badgerwolf

Well, I read in the local newspaper that Arizona State was forcing some coaches to take a furlough to save on expenses; times are hard in all conferences in this bad economy. Expect more of this in the coming year or two; we are not out of the woods by a long shot !!!

Thought some of you guys might find the out going PAC 10 Commish's position on the time zone factor of interest. http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-tom-ha...20.story?page=2 Q. How much has the "time zone factor" hurt the Pac-10 in terms of national perception and your ability to maximize your broadcast package? A: It's a major impediment. I saw it when I lived in Kansas City for 16 years. . . . The news flows from East to West -- it's like pushing boulders up hills to get information to go the other way. It's been helped by cable TV and it's been helped that Fox Sports Net is a Western company . . . but it's still been a struggle every day of the year to try to get the recognition we deserve.

Well, I hope you guys take Ball U out in front of a nice TV audience and then build upon that win . . . Go SBC !!!

As I recall, the SBC went 3 - 0 against the MAC on the football field last season. The MAC is not superior to the SBC in any way other than geographical location and their location sucks . . . LOL !!!

An MT fan asked about UNT Baseball on the NCAAbbs SBC Board; if anyone wants to respond the link follows: http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=344853

The SBC's NCAAbbs Board is getting quite a bit of activity lately; some of you Mean Green fans may want to check it out: http://ncaabbs.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=296

As a comparison, Kansas shut La Tech out winning by 29 to zip; FIU scored 10 on Kansas and lost by 30. Seems FIU fared better against Kansas than did La Tech.

Agree; the MWC is the big dog behind the PAC-10 out here in the West and that will not change. Jeff Siembeda (spelling ??), Executive Director, of the HBowl was on TV in ABQ last week and he clearly stated he wants only REGIONAL teams in the bowl. The PAC-10 does not want the HBowl so that leaves ONLY the MWC. Boise State wants in the MWC so BAD, but this is not their ticket to the MWC !!! BTW, if anyone, would be kind enough to change my username to ManzanoWolf that would be greatly appreciated . . . LOL!!!

If UNT had accepted the WAC offer, that could have been a very expensive venture . . . Saw the following on the CUSA Board: http://sports.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/...mplate=UHsports "Hawaii Athletic Director Jim Donovan says the school's charters to San Jose State and Idaho last season cost $85,000 and $125,000, respectively. The quote for a charter flight to the Fresno State game this year? How about $319,000?" If it will cost Hawaii that much to get to California, how much will it cost to get from Louisiana to Hawaii this year? In the past the other WAC schools have required Hawaii to subsidize their travel expenses as a condition for staying in the WAC; will they consider something similar for their other 'outlier' La Tech, if travel costs become unbearable? I am not sure commercial travel will save that much as the airlines are reducing the number of planes in their fleets while also reducing the number of seats per plane by switching to smaller planes to save fuel. Fewer planes with fewer seats will, in effect, increase demand and, thus, increase commercial fares even more. Saw the following on the Tech Board: Travel costs from 2006-2007: Tech: 1,734,943 (with Hawaii traveling to Tech ???) http://app1.lla.state.la.us/PublicRe...E/000039AE.pdf ULM: 887,153 http://app1.lla.state.la.us/PublicRe...E/000039AA.pdf

Saw this on the Tech Board recently: Travel costs from 2006-2007: Tech: 1,734,943 http://app1.lla.state.la.us/PublicRe...E/000039AE.pdf ULM: 887,153 http://app1.lla.state.la.us/PublicRe...E/000039AA.pdf USM: 1,297,674 http://www2.indystar.com/NCAA_financ...w?school_id=94 I think jet fuel costs coupled with other escalating travel costs will be a deal breaker and soon!!!

The Lobos have home games against both A&M and Arizona; their fans have been looking forward to these games all Summer and it would not be good for Lobo Athletics to sell either of the games. The plan is to bring in higher profile teams, pack the stadium, and expand seating: UNM AD Paul Krebs said on The Mtn. with Tim Everett that after the NM Bowl they are going to reconstruct the south end zone and add more seats bringing the total to around 50,000.

Make that the Lobo Bowl as they have played in all games so far and will do so whenever they are available . . . LOL!!!!

Saw this on the Tech Board and thought it might be of interest to some: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.d...337/1001/SPORTS Tech's WAC check decreases BY JIMMY WATSON • JIMWATSON@GANNETT.COM • JULY 10, 2008 Not that anyone in the Louisiana Tech athletic department is complaining, but the 2008 disbursement check from the WAC was down compared to last year, despite the league getting a football team in a BCS bowl game for a second consecutive season. Tech's WAC dividend check was for $855,015 and it included $410,555 in BCS monies, down from $1.1 million ($559,222 BCS) in 2007. Tech received $667,000 from the WAC in 2006 without a BCS bowl game. "It certainly helps, but it's not the solution. It won't pay the bills and won't put food on the table," Tech athletic director Derek Dooley said, speaking figuratively. "We're in a different situation from a lot of schools in that we've made a commitment to move our athletic department forward. And we needed that money. "But it wasn't the windfall for us that is was for other schools. We're doing our best to raise all revenue streams." "The decline in revenue was due to Boise and Hawaii not playing in the bowl games in their hometowns. Neither game sold out without them," Benson said. "Expenses were up due to sending Hawaii to the Sugar Bowl and sending Boise to Hawaii. That left each team with a smaller payout. But we did generate more money this year." In addition to the BCS dollars and the WAC tournament payout, Tech's WAC stipend came from the NCAA men's basketball tournament pool and from entry fees paid by Utah State, NMSU and Idaho to join the conference.

The arrogance of Tech is hilarious; a couple posts from the Tech Board: Fan #1: Dooley needs to do some back channel repair damage to end this drama. Maybe he could use the Cajuns athletic director. If this spirals out of control every team in hte Sun Belt may join the ULM boycott. Response from Fan #2: Who else is in the Sun Belt?

It would be the right thing to do, IMHO!!!

KUDOS to you!!! The NEW Big West is not a good fit for NT, UL Cajuns, or stAte; we have all been there and done that.

I also do not understand all the venom being spewed towards the SBC; following is the Dixie Fried Sports SBC Preview from the Troy Board: http://www.gotroytrojans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10371 The Sunbelt Conference Matt Barber Dixiefriedsports@gmail.com Yes, I know this conference once had a team win the conference with a losing record(North Texas). And yes I do realize that the conference has had two Indians become Warhawks and Red Wolves. But come on, even the most casual CFB fan notices that this league has improved. Don't believe me? Just ask Minnesota, Alabama, Memphis, Missouri, and Oklahoma State. 2008 Conference Predictions 1. Florida Atlantic-Two years ago I met a man with a FAU shirt on at a gas station in Columbia, SC. The man was looking for directions to Williams Brice Stadium. The gentleman told me his son played ball for FAU. Little did I know at this time that I had just met the father of a legit NFL prospect. The man was of course the father of Rusty Smith. The Sun Belt Player of the Year and 20 starters is why I believe FAU will once again win the SBC. Doesn't hurt when you have men to throw to like Gent and Harmon. An ESPN game on October 7 will likely decide the Sunbelt against Troy. 2. Troy- A tough out of conference schedule is the first thing that catches your attention. Road games at Oklahoma State, LSU, and Ohio State will be brutal. If Troy can whip the Pokes in Stillwater you could be looking at a 10 win team. Troy does lose its top QB, RB, and top 2 WRs, but the team is talented on defense and has a quality O-line. The Trojans open the year in a tough game on the road against MTSU, get past that game you you'll be looking at the SBC title game on Ocotber 7. 3. Arkansas State-The Red Wolves replace the Indians in Jonesboro as the SBC has its 2nd nickname change in two years. ASU was able to play Texas very tough in Austin last year and for the 2nd consecutive year they beat rival Memphis. 1,000 yard rusher Reggie Arnold returns. This team was in New Orleans in 06, but I don't believe ASU is strong enough for FAU or Troy. Southern Miss could be on upset alert when it visits Jonesboro on Sept 13. 4. ULM-Charlie Weatherbie enters year six as the Warhawks coach. Malone Stadium had some much needed upgrades last year and the team itself had some upgrades finishing a strong 6-6. Most though will remember possibly the largest win in school history, a 21-14 win in Tuscaloosa. Gone is Calvin Dawson, but Goodin and Lancaster are good enough to carry the load. 5. Middle Tennessee State-Rick Stockstill is doing a fine job at MTSU. A bowl appearance 2 seasons ago and a team last year that hung 42 on Louisville and nearly knocked off a good Virginia team. Stockstill is a former Holtz and Spurrier assistant and was known as one of the nation's top recruiters while at Clemson. Year three is likely to be similar to last year, but MTSU does get 2 straight big time home games against Troy and Maryland to open the season. 6. ULL-It's now or never for Rickey Bustle. The former Lou Holtz assistant has had 7 years to get the Cajuns bowling. It seemed as if the program was on its way up in 05 and 06 as the Cajuns combined to win 12 games, but last year's 3-9 record was much worse than many predicted. ULL does return 8 starters on offense, but this team still doesn't look strong enough to save Bustle's job 7. North Texas-When the SBC first started playing football it appeared North Texas was going to be the dominant program. It's a school of nearly 35,000 students and its in the talent rich state of Texas. 29 wins in their first 4 years has dropped to 7 in the last 3. Todd Dodge comes from the Texas High School ranks and brings an exciting offense with him. In year 1 the offensive production increased from 232 Total yards a game to 409. Still the Mean Green are in transition and are probably a year or two away from challenging for the New Orleans Bowl again. 8. Florida International-Mario Crisobal might have the nation's toughest job. While FIU is located in a talent rich area, it has very little fan support and other than a fight against the 'Canes in 06 very few know about the school. It doesn't help that you have to battle a HOF head coach at FAU for recruits. Still, Cristobal was able to beat North Texas last year to get the team's first win in 23 games. 18 starters return, but this team is still in the bottom of the SBC Western Kentucky-The Hilltoppers aren't in the Sunbelt yet, but this is a great addition to the league in 2009. Facility upgrades are well on the way and the program has shown it can win at the 1-AA level. WKU was able to knock off MTSU last year and nearly beat Troy. A tradition rich basketball school, the Toppers hope that playing 10 D-1 schools in 08 will be a small step to building 1-A tradition in football

Who knows what will happen when the teams meet on the field, but stAte does SUCK on the road . . . LOL!!! Rivals forecasts: 106. ARKANSAS STATE COACH: Steve Roberts (31-41 in six seasons; 80-74-1 in 13 seasons overall). LAST SEASON: 5-7 overall, 3-4 in Sun Belt (tied for fifth in league). FINAL 2007 RIVALS.COM RANKING: 104th. THE BUZZ: Arnold and Leonard provide hope that the offense can be productive. The defense was adequate last season, but the two best players are gone and a rebuilt secondary gives pause. The run defense was spotty last season and must improve. An upper-division finish in the Sun Belt should be the goal, but that may be too much to expect. 115. NORTH TEXAS COACH: Todd Dodge (2-10 in one season). LAST SEASON: 2-10 overall, 1-6 in Sun Belt (tied for seventh in league). FINAL 2007 RIVALS.COM RANKING: 115th. THE BUZZ: The pass-happy offense was potent in Dodge's first season. But it won't matter what the offense does unless UNT gets a whole lot better on defense. The Mean Green was 114th nationally in total defense and last in the nation in scoring defense, allowing more than 30 points 10 times. This is a young team. While the staff did a nice job on the recruiting trail, the Mean Green looks to be at least another season away from challenging for an upper-division finish in the Sun Belt.

Discussion of who to add to CUSA should Memphis go to BE: http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=298617

Fans on the La Tech Board often question why their fans do not turn out in significant numbers to see these same WAC football teams; I suspect it is because the locals have little interest in Far West teams. Would it be any different at UNT -- maybe, maybe not.

Released at 11 a.m. today; I suspect other versions will follow, but this is the initial logo. I see a mischevious look that says 'I am about to eat your lunch and there is not a darn thing you can do to stop me!

http://www.asuindians.com/ViewArticle.dbml...;ATCLID=1410788 JONESBORO (3/12/08) – The 2008 Arkansas State football schedule is highlighted by three home games slated for September, including a marquee game against Southern Mississippi, as well as road games against long-time rival Memphis and tradition-rich Texas A&M and Alabama. ASU’s schedule features five home games, seven games against teams that finished .500 or better in 2007 and five contests against teams that went to a bowl game last season. “There is great regional appeal in our schedule with games against Texas A&M, Southern Miss, Memphis and teams from within our conference. We look forward to this year’s schedule and competing.” 2008 ARKANSAS STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Aug. 30 at Texas A&M Sept. 6 Texas Southern Sept. 13 Southern Mississippi Sept. 20 Middle Tennessee* (Homecoming) Sept. 27 at Memphis Oct. 4 OPEN Oct. 11 Louisiana-Monroe* Oct. 18 at Louisiana-Lafayette* Oct. 25 OPEN Nov. 1 at Alabama Nov. 8 at Florida International* Nov. 15 OPEN Nov. 22 Florida Atlantic* Nov. 29 at North Texas* Dec. 6 at Troy* *Sun Belt Conference game Dates subject to change

I found this comment about the early days of CUSA very similar to comments made by fans of some of the current SBC: Carr, a former athletics director at C-USA's Houston, said discussions of shifting membership in the league are common. "The only constant in that league is change," said Carr. "When we started the conference (in 1995), one thing everybody had in common was that we all wanted to be somewhere else." :-P

FFR -- I enjoy your positive posts; keep it up, Guy!!! Go SBC Football !!!!

With Memphis selling around 4K tickets and FAU selling around 700 and the media saying 29K tickets have been distributed, it sounds really dismal for attendance. Maybe 18K ??? I expect FAU to manhandle Memphis; it is Schnellie's first nationally televised bowl game at FAU and the school's first ever bowl game. Memphis appears to be approaching the game the same way Troy approached their FAU game at Troy.