ACC expansion ...

[R1Letterman]

Have they shed the "students from NE who can't get in anywhere else" or the "pay your fees get your Bs"?

[CajunNation]

Fresno was in the WAC at the time. But that goes under blind squirrels and acorns.

You are correct about the WAC, but it is not like they came out of nowhere. Yes, they did have an average regular season, but they were ranked in some polls preseason that year. You know more than most how funny baseball can be. Heck, we got swept by UNO right before we went to Omaha.

Point is, the MWC is a nice conference. The PAC remnants might have to tighten their wallets a little, and their pride will take a hit, but the quality of play in all sports at Oregon State and Washington State will probably be the same as before.

[CajunFun]

Keye Luke - Charlie Chan

"Veddy good, numbah one son...

...but as usuah, wrong."

Partly. It was Keye Luke, but he played Charlie Chan's son, Lee Chan.

[JayWalker]

You are correct about the WAC, but it is not like they came out of nowhere. Yes, they did have an average regular season, but they were ranked in some polls preseason that year. You know more than most how funny baseball can be. Heck, we got swept by UNO right before we went to Omaha.

Point is, the MWC is a nice conference. The PAC remnants might have to tighten their wallets a little, and their pride will take a hit, but the quality of play in all sports at Oregon State and Washington State will probably be the same as before.

The Mountain West is far from a great baseball league. The point made was Oregon State's baseball could take a hit.

And I can't disagree. There are always exceptions to the rule. But OSU baseball will definitely take a hit.

[CajunFun]

Who would you say are the top 3 after Memphis, UL and what 2 other schools? Who is best to fill an SMU slot in the AAC west?

I'm shocked the ACC picked SMU.

Except I'm not. I was really shocked when the AAC didn't pick Georgia State. They want major markets, they want schools with academics, they want schools with growth potential? GSU is way ahead of some of the schools they picked.

Who would be the other two? Can't say, because different presidents and different conferences use different metrics. USM shocked everyone by coming this way, and brought Marshall and ODU with them. I'm not sure the conventional wiseguys saw that coming. But it worked out nicely, and if we continue knocking off big boys like we did last year, that's going to throw some shoes in the sprockets.

If football is the driver, and TV is driving football, what I want to see are the Nielson and cable numbers. ESPN has those, and if conferences aren't consulting them, that's a mistake.

Short answer: I don't know who the other two are. My reasons for suspecting that UL is on many short lists is because of our growing sports success, our expanding sports, academic and research facilities, our rapid research growth, Louisiana as a major talent pool...

...and yes, the names 'Louisiana' and 'Ragin' Cajuns' are also going to help. As will the schools who have visited UL, and loved coming here. Don't discount those intangibles.

[JayWalker]

I'm shocked the ACC picked SMU.

Except I'm not. I was really shocked when the AAC didn't pick Georgia State. They want major markets, they want schools with academics, they want schools with growth potential? GSU is way ahead of some of the schools they picked.

Who would be the other two? Can't say, because different presidents and different conferences use different metrics. USM shocked everyone by coming this way, and brought Marshall and ODU with them. I'm not sure the conventional wiseguys saw that coming. But it worked out nicely, and if we continue knocking off big boys like we did last year, that's going to throw some shoes in the sprockets.

If football is the driver, and TV is driving football, what I want to see are the Nielson and cable numbers. ESPN has those, and if conferences aren't consulting them, that's a mistake.

Short answer: I don't know who the other two are. My reasons for suspecting that UL is on many short lists is because of our growing sports success, our expanding sports, academic and research facilities, our rapid research growth, Louisiana as a major talent pool...

...and yes, the names 'Louisiana' and 'Ragin' Cajuns' are also going to help. As will the schools who have visited UL, and loved coming here. Don't discount those intangibles.

Anyone who was shocked over Southern Miss heading this way wasn't paying enough attention. That was in the works for three years before it happened.

[CajunFun]

Anyone who was shocked over Southern Miss heading this way wasn't paying enough attention. That was in the works for three years before it happened.

Interesting to hear you say that. I had heard USM was unhappy, but that was from the fans.

What does the Bird of Paradise know that we do not? Inquiring minds want to know.

[CajunFun]

Keye Luke - Charlie Chan

Ouch, I owe you an apology.

Keye Luke did play Charlie Chan... in the 1970s animated series.

My humblest apologies.

[JayWalker]

Interesting to hear you say that. I had heard USM was unhappy, but that was from the fans.

What does the Bird of Paradise know that we do not? Inquiring minds want to know.

Nine teams have left CUSA. Some wanted to leave before the others. Consistency in television (ESPN+ vs. Stadium/Facebook/CBSSN, etc.) was a huge factor with teams wanting out of CUSA.

[Big Buds]

Tulane is so far ahead of us in every metric it’s not even funny. Hell they even shed the Jewish Private stigma.

Every metric except athletic success and fan support. But yes, they have more money and stronger academics.