Poll: Which Team Should Replace UAB?

Mean Green 93-98 · December 5, 2014

By request:

I think a poll should be added to this topic to see what the majority prefer. I'm interested to see if SWTSU-SM, ULL, or ASU would be in the lead.

Edited December 6, 2014 by Mean Green 93-98

Cerebus · December 5, 2014

There is no mechanism to kick out FIU.

Mean Green 93-98 · December 5, 2014

There is no mechanism to kick out FIU.

That's okay--I'm pretty sure Britt's not going to base his actions off of this poll.

Withers940 · December 5, 2014

Texas State Has the biggest market but every time I think of Texas State I think of:

drex · December 5, 2014

My vote goes to Missouri State...they are FCS right now, but could move up...they have a good market and their basketball is good. They'd have to upgrade their stadium. They have an enrollment of about 30,000, I think.

bstnsportsfan3 · December 5, 2014

ULL is running away with it right now.

untcampbell · December 5, 2014

ULL...for the great tailgates, fan support and quality of their entire athletic program.

As an aside, Hudspeth would be the highest paid coach in the conference, I believe.

GMG

GOMG2013 · December 5, 2014

The sorriest team, so we can get some wins.

Mean Green 93-98 · December 5, 2014

My vote goes to Missouri State...they are FCS right now, but could move up...they have a good market and their basketball is good. They'd have to upgrade their stadium. They have an enrollment of about 30,000, I think.

I went ahead and added them, so you can vote for them. I also added Ohio.

My choices would be:

1. NIU - I know it's a long shot, but as I and others (including MeanGreenTexan, I think) have mentioned, they bring the Chicago market and immediate football credibility. They are the crown jewel of the MAC, and they would immediately be one of the crown jewels of C-USA, if not the crown jewel.

2. Ohio - Another solid MAC team. They wouldn't be nearly the coup that NIU would be, but they'd probably be better than any of the other additions under consideration. They have a history with Marshall. And poaching a MAC school would establish C-USA's pecking order ahead of the MAC. In the perception of many (most?), the MAC is now ahead of C-USA.

3. Arky State - This is kind of a selfish pick, as I would personally benefit from having a conference opponent only about 2 1/2 hours away from me. But they'd be a good add as well--they're better than at least half of C-USA as far as commitment to athletics and on-the-field performance. The only thing they really lack is TV market, and that always struck me as a dumb criterion anyway.

4. ULL - Everything that goes for Arky State goes at least as much for ULL (except they are a "fur piece" from me). Good fan following. Although I wonder what will happen to them when/if Hud leaves. Arky State has shown an ability to weather coaching changes that I don't know that ULL can. Of course, Hud may retire at ULL, making it a moot point.

5. Texas State - That's a very distant 5th. I would have vastly preferred them over UTSA; but the fact is we have UTSA now, and having both teams is somewhat redundant. Although I'm sure they would have a great rivalry with each other.

Oh, and whichever option it ends up being--kick out FIU anyway.

MeanGreenTexan · December 5, 2014

I went ahead and added them, so you can vote for them. I also added Ohio.

My choices would be:

1. NIU - I know it's a long shot, but as I and others (including MeanGreenTexan, I think) have mentioned, they bring the Chicago market and immediate football credibility. They are the crown jewel of the MAC, and they would immediately be one of the crown jewels of C-USA, if not the crown jewel.

2. Ohio - Another solid MAC team. They wouldn't be nearly the coup that NIU would be, but they'd probably be better than any of the other additions under consideration. They have a history with Marshall. And poaching a MAC school would establish C-USA's pecking order ahead of the MAC. In the perception of many (most?), the MAC is now ahead of C-USA.

3. Arky State - This is kind of a selfish pick, as I would personally benefit from having a conference opponent only about 2 1/2 hours away from me. But they'd be a good add as well--they're better than at least half of C-USA as far as commitment to athletics and on-the-field performance. The only thing they really lack is TV market, and that always struck me as a dumb criterion anyway.

4. ULL - Everything that goes for Arky State goes at least as much for ULL (except they are a "fur piece" from me). Good fan following. Although I wonder what will happen to them when/if Hud leaves. Arky State has shown an ability to weather coaching changes that I don't know that ULL can. Of course, Hud may retire at ULL, making it a moot point.

5. Texas State - That's a very distant 5th. I would have vastly preferred them over UTSA; but the fact is we have UTSA now, and having both teams is somewhat redundant. Although I'm sure they would have a great rivalry with each other.

Oh, and whichever option it ends up being--kick out FIU anyway.

Yessir.

Would be a no-brainer if they're interested.

Mean Green 93-98 · December 5, 2014

Yessir.
Would be a no-brainer if they're interested.

IIRC, you were the first on the board to suggest them. They hadn't crossed my mind before that. So others can blame you if they get tired of me harping on them.

Harry · December 5, 2014

Really torn on this one.

Cerebus · December 5, 2014

Let me tell you the non starters:

TexSt: I would like to have them in the same conference, and it would get SBC football out of Texas. However, I think the eastern schools would balk at having a five Texas voting bloc, especially with the conference HQ already in Irving.

NMSU: UTEP would fight them tooth and nail. Long term this would in effect be a UTEP for NMSU swap.

Liberty: The votes are cast by the university presidents. No way they vote to be associated with them. Look beyond creationism. No tenure. The president doesn't have a PHD. It's in effect a giant diploma mill.

Ohio: My understanding is the reason Akron and NIU are looking to leave is because they want to increase athletics spending, while there is a movement in the MAC to place a cap on spending. Ohio is one of the proponents of the cap.

I also think the Georgia teams have some serious issues and have little chance, but they aren't flat out no goes yet.

UNTDoubleAlum · December 5, 2014

I voted for ULL strictly on my remembering a few fun games against them over my time at UNT. Same reason I was happy to see WKU come over to CUSA. Me and my wife just had so much fun making fun of that blobby mascot thing.

Edited December 5, 2014 by UNTDoubleAlum

TIgreen01 · December 5, 2014

Holy crap---kicking out FIU is an option?! Decision MADE.

Cr1028 · December 5, 2014

Thank you 93-98. These results are fun to see.

NT03 · December 6, 2014

My preference in order :

UNI

Kick out FIU

ULL

Texas St

Ohio

Ark State

NMSU

Georgia St ( only for selfish reasons)

Harry · December 6, 2014

Great poll. Very interesting.

techdawg88 · December 6, 2014

I wouldn't mind Northern Illinois if they'd consider leaving the MAC for CUSA West

3XL · December 6, 2014

my top 4-6

1. ULL

2. Texas State

3. New Mexico State

4. Arkansas Sate

not on list

5. (Navy)

6. (Army)

Mean Green 93-98 · December 6, 2014

not on list
5. (Navy)

They're joining the AAC next year. . . . Not an option.

6. (Army)

Added. I'm not sure it's realistic, but we have a couple options already that are probably not within the realm of reality, so it's all good.

UNT90 · December 6, 2014

They're joining the AAC next year. . . . Not an option.

Added. I'm not sure it's realistic, but we have a couple options already that are probably not within the realm of reality, so it's all good.

I hope this doesn't happen, as it would most certainly lead to another 5 game home season in

2017...

You know, with the confusion that this would cause a certain AD and all...

Rudy · December 7, 2014

I don't care if they are joining the AAC, still talk to them. Talk to NIU, Ball St, and Ohio. What's the worst they can say?

mgfan · December 7, 2014

I don't get this boards obsession with ULl. No one has heard of them. I realize must haven't heard of unt, but if we have options let's go after a bigger fish 1st.

Northern ill, Army, Or Ohio would be much better.

Edited December 7, 2014 by mgfan