Jeff Jacobs: Mizzou Grad Wonders Where The UConn Fans Went

[Redding Husky]

Part of the problem is East Coast snobbery ... lots of people looking down on schools like Houston, SMU, UCF, USF, and Memphis. Those non-Florida schools have been playing Division 1-A FB for a long time. Houston and SMU played in the Southwest Conference for many years. They've played in many big-time bowls. Heck, SMU used to play in the Cotton Bowl (their home field) for decades. They had a national championship. The two Florida schools don't have that same history, but they're both ranked and they'll be ranked often with that Florida talent.

I understand the butt hurt from losing Syracuse, BC, Pitt, and Rutgers as conference rivals. They are our peers and we should be with them. But the AAC doesn't suck. It's gained respect nationally. The debate about which "G5" conference is best is over; it's the AAC by a mile. We're probably a "fringe" P6, and the only thing preventing us from being a real P6 conference is our attendance.

The ball is in our court. The people of Connecticut, alumni, fans, and students need to step up, whether we want to get into a "bigger" conference, or if we just want the AAC to be taken seriously. Stop with the regional prejudice and fill the stadium.

 

[upstater]

Lots of the problem is East Coast snobbery ... lots of people looking down on schools like Houston, SMU, UCF, USF, and Memphis. Those non-Florida schools have been playing Division 1-A FB for a long time. Houston and SMU played in the Southwest Conference for many years. They've played in many big-time bowls. Heck, SMU used to play in the Cotton Bowl (their home field) for decades. They had a national championship. The two Florida schools don't have that same history, but they're both ranked and they'll be ranked often with that Florida talent.

I understand the butt hurt from losing Syracuse, BC, Pitt, and Rutgers as conference rivals. They are our peers and we should be with them. But the AAC doesn't suck. It's gained respect nationally. The debate about which "G5" conference is best is over; it's the AAC by a mile. We're probably a "fringe" P6, and the only thing preventing us from being a real P6 conference is our attendance.

The ball is in our court. The people of Connecticut, alumni, fans, and students need to step up, whether we want to get into a "bigger" conference, or if we just want the AAC to be taken seriously. Stop with the regional prejudice and fill the stadium.

But this does seem to be a national problem.

 

[Skiblets]

Jacobs follow up article tomorrow. 'Never mind. I get it now'.

 

[cgbgjr]

Ticket prices need to drop until the stadium is full--that is called meeting the market. If the stadium ever gets full then raise the ticket prices.