Funny, but this is the first year the BCS game allotment has not been covered by the BE Champ since Pittsburgh in the 05 Fiesta Bowl, before Miami, BC, and VT left. I'll concede that this was a down year for the conference, but considering the Big East is 3-2 in BCS games, since those schools left, I'm continually fascinated by the conclusion that the conference is not competitive with the remaining AQ members. The ACC is 1-4 in the same stretch. One would think there would be a clamor to have their AQ status removed as well, but I guess perception rules over reality. :confused:

 

The ACC is right there with the Big East.

Funny, but this is the first year the BCS game allotment has not been covered by the BE Champ since Pittsburgh in the 05 Fiesta Bowl, before Miami, BC, and VT left. I'll concede that this was a down year for the conference, but considering the Big East is 3-2 in BCS games, since those schools left, I'm continually fascinated by the conclusion that the conference is not competitive with the remaining AQ members. The ACC is 1-4 in the same stretch. One would think there would be a clamor to have their AQ status removed as well, but I guess perception rules over reality. :confused:

 

Name brand of the big programs has alot to do with that I would think. The ACC has FSU, Miami and VT who are all pretty big names and really the Big East has no one of any sustained relevance to college football. Depth of the conference would be another reason as well I think.

USF has sold 2800 of its 12,000.

 

Yup. That's all. I bought two and purchased a couple more to allow under privileged kids in Charlotte to see the game. That's about all I can do. The Bulls haven't drawn squat all year, but then, neither has Miami. Miami has a large fan base though, not in Miami, but all over the country. Colonel Crazy's incidental fans. That's why they sold out their allotment at the Sun Bowl. The Bulls aren't there yet. It's going to take a while, I'm afraid.

 

USF has come a remarkably long way on the field in 14 seasons. It takes longer than that to build a fan base. Especially in an area with 3 professional sports franchises, close to 13% unemployment, and an alumni base who's majority attended the school before football came along, leaving them fans of other programs where they reside or that they were raised with. That's even taking into account the size of the school. You need kids raised on the program. I'm an exception to the rule, I guess.

 

This year was the worse that I've seen since moving to the Big East. The Leavitt incident and how the school handled it didn't help and the performance on the field has left a lot to be desired.

 

However, I've seen what happens when the Bulls win. When they got to #2 in 2007, they were the hottest ticket in town. RayJay rocked every game. We had about 17-20K at the FSU game in Tallahassee last year, 12K sold by the school and another 5 to 8K picked up through other means, creating that ugly green blotch in the south end zone of the Doak, amidst that pretty white out. We had close to 10K at the Miami and Florida games this year. When the Bulls make it to a BCS game, I guarantee the allotment will be sold and then some.

Yup. That's all. I bought two and purchased a couple more to allow under privileged kids in Charlotte to see the game. That's about all I can do. .

 

You're a good man.

Name brand of the big programs has alot to do with that I would think. The ACC has FSU, Miami and VT who are all pretty big names and really the Big East has no one of any sustained relevance to college football. Depth of the conference would be another reason as well I think.

Yet in the last 6 seasons, since Miami, VT, and BC left for the ACC, the Big East is 22-21 against the ACC head to head. So much for depth, at least from a factual standpoint. Last I checked, West Virginia branding has some pull, as does Syracuse. Even Louisville does well in that department.

This is a perfect example of why a playoff would be better. Right now this game means absolutely nothing. If it meant the winner advanced to the national semifinals, do you guys think the tickets wouldn't be bought up, either by Connecticut fans or casual fans in Arizona?

 

I don't know that this proves anything except that bowls are right to want teams that are close to the bowl game or have fan bases that will travel. Next time Notre Dame gets a game no one thinks they deserve, remember this little scenario.

Yet in the last 6 seasons, since Miami, VT, and BC left for the ACC, the Big East is 22-21 against the ACC head to head. So much for depth, at least from a factual standpoint. Last I checked, West Virginia branding has some pull, as does Syracuse. Even Louisville does well in that department.

 

Come one Swamp. The Big East has like a combined 3 national championships total from all member schools. That isn't even half of what Miami and FSU have combined. You're coming back at FSU, Miami and VT with U of L, Syracuse and WVU????? Are we still talking college football buddy? I didn't mean to offend you, but I don't think it is an outrageous statement to say that the ACC has some big name teams headlining the conference which help its image. The so-called headliners in the BE are more comparable to the 2nd tier ACC teams like Clemson, GT, BC, etc IMO than they are established multiple national championship programs.

I do not blame any fan from any team not willing to pay inflated prices to go see this game or any other.

Can we all just agree we need a playoff?

The article in SI a few weeks back stated that Ohio State lost money on its BCS game last year. Apparently, this isn't a new thing.

The article in SI a few weeks back stated that Ohio State lost money on its BCS game last year. Apparently, this isn't a new thing.

 

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 40% of teams that participate in bowls lose money on them, according to Dan Wetzel. This isn't new and really shows a major flaw in the bowl system, IMO.

:lol:

 

Like when UC not only sold their allotment last year, but also bought up a chunk that Florida didn't sell as well? Is the SEC less deserving of a bid because the Gators couldn't sell 17,500 to see off Saint Tebow in New Orleans???

 

No but in all fairness I think we all know why Florida fans weren't excited about that game, same reason that most realistic UC fan's weren't.

Come one Swamp. The Big East has like a combined 3 national championships total from all member schools. That isn't even half of what Miami and FSU have combined. You're coming back at FSU, Miami and VT with U of L, Syracuse and WVU????? Are we still talking college football buddy? I didn't mean to offend you, but I don't think it is an outrageous statement to say that the ACC has some big name teams headlining the conference which help its image. The so-called headliners in the BE are more comparable to the 2nd tier ACC teams like Clemson, GT, BC, etc IMO than they are established multiple national championship programs.

I'm not ready to concede that. OK, maybe with UofL, but not WVU or the 'Cuse. Go to a UC game the next time West Virginia comes to town, or when WVU plays at UofL, when you get a chance. Maybe, fly down here for a USF/WVU game. You'll see the popularity of the Mountaineers, then. It surprised me, the first time they played here in 05. Half the crowd was WVU. 20K + for a regular season road game 1100 miles from home, is nothing to sneeze at. Syracuse always represents well, too. At least when they play here.

 

Wait a minute. Never mind that, you win on that point.

 

Since branding is all that matters, not on-field performance during the Big East's current configuration, I assume you agree with me. It is style over substance. You made my point. Thanks. :thumb:

 

BTW, why would I be offended? We're having a discussion from different points of view. That's what makes a bulletin board work. I will admit that I'm passionate about USF, as I am about Kentucky, as I am about Morehead and Cumberland (funny but I don't really care about my other almater, Marquette, all that much), but not to the extent that criticism would offend me. I do find some of the bitterness facinating, though. Especially when it is steeped in perception and emotion, rather than facts. But offending? No.

I'm not ready to concede that. OK, maybe with UofL, but not WVU or the 'Cuse. Go to a UC game the next time West Virginia comes to town, or when WVU plays at UofL, when you get a chance. Maybe, fly down here for a USF/WVU game. You'll see the popularity of the Mountaineers, then. It surprised me, the first time they played here in 05. Half the crowd was WVU. 20K + for a regular season road game 1100 miles from home, is nothing to sneeze at. Syracuse always represents well, too. At least when they play here.

 

Wait a minute. Never mind that, you win on that point.

 

Since branding is all that matters, not on-field performance during the Big East's current configuration, I assume you agree with me. It is style over substance. You made my point. Thanks. :thumb:

 

BTW, why would I be offended? We're having a discussion from different points of view. That's what makes a bulletin board work. I will admit that I'm passionate about USF, as I am about Kentucky, as I am about Morehead and Cumberland (funny but I don't really care about my other almater, Marquette, all that much), but not to the extent that criticism would offend me. I do find some of the bitterness facinating, though. Especially when it is steeped in perception and emotion, rather than facts. But offending? No.

 

Swamp you'll never hear me say that BE teams don't have support because it seems like most of them do.

I do think it is style over substance but it happens everywhere. Teams like UK, MSU, Vandy and Ole Miss benefit because of the love affair with the SEC in football. Talking about support at game isn't my style because the U has terrible fan support in Miami.

 

The BE and ACC are not that different when you compare the current state of the teams in each conference. But I do think tradition makes a difference. Had Miami and FSU not have fallen off so bad this decade I don't even think this would be a conversation, but since they have I think it is a good discussion.

U of L has sold their entire allotment for the the Beef o Brady's bowl.