This Is Just Great.....

[GlassOnion]

A year or two ago, alot of people were for the idea of moving up to FBS en masse with other top FCS teams, forming our own conference. Seems pretty much what we're doing, except we're 1 division of a larger conference, and we get an upgraded team in Troy. We're far far from the point of panic IMO.

[ASUMountaineer]

A year or two ago, alot of people were for the idea of moving up to FBS en masse with other top FCS teams, forming our own conference. Seems pretty much what we're doing, except we're 1 division of a larger conference, and we get an upgraded team in Troy. We're far far from the point of panic IMO.

I agree.

[Gonzo]

A year or two ago, alot of people were for the idea of moving up to FBS en masse with other top FCS teams, forming our own conference. Seems pretty much what we're doing, except we're 1 division of a larger conference, and we get an upgraded team in Troy. We're far far from the point of panic IMO.

Don't tell that to veg. Snarky memes MUST be created and a prosperous FBS App State is counterproductive on that front.

[vegattk]

A year or two ago, alot of people were for the idea of moving up to FBS en masse with other top FCS teams, forming our own conference. Seems pretty much what we're doing, except we're 1 division of a larger conference, and we get an upgraded team in Troy. We're far far from the point of panic IMO.

Don't tell that to veg. Snarky memes MUST be created and a prosperous FBS App State is counterproductive on that front.

Hey... I do believe that meme at least has marble floors...

[Saint3333]

Can we get the conference leaders in a room and compete collectively vs. eating our own (non BCS programs). This isn't difficult:

EAST

ODU
UNCC
Georgia So.
GA St.
__________
App St.
Marshall
MTSU
WKU
__________
FIU
FAU
Troy
USA
________________________
WEST

UAB
So. Miss.
Ark St.
LA Tech
__________
ULL
ULM
Texas St.
UTSA
__________
North Texas
Rice
UTEP
NMSU
_______________
Idaho - Joins Big Sky

[asumike83]

Losing Arkansas State/ULL would sting but it would not stop Appalachian from succeeding. I'd hate to see two established programs bolt before App begins SBC play but the program and the fans will determine their own fate.

The goal is the same as it has always been: win football games and pack KBS on Saturdays. If the team wins and the fans show up, App football will continue to thrive. Regardless of who else is/was in the conference, the team must and prove themselves against solid OOC competition and compete for conference titles.

Just win, baby.

[bcoach]

Losing Arkansas State/ULL would sting but it would not stop Appalachian from succeeding. I'd hate to see two established programs bolt before App begins SBC play but the program and the fans will determine their own fate.

The goal is the same as it has always been: win football games and pack KBS on Saturdays. If the team wins and the fans show up, App football will continue to thrive. Regardless of who else is/was in the conference, the team must and prove themselves against solid OOC competition and compete for conference titles.

Just win, baby.

That is very true but what about the people on here who wanted out of the SOCON because of who we play? Are they just a few short years away from having the same complaint all over again?

[GlassOnion]

That is very true but what about the people on here who wanted out of the SOCON because of who we play? Are they just a few short years away from having the same complaint all over again?

How is this a problem? We'll still play in a conference that averages 20,000 per game, has better facilities, 85 scholarships, actually has a TV deal, that pays us $1.5 million a year, allows us to schedule FBS games at home and BCS games that will pay us double what they would have a year ago...

[vegattk]

That is very true but what about the people on here who wanted out of the SOCON because of who we play? Are they just a few short years away from having the same complaint all over again?

How is this a problem? We'll still play in a conference that averages 20,000 per game, has better facilities, 85 scholarships, actually has a TV deal, that pays us $1.5 million a year, allows us to schedule FBS games at home and BCS games that will pay us double what they would have a year ago...

Just wait.... people will still get upset that we aren't playing BCS teams on a regular basis...

[bcoach]

That is very true but what about the people on here who wanted out of the SOCON because of who we play? Are they just a few short years away from having the same complaint all over again?

How is this a problem? We'll still play in a conference that averages 20,000 per game, has better facilities, 85 scholarships, actually has a TV deal, that pays us $1.5 million a year, allows us to schedule FBS games at home and BCS games that will pay us double what they would have a year ago...

I don't know that it is. I am just wondering if that "who we play' thing is going to surface it's ugly head again.

[TheMoody1]

That is very true but what about the people on here who wanted out of the SOCON because of who we play? Are they just a few short years away from having the same complaint all over again?

How is this a problem? We'll still play in a conference that averages 20,000 per game, has better facilities, 85 scholarships, actually has a TV deal, that pays us $1.5 million a year, allows us to schedule FBS games at home and BCS games that will pay us double what they would have a year ago...

Just wait.... people will still get upset that we aren't playing BCS teams on a regular basis...

No matter what happens there will be people who are moaning and groaning.

[ASUMountaineer]

That is very true but what about the people on here who wanted out of the SOCON because of who we play? Are they just a few short years away from having the same complaint all over again?

How is this a problem? We'll still play in a conference that averages 20,000 per game, has better facilities, 85 scholarships, actually has a TV deal, that pays us $1.5 million a year, allows us to schedule FBS games at home and BCS games that will pay us double what they would have a year ago...

I don't know that it is. I am just wondering if that "who we play' thing is going to surface it's ugly head again.

I'm not sure it's so much "who we play" as it was "who we're aligned with." Many pro-FCS'ers will scoff at the thought of Troy, Texas State, ULL, ULM, ASU, GSU, etc. as being good conference mates, but the truth is that we're more like those schools overall than schools like Elon, Samford, Wofford, Furman, etc. Whether that fits your requirements to justify a move, I don't know (and I doubt it does), but I hope that clarifies the sentiment you're questioning.

[bcoach]

That is very true but what about the people on here who wanted out of the SOCON because of who we play? Are they just a few short years away from having the same complaint all over again?

How is this a problem? We'll still play in a conference that averages 20,000 per game, has better facilities, 85 scholarships, actually has a TV deal, that pays us $1.5 million a year, allows us to schedule FBS games at home and BCS games that will pay us double what they would have a year ago...

I don't know that it is. I am just wondering if that "who we play' thing is going to surface it's ugly head again.

I'm not sure it's so much "who we play" as it was "who we're aligned with." Many pro-FCS'ers will scoff at the thought of Troy, Texas State, ULL, ULM, ASU, GSU, etc. as being good conference mates, but the truth is that we're more like those schools overall than schools like Elon, Samford, Wofford, Furman, etc. Whether that fits your requirements to justify a move, I don't know (and I doubt it does), but I hope that clarifies the sentiment you're questioning.

I don't have any requirements. Moving has never been up to me. I just kept hearing about the competition we were forced to play and how it was beneath us. I was hoping that we would not have to go through that again. As far as like institutions, I do have a definite opinion on that. I think that conference alignment has nothing to do with anything outside of athletics. I think that all the talk about academics is pure and simple smoke. I have NEVER had anyone ask me about the English department at a tailgate

[SpeedkingATL]

The Sunbelt was the only available seat on the merry-go-round that App had to get on. There will be continued changes in the conferences for the next couple of years and a successful App State FBS team has a better chance of landing the ideal conference slot than an FCS App State. App will be scheduling better competition, make more $$ on FBS "money games", have more scholarship players which should make App a better team and hopefully gain a little national recognition from time to time. It would be nice for JMU to join the SB but who really cares as we will develop rivalries with whomever we play often. I just want App to become the team everyone in the Belt wants to beat, just as App and GaSo were in the SoCon.

[ASUMountaineer]

That is very true but what about the people on here who wanted out of the SOCON because of who we play? Are they just a few short years away from having the same complaint all over again?

How is this a problem? We'll still play in a conference that averages 20,000 per game, has better facilities, 85 scholarships, actually has a TV deal, that pays us $1.5 million a year, allows us to schedule FBS games at home and BCS games that will pay us double what they would have a year ago...

I don't know that it is. I am just wondering if that "who we play' thing is going to surface it's ugly head again.

I'm not sure it's so much "who we play" as it was "who we're aligned with." Many pro-FCS'ers will scoff at the thought of Troy, Texas State, ULL, ULM, ASU, GSU, etc. as being good conference mates, but the truth is that we're more like those schools overall than schools like Elon, Samford, Wofford, Furman, etc. Whether that fits your requirements to justify a move, I don't know (and I doubt it does), but I hope that clarifies the sentiment you're questioning.

I don't have any requirements. Moving has never been up to me. I just kept hearing about the competition we were forced to play and how it was beneath us. I was hoping that we would not have to go through that again. As far as like institutions, I do have a definite opinion on that. I think that conference alignment has nothing to do with anything outside of athletics. I think that all the talk about academics is pure and simple smoke. I have NEVER had anyone ask me about the English department at a tailgate

Then you're tailgating with the right people (aka, no FUrman or WoCo people).

In all seriousness, I was not referring to academics only, but also to the mission of the university, the size of the university, etc.

[GlassOnion]

Just wait.... people will still get upset that we aren't playing BCS teams on a regular basis...

As long as our fans dont start building subjective goal posts to determine our subjective failure at which point they will fulfill their subjective "I told you so," App will be fine.

[vegattk]

Just wait.... people will still get upset that we aren't playing BCS teams on a regular basis...

As long as our fans dont start building subjective goal posts to determine our subjective failure at which point they will fulfill their subjective "I told you so," App will be fine.

And you better believe you'll be the first one my "I told you so" will be directed at.

[Gonzo]

Moving has never been up to me.

The rationale of anti-progress App fans really perplexes me. If you can't recognize the very distinct hierarchy of conferences, especially involving the massive gap the Sun Belt vs SoCon, you really don't have any credibility with me when it comes to realignment talk.

The Sun Belt is leaps and bounds above the Southern Conference in every single quantifiable category imaginable. It has been proven time and time again on this forum and elsewhere. We have an athletic staff full of professionals whose job is to make these decisions as well as possible and they have made it.

Forget about blending in with our conference peers for a moment. This is a huge step forward for our alma mater and no amount of denial from the handful of stubborn curmudgeons who refuse to accept reality will change it.

[Gonzo]

Just wait.... people will still get upset that we aren't playing BCS teams on a regular basis...

As long as our fans dont start building subjective goal posts to determine our subjective failure at which point they will fulfill their subjective "I told you so," App will be fine.

Oh you better ****ing believe they are. No amount of realistic success from App State in the next decade will keep that small group from coming on here with "I told you so's" and talk about "Don't you wish we had stayed FCS where we used to contend for national championships blah blah blah." All the while ignoring the massive new stadium, crowds of 40k, televised games, ect. These are the same people that hold up Marshal as some sort of colossal FBS failure even though they're a mildly successful FBS team with a fan base, budget and stadium that dwarfs that of any small-time FCS peer of their past.

[vegattk]

Just wait.... people will still get upset that we aren't playing BCS teams on a regular basis...

As long as our fans dont start building subjective goal posts to determine our subjective failure at which point they will fulfill their subjective "I told you so," App will be fine.

Oh you better ****ing believe they are. No amount of realistic success from App State in the next decade will keep that small group from coming on here with "I told you so's" and talk about "Don't you wish we had stayed FCS where we used to contend for national championships blah blah blah." All the while ignoring the massive new stadium, crowds of 40k, televised games, ect. These are the same people that hold up Marshal as some sort of colossal FBS failure even though they're a mildly successful FBS team with a fan base, budget and stadium that dwarfs that of any small-time FCS peer of their past.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/7286 ... try/page/2

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/m ... -6-percent

Yeah, Marshall's a ROUSING success.