Tech's Intervention

[HOUCajun]

Fair enough

HOUCajun, if it ever comes to light that my schools administration went any further than saying "if possible, we would rather not play a sunbelt school". I will join you in being dissapointed in our pathetic existence.

I have no problem with making your desires known, but to say "we will go else where if you pick a sbc team" is not acceptable imo.

igeaux.mobi

[DestinCajun]

That's flawed thinking IMO. We were outclassed badly in all three games both athletically and in coaching. I could understand if we lost by only a touchdown or something.

I understand the injury argument. To me, it holds enough water to give our coach another chance (that's significant). But it does not allow us to start saying, "we could have won one of those games." We were never in them. _

I saw what I saw.

With a healthy LB corps we put pressure on UTEP's Vittatoe and FAU's Smith.

With a healthy Dez and an OL that is not as beat up, we score enough to be in position to beat one or both of them.

No, we do not beat Troy. I cannot see a scenario where we beat Troy.

[CajunZ1]

_ I saw what I saw.

With a healthy LB corps we put pressure on UTEP's Vittatoe and FAU's Smith.

Honest question: In what game did we ever consistently pressure the QB this year (even when we were healthy)? We did get a key sack against Leonard vs. ASU, but I think that was the FIRST one of the night!

I guess we'll agree to disagree on this one. Pressuring the QB is something everyone likes to think they can do, but I never really saw that as our strength, even with healthy LB's.

[MetryCajun]

_ Honest question: In what game did we ever consistently pressure the QB this year (even when we were healthy)? We did get a key sack against Leonard vs. ASU, but I think that was the FIRST one of the night!

I guess we'll agree to disagree on this one. Pressuring the QB is something everyone likes to think they can do, but I never really saw that as our strength, even with healthy LB's. _

Bingo! Its not like we lost some All-American LB. BTW, our best LB stayed on the field all year.

[Project10]

_ I agree with you that that was the deciding factor. I have also been on your message board and have read countless post by your fans commending Dooley/I-bowl for keeping the Sun belt out. Look I wasn't in the room when the talks were going on. But I have no doubt that the Tech admin. made it clear that they would back out if a sunbelt team was chosen. I think it was a combination of many things but the NIU Athletic head being a former I-Bowl official was probably the deciding factor.

There is a certain element among our fan base that is saying that. Their hate of you guys and the Sun Belt is irrational, but every Sun Belt school has an equal element that irrationally hates Tech. As for Tech backing out of a bowl: are you serious? We've won exactly one bowl game...ever. We've sat at home with 8 or more wins twice the last decade. There's no way in HELL Tech would back out of anything. We aren't exactly Notre Dame, and we're very, very fortunate to be bowling. The Big XII and SEC couldn't take care of business....that is the only reason we are playing in the Indy Bowl.

Look i know when looking for someone to blame we need only find a mirror. just look at how much better 7-5 looks than 6-6. We didn't do our job on the field. It is what it is. There is nothing sexy about a 6-6 sunbelt team. So now we are here and Tech is trying to put as much lipstick on that pig named I-Bowl as possible. All we can do now is make sure that we win 7 or more next year and make sure that our conference will go to bat for us. If they aren't, then we'll find some place else to play. _

True dat.

[johnnylightnin]

looking for rhyme or reason in media markets, strength of the teams, or ticket sales will only frustrate you. This is very simple...

A former I-Bowl employee is now employed at NIU. He used his connections to get his team in the bowl. Simple as that.

[DestinCajun]

_ Honest question: In what game did we ever consistently pressure the QB this year (even when we were healthy)? We did get a key sack against Leonard vs. ASU, but I think that was the FIRST one of the night!

I guess we'll agree to disagree on this one. Pressuring the QB is something everyone likes to think they can do, but I never really saw that as our strength, even with healthy LB's. _

Well, maybe my old eyes deceived me but I think our defense made Lancaster of ULM miserable up in Monroe. Not to mention all the field goals they were forced to go for after their offense was stufffed.

The other two that come to mind I saw were Kent and a pretty good team this year in FIU.

The sack on Leonard by McCoy was simply a great play. A player making a huge play.

[DestinCajun]

_ looking for rhyme or reason in media markets, strength of the teams, or ticket sales will only frustrate you. This is very simple...

A former I-Bowl employee is now employed at NIU. He used his connections to get his team in the bowl. Simple as that. _

Whatever. You Latextsers got your wish of no SBC team so live with it. Pretending this game is anything but a pig in a poke is ridiculous.

The icing on the cake so to speak would be an ice storm at kick off.

[rcarte3]

_ 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). _

I think your estimate of 15 to 20K is pie in the sky. What did you guys average during the sesaon in attendance at home? Granted you would have brought in more fans than NIU will but I find it hard to believe 15,000 or more??? I think you will find in most cases programs similar to ULL bring about half to three fourths of the fans they have at an average home game.

[DestinCajun]

I think your estimate of 15 to 20K is pie in the sky. What did you guys average during the sesaon in attendance at home? Granted you would have brought in more fans than NIU will but I find it hard to believe 15,000 or more??? I think you will find in most cases programs similar to UL bring about half to three fourths of the fans they have at an average home game. _

15 k is what you Latextsers are likely to bring to the bowl game. The TV audience will be maybe 10 households outside the Ruston city limits and the cornfields of Dekalb, Illinois.

[RCAJUN90]

_ I think your estimate of 15 to 20K is pie in the sky. What did you guys average during the sesaon in attendance at home? Granted you would have brought in more fans than NIU will but I find it hard to believe 15,000 or more??? I think you will find in most cases programs similar to UL bring about half to three fourths of the fans they have at an average home game. _

You guys think you landed Notre Dame? NIU will bring about 20 people. Louisiana would have brought about 20,000. Our first bowl game within driving distance?! Enjoy the easy parking, no lines at the bathroom or concessions oh yea GEAUX HUSKIES!!!

[Just1More]

_ looking for rhyme or reason in media markets, strength of the teams, or ticket sales will only frustrate you. This is very simple...

A former I-Bowl employee is now employed at NIU. He used his connections to get his team in the bowl. Simple as that. _

I was convinced that it was hotel room sales and the Chicago media market that did it. A couple of Techsters convinced me that they could not have influenced the Indy Bowl committee... and I started buying it. Now, you are telling me (simplified) that a "former I-Bowl employee" has enough stroke/connections to get "NIU" into this bowl. I think it all played a factor into this decision.

I don't blame the NIU group for doing what they could to get in. I also don't blame Tech for using their influence to exploit their sinful wishes. Dooley is still a tool, and he will put the tool to Tech eventually. I want our administration to learn a valuable lesson and do what it takes to be immune from having this kind of horseshat played on us. Simple as that.