Tech's Intervention

[dt68la]

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http://www.theadvertiser.com/article...812080324/1006


"Our selection committee was asked to list order of preference of teams a few days ago," Independence Bowl media relations director Patrick Meehan wrote via e-mail. "Notre Dame was first, North Carolina State was second, Western Michigan was third, Northern Illinois was fourth and Arkansas State and (UL) tied at the bottom of the order.

I wonder how many of the I-bowl selection committee members were involved in the failed back-room politics attempt to lure the Top 28 out of Lafayette. IMO the lingering ill-feelings from that loss influenced the committee as much as a former employee pushing for his team.

[Business Edge]

_ I wonder how many of the I-bowl selection committee members were involved in the failed back-room politics attempt to lure the Top 28 out of Lafayette. IMO the lingering ill-feelings from that loss influenced the committee as much as a former employee pushing for his team. _

DING DING DING we have a winner.

[snote]

..

[CajunBoudin]

_ It just goes to show you how terrible the perception of UL is. That is the most depressing thing for me.

At the end of the day, a MAC school from N. Illinois that will bring a thousand or so fans is more attractive to a bowl than UL, who would bring 15-20k.

We are the ugliest girl on the dance floor (and we're not dancing). _

Hold on a minute. We couldnt bring 800 fans to Troy with a SunBelt championship on the line but we are sure that we would have brought 20,000 to Shreveport for a game against La. Tech?

I think your number is highly inflated. The only time we ever traveled big was for those fun games against Tulane in the superdome almost 20 years ago. More than half of those fans were there for the party in New Orleans.

[CajunZ1]

_ Hold on a minute. We couldnt bring 800 fans to Troy with a SunBelt championship on the line but we are sure that we would have brought 20,000 to Shreveport for a game against La. Tech?

I think your number is highly inflated. The only time we ever traveled big was for those fun games against Tulane in the superdome almost 20 years ago. More than half of those fans were there for the party in New Orleans. _

First of all, I said 15-20k.

And yes, our first bowl bid IN 38 YEARS would garner enough interest to bring at least 15k fans the short drive to Shreveport. I say this because we ALL saw what happened after some mild on-the-field success (see 29k+ at the FIU homecoming game).

Traveling to Troy is one thing. Going to a Bowl game is another entirely. ESPECIALLY one so close in proximity.

After typing all that^, I realize this is a stupid argument. We'll never know. But I choose to believe 15k is realistic, 20k+ is (would have been) a possibility.
You may choose to believe otherwise. You have my permission!

[Cajunsmike]

I did read your post which is why I figured you have to be a Latextser. Otherwise, you would know something about Cajun fans and how much they would support our team in a bowl game EVEN in place like Shreveport.

Cajun home attendance was over 21000 this year and that led the SBC. Worst crowd we had was 15000 and that was on a Wed. night. We would have had over 20000 had that been on Saturday. Also, the only other game under 20000 was 18000 for Kent State. A tremendous rainstorm shortly before kickoff hurt attendance in that game.

[Cajunsmike]

I disagree that we were never in the UTEP game. We had the early lead and were still in it going into the second half. However, I can agree that we did not play well on either side of the ball for the better part of the game.

Losing Daylon McCoy on defense right before half is why we struggled on defense against UTEP in the 2nd half Our backup QB was also unavailable that night and that also hurt us.

[RaginFan2]

_ Losing Daylon McCoy on defense right before half is why we struggled on defense against UTEP in the 2nd half Our backup QB was also unavailable that night and that also hurt us. _

You are correct! Also, the coaching was problematic. I really didn't see good adjustments being made. Maybe they were made, but whatever they were, they didn't work.

[DestinCajun]

You are correct! Also, the coaching was problematic. I really didn't see good adjustments being made. Maybe they were made, but whatever they were, they didn't work. _

Here's another POV. The problem was an inability to execute by our players with injuries (like Mike D) and those we had on the field as substitutes for our starters. UTEP was definitely beatable. Coaching, playcalling, the alignment of the stars and planets over Cajun Field really had little to do with the outcome.

[RaginFan2]

_ Here's another POV. The problem was an inability to execute by our players with injuries (like Mike D) and those we had on the field as substitutes for our starters. UTEP was definitely beatable. Coaching, playcalling, the alignment of the stars and planets over Cajun Field really had little to do with the outcome. _

That's exactly my point! The coaches, after seeing Dez unable t execute, should have tried other approaches. I know Maguire was hurt, too, and that Masson didn't have game experience. But at least they could've tried him for s few series. Also, maybe run the "Wild Chery" formation more. Something, anything to try to spark the offense. I think the lack of offense (in several games) put too much pressure on our defense. Anyway, that's water under the bridge.