? Finally, when it did come down to recruiting wouldn't the ability of one school to get better athletes into the conference be a plus. A conference of better athletes can usually recruit better athletes. If this is to be considered one conference why would you want to spread out even farther when the majority can save untold travel costs by selecting from nearer the center? East Carolina has always harped about no teams near them. They have been trying to get into the Big East as long as they've been in Conference USA. They may still get their wish when West Virginia, Louisville, Syracuse, Pitt, et al leave so why pick someone in their end of the world when they'll be gone as soon as they can? One other factor that you mentioned needs to be elaborated on. If there is to be no inter-league play, what is the purpose of the alliance? How do you see the structure? One conference or two? Eighteen, twenty, twenty-two or twenty-four teams? One TV contract or two?

Boosting attendance is our most important current priority. It is the cornerstone to any off-field success. Virtually every member of the AD staff should have this priority at the forefront of their jobs..."How Can We Get More People To Apogee?" It's a three-part solution. The most important aspect is student attendance, closely followed by alumni participation, and then the general populace. Student involvement will require support from both the administration and the SGA. The administration can strongly urge the faculty to announce to their classes the need for student participation (especially attendance). Their enthusiasm spills over to the alumni, Denton and Denton County, and the Metroplex. They are our best advertisers. They can boost future enrollment and the recruitment of athletes. When a prospect visits and sees the support they will want to be a part of it. Just as the student body was essential to the building of Apogee Stadium, they are also vital to stimulate attendance. They could work with the administration to provide incentives for students to attend all athletic events (especially football because of the money it generates). Hopefully, there is an 'UNT Flyer' in this Student Government Association. Lots of flyers and signs on campus around game day. The alumni portion can best be done by the alumni themselves. Give incentives for those who bring in new MGC members. It could be seats, merchandise, parking, awards or recognition or some combination of the above. Discount tickets for new season ticket holders. Expand MGC Ambassadors. Free hot dog and drink w/general admission, etc. The townspeople need to be personally contacted by some combination of visitation, door hangers, mall booths, letters, or local advertising. Maybe that could be done with volunteer students and alumni. Students should be admitted free with purchase of ticket by an adult. Make each game a special promotion catering to a specific group...church, civic club, chamber of commerce, etc. This is the year to get anybody and everybody involved. If they like what they see (and I believe that they will) they'll be back.

Yes, it is but it is far too small to carry the amount of traffic anticipated. While I still like the footbridge the North Texas Blvd bridge needs to be expanded to four lanes with sidewalks.

Here's another to add to the list of abusers...Miami. They have 31 commitments and aren't they under some sort of sanctions?

Perception is in the eye of the perceiver.

http://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/2011-01-19/new-rules-protect-wac-auto-bids'>http://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/2011-01-19/new-rules-protect-wac-auto-bids Here is the info on that. http://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/2011-01-19/new-rules-protect-wac-auto-bids'>http://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/2011-01-19/new-rules-protect-wac-auto-bids According to the release Texas State becomes fully eligible in 2013; UTSA a year later. UT-San Antonio hasn't yet played a single FBS opponent and I believe only two FCS teams. It's true that there has been speculation about their joining the MWC but I think that it was mere speculation. Now they could be a viable candidate for the Sun Belt.

I suppose it could have been but people have to realize that UTSA won't be in the FBS until 2014. Expansion talk that would include them in an above entry-level conference is way premature.

Yes, but at least Davis has a sheet. By the way he does show up on both ESPN and 247. In fact on ESPN he's our 2nd highest rated recruit. I don't understand the McNulty screwup because Rivals is usually more on top of the situation than others. But, they sure don't get them all. In addition to Davis, they show Mark Lewis as a linebacker with interest in us but no commitment.

Okay, this has been reported as factual...Craig Thompson was quoted that he wanted to extend the Mountain West Conference as far east as Texas. At the time no mention had been made of UTEP switching conferences so he must have talking about North Texas. So there's your rumor...North Texas to the MWC. You're free to take it and run with it. Post it daily if you like. That should help get us in.

Congratulations to Sir Calvin Wallace of Tyler Chapel Hill who made First Team All-State on The Old Coach.com (Rivals) Class 3A team!

Anyone know why Christian Hines does not appear on any of the four rating services? The only record that I can find of his commitment is Vito's Mean Green Blog and Texas Football (which is reported by Brett as well). It's the weirdest situation that I can remember. Usually Rivals or Scout picks up early on any possible recruits even if they don't rate them but no sheet on either this time. In the past they've often done sheets on those going to JCs or not planning on playing beyond high school. It's not like he is an unknown. He was 2nd team all-district and had some outstanding playoff games at Corsicana. There also no sheet on Washington, their great running back, who was also a senior. I have some trepidation about this recruit.

Why would we think that we are doing nothing? If presentations were made in the newspaper then, yeah, make it known post haste. I'm sure that both CUSA and the MWC know us backwards and forwards, strengths and weaknesses, beauty spots and warts. Is the CUSA office not 30 minutes from our campus? Wasn't Britton Banowsky an associate commissioner of the Sun Belt? Wasn't Lane Rawlins a former NCAA board member? Hasn't Rick Villareal heard ad nauseum that we need a better conference to enhance attendance and pay for Apogee? Isn't Neinas Sports Services under contract to advance our cause? If not, would one of our Irving alums drive over to Las Colinas and tell the Conference USA office that there's a university 25 miles to the north that would like to speak to you. I agree that if the conference(s) expand to 20 or 24 teams Louisiana Tech should be included. Football-wise, they have a strong case but in perhaps all other areas...not so much. Academically they rank 104th in the FBS based on incoming freshmen's SAT scores. They would be second in location based on mileage but they are much more difficult to travel to. Their TV market, even if they could include Shreveport, would still be behind several other candidates. They are the second smallest public university in the FBS...ahead of only their neighbor to the east ULM. Their budget/revenue is among the smallest in the FBS. To their credit though they have learned to live within their means. Sorry for the rant but that's no doubt the way others would feel about us (minus any facts) should we toot our own horn in public. Maybe that's why we are keeping quiet.

There seem to be very few friendships developed in college football anymore. It's too much of a dog-eat-dog environment to enjoy friendly competition. If we have any allies it would likely be: Tulsa Literally and figuratively they were our closest rival back in the old Missouri Valley days. They're easy to like because they usually treat everyone the same and can and will compete with all comers. Even though they have high academics they will not use that as an excuse in the public/private argument (nor do they have to). Southern Miss Since about a fourth of our AD staff has passed through Southern Miss at one time and our Athletics Director has a degree from there you'd think that they would be an ally. That should be even more true now that the somewhat advesarial AD at USM has departed. UTEP Back in the 60s and 70s we used to play each other every year. Since we're one of the few FBS universities within 700 miles of them it might be to their advantage (and definitely ours) to develop state ties again. Memphis We had a good rivalry with them back in the MVC days and they're only about five hours away. Another point in our favor could be that Lane Rawlins is a former UM president and a co-founder of CUSA. Rice Our proximity to each other should make decent bedfellows. We could definitely save each other a lot of travel dollars. It's equally important to know who might vote against us. Other than East Carolina, it would be hard to say. But then ECU would be against anyone west of Appalachia. Across the aisle, Wyoming, Colorado State, New Mexico, and even Air Force recruit Texas a lot and getting to play here every other year would be a plus for them. If we don't have any friends then let us hope that we at least haven't developed any enemies.

I agree; and in addition to the loss of a vote they also stand to lose some big bucks from the NCAA. Each non-AQ conference's share is about $13 million which would be reduced to one conference's share. Losing $13M with nothing to show for it but additional travel expenses makes no sense. Even if they gained AQ status (which they won't) they would still lose $3 million dollars because the AQ conference share is $23 million. My guess is that each conference goes to ten teams with an eye toward twelve so that they can further cut travel costs and add a championship game. I absolutely hate conferences that have 'football only' members so I would hope Hawaii is admitted for all sports. Maybe make some concession on the non-revenue sports whereby they would only have to go to the islands once every four years but give them full membership. If the WAC teams could afford Hawaii as a member then surely the MWC can also.

I feel sure that you bought it from Adler. You can go to his profile and PM him.

Temple had announced that they were a football-only candidate for the Big East. They feel that moving basketball from the Atlantic 10 to CUSA would be less than a lateral move. I'm sure that they would move all sports to the Big East if asked but unofficially have stated that they would stay in the MAC if not admitted to the Big East. So yeah, they would be a worthy candidate but is it what they want? FIU is in no way worthy of an advancement at this time. Florida International has only been playing FBS football for seven years and has an overall record of 29-56 (.341). The last two have been their only winning seasons. Their stadium only seats 23,500 and being a converted soccer stadium the majority of the seats are in the end zones. Their attendance average last year was their best...18,400. Their best attended home game was also last year when more than 22,000 saw Duke upend the Panthers. They also had a 20K+ home crowd against UCF. They are also joined at the hip with Florida Atlantic, who previously had the better record and attendance. To their credit, they are a very large university with good academics located in the #16 TV market.

I'm disappointed in our attendance for Sun Belt games but the poster had a point that we do draw better against known teams. Baylor, SMU, TCU, Army, Navy, Houston, Rice, Tulsa, et al all have drawn more than 20,000 whereas none of the current SBC members have drawn that many that I can recall. Just this past year Houston and Indiana drew more than 20K while the best conference turnout was less than 18,000 (ULM). It seems that there is less importance placed on attendance per se than the ability to draw a TV audience. SMU would not have been chosen for the Big East if attendance were a major factor. Most of their "attendance" increase was tickets purchased but not used.

I have a couple of points of disagreement before I start liking your thoughts about the program. First, I can't believe that Utah State should be a consideration unless the MWC goes to twelve teams. Over the last ten years their record has been worse than ours. Their all-time average of five lists is 92. By comparison we are 82 and San Jose State is 86. We have more than 2/3 of the FBS student population of a market that is more than 2-1/2 times larger than the Salt Lake City market. On the other hand, Utah State is about 1/6 of the SLC FBS student population. Utah State's attendance has been more abysmal than ours. Their stadium only seats 25,500. Their seven wins this past year was their first time since '93. They have good academics and basketball and few other selling points. Cap that with the fact that if the MWC really wanted them they could already have done so. The most disturbing statement, however, is in bold above. Where are you getting your information? Only the conference office and the institutions themselves can be reliable sources of expansion information. Most others are probably less valid than yours. A sports writer is usually opinionated and a poor source for trustworthy facts regarding expansion. A blogger is even worse. I firmly believe that Lane Rawlins is the best promoter that we could possibly have. I think that the seeds have been planted and will bear fruit. I trust the team that will present our case and we will not have adversaries, facilities and an unsupportive administration dragging us down this time. Plus we have a stadium to pay for so we need a conference where teams are better known to our students and alumni for an easier sell. This is strictly my opinion. I've done hours of number-crunching and those results put us in the lead in more categories than any other contender except one. We have another advantage in location (we could go to either conference if separated or be in the center if combined). Also, remember it's not over until the Big XII, the Big East, the Mountain West and Conference USA determine the size of their conferences. Even then, the ACC and the SEC may cause other ripples.