PAC 12

[RedTails]

What stings most about Texas State leaving and replacing with LaTech is how much more it'll suck if the hypothesized SBC split ever happens. If the East splits, it's truly going to look like the Southland.

[CajunNation]

No way latech is added before WKU.

Thamel is getting fed some BS.

[BabbForHeisman]

Here's the worst part about all this. For the common fan (those with far less involvement than most on this board), this is just another example of a school coming into the Sunbelt, having some degree of success, and then moving on to something else, all while the Cajuns stay here. North Texas, FAU, FIU, Western Kentucky, MT. Other schools constantly in the rumor mills for Pac 12 or AAC expansion.

Now we can all sit here and talk about how many/most of those moves didn't work out. I know that. But the public perception is still there. Now matter how good the Sunbelt is on paper, there's still an overwhelming majority of the fan population who would say "Who is Georgia Southern again?" when they look at our schedule in any sport.

And that is a contributing factor to why we only put 10K in Cajun Field on a Saturday night. Not the only factor, but a contributing factor.

That is why it is vital for us to get out. By any means necessary.

(And before anyone starts, don't give me the but but but LaTech to the WAC example...that could have worked for them had they not bungled it in other ways.)

[CajunNation]

. . . (And before anyone starts, don't give me the but but but LaTech to the WAC example...that could have worked for them had they not bungled it in other ways.)

My sources at the time told me that the offer was on the table for us and UNT to go to the WAC. Doc talked the UNT prez out of saying yes.

[Geaux]

Spot on. The casual fan does not support SBC football, no matter how good the teams are.

Also, the AAC or Pac 12 offers easy travel, even if the distance is farther.

I'd rather make a weekend trip out of a visit to Colorado Springs, San Deigo, Portland (Oregon St) as compared to Monroe, Troy, and Jonesboro.

We could solely own football recruiting outside of LSU and be the farthest eastern team.

Focus our football and alumni recruiting east of Mississippi.

[HoustonCajun]

My sources at the time told me that the offer was on the table for us and UNT to go to the WAC. Doc talked the UNT prez out of saying yes.

Status Quo has been UL's mantra for several years now dating back to Dr. A. UL has moved up in so many ways, R1, campus beautification, higher enrollment, new facilities. If athletics is truly UL's "window to the world" as I have heard Dr. S say, why do we not take the next step athletically to move up? Whatever success the SBC has had in recent years, perception-wise to the average fan, it is the Sun Belch. UL has got to be more pro-active in moving up.

I was listening to sports talk radio on XM Satellite this morning and they said Memphis made $11M with the AAC last year. What does the SBC pay per member, less than $5M? Texas State may not make $11M moving to the Pac 12, but it will make a lot more than $5M and will change the perception of the university with its alumni and fans. That change in perception is what UL needs and it should be positioning itself now for any opportunities that might come up in the near future. Waiting for that opening before doing anything will be too late.

[cajunref]

See post 74.

[CrazyCajun]

If Texas state goes to the PAC the closest school to them will be 1300 miles..and they are 400 miles further west than we are.

[Turbine]

What does the SBC pay per member, less than $5M?

Barely over $2 million

[CajunRebel]

Here's the worst part about all this. For the common fan (those with far less involvement than most on this board), this is just another example of a school coming into the Sunbelt, having some degree of success, and then moving on to something else, all while the Cajuns stay here. North Texas, FAU, FIU, Western Kentucky, MT. Other schools constantly in the rumor mills for Pac 12 or AAC expansion.

Now we can all sit here and talk about how many/most of those moves didn't work out. I know that. But the public perception is still there. Now matter how good the Sunbelt is on paper, there's still an overwhelming majority of the fan population who would say "Who is Georgia Southern again?" when they look at our schedule in any sport.

And that is a contributing factor to why we only put 10K in Cajun Field on a Saturday night. Not the only factor, but a contributing factor.

That is why it is vital for us to get out. By any means necessary.

(And before anyone starts, don't give me the but but but LaTech to the WAC example...that could have worked for them had they not bungled it in other ways.)

Some degree of success? Texas State? That’s being VERY kind. Since they joined Texas State has been one of the least successful programs in the Sun Belt.

It has been the same song and dance since the 90’s. Schools in big markets move up because these markets generate larger TV deals for the conference. Texas State is in a big market. They’ll always get the call before we will.

The most important factor in schools moving up is a factor we have no control over. It sucks. It’s not fair. But that’s the reality.

There has always been a narrative that if we just tried harder or pestered the commissioners enough we could move up. Maybe people say that because it makes them feel like we actually have a shot. It’s just not true though.