Boston Globe goes after UMass football

[nelsonmuntz]

We don't need a rivalry with one of the current worst programs in D1. Nothing screams small time more than that. Perception is reality. We need a rivalry with one of the three local BCS schools - BC, RU or Cuse. They're not top 25 programs but they were all respectable enough to get picked before us.

We need both. A home and home with RU is not going to make a whits bit of difference to the decision of the casual fan or the local press to pay attention. Between 6 and 8 conference games against southern schools is going to suck the interest out of this program. We have got to play Navy, Temple and Cincinnati every year, and I would like to get UMass into the league or make it an annual game.

We are no longer "too good" for UMass. We are in a Group of Five conference just like they are.

 

[BlueMAB]

A yearly game against RU and BC wouldn't matter but the games against TEMPLE do?

Sure.

 

[huskypantz]

We need both. A home and home with RU is not going to make a whits bit of difference to the decision of the casual fan or the local press to pay attention. Between 6 and 8 conference games against southern schools is going to suck the interest out of this program. We have got to play Navy, Temple and Cincinnati every year, and I would like to get UMass into the league or make it an annual game.

We are no longer "too good" for UMass. We are in a Group of Five conference just like they are.

I think it makes sense to play them (at Gilette) - but we need to ensure that it's never considered a rivalry game. Old fashioned @ss whooping, sure (as long as we're doing the whooping).

 

[Colt house75]

We need both. A home and home with RU is not going to make a whits bit of difference to the decision of the casual fan or the local press to pay attention. Between 6 and 8 conference games against southern schools is going to suck the interest out of this program. We have got to play Navy, Temple and Cincinnati every year, and I would like to get UMass into the league or make it an annual game.

We are no longer "too good" for UMass. We are in a Group of Five conference just like they are.

Agree with SOME of what you mentioned.
1) If we are scheduling non-conference games, put UMASS (MAC FBS) on the schedule, instead of VAMPIRE ENERGY SUCKING Buffalo,Western Michigan & freakin Stoneybrook.(2nd week of season after school starts)...... Always at the Rent until they expand McQuirk. Plus: cheaper travel costs.
2)playing BC in all sports, including football, critical for generating new interest, perking up alumni and fan base support at both schools. Football completes the thaw. Would be good for the ACC to see the interest generated. Schedule on Rivalry Weekend in November.

3)Agree...We do have to play NAVY, TEMPLE and CINCY every year.

4)We need schedule Rutgers every year to prolong the bitterness, aids in recruiting the tri-state region. (Not Vampire school but they suck anyway)

5)BTW- ADD ARMY as a regional FBS school every year. Michie Stadium is a good take. Important for NYC alumni and fans in western part of CT and Fairfield County. (Definitely Not a VAMP school)

6) WTF-Which leaves us 6 games with the "South-American"...3 traveling games per year, including florida/Texas ...both recruiting hotbeds.(not vampire schools..)
Don't agree with you on the southern schools (Texas/florida/ New Orleans) sucking the interest out of the program. They are not energy VAMPIRE schools.
Really WTF...What will suck the interest out of the program is negativity and losing.

 

[ecasadoSBU]

UMass didn't have the National powerhouse basketball programs to fall back on. They didn't have anything to excite their fans and show that they can win at any level like UConn had. Connecticut funs jumped in the bandwagon in numbers and sold out the Rent just about every game for the first few years of BCS football... and Big East football was wayyyy better than what the MAC will ever be. Nonetheless, I support UMass and I hope they eventually make it. We need more teams in FBS in the Northeast and UMass is a great addition.

 

[WestHartHusk]

We need both. A home and home with RU is not going to make a whits bit of difference to the decision of the casual fan or the local press to pay attention. Between 6 and 8 conference games against southern schools is going to suck the interest out of this program. We have got to play Navy, Temple and Cincinnati every year, and I would like to get UMass into the league or make it an annual game.

We are no longer "too good" for UMass. We are in a Group of Five conference just like they are.

RU won't generate any buzz but UMass will? They are a terrible, terrible add to this conference. If we want to schedule them, we will schedule them. But there is no reason to lock them into our schedule.

And yes, we are "better" than them. Do you think Narduzzi and Diaco interview for the UMass HC job?

 

[ecasadoSBU]

touché guys.... valid points... I'm looking at this from the outside... like on the outer shell... Haven't dug as deep as you... there's clearly more to it this than what it appears... Still rooting for UMass to make it at the FBS level... would be nice to see 4 FBS level teams in New England area ( us, 'Cuse, BCU, and UMass ).

If you are gonna include Cuse as New England might as well add Army and Buffalo to the list...

 

[Waquoit]

If we truly NEED UMass, I quit.

 

[ecasadoSBU]

Agree with SOME of what you mentioned.
1) If we are scheduling non-conference games, put UMASS (MAC FBS) on the schedule, instead of VAMPIRE ENERGY SUCKING Buffalo,Western Michigan & freakin Stoneybrook.(2nd week of season after school starts)......

You can at least try and spell my alma mater's name correctly: Its Stony Brook. A top notch AAU state research University trying to find its way in Division I athletics. See you september 6th!

 

[huskymedic]

Do you think Narduzzi and Diaco interview for the UMass HC job?

Maybe not Narduzzi because he seems locked into B1G/MSU, but the current HC @ UMass is the once removed OC @ ND (and is also a Brian Kelly disciple).

 

[WestHartHusk]

Maybe not Narduzzi because he seems locked into B1G/MSU, but the current HC @ UMass is the once removed OC @ ND (and is also a Brian Kelly disciple).

But "once removed" is significant in college football. you are either on the way up, or on the way.

 

[huskymedic]

But "once removed" is significant in college football. you are either on the way up, or on the way.

By once removed I meant he wasn't the last OC (Chuck Martin who just left) - Molnar was the one before him.

 

[WestHartHusk]

ahh, i see. if i did any research you wouldn't have to educate me.

 

[Stray_Dog]

We need both. A home and home with RU is not going to make a whits bit of difference to the decision of the casual fan or the local press to pay attention. Between 6 and 8 conference games against southern schools is going to suck the interest out of this program. We have got to play Navy, Temple and Cincinnati every year, and I would like to get UMass into the league or make it an annual game.

We are no longer "too good" for UMass. We are in a Group of Five conference just like they are.

So there it is FINALLY, you admit why you want us to play UMass, to get them into this conference...and once they are here, how does that help get us out? ...and why oh why are you posting about helping UMass on the BY? Just asking? cause, because UConn needs an identity and that identity is with other P5 programs not rookie FBS programs that are showing signs of not being able to make it...perhaps to your earlier point UConn doesn't either, but as a fan, I would like to see UConn make it or not make it based on their fans support or the support of the State of CT (period)!

 

[Stray_Dog]

You can at least try and spell my alma mater's name correctly: Its Stony Brook. A top notch AAU state research University trying to find its way in Division I athletics. See you september 6th!

...I'll be psyched up to see UConn and looking forward to falling asleep when Stonybrook (intentionally spelled incorrectly) takes the field!

 

[nelsonmuntz]

So there it is FINALLY, you admit why you want us to play UMass, to get them into this conference...and once they are here, how does that help get us out? ...and why oh why are you posting about helping UMass on the BY? Just asking? cause, because UConn needs an identity and that identity is with other P5 programs not rookie FBS programs that are showing signs of not being able to make it...perhaps to your earlier point UConn doesn't either, but as a fan, I would like to see UConn make it or not make it based on their fans support or the support of the State of CT (period)!

How is our identity with other P5 programs supported by being in a league with Memphis, Tulane and Tulsa? The first two have been FBS for a long time, and sucked all along. Travel is going to kill UConn, especially in a league where total revenue from the conference will be a few million.

I am not talking about helping UMass. I am talking about helping UConn. There is a reason why conferences were and still are more or less geographically contiguous. Fans care more about programs that are nearby.

 

[Adios]

If we truly NEED UMass, I quit.

There was once a time when we did need them. Now they need us.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

If we truly NEED UMass, I quit.

I am not the dealer here, only the person telling you what is in your hand. In the game of conference realignment, UConn has rags.

We are in a southern mid-major league where the football is OK but every school but one is over 800 miles away, and the basketball is abysmal. What's your plan to get fans in the seats and make the basketball league adequate.

If we need the current AAC because it is our best option, then we should all quit.