I think there's a larger chance of TCU landing in the Big 12 than going back down to CUSA.
I think there's a larger chance of TCU landing in the Big 12 than going back down to CUSA.
I agree......... I do think we have done a LOT, though. We have created separation from the belt and that was HUGE. The last time around, even though we were in the WAC, we had that perception. That is gone now (well, it is gone for most people outside of a few of our own fans' minds :icon_wink. Most people around the country know our name and know that we are on the rise.
To me, this "large market" vs. "small market" stuff is very misleading when it comes to college football. In reality, a given program's market has very little to do with how many bodies live within a certain radius of the football stadium. Cases in point: Rice and Auburn. Rice is located smack in the middle of the fourth largest city in the United States, yet very few in that "market" actually notice or care - thus, Rice is actually a "small market" team and apparently nothing is really going to change that. Now think of Auburn. They are located in Auburn/Opelika, AL - with a combined population of only 70,000 (less than Monroe/West Monroe). So they are a "small market" team, Right? No, they actually have a very large market. They key is that they draw a great deal of interest from their state and their region of the United States. (Even Alabama fans will watch Auburn on TV so they can cheer for the opposition). Therefore, they are actually a "large market" team.
While I am not comparing Tech's current market with that of Auburn, I am saying that Tech actually has a MUCH larger current, and potential, market than even our own administration has seemed to understand and capitalize upon over the years. The TV statistics have already proven that there is a large market for interest in Tech football. We are a statewide university - always have been - with a storied football program that is over a century old. The "Louisiana Tech" logo and brand is recognized all over the United States, thus we never have to explain who we are - college fans know who we are. When we are on TV, even the "casual" football from Louisiana will be at least somewhat interested in the game. This is also true for the radius of the surrounding states - and depending upon the opponent and magnitude of the game - the rest of the country as well. Therefore, as we continue to improve our "product" on the field, we are going to more fully realize the current reaches of our program's market. Moreover, we will continue to increase that share.
Louisiana Tech is a "large market" program.
Great post, DustyDog.
I think one of the "informal" statistics that people look at when they talk about markets is not only TV sets, but tickets sold and fans who will travel to away games. For Tech, this is a stat that could be used against us if someone like Giannini wanted to. They could say that we "historically" don't travel well because we don't take thousands of people to away games. Never mind that our away games are mostly in the Pacific time zone (or farther). Getting into a more regional conference would do wonders for Tech footbal, not only because we would be seen as a more marketable team, but also because thousands of our fans to go to ALL of our games. That would lead to increased fan support, which would lead to increased ticket sales at home games.
You are right that we are a much more marketable team than people realize. I just home Mr. Van de Velde and Dr. Reneau are prepared for the arguments against us. Hopefully they are already lobbying with their peers in CUSA or any other league they have their eyes on. They need to counter the "market" argument with the TV stats similar to those that WWDog has posted, and they need to counter the "travel" stats by showing how many tickets we have sold to games in Baton Rouge, New Orleans (Tulane), and our old E-WAC friends at SMU, Rice, and Tulsa.
Preperation is key for us.
I think TCU has a better chance at Big East than Big 12 or CUSA
We shall see
I wonder if the reason why they mention Temple and even going to 16 teams is an effort to keep the Eastern Teams happier since its no secret Marshall, ECU, and UCF feel like their side is far flung and feel little rivalry with the Texas schools. We might hear speculation of MAC, MTSU and other teams. And of course, C-USA doesn't know what teams they will be left with when realignment happens.
Don't get me wrong, I still think our chances are good but I also think we could be part of a group entry.