MEAC Champs vs. SWAC Champs 2011 Legacy Bowl

[danefan]

Apparently the Jaguar Journal radio show (Southern's radio show) reported that the MEAC champ will play the SWAC champ starting December 17, 2011. The two leagues will split $3 million from ESPN to air the game.

No links to confirm it. Just a poster on TSPNSports.com
http://www.tspnsports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89933" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The MEAC will have to surrender their AQ if they do this. Just in time for the PFL to get an AQ. So the playoffs will likely stay at 20 for the foreseeable future.

Fine with me.

[tampajag]

Apparently the Jaguar Journal radio show (Southern's radio show) reported that the MEAC champ will play the SWAC champ starting December 17, 2011. The two leagues will split $3 million from ESPN to air the game.

No links to confirm it. Just a poster on TSPNSports.com
http://www.tspnsports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89933" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The MEAC will have to surrender their AQ if they do this. Just in time for the PFL to get an AQ. So the playoffs will likely stay at 20 for the foreseeable future.

Fine with me.

I don't see the purpose of bringing this game back, but that's just me.

[dbackjon]

Will there be defections from the MEAC?

[∞∞∞]

I was just touring the SWAC in the stadium database because of this thread and it got me wondering, why do most of the SWAC teams have large stadiums? Do they draw really well, or did they at some point?

[tampajag]

I was just touring the SWAC in the stadium database because of this thread and it got me wondering, why do most of the SWAC teams have large stadiums? Do they draw really well, or did they at some point?

Historically Southern and Jackson State were the best draws for home games. Grambling has name recognition but usually doesn't play many home games, although that is changing. Southern typically is a good home attendance game for most SWAC teams. Alcorn's stadium was built to basically hold crowds for the Southern and Jackson State (at one point was a home and home) games. I guess long story short the other schools don't really draw well consistently outside of homecoming.

[GAD]

I was just touring the SWAC in the stadium database because of this thread and it got me wondering, why do most of the SWAC teams have large stadiums? Do they draw really well, or did they at some point?

The SWAC has lead I-AA/FCS in attendance every year with the execption of 2005, Jackson State holds the all-time record for the highest attendance over a season.
Southern and Jackson State have each lead the nation in attendance on multiple occations, Grambling, Alabama State, and Alcorn are usually in the top 20, so thats half the conferance in the top 20 to 25

[danefan]

Apparently the Jaguar Journal radio show (Southern's radio show) reported that the MEAC champ will play the SWAC champ starting December 17, 2011. The two leagues will split $3 million from ESPN to air the game.

No links to confirm it. Just a poster on TSPNSports.com
http://www.tspnsports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89933" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The MEAC will have to surrender their AQ if they do this. Just in time for the PFL to get an AQ. So the playoffs will likely stay at 20 for the foreseeable future.

Fine with me.

I don't see the purpose of bringing this game back, but that's just me.

I don't either. I understand it from the MEAC's perspective - they'll make more money than the playoff game and they be the favorite just about every year as opposed to the playoffs. But I don't get it at all from teh SWAC's perspective. They're just replacing the SWAC championship with this game where they'll have to share the money outside the conference. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

[tampajag]

I don't see the purpose of bringing this game back, but that's just me.

I don't either. I understand it from the MEAC's perspective - they'll make more money than the playoff game and they be the favorite just about every year as opposed to the playoffs. But I don't get it at all from teh SWAC's perspective. They're just replacing the SWAC championship with this game where they'll have to share the money outside the conference. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

This is my perspective, Southern went to 6 Heritage Bowls (5 in a row), it's a dead horse. Although I don't have a problem with the SCG going away, to me the 9 game mandate makes that a moot point. And I'm sure attendance will suffer if MEAC fans don't won't their team to be there or a SWAC team with a smaller following makes the game.

[catamount man]

seems like the only FCS football ESPN knows is HBCU.

[DSUrocks07]

If there is ever an official announcement you will see a major change within the MEAC.

[dbackjon]

If there is ever an official announcement you will see a major change within the MEAC.

You think DSU and SCSU will bolt?

[OL FU]

If there is ever an official announcement you will see a major change within the MEAC.

You think DSU and SCSU will bolt?

Are we certain SCSU will leave? I know the message board fans don't want this and apparently the coach doesn't but has there been statements from the President or the Athletic Director?

I would hate to see the MEAC not participate in the playoffs but Money talks.

[DSUrocks07]

If there is ever an official announcement you will see a major change within the MEAC.

You think DSU and SCSU will bolt?

Along with a few other schools as well, I'm not saying that we will all go full-on independent, but I'm sure some back channel feelers will be sent out to other conference should this announcement (still not official yet) is made.

[DSUrocks07]

The problem is that there is a disconnect amongst our members concerning the level of commitment towards excellence in athletics. Some want to compete for national titles in all sports, and some want the MEAC to be the Division I version of the CIAA.

[DSUrocks07]

I started a Fan page on Facebook concerning this issue. Feel free to join if you want to show your support...hopefully we can get an organized resistance going to show the world that we aren't all going in lockstep with whatever the "Potted Plant" wants. We actually care about competing at the FCS level.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Segregati ... 1414386729

[Skjellyfetti]

I hope SC State ends up in the SoCon.

[Mountaineer]

I hope SC State ends up in the SoCon.

I'm afraid the Bulldogs don't fit in with the SoCon's institutional profile - they're a public university with above average attendance.

[T-Dog]

Unless the SoCon wants to go to 15 schools (12 playing SoCon football), then they're not adding anymore teams. The only way is if schools like App and GaSo move to FBS and they need to fill up some holes.

In the short term, SCSU and any other MEAC defectors in the Big South is much more plausible.

[Pitbull]

We also have 13 pages of lively discussion on this topic over at the Zone.....MEACFans Zone!

http://meacfanszone.proboards.com/index.cgi

Com'on over and check us out!

[dbackjon]

Up to 14 pages now - very spirited...

[tampajag]

Up to 14 pages now - very spirited...

the discussion was spirited on the first thread on the SWACpage:
http://www.tspnsports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89933
the second thread is kinda subdued:
http://www.tspnsports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89961

[Pitbull]

Up to 14 pages now - very spirited...

Thanks for coming by and signing up....

[ATrain]

Speaking as a Big South fan, I'd be happy to see SC State and Hampton come on over. Heck, we'll take DSU as well lol.