Villanova football invited to Big East

[henfan]

Posters keep trying to use Temple as a comparison, but you can't use it as a comparison. They play in the MAC.

You can make a fair comparison because Temple played FB in a much more competitive BEC for years and didn't draw squat. You are correct though that no one in the Philly area cares about MAC teams and that's no poor reflection on the MAC.

While I have a hunch that VU will make the move this time, I don't think they would be crazy not to. There are very real, very serious financial considerations to take into account, regardless of how VU wants to position its MBB program. First and foremost, VU is an institution of higher learning; it's not a professional sports organization. If they study the situation and decide to it's the right or fiscally sound thing to do instutitionally, more power to them. OTOH, if they decide to remain in the FCS, so be it. As Dane suggested, it's their business.

[Dane96]

Posters keep trying to use Temple as a comparison, but you can't use it as a comparison. They play in the MAC.

You can make a fair comparison because Temple played FB in a much more competitive BEC for years and didn't draw squat. You are correct though that no one in the Philly area cares about MAC teams and that's no poor reflection on the MAC.

While I have a hunch that VU will make the move this time, I don't think they would be crazy not to. There are very real, very serious financial considerations to take into account, regardless of how VU wants to position its MBB program. First and foremost, VU is an institution of higher learning; it's not a professional sports organization. If they study the situation and decide to it's the right or fiscally sound thing to do instutitionally, more power to them. OTOH, if they decide to remain in the FCS, so be it. As Dane suggested, it's their business.

Actually, if you look at the stats, the BE is more competitive now on a national scale. They were talking about this last weekend on ESPN.

Also, Temple was HORRENDOUS back in those days.

[Gil Dobie]

NC Year - 8 home games and they average 7,111/home game and that include a home game against Delaware and 3 home playoffs games. I ask the Big East; WHY? I know Wildcats fans are sensitive to the attendance issue, but come on Big East. For Villanova, undergrad enrollment 6,200, FCS level is where they belong.

Although Nova isn't Notre Dame, ND's enrollment is 8372.

[Dane96]

???? HUH

What are you saying here? Are you still on the Penn State vs. Temple aspect. Penn State fans don't have to leave their paradise (humor) to go to Philly to watch them thrash temple.

On the other hand, a NY based alumni who doesnt get to see ND play regularly in NY, NJ, PA (same with USC...and other schools that recruit in the area) will jump to go down the highway to see 'Nova play their team...or the team they hope to play for.

This isnt rocket science.

I guess you're having a tough time understanding that FBS fans in Philly root for Penn State.
Try reading that over and over and over until it sinks through your very thick forehead.

Actually, I quite get that.

Just like USF fans rooted for Florida or Florida State...same for UCF.

Hmmm..let me go out in the cold and watch a shitty Temple team get throttled in the BE.

Fast Forward:

Hmmmm...let me go out in the cold and watch a meh Temple team play Kent State.

OR....

Hmmmm...let me go out in the cold and watch a meh 'Nova play Notre Dame.

Fast Forward

Hmmmm...let me go out in the cold and watch a mid-pack 'Nova team play West Virginia
Hmmmm...let me go out in the cold and watch a mid-pack 'Nova team play those arrogant bastards (hoops) UCONN.
Hmmmm...let me go out in the cold and watch 'Nova play Wisconsin.

But thanks for playing.

[Dane96]

I think Villanova will do fine in the Big East.

Posters keep trying to use Temple as a comparison, but you can't use it as a comparison. They play in the MAC. It is apples and oranges. People look at the MAC as an inferior product. They don't care about it, so they don't go to the game. Temple is average in the MAC for attendence which is crappy, but it shows that they are equal to their peers. They aren't a BCS team and they don't draw like they are.

Trivia time:

Name the conference that Temple played for six years ago before they got the boot?

Hint:

Rhymes with Pig Yeast.

Trivia time:

How good was Temple back then?

Hint:

Rhymes with Puck.

[93henfan]

Trivia time:

How good was Temple back then?

Hint:

Rhymes with Puck.

Totally agree, but even when they got seven wins they didn't draw. Thanks for playing.

[BearIt]

I think Villanova will do fine in the Big East.

Posters keep trying to use Temple as a comparison, but you can't use it as a comparison. They play in the MAC. It is apples and oranges. People look at the MAC as an inferior product. They don't care about it, so they don't go to the game. Temple is average in the MAC for attendence which is crappy, but it shows that they are equal to their peers. They aren't a BCS team and they don't draw like they are.

Trivia time:

Name the conference that Temple played for six years ago before they got the boot?

Hint:

Rhymes with Pig Yeast.

I did not realize this, so I did some wiki research:
They were in the Big East from 1991-2004. During that time their record was 28-126. In the last 30 years they have had 3 winning seasons (2009, 1990, 1984). During that same time frame they have had 9 seasons with 1 win or less.

Do you think that record might have anything to do with their poor attendence? I'm going to take guess and say that that is the worst record in Football. I'm suprised anyone goes to their games. That probably has more to do with their lack of attendence than the city they are located in.

If Nova has a similar record, then they will fail also. If they can build on their success at the FCS level, then they will do fine. It's about producing a product worth seeing. If they win, they will come.

[bluehenbillk]

I think the initial buzz alone will sustain an attendance boom. Villanova-Temple drawing 30,000 people shows that there is SOME market for college football in Philadelphia. Villanova can draw fans when they play against a good team. Imagine Villanova-Notre Dame or Villanova-BC at the Linc.. That would sell out the place and a ton of Villanova people would end up showing.

Notre Dame & anybody would sell out the Linc. Villanova & BC?? No chance.

[BlueHen86]

I think Villanova will do fine in the Big East.

Posters keep trying to use Temple as a comparison, but you can't use it as a comparison. They play in the MAC. It is apples and oranges. People look at the MAC as an inferior product. They don't care about it, so they don't go to the game. Temple is average in the MAC for attendence which is crappy, but it shows that they are equal to their peers. They aren't a BCS team and they don't draw like they are.

Temple was in the Big East, they sucked and they didn't draw well, so the Big East booted them. Villanova has to look at this if they are considering a move up. If they move up, they better win because they won't draw otherwise. I would also guess that most Philadelphians prefer Temple over Villanova, Temple is actually in Philly, 'Nova is not, so if Temple didn't draw it will be that much harder for "Nova to draw.

Also, Philly is an Eagles town, it will be hard for any college football team to gain traction. I listen to a lot of sportstalk radio in the Philly are and people talk Eagles all year long, there is seldom college any football talk.

[93henfan]

If they win, they will come.

That's the big assumption everyone's making, isn't it? So, how soon do you all think Villanova becomes the FBS juggernaut that will buck the attendance trend in Philly and convert them all from Nittany Lion to Wildcat fans?

[BearIt]

Trivia time:

How good was Temple back then?

Hint:

Rhymes with Puck.

Totally agree, but even when they got seven wins they didn't draw. Thanks for playing.

Just because you pull a 7 win season out of your ass one year doesn't mean you will instantly double your attendance. Get real.

[93henfan]

Temple was in the Big East, they sucked and they didn't draw well, so the Big East booted them. Villanova has to look at this if they are considering a move up. If they move up, they better win because they won't draw otherwise. I would also guess that most Philadelphians prefer Temple over Villanova, Temple is actually in Philly, 'Nova is not, so if Temple didn't draw it will be that much harder for "Nova to draw.

Also, Philly is an Eagles town, it will be hard for any college football team to gain traction. I listen to a lot of sportstalk radio in the Philly are and people talk Eagles all year long, there is seldom college any football talk.

Another very valid point that the non-local posters might be oblivious to, BH86.

There is significant resentment in Philadelphia for Villanova's spurning of the Big 5 decades ago. They've been trying to repair that damage for some time now.

Temple has alway's been the city's school, while Nova is regarded as the snot-nosed Mets fans out in the suburbs.

[93henfan]

Just because you pull a 7 win season out of your ass one year doesn't mean you will instantly double your attendance. Get real.

You already admitted you're clueless. I'll let your comment slide this time.

[Dane96]

Since 1990, Temple has gotten to 7 wins...exactly TWICE! Once in 1990, prior to the Big East Days...and again in 2009.

So...Temple NEVER played in the Big East and reached 7 wins my friend...so again, attendence cannot be compared.

The home slate in the 2009 7 win season....

NOVA
Buffalo
Ball State
ARMY
Miami, Ohio
Kent State

Not exactly murders row!

Temple Record in the Big East: 30 Wins and 126 losses REALLY CAN BUILD A FAN BASE WITH THAT!

How much more fact can I throw in front of you....

[93henfan]

How much more fact can I throw in front of you....

Not as many as I can throw at you. BOOYAH!!!

[Dane96]

I think Villanova will do fine in the Big East.

Posters keep trying to use Temple as a comparison, but you can't use it as a comparison. They play in the MAC. It is apples and oranges. People look at the MAC as an inferior product. They don't care about it, so they don't go to the game. Temple is average in the MAC for attendence which is crappy, but it shows that they are equal to their peers. They aren't a BCS team and they don't draw like they are.

Temple was in the Big East, they sucked and they didn't draw well, so the Big East booted them. Villanova has to look at this if they are considering a move up. If they move up, they better win because they won't draw otherwise. I would also guess that most Philadelphians prefer Temple over Villanova, Temple is actually in Philly, 'Nova is not, so if Temple didn't draw it will be that much harder for "Nova to draw.

Also, Philly is an Eagles town, it will be hard for any college football team to gain traction. I listen to a lot of sportstalk radio in the Philly are and people talk Eagles all year long, there is seldom college any football talk.

1/2 the reasoning.

Temple was booted because A) they were not all-sports (NOVA is); B) the attendence sucked; C) their recruiting budget, etc didn't mesh with the league; and D) they were asked to do certain things by the other members and they balked.

That's when they got the boot.

[GannonFan]

Fast Forward:

Hmmmm...let me go out in the cold and watch a meh Temple team play Kent State.

OR....

Hmmmm...let me go out in the cold and watch a meh 'Nova play Notre Dame.

Fast Forward

Hmmmm...let me go out in the cold and watch a mid-pack 'Nova team play West Virginia
Hmmmm...let me go out in the cold and watch a mid-pack 'Nova team play those arrogant bastards (hoops) UCONN.
Hmmmm...let me go out in the cold and watch 'Nova play Wisconsin.

But thanks for playing.

nova's not going to get Notre Dame and Wisconsin to come play at PPL Park in Chester, Franklin Field, or CBP. nova could do like they did the last time they were DI-A and just play those teams on the road while playing lesser fare at home, but we all saw what happened the last time nova tried that.

[93henfan]

REALLY CAN BUILD A FAN BASE WITH THAT!

So where was Villanova's fanbase the last time they were FBS?

[BearIt]

If they win, they will come.

That's the big assumption everyone's making, isn't it? So, how soon do you all think Villanova becomes the FBS juggernaut that will buck the attendance trend in Philly and convert them all from Nittany Lion to Wildcat fans?

They don't have to be a juggernaut. Just don't be the shittiest team on the face of the planet.

[Dane96]

How much more fact can I throw in front of you....

Not as many as I can throw at you. BOOYAH!!!

But my facts back up argument. Your arguments make up your facts.

[GannonFan]

That's the big assumption everyone's making, isn't it? So, how soon do you all think Villanova becomes the FBS juggernaut that will buck the attendance trend in Philly and convert them all from Nittany Lion to Wildcat fans?

They don't have to be a juggernaut. Just don't be the shittiest team on the face of the planet.

nova basketball under Steve Lappas (10-12 years ago) wasn't a juggernaut, nor where they the shittiest team on the face of the planet, and the nova fanbase couldn't sell out the Pavillion on campus (~7k seats) back then, while playing a Big East schedule against their rivals. If they don't turn out unless the basketball team is a nationally ranked power for basketball in a town that is college basketball crazy, why would they show up unless nova is a nationally ranked power in football, especially considering the market isn't strong for college football?

[93henfan]

Not as many as I can throw at you. BOOYAH!!!

But my facts back up argument. Your arguments make up your facts.

My facts back up my argument.

Villanova has already failed in FBS.
Temple has already failed in the Big East.
FBS football in Philadelphia hasn't drawn since Penn in the 1940s, and the Eagles and Penn State weren't exactly a draw back then.
Philly is a PRO football town, not college. The only college sport Philly embraces is basketball.
The FBS fans that do exist in Philadelphia are Penn State fans.
Villanova is not considered Philadelphia's school, even in basketball.
Villanova has no place to play.

What more do you need, son? I'm trying not to embarrass you here.

[Dane96]

REALLY CAN BUILD A FAN BASE WITH THAT!

So where was Villanova's fanbase the last time they were FBS?

And FBS was how similar to this current version now?

I used to wear Avia's....

[BlueHen86]

That's the big assumption everyone's making, isn't it? So, how soon do you all think Villanova becomes the FBS juggernaut that will buck the attendance trend in Philly and convert them all from Nittany Lion to Wildcat fans?

They don't have to be a juggernaut. Just don't be the shittiest team on the face of the planet.

If they expect to draw, they probably do. Like I said earler, Philly is an Eagles town. A mediocre, or even a good Villanova team isn't going to capture the interest of most Philly residents. If Villanova moves up I think they have to commit to football 100%, and they better have more success than UConn (who has done fairly well in FBS so far).

[Dane96]

They don't have to be a juggernaut. Just don't be the shittiest team on the face of the planet.

nova basketball under Steve Lappas (10-12 years ago) wasn't a juggernaut, nor where they the shittiest team on the face of the planet, and the nova fanbase couldn't sell out the Pavillion on campus (~7k seats) back then, while playing a Big East schedule against their rivals. If they don't turn out unless the basketball team is a nationally ranked power for basketball in a town that is college basketball crazy, why would they show up unless nova is a nationally ranked power in football, especially considering the market isn't strong for college football?

NOW THIS....THIS IS THE FIRST REAL ARGUMENT!!!!!!