I'm not down. UConn fans should look forward to a good conference...

[upstater]

Upstater answer the question. Getting to BCS bowl by being in the top 16 by an ACTUAL formula. Is this similar to getting into a 4 team playoff selected by people who are told to consider SOS in whatever way they want to determine SOS. You are living in a dreamland. There is no access.

You have confused things.

1. The BCS bowl Boise played in was not for the national championship. It was the same type of bowl that UConn played in. Unlike UConn, Boise coming out of the WAC did not have an autobid. They were ranked 5th, undefeated, and they were given a Fiesta Bowl game against the 7th ranked team in the country. How is that any different than the current set-up, where Boise has no autobids, but still has access to what were formerly BCS bowls? There's no difference whatsoever. If Boise (or UConn for that matter) finish ranked that high, they will draw a #7 team like Oklahoma or even a #5 team. So nothing has changed in that regard.

2. "Whatever way they want to determine SOS." Do you have a link for that? The New Orleans reporter was certain this would be part of a ratings index, which would require a formula. Is it going to be exactly like the basketball formula. No one knows. What we do know is that the parameters so far look very much like the basketball selection. And in basketball (as well as all other NCAA sports, like soccer and hockey) use an index that incorporates a formula for SOS. Not to mention that 6 of the 14 selection committee members will be from the smaller conferences.

 

[ZooCougar]

If you liked the idea of joining Conference USA, then you should be happy. It's really that simple.

Our best hope is a good OOC schedule.

 

[whaler11]

You have confused things.

1. The BCS bowl Boise played in was not for the national championship. It was the same type of bowl that UConn played in. Unlike UConn, Boise coming out of the WAC did not have an autobid. They were ranked 5th, undefeated, and they were given a Fiesta Bowl game against the 7th ranked team in the country. How is that any different than the current set-up, where Boise has no autobids, but still has access to what were formerly BCS bowls? There's no difference whatsoever. If Boise (or UConn for that matter) finish ranked that high, they will draw a #7 team like Oklahoma or even a #5 team. So nothing has changed in that regard.

2. "Whatever way they want to determine SOS." Do you have a link for that? The New Orleans reporter was certain this would be part of a ratings index, which would require a formula. Is it going to be exactly like the basketball formula. No one knows. What we do know is that the parameters so far look very much like the basketball selection. And in basketball (as well as all other NCAA sports, like soccer and hockey) use an index that incorporates a formula for SOS. Not to mention that 6 of the 14 selection committee members will be from the smaller conferences.

Nothing has changed except now access to the championship is based off a selection committee versus a formula.

So yeah other than that huge piece nothing has changed.

Boise could have plausibly made it to #2 in the BCS. They aren't getting picked by a committee. Having a selection committee by definition means thats they we weigh the criteria how they like. The basketball committee does this every year, because the committee constantly changes so does the criteria.

 

[upstater]

Nothing has changed except now access to the championship is based off a selection committee versus a formula.

So yeah other than that huge piece nothing has changed.

Boise could have plausibly made it to #2 in the BCS. They aren't getting picked by a committee. Having a selection committee by definition means thats they we weigh the criteria how they like. The basketball committee does this every year, because the committee constantly changes so does the criteria.

You do realize that my reply was to someone who said that UConn would not be able to accomplish what Boise did when it played Oklahoma, right? That was a BCS bowl pitting the #5 team against the #7 team in the country.

UConn can indeed still get there. This was the whole genesis of the current argument. Go back and read it, and you'll see it.

Now, about your other argument about the final 4. I do think an undefeated team like UConn can get to the playoffs if there aren't 4 one loss teams from the top 4 conferences. With 6 members of the committee from small conferences and a national swell for an undefeated team, yes, I think such teams will be chosen regularly. Go back and look at the rankings of the last several years. If the new system were in place, this is what I'd predict:

2006: Ohio State, Florida, Michigan in. 10-2 LSU or 12-0 Boise? I say Boise.
2007: three 2 loss teams in the playoffs, one 1 loss team. No undefeateds.
2008: four 1 loss teams. Utah undefeated. Utah or #4 Alabama? Alabama.
2009: 5 undefeated teams, 2 of them (TCU, Boise St from non-autobid conferences). After that, four 2-loss BCS schools. TCU or 2-loss #7th ranked Oregon? TCU
2010: 3 undefeated teams (TCU the only non-BCS). TCU or 1 loss Wisky, Stanford, Ohio St., Michigan St.? Toss-up. Don't know.
2011: No non-BCS schools in the running.
2012: No non-BCS schools in the running.

Lastly, you had a few choice words directed at me when it came to my knowledge of the RPI. Turned out you were wrong. I know how hard it is for you to admit it, but you'd gain some respect.

 

[Calhoun's Court]

UConn needs to win versus quality opponents and their wins need to matter. A win vs Tulane that may get us in a bowl game in Toronto wont help fill the seats. UConn is where it is today, both the football and basketball programs, because at the time each program respectively used "stronger" big east teams as a springboard. It helped get better recruits and better coaches. Coach Calhoun always said that at first, he went into homes telling guys in the late 80s that they can play vs teams like "Georgetown, St. Johns, Syracuse, etc"......The NBE is a death sentence anyway you look at it and this tv deal is the nail in the coffin.

Totally agree. The NBE has no curb appeal in football(especially). These teams offer no buzz(no matter how good they can be).


IF TCU and Boise came regardless of the conference being spread all over the map they would have created interest to our fanbase.

UCONN vs. UCF in football has 22k showing up written all over it.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

UConn is finished as an athletic program. We are standing on the deck of the Titanic as the last life boat pulls away. There is no hope of rescue. Pasqualoni will stumble along for a couple of more years before retiring, and then we will be a training ground for future Big 10 coaches when we don't outright suck. The rent will average 15-20k. Ollie will fight the good fight and keep us competitive for a few years before getting tired of pissing into the wind, and then he will take a Pac 12 job that pays 2x what we could ever hope to.

The declining interest in the athletic program will hurt donations to the school, and Herbst will jump to another school before she has to slash costs and make us into UMass. UMass is right sized for being UMass, so they can handle it. We can not. UConn will drop out of the Top 100 academically and go back to where it was in the early 80's. A commuter safety school.

There is no hope for being saved. The ACC and Big 10 are not interested. The only chance we had was to take the best of the MWC, but the Big East added Tulane and ECU instead. Sooner or later, Houston and SMU will bolt for the MWC, and one or more schools will drop down a conference to save on travel. Eventually, UConn, Temple, UMass and Buffalo will form the basis of some borderline FBS/FCS northeastern league that sells its schedule to the ACC for guarantee games. The next time UConn plays BCU it will be for a paycheck so BCU can beat us by 20, in basketball.

It is over. No reason to hope for salvation. Enjoy the Kevin Ollie era. Maybe he can get us to a Sweet 16 before he leaves.

 

[djct1999]

UConn is finished as an athletic program. We are standing on the deck of the Titanic as the last life boat pulls away. There is no hope of rescue. Pasqualoni will stumble along for a couple of more years before retiring, and then we will be a training ground for future Big 10 coaches when we don't outright suck. The rent will average 15-20k. Ollie will fight the good fight and keep us competitive for a few years before getting tired of pissing into the wind, and then he will take a Pac 12 job that pays 2x what we could ever hope to.

The declining interest in the athletic program will hurt donations to the school, and Herbst will jump to another school before she has to slash costs and make us into UMass. UMass is right sized for being UMass, so they can handle it. We can not. UConn will drop out of the Top 100 academically and go back to where it was in the early 80's. A commuter safety school.

There is no hope for being saved. The ACC and Big 10 are not interested. The only chance we had was to take the best of the MWC, but the Big East added Tulane and ECU instead. Sooner or later, Houston and SMU will bolt for the MWC, and one or more schools will drop down a conference to save on travel. Eventually, UConn, Temple, UMass and Buffalo will form the basis of some borderline FBS/FCS northeastern league that sells its schedule to the ACC for guarantee games. The next time UConn plays BCU it will be for a paycheck so BCU can beat us by 20, in basketball.

It is over. No reason to hope for salvation. Enjoy the Kevin Ollie era. Maybe he can get us to a Sweet 16 before he leaves.

I tried so hard to look past the sarcasm but I am afraid you are right. This is precisely what will happen if Herbst/Warde don't pull a wild card from out of no where. Or at best, at least show us some fight/balls.

 

[The Funster]

Nobody does Eeyore better than you, nelson.

 

[whaler11]

If UConn doesn't have a new athletic home in 3-5 years the program is destroyed. Not sure I see the connection to academics. If anything you could sell me that this administration is happy to sacrifice athletics for academics.

There aren't many outs. It all depends on the Big 10 and if they can either sell Virginia or if they hold their nose and invite Florida State. The Big 10 can rescue UConn but not in the way some here have deluded themselves.

 

[upstater]

Totally agree. The NBE has no curb appeal in football(especially). These teams offer no buzz(no matter how good they can be).


IF TCU and Boise came regardless of the conference being spread all over the map they would have created interest to our fanbase.

UCONN vs. UCF in football has 22k showing up written all over it.

Have you seen Boise's schedule in the past? It's interesting you tout them, because they were nowhere 10 years ago.

 

[FriarJ]

Have you seen Boise's schedule in the past? It's interesting you tout them, because they were nowhere 10 years ago.

3/4 of the Boise State team would never make it past UConn admissions. It's something to consider because other than Tulane and maybe SMU, all of your fellow BE institutions will have the same advantages.

 

[upstater]

3/4 of the Boise State team would never make it past UConn admissions. It's something to consider because other than Tulane and maybe SMU, all of your fellow BE institutions will have the same advantages.

Like this wasn't the case in the BE. Let's face it, from G'town on down, basketball and football players were cut a lot of breaks. Does the name Michael Graham ring a bell? What about Patrick Ewing?

 

[FriarJ]

I'm not saying that schools don't hold their noses for "student athletes" I'm saying that UConn admissions would not hold their noses long enough to allow 3/4 of the current Boise State team on the campus. Boise State has no admission standards for non "student athletes" so they certainly don't have them for the players, just like UCF, ECU, USF, Memphis, Houston, Cincinnati, and Temple. The remaining BE is the bottom of the barrel academically and not where UConn should be no matter what your spin is. Cuse, Pitt, and Rutgers were Ivy league compared to what is left outside of say Tulane and UConn.

 

[upstater]

I'm not saying that schools don't hold their noses for "student athletes" I'm saying that UConn admissions would not hold their noses long enough to allow 3/4 of the current Boise State team on the campus. Boise State has no admission standards for non "student athletes" so they certainly don't have them for the players, just like UCF, ECU, USF, Memphis, Houston, Cincinnati, and Temple. The remaining BE is the bottom of the barrel academically and not where UConn should be no matter what your spin is. Cuse, Pitt, and Rutgers were Ivy league compared to what is left outside of say Tulane and UConn.

The point is, this is irrelevant when it comes to sports. Look at your own school and its standards. These school let any good athlete in!

 

[FriarJ]

I just don't believe that; time and time again schools like Fresno State allow kids on campus that UConn and PC won't admit. You have a bunch of Fresno States in the remaining BE. Believe what you want but admissions will only do so many favors for coaches at schools like UConn and PC, especially with the problems we have both had. It's a disadvantage in football.

 

[whaler11]

I'm not saying that schools don't hold their noses for "student athletes" I'm saying that UConn admissions would not hold their noses long enough to allow 3/4 of the current Boise State team on the campus. Boise State has no admission standards for non "student athletes" so they certainly don't have them for the players, just like UCF, ECU, USF, Memphis, Houston, Cincinnati, and Temple. The remaining BE is the bottom of the barrel academically and not where UConn should be no matter what your spin is. Cuse, Pitt, and Rutgers were Ivy league compared to what is left outside of say Tulane and UConn.

Certainly upstater has a better view on this than Randy Edsall did.

This is a huge issue going forward - and that is how bad some of those programs are they can't even put together credible teams without even the farce of an academic program.

 

[upstater]

I just don't believe that; time and time again schools like Fresno State allow kids on campus that UConn and PC won't admit. You have a bunch of Fresno States in the remaining BE. Believe what you want but admissions will only do so many favors for coaches at schools like UConn and PC, especially with the problems we have both had. It's a disadvantage in football.

Ricardo Ledo

 

[FriarJ]

Give me a break; short of attending so many schools (that's why he was a partial qualifier) he's a Rhodes Scholar compared to the dregs I'm referring to that UConn is now associated with; fully qualified SAT and grades before admission. Plus he is a 3.2 GPA student in his first semester and the 1st two years at PC are tough for all students, nobody gets away from the Western Civ requirement.

 

[upstater]

Give me a break; short of attending so many schools (that's why he was a partial qualifier) he's a Rhodes Scholar compared to the dregs I'm referring to that UConn is now associated with; fully qualified SAT and grades before admission. Plus he is a 3.2 GPA student in his first semester and the 1st two years at PC are tough for all students, nobody gets away from the Western Civ requirement.

Sigh. I've seen this up close and personal. You're not doing yourself any favors here if you think PC would be at any disadvantage whatsoever. Once heard Nick Saban at LSU making these same complaints. Funny stuff. Memphis must be bringing in a lot of ringers--with their great record and all.

 

[zls44]

I'm impressed that upstater thinks anyone else pulling a Boise is a likely scenario.

 

[upstater]

I'm impressed that upstater thinks anyone else pulling a Boise is a likely scenario.

I didn't say it was likely. But TCU, Utah, Cincy... They've gone undefeated and been in the top 5. It's not likely, not unheard of either for 4 teams to do it in 4 years. I can't go back to see what Fresno did when they were decent, but I think they did have a good year.

You also need to realize that I was responding to someone who said, categorically, that non-big conference teams no longer have access to bowls like the Fiesta Bowl. That's wrong. They do.

You also need to ask yourself how likely was it for UConn to go undefeated under the old system.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

If UConn doesn't have a new athletic home in 3-5 years the program is destroyed. Not sure I see the connection to academics. If anything you could sell me that this administration is happy to sacrifice athletics for academics.

There aren't many outs. It all depends on the Big 10 and if they can either sell Virginia or if they hold their nose and invite Florida State. The Big 10 can rescue UConn but not in the way some here have deluded themselves.

UCONN WILL NEVER BE IN THE ACC. That league has had half a dozen chances to add UConn, and it hasn't. I don't know how who at ESPN has been pissed off by UConn, but ESPN has issued a death sentence to UConn, and any league controlled by ESPN will never, ever add UConn.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

If UConn doesn't have a new athletic home in 3-5 years the program is destroyed. Not sure I see the connection to academics. If anything you could sell me that this administration is happy to sacrifice athletics for academics.

There aren't many outs. It all depends on the Big 10 and if they can either sell Virginia or if they hold their nose and invite Florida State. The Big 10 can rescue UConn but not in the way some here have deluded themselves.

What do you mean by the 'Big10 can rescue UConn, but not in the way some here have deluded themselves?' I'm guessing that means we have an outside shot of being team #18, but not next in line like some thing.

I think at some point the Big12 is going to want to get to 12 teams for a championship game. I'm guessing BYU, Cinci, USF and ourselves would have to be on their radar as I don't think an ACC squad is leaving unless it's for the B1G or SEC.

 

[RS9999X]

UCONN WILL NEVER BE IN THE ACC. That league has had half a dozen chances to add UConn, and it hasn't. I don't know how who at ESPN has been pissed off by UConn, but ESPN has issued a death sentence to UConn, and any league controlled by ESPN will never, ever add UConn.

Forgetting your ESPN fetish for a bit, I don't see the ACC losing FSU and/or Miami without a Florida replacement. UCF or USF are both up and comers with money. Give them an ACC contract and they could easily fill a regional void. I keep harping on RayCom and Ohio as a recruiting move and a production move and a network placement move that potentially out maneuvers UConn given RayCom's 3 stations in Ohio (Cincy, Cleveland, Toledo). RayCom has no presence in NYC or CT and apparently doesn't care to compete at that level. They have two in Florida and are in the market for more.

 

[zls44]

To go back to the subject line of the original post, I, too, look forward to UConn being in a good conference.

Let me know when that comes about.

 

[whaler11]

I didn't say it was likely. But TCU, Utah, Cincy... They've gone undefeated and been in the top 5. It's not likely, not unheard of either for 4 teams to do it in 4 years. I can't go back to see what Fresno did when they were decent, but I think they did have a good year.

You also need to realize that I was responding to someone who said, categorically, that non-big conference teams no longer have access to bowls like the Fiesta Bowl. That's wrong. They do.

You also need to ask yourself how likely was it for UConn to go undefeated under the old system.

Could you be a stupider . THEY DONT HAVE ACCESS TO THE FOUR TEAM PLAYOFF.

 

[whaler11]

What do you mean by the 'Big10 can rescue UConn, but not in the way some here have deluded themselves?' I'm guessing that means we have an outside shot of being team #18, but not next in line like some thing.

I think at some point the Big12 is going to want to get to 12 teams for a championship game. I'm guessing BYU, Cinci, USF and ourselves would have to be on their radar as I don't think an ACC squad is leaving unless it's for the B1G or SEC.

It means that UConn is not a serious candidate for the Big 10. That is just a concept that has been manufactured here.

 

[whaler11]

UCONN WILL NEVER BE IN THE ACC. That league has had half a dozen chances to add UConn, and it hasn't. I don't know how who at ESPN has been pissed off by UConn, but ESPN has issued a death sentence to UConn, and any league controlled by ESPN will never, ever add UConn.

Did the snow disrupt your meds from coming in the mail? You were aggressively stupid overnight.

 

[Calhoun's Court]

Have you seen Boise's schedule in the past? It's interesting you tout them, because they were nowhere 10 years ago.

I was talking about present day. Boise and TCU have name recognition(present day) that the "casual" fan would reognize and possibly attend a UCONN vs. TCU/Boise St. matchup vs. UCONN/UCF for instance.

 

[upstater]

I was talking about present day. Boise and TCU have name recognition(present day) that the "casual" fan would reognize and possibly attend a UCONN vs. TCU/Boise St. matchup vs. UCONN/UCF for instance.

Let's not confuse things. The question I was responding to was whether an opportunity to rise like Boise still exists today. It has nothing to do with Boise's name recognition. I mean, Boise came out of the blue (pardon the pun).