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Post by brandon on Nov 9, 2021 14:47:30 GMT -6
We all consider JSU our biggest rival...
Since they went to D1 and we were stuck in D2, we had pretty good rivals in the GSC including UCA.
Rumor I'm hearing is the ASUN has been contacted by what's left of the Southland football schools since McNeese and IWU wants the WAC, about joining the ASUN.
So the ASUN may be inviting HBU, Southeastern LA, Northwestern state, and Nichols State, for a 14 and 8 conference.
I still think there are rivalry potential there. What's your thoughts...
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Post by unalions on Nov 9, 2021 15:32:20 GMT -6
We all consider JSU our biggest rival... Since they went to D1 and we were stuck in D2, we had pretty good rivals in the GSC including UCA. Rumor I'm hearing is the ASUN has been contacted by what's left of the Southland football schools since McNeese and IWU wants the WAC, about joining the ASUN. So the ASUN may be inviting HBU, Southeastern LA, Northwestern state, and Nichols State, for a 14 and 8 conference. I still think there are rivalry potential there. What's your thoughts... I’ve been thinking about them and mentioned it on the D2 site yesterday. They just called up Texas A&M Commerce from D2. |
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Post by unafan on Nov 9, 2021 15:44:00 GMT -6
The ASUN should highly consider taking the three remaining Louisiana schools (Southeast, Northwest and Nichols State). Would give the ASUN 14 total with 8 playing football. (After Liberty and Jax State leave). Would be a good geographic area. I'm sure Central Arky wouldn't mind...
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Post by unafied on Nov 9, 2021 16:52:05 GMT -6
McNeese announced today they are staying in the Southland. With them bringing in TAMU-Commerce, they’ll have 7 teams going forward. I think that conference will remain together and stable at least for the time being. If they lose UIW to the WAC, there are plenty of other Texas D2 schools they can call up.
Unfortunately JSU leaving has put us in a bad situation. I’m not sure we can get another school to join by next season. I don’t think it really matters, since our conference champ would probably still receive a playoff at-large bid. But long-term I’m not sure what the next move is.
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Post by unafan on Nov 9, 2021 17:02:50 GMT -6
McNeese announced today they are staying in the Southland. With them bringing in TAMU-Commerce, they’ll have 7 teams going forward. I think that conference will remain together and stable at least for the time being. If they lose UIW to the WAC, there are plenty of other Texas D2 schools they can call up. Unfortunately JSU leaving has put us in a bad situation. I’m not sure we can get another school to join by next season. I don’t think it really matters, since our conference champ would probably still receive a playoff at-large bid. But long-term I’m not sure what the next move is. Maybe call up West Florida ? |
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Post by unalions on Nov 9, 2021 18:17:44 GMT -6
McNeese announced today they are staying in the Southland. With them bringing in TAMU-Commerce, they’ll have 7 teams going forward. I think that conference will remain together and stable at least for the time being. If they lose UIW to the WAC, there are plenty of other Texas D2 schools they can call up. Unfortunately JSU leaving has put us in a bad situation. I’m not sure we can get another school to join by next season. I don’t think it really matters, since our conference champ would probably still receive a playoff at-large bid. But long-term I’m not sure what the next move is. Interesting. And they were given several hosting deals by the conference to stay! www.americanpress.com/2021/11/09/breaking-mcneese-sticks-with-southland-in-move-that-will-bring-millions-in-for-sw-la-tourism/The best thing for the ASUN is if WKU and MTSU turn down the MAC after seeing those four other schools added to CUSA. If they go, I fear that CUSA will invite EKU and either UCA or KSU to join. It’s time for Gumbart to work on one or two GSC schools. As much as I want UWF involved, I think UWG is likely in the best shape to make the move. |
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Post by tuna85 on Nov 9, 2021 18:49:37 GMT -6
McNeese announced today they are staying in the Southland. With them bringing in TAMU-Commerce, they’ll have 7 teams going forward. I think that conference will remain together and stable at least for the time being. If they lose UIW to the WAC, there are plenty of other Texas D2 schools they can call up. Unfortunately JSU leaving has put us in a bad situation. I’m not sure we can get another school to join by next season. I don’t think it really matters, since our conference champ would probably still receive a playoff at-large bid. But long-term I’m not sure what the next move is. Southland offered many things to McNeese to entice them to stay. Wonder if all were happy with the transaction? Additionally wonder if any of those Louisiana teams previously reached out to the ASUN? Both ASUN and Southland need to be thinking about future defections to FBS Conferences and how to survive them. From an up close and personal standpoint; UNA needs to be positioning themselves to not be stranded in D2 2.0 when the dust settles. Meaning, don't be viewed as the runt of the litter which is what is occurring. No bonafide stadium plan, short staffed coaching staff, low paid coaching staff, everything done on the cheap. Can't say we appear to be all in on the move up to FCS. School wants folks to donate $1984 each for 100 lockers (even willing to let folks do it on a five year plan). Look, we supposedly have 60,000 alumni per a Google search. If we had a plan, that our alumni could get their teeth into, you could strengthen and grow your alumni chapters while getting the stadium on the tracks. Heck, think of what 1000 alumni at $2000 each would add to a stadium fund. Think of what might be added to that if you got additional funds ($1-$1999) from some of the remaining 59,000 alumni. Sure use a five year plan, Good enough for lockers, should be good enough for a stadium. I know, I know, off on a rant but we knew the stadium and being competitive was a need 5 years ago. Not knowing whether the stadium is going to be on or off campus does not preclude raising of funds. Not knowing whether we are going to acquire Braly and rebuild it does not preclude raising of funds. For the love of Pete, what are we waiting on? |
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Post by brandon on Nov 9, 2021 19:44:02 GMT -6
McNeese announced today they are staying in the Southland. With them bringing in TAMU-Commerce, they’ll have 7 teams going forward. I think that conference will remain together and stable at least for the time being. If they lose UIW to the WAC, there are plenty of other Texas D2 schools they can call up. Unfortunately JSU leaving has put us in a bad situation. I’m not sure we can get another school to join by next season. I don’t think it really matters, since our conference champ would probably still receive a playoff at-large bid. But long-term I’m not sure what the next move is. Didn't realize they decided to stay... Is Incarnate Word going to the WAC? After talking to the new AD via email, he seems pretty adamant on bigger fund raising, marketing and putting UNA in a better position going forward. He understands that winning solves financial problems and what it's going to take to get there. He may be blowing smoke, time will tell. |
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Post by unalions on Nov 9, 2021 20:59:43 GMT -6
Good article about JSU’s move announcement and firing Grass. An excerpt: JSU takes the prize in college football this season for unexpected twists, unlikely upgrades and questionable decisions after the school announced it was joining Conference USA (and moving from the FCS to FBS) on a news-dump Friday, and then, A DAY LATER, announced that it was firing coach John Grass. This is the same team that started the season being shut out by UAB 31-0, BUT THEN went on the road the next week and upset Florida State 20-17 with a walk-off touchdown. Jacksonville State, we love you, and so we’re worried. And also really excited. But also definitely confused. Jacksonville State was already leaving the OVC for the ASUN but was going to compete in the WAC in football until, well … somebody please help this make sense. I feel like I’m at a Jacksonville State frat party and someone just walked in the front door with a chainsaw, handle of rum and a pet goat named Randy Owen Rides Again. There is so much to consider. www.al.com/sports/2021/11/jacksonville-state-will-bring-the-party-to-cusa.html?outputType=amp |
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Post by unafied on Nov 10, 2021 8:08:41 GMT -6
McNeese announced today they are staying in the Southland. With them bringing in TAMU-Commerce, they’ll have 7 teams going forward. I think that conference will remain together and stable at least for the time being. If they lose UIW to the WAC, there are plenty of other Texas D2 schools they can call up. Unfortunately JSU leaving has put us in a bad situation. I’m not sure we can get another school to join by next season. I don’t think it really matters, since our conference champ would probably still receive a playoff at-large bid. But long-term I’m not sure what the next move is. Didn't realize they decided to stay... Is Incarnate Word going to the WAC? After talking to the new AD via email, he seems pretty adamant on bigger fund raising, marketing and putting UNA in a better position going forward. He understands that winning solves financial problems and what it's going to take to get there. He may be blowing smoke, time will tell. I haven't seen much news on Incarnate Word, but apparently the Southland basically gave McNeese the moon to convince them to stay. I'm not sure they would do that for UIW. I hope Looney is up to the task. He has a tough path ahead of him. I feel like our fans and alumni were a lot more engaged during the mid-2000s than they are now. I know some of that could be that winning teams just naturally pull people in, but I have some other theories as well. Whatever the reason, it seems that the Shoals area as a whole just isn't behind the Lions like they used to be. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe a couple of big wins here and there would bring the energy right back. I am more than willing to donate what I can, but like tuna said, can they not show us some plans? The locker room is a fine project and is definitely needed, but fans want to know about a stadium the most. |
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Post by unalions on Nov 10, 2021 17:44:51 GMT -6
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Post by unalions on Nov 11, 2021 9:52:24 GMT -6
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Post by unafied on Nov 11, 2021 10:13:46 GMT -6
They seem to hate EKU, to the point that they would block them from ever moving up. It's a shame for those fans, but I'm happy if it means they'll stick around for a while. And if you're EKU, they have to be looking at a conference without Liberty and think that they have a chance to be the top hoops program. I think them and Bellarmine will be slugging it out, along with Lipscomb. It hasn't been talked about much, but despite us hating that Liberty was dominating the conference in most sports, them leaving really does hurt our basketball standing as a conference. We REALLY need to see some improvement there from a few of the Florida schools and from KSU. Central Arkansas has a pretty bad program. I'd like to see us at least consistently be in the top half of the conference in the next few years, because the bottom half is likely to be mostly RPI 300+ teams. |
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Post by brandon on Nov 11, 2021 12:12:15 GMT -6
They seem to hate EKU, to the point that they would block them from ever moving up. It's a shame for those fans, but I'm happy if it means they'll stick around for a while. And if you're EKU, they have to be looking at a conference without Liberty and think that they have a chance to be the top hoops program. I think them and Bellarmine will be slugging it out, along with Lipscomb. It hasn't been talked about much, but despite us hating that Liberty was dominating the conference in most sports, them leaving really does hurt our basketball standing as a conference. We REALLY need to see some improvement there from a few of the Florida schools and from KSU. Central Arkansas has a pretty bad program. I'd like to see us at least consistently be in the top half of the conference in the next few years, because the bottom half is likely to be mostly RPI 300+ teams. Liberty leaving hurts our RPI and in turn hurts the individual school. But, at least we can build. Bellarmine and EKU should bring it up, I think we progressively get better as well. FGCU needs to get back to what they were doing and Lipscomb can consistently be a winner. I just wonder if we will keep divisions now or go back to playing everyone. |
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Post by unafied on Nov 11, 2021 12:50:11 GMT -6
They seem to hate EKU, to the point that they would block them from ever moving up. It's a shame for those fans, but I'm happy if it means they'll stick around for a while. And if you're EKU, they have to be looking at a conference without Liberty and think that they have a chance to be the top hoops program. I think them and Bellarmine will be slugging it out, along with Lipscomb. It hasn't been talked about much, but despite us hating that Liberty was dominating the conference in most sports, them leaving really does hurt our basketball standing as a conference. We REALLY need to see some improvement there from a few of the Florida schools and from KSU. Central Arkansas has a pretty bad program. I'd like to see us at least consistently be in the top half of the conference in the next few years, because the bottom half is likely to be mostly RPI 300+ teams. Liberty leaving hurts our RPI and in turn hurts the individual school. But, at least we can build. Bellarmine and EKU should bring it up, I think we progressively get better as well. FGCU needs to get back to what they were doing and Lipscomb can consistently be a winner. I just wonder if we will keep divisions now or go back to playing everyone. Yeah I agree, FGCU needs to be successful again. Or, we can just take their place instead, haha. Liberty and JSU are still with us through next year, right? So two seasons counting this one? Plus we add Austin Peay next year. We have no choice but to find another football school once JSU leaves, but I'd assume finding two would be better. That would put us at 14. With 14 you can do two divisions, round-robin in your own and play everybody from the other division once to make 19 conference games. That seems to be the trend these days, and I'm guessing that's what the conference would like to do. Honestly I'd prefer to find four football schools, or at least three and a no-football to pair with them (Arkansas-Little Rock?). But unless the ASUN goes in for the kill on the OVC, the options seem limited. |
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