akriesman

After last night, I am dropping my prediction down from 6-6 to 5-7. Our offense against TSU was frustrating, despite the yardage. DT was off....way off. The receivers failed to generate much separation, except when the DB's fell down. And, despite the OL opening up the occassional big hole, they didn't seem to generate much push against what should have been a weak TSU front four. I thought our backs were pretty good, except for the fumbles. I don't know if we have a RB that can take it to the house right now. I saw some pretty shifty moves from our backs. But, there was not a lot of burst when a hole opened up. I admit, I am pretty spoiled from seeing Lance the previous 4 seasons (preceded by Jamario, Cobbs). Thank God the defense was solid (and sometimes dominant), or this game would have probably turned out much different. I would have been OK with our offenses performance against ULL, ULM, ASU or anyone else in the Sun Belt (except for MTSU, FAU, USA). But, this was TSU. If we had played up to par on offense, our starters would have been on the bench in the 3rd quarter. TSU has to feel pretty good about their 2nd half performance. They outplayed us for most of the 2nd half. We should not lose to USA, MTSU and FAU. So, that is 4 wins. I think we pick up an extra win against either Troy or WKU. Houston is probably bettter than they looked against Texas State and a win at their house will be very tough. ULM looks a LOT better than I expected obviously. I feel that ASU and ULL are probably out of reach at this point (but not impossible). Kansas State looks awefully good and will be another top 20 team this week. After being the big fish last weekend, we are back to being the little fish this weekend against K State

He might clear waivers. I have seen several teams in the same boat (too many RB's that they really like).

After reading the LSU fan boards, I now know how TSU fans must feel reading our boards

The injuries were pretty tough on Lance. Whenever you listen to the Cowboys beat reporters, Lance was never even in consideration for the top 3 (they won't keep more than 3 RB). Tanner is pretty highly thought of. Felix Jones isn't gettting cut this year. Murray is a stud. However, after tonight I can see Lance added to the practice squad (or get picked up by another team). There would be no shame in that. Next year, he can push either Jones or Tanner out of a spot. Go Lance ! Congrats on your first NFL TD.

Bad weather....the great talent equalizer.. I would want to postpone the game also if I was LSU

I know. I don't buy it. I dislike SMU as much as anyone here. But, they have been outrecruiting us on all fronts since June Jones took over. I think the Sunbelt is usually underrated. But, some of those rankings are just way too high.

Wow. Some high ranking Belt schools in that poll. FIU at #38. ASU at #51. ULM at #75 (gulp)

Fact. Our baseball team has never been close to being on academic probation Great site ! Thanks.

I remember Dan Marino in college. I always thought he had a strange throwing motion, which appeared very short (kind of like this kid) and quick. Because of his quick and short release, Marino seemed almost impossible to sack or knock the ball out of his hands. I am certainly not saying this kid is going to be Dan Marino. But, give me a tall QB who can get the ball out quickly any day. Congrats coach Mac. Wecome kid !

When JJ took the LSU job, I immediately thought "here we go again". I certainly expected us to lost TM, CJ and a few others. Its difficult to not think that way given our overall program history. However, not only has Benford come and kept things from falling apart, he is adding more "potential" top notch talent to the program. I am even more excited about our potential in the next few years than I was 6 months ago. I know it is early. But, Benford has really impressed all the way around. Of the 3 programs in the area that just changed coaching staffs, I can't help but feel that we have the best. Thanks already for all the hard work you put in Coach Benford.

It is hard to dispute the selection of WKU as the top Sun Belt school. They have been the top dog and it is not even close. WKU has a history of success (even in the NCAA tourney) and are consistently at or near the top of their league. I don't know what the future holds for WKU football. But, their basketball program would have been a huge bonus for CUSA. With that being said, I am so proud of our basketball program. NT is definately on the rise and I see a lot of potential for extended success. While it is great to see CUSA discussed along with the top conferences, I hope this trend continues. The loss of Memphis in basketball really drops the conference prestige. Somebody is going to have to step it up. I would think the most likely choices are Southern Miss, Tulsa, Marshall or NT. I expect Benford's team to make a lot of noise in CUSA in 2013.

Thanks everyone ! That is exactly the info I was looking for.

Last season I couldn't decide between purchasing 2 club level seats (the ends) or 4 seats in section 206. I chose the latter so that my entire family could go to the games. Also, I felt that the game day experience might be a little diminished sitting up that high. I prefer to sit in the loudest section possible (even though my wife would rather sit up high in the Eagle tail section away from the crowds). I haven't heard much feedback on those that purchased seats in the club level. So, I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their experiences ? Specifically: - How was the game day atmosphere in the club level ? Are the fans still vocal ? - How was the food in the buffet ? - How crowded is the bar when getting a drink - (that is a question from the wife....lol) I have been really curious about the club level, since we couldn't decide on the seats last season. Thanks in advance. My kids are getting older and getting them to the games is more difficult. And, my wife prefers the finer things available at a sporting event (i.e. drinks, food, luxury) over the actual game day experience.

For those like me that wanted to see an actual list of TV contracts by conference, here is a link. Note that this list does not include the SBC, WAC or MAC, which leads me to believe that their is little to no payout for these conferences (as already mentioned elsewhere). The Big East payouts are interesting, especially for non-football schools. http://collegesportsinfo.com/2011/10/03/2011-television-revenue-by-conference/

" 32 percent free-throw shooting" OUCH ! Looks like Coleman won't be seeing the floor with the team ahead in the final minutes.

20 Years ago Larry Brown would have been a steal. I have a feeling that SMU fans will be regretting hiring Brown over Benford 2 years from now. And no, I doubt that Benford would take up SMU on an offer 2 years from now. If Benford is that successful here, there will be bigger and better opportunities calling than SMU. I am waiting for the day when the Big East falls apart and SMU finds itself back and the mid-major level.

I love the fact that we could have had Fran. And, I would have been thrilled to have him as coach. But, how can you not be excited about the Benford hire ? It's all about recruiting....... "In his career Benford recruited and coached five NBA first-round draft picks: Garland, Texas; Ike Diogu (Arizona St., ’05), Charles Smith (New Mexico, ’97), Kenny Thomas (New Mexico, ’99), Lazar Hayward (Marquette, ‘10) and Jimmy Butler (Marquette, ’11), as well as three second-round picks in Eddie House (Arizona St., ‘00), Tommy Smith (Arizona St., ’03) and Jeff Pendergraph (Arizona St., ‘09)." Coach Forrest will be a fine coach somewhere. And, in another time he could have been a great fit here as HC. But, competing for the job against Fran (experience) and Benford (past success and upside) is a tough situation. We are lucky that in the end we had 3 terrific candidates for our open head coaching position. We should be thrilled to be able to land any of the 3 and they all could have kept this program moving forward. Personally, I think the ceiling is higher with Benford right now. As long as he can hold onto his players initially until he can recruit his own guys, his career here should be a very successful one. With Benford and a CUSA offer, who is to say that we can have success rivaling U of Memphis eventually.

FWIW, when I think of Louisiana Tech, two things come to mind. One: The LT sweet 16 basketball team they had with Carl Malone. Two: The lady Techsters womans basketball program. The year they had Carl Malone, plus a deep run in the NCAA tournament, put Louisiana Tech on the map for me growing up. It just goes to show how advancing deep in the NCAA tournament creates exposure for a university. Because of those past successes, when I look at all the non-BCS Louisiana Universities, I tend to view LT as a cut above (in my mind, but maybe not the general public). While I am not a huge basketball fan, I realize just how important a person like Tony Mitchell could be to our university. He could potentially bring us the same exposure that Carl Malone brought Tech.

The Alliance have talked about someday expanding to 24. That would mean that quite a few teams would need to be added later. So, they are probably checking out lots of potential future candidates. NT was already visited by CUSA some time ago. IMO, that means that we were probably at the top of their list of 1st round expansion candidates. Personally, I doubt that these late visitations are occurring because NT has been marked off their list. I just think that the new conference is considering a major expansion in the next couple of years that will include up to 6 more schools. Hopefully we will find out something for sure in the next month or two.

"Someone educate me on how a HC can be a great recruiter while at North Texas." Of course, they couldn't get through that thread without someone taking a shot at our school

Ditto. Me and my 11-year old son had on our UNT T-Shirts friday morning as we drove home on Hwy 98 in Destin

Yep, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see UNT and WKU in the finals again next year. WKU had an outstanding recruiting class. They are going to be a force for years to come. Frankly, I think WKU would be a potentially dangerous #16 seed. They have the talent, it just took a while for those 7 freshmen to gel. Plus, there is not much pressure on them as they are no strangers to winning in the NCAA tourney. If TM comes back as hoped, I expect to see UNT and WKU winning their divisions going into the SBC tourney next season. Congrats to WKU. Good luck in the tourney.

When I saw that there were 14 pages on the list, I immediately scrolled to the end and worked my way back out of habit I was pleased to find UNT on page 6 out of 14. We are definitely moving up the list.

Congrats RV. You deserve it. Our athletic programs are in a perfect position to take the next step forward. Stability is exactly what we need right now. The pieces are in place in all the key areas (pres, AD, coaching).

Benson was at least very agressive in trying to hold the WAC together. He has skins on the wall. Benson coming to the SBC from the WAC would seem to indicate the potential, or lack thereof, of both conferences. Good move for the SBC IMHO.