MAC Double Header

[sixtoes9134]

I'm perplexed.

There's a MAC double header on ESPNU/2 tonight.

Poor attendance for Ohio v Ball St. Why would any Appalachian State Grad/Alum to ever want this ?

I don't ever think we'd have this poor attendance, ever.

[sixtoes9134]

Love to see Lembo get waxed.

[AppState89]

That Ball State game might have 8,000, if that..... It better NEVER get like that in Boone.

[appgrad]

Love to see Lembo get waxed.

Didn't get your wish then...looks like he's got Ball State heading in the right direction.

Attendance is what it is...they probably make more in TV revenue for this game than we do for a full home gate + ESPN3

Additionally - we aren't NIU or Ball State- neither team has never been an attendance juggernaut at their level. Again - our highest attended game ever was on a Friday. If this is one home game a year - I don't see any reason OUR fans wouldn't show up to show support. We have more than enough within a 2 hour drive who could fill the stadium.

[ASUMountaineer]

Love to see Lembo get waxed.

Didn't get your wish then...looks like he's got Ball State heading in the right direction.

Attendance is what it is...they probably make more in TV revenue for this game than we do for a full home gate + ESPN3

Additionally - we aren't NIU or Ball State- neither team has never been an attendance juggernaut at their level. Again - our highest attended game ever was on a Friday. If this is one home game a year - I don't see any reason OUR fans wouldn't show up to show support. We have more than enough within a 2 hour drive who could fill the stadium.

I don't think this is accurate, but it is one of the highest attended games we've had. I would say though that there is a difference between a Friday game and a Wednesday game. Nevertheless, you're spot on in regards to the TV revenue. Add in the exposure on national TV, and it might be even better.

With that said, I'm with sixtoes in that I am not big in favor of going to the MAC. CUSA and/or Sun Belt are my two top choices of reasonable options.

[appgrad]

I don't think this is accurate, but it is one of the highest attended games we've had. I would say though that there is a difference between a Friday game and a Wednesday game. Nevertheless, you're spot on in regards to the TV revenue. Add in the exposure on national TV, and it might be even better.

With that said, I'm with sixtoes in that I am not big in favor of going to the MAC. CUSA and/or Sun Belt are my two top choices of reasonable options.

You're right - we beat it 2 years later on Armanti's senior day...which I seem to recall was very crummy weather! Still #2

I am with you on the MAC - a long history of poor attendance. Sun Belt, to me, has more upside in regards to attendance - and I think we've seen this year that there is some quality football being played in that league. In terms of competitiveness, I'd put it above the MAC and CUSA right now.

MTSU beat Ga. Tech by 3 TDs, La-Lafayette should've beaten Florida if not for a last minute collapse, WKU beat UK, LaMo was hot early, etc. With Georgia State coming in - there would be a few road games that are driveable for App - Troy, GSU, MTSU, and even WKU. If we could convince them to add us, and a 13th and 14th team - maybe we could even get another nearby opponent in Ga. Southern and someone else.

[ASUMountaineer]

I don't think this is accurate, but it is one of the highest attended games we've had. I would say though that there is a difference between a Friday game and a Wednesday game. Nevertheless, you're spot on in regards to the TV revenue. Add in the exposure on national TV, and it might be even better.

With that said, I'm with sixtoes in that I am not big in favor of going to the MAC. CUSA and/or Sun Belt are my two top choices of reasonable options.

You're right - we beat it 2 years later on Armanti's senior day...which I seem to recall was very crummy weather! Still #2

I am with you on the MAC - a long history of poor attendance. Sun Belt, to me, has more upside in regards to attendance - and I think we've seen this year that there is some quality football being played in that league. In terms of competitiveness, I'd put it above the MAC and CUSA right now.

MTSU beat Ga. Tech by 3 TDs, La-Lafayette should've beaten Florida if not for a last minute collapse, WKU beat UK, LaMo was hot early, etc. With Georgia State coming in - there would be a few road games that are driveable for App - Troy, GSU, MTSU, and even WKU. If we could convince them to add us, and a 13th and 14th team - maybe we could even get another nearby opponent in Ga. Southern and someone else.

Yeah, it does seem like the SBC is the best fit. But, their TV contract pales when compared to CUSA. I think the admin would be hard pressed to push MAC membership.

[appgrad]

Yeah, it does seem like the SBC is the best fit. But, their TV contract pales when compared to CUSA. I think the admin would be hard pressed to push MAC membership.

I don't really think - if we want to move up - we're in any position to be picky. I would prefer CUSA or SBC - but if the MAC is the only one who realizes how valuable we would be to their league, who am I to complain? If we've learned anything - conference affiliation isn't permanent!

[GoApps70]

We would probably have the best football record by going into the MAC. Not as easy as when Marshall was in it, but they still have teams each year that are really bad teams, so some guaranteed wins. Thought we might have heard from the MAC by now since their Commissioner lived in Boone for a while when his dad coached at Appalachian. Maybe as a teenager he was glad to move out of the mountains. They may be looking at JMU, and even Delaware, ahead of us due to distance from their core area. Might have a recruiting advantage to being the most Southern team in a Northern conference. Their TV deal is probably between that of CUSA and the SB.

Sun Belt would probably be the best option. Would at least not have to be in a conference with UNCC that way, or Marshall. Used to think it would be great to be back in a conference with Marshall but all their fans do on message boards is criticize us, same as UNCC. Would have highest or second highest football attendance in SB if things remain relative. Would be easy travel to MTSU, GaSt, and WKU and not bad to several other teams like Troy in Alabama. Good chance GaSo could get in if they took us. Their Media deal is terrible though. Have always wondered if it's because networks are more familiar with more Northern schools and discount the SB because of that.

CUSA would probably be the best fit in terms of football attendance since we would just be in the middle of the pack right now. East Carolina will probably be gone from CUSA soon. Yeah, I know, heard that for years, but seems like they are getting close to a nBE invite. Who knows. Might have certain recruiting advantages to being in a different conference though with UNCC and Marshall and ECU and ODU being so close.

This new BCS playoff division of money isn't helping though. Lot of Sun Belt fans know that it will cut down on money they will get each year from that so many seem to be wanting to stay at 10 football playing teams. Our potential realignment timing always sucks it seems.

[GoApps70]

Yeah, it does seem like the SBC is the best fit. But, their TV contract pales when compared to CUSA. I think the admin would be hard pressed to push MAC membership.

I don't really think - if we want to move up - we're in any position to be picky. I would prefer CUSA or SBC - but if the MAC is the only one who realizes how valuable we would be to their league, who am I to complain? If we've learned anything - conference affiliation isn't permanent!

Rep point to you. Totally agree. Main thing is getting in FBS and establishing ourselves.
Any of the three would beat being in the SoCon.

[ASUMountaineer]

Yeah, it does seem like the SBC is the best fit. But, their TV contract pales when compared to CUSA. I think the admin would be hard pressed to push MAC membership.

I don't really think - if we want to move up - we're in any position to be picky. I would prefer CUSA or SBC - but if the MAC is the only one who realizes how valuable we would be to their league, who am I to complain? If we've learned anything - conference affiliation isn't permanent!

This is true, but it will require support to make the move. I am not saying we wouldn't do it, but it would certainly be the hardest to sell to alums/fans, especially if there is a chance for the SBC. My gut says that we will eventually accept a bid to the SBC, but with CFB there is no sure thing.

[GoApps70]

Both CUSA and the Sun Belt have had their chances to invite us and have not done so.
Much better a bird in hand than uncertainty for maybe years and years.