Game Week Tech vs. FIU

[dawg80]

I am just as excited as always! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!

You da man! Always with the positive waves.

[Dawg74]

Ladies and gentlemen---I completely agree with MANY if NOT ALL of your comments---I RARELY--like RARELY post--same on the not to be mentioned other place--BUT, though I don't revolve my whole social schedule around Tech stuff anymore, you have to come to a point of "do I throw the baby out with the bathwater"? There are 8 billion moves the athletic department, alumni department, and numerous other departments that have "TECHED" it up..A year--maybe two-years ago, I had to decide---am I gonna gripe about EVERYTHING, or just let it "roll off"(because I am just the little guy like DFM stated) and support my University? I decided to let it "rolloff" and keep on. Will it get to that point SOON where I'll bail? Very well might. I, fortunately, am part of a good tailgating bunch, and I enjoy being with them and seeing them probably more than the event itself(well, certainly in the last few years for sure)....I don't blame or take issue with how many feel--I get it--but, as for me and my house, AT THE MOMENT, I'm gonna keep supporting best I can....I am personal friends with DR EW, and honestly, we couldn't have a better guy in that spot...he is SEVERELY HANDICAPPED by his bosses, working with a stacked deck; same for Colton Primm--and I'd expect both of these "gents" to be gone in the not too distant future....ok, semi rant over...I'm sure I'll ge blasts now...it's ok--and, oh, btw, WINNING in the MAJOR sports would help solve a lot of problems I'd imagine...maybe HCSC can get us started off right...hopeful...

DFM---I LOVE YOU MAN!! CHILL!!

[LEEDAWG]

I am genuinely interested in seeing how the Sunny and Hank combo does offensively. I am optimistic that we will see some good and exciting things from the offense. Pros being Hank has a lot of career starts with an above average winning record versus (arguably) tougher competition. Also year two for Sunny should bring more of a comfort level and direct ownership of the product being delivered on the field. There are certainly plenty of aspects to debate those pros like will the coaching be better/equivalent/worse, or will his supporting cast be better/equivalent/worse than they were in his (Hank's) previous school(s). We certainly have to consider if the o-line can protect him or if the receivers can get open, or if he can make good and timely decisions at the LA Tech starting QB position. Maybe it will all be a wash where playing QB at LA Tech is no different than at Boise State (except for the 100°F temps). I wish we weren't having to deal with injuries at RB starting out the year, but like it was already said, it is an opportunity for someone to step up.

I am not sure what to expect defensively. Seemed we were so slow in the defensive backfield and LB last year or years and we have lacked of a consistent pass rush since Ferguson left. Since C-USA appears to be so weak we can hope we should be able to rise to the top.

And how about Smoke or anyone else not get any stupid unsportsmanlike conduct penalties this year especially if we happen to be getting our ass kicked on the field.

[inudesu]

I hate this so much. I just can't see why you'd over-commit to this conference. Even if ESPN insisted on it before our media deal - I hate the media deal, too. Just walk. Or at least try to negotiate something better. The only hope we had was more movement and a way out before we spent five years playing our Octobers on weeknights. Even if it was a slim hope, it's about all we had.

I appreciate Matt Belinson following up on a legit beat-writer story. I'm not sure what else Dr. Wood could say, it's his job to sell this stuff, regardless of whether it's actually good or not. I'm a little surprised he didn't blame ESPN and say something like "this is what we had to agree to in order to get that much money" but maybe that throws your conference mates under the bus too much. I am fine saying it, but having an AD openly share his thoughts about who we'd prefer not to share a conference with hasn't always worked for us in the past. So it's probably for the best that's he's fairly politic about the whole thing. But kudos to Matt for doing the work to ask.

http://www.rustonleader.com/sports/t...conference-usa


The thing with stability in this context is that:

1. you don't want a stable bad situation.

2. how much worse off would we really be if another CUSA team left? who would you be broken up about leaving?


So I still wouldn't have committed one extra dollar to the process for getting out if it was me. Because we want to get out. And don't care if anyone else leaves (that much, so long as it's not too many).


Matt Brown also covered it from the national level: https://www.extrapointsmb.com/p/here...ghts-agreement

[revf]

I appreciate Matt Belinson following up on a legit beat-writer story. I'm not sure what else Dr. Wood could say, it's his job to sell this stuff, regardless of whether it's actually good or not. I'm a little surprised he didn't blame ESPN and say something like "this is what we had to agree to in order to get that much money" but maybe that throws your conference mates under the bus too much. I am fine saying it, but having an AD openly share his thoughts about who we'd prefer not to share a conference with hasn't always worked for us in the past. So it's probably for the best that's he's fairly politic about the whole thing. But kudos to Matt for doing the work to ask.

http://www.rustonleader.com/sports/t...conference-usa


The thing with stability in this context is that:

1. you don't want a stable bad situation.

2. how much worse off would we really be if another CUSA team left? who would you be broken up about leaving?


So I still wouldn't have committed one extra dollar to the process for getting out if it was me. Because we want to get out. And don't care if anyone else leaves (that much, so long as it's not too many).


Matt Brown also covered it from the national level: https://www.extrapointsmb.com/p/here...ghts-agreement

A grant of rights deal for worst conference in FBS is dumb. Every single team at the Table is looking to get out. All of those presidents know it. They are looking at one another knowing that behind the scenes every single one of them is fawning over the SBC or AAC. There is nobody looking for stability. No honor among theives. Hell, UNT president was the the C-USA leader and was working behind the scenes to make a cutthroat deal to get out. You think MTSU, WKU, Tech, Liberty wouldn't jump on the first offer out of town?

I think what most on this board are starting to realize is that there is NO other Conference that wants Tech.

None.

Tommy Boy burned the SBC and we don't have the almighty "market share" for the AAC.

Our budget is bad. The students killed any type of cost of living funds.

So as much as I hate to say it, I am guessing the grant of rights idea was Dan Reneau 2.0 (Guice's) idea. Trap other schools with us.

[inudesu]

A grant of rights deal for worst conference in FBS is dumb. Every single team at the Table is looking to get out. All of those presidents know it. They are looking at one another knowing that behind the scenes every single one of them is fawning over the SBC or AAC. There is nobody looking for stability. No honor among theives. Hell, UNT president was the the C-USA leader and was working behind the scenes to make a cutthroat deal to get out. You think MTSU, WKU, Tech, Liberty wouldn't jump on the first offer out of town?

I think what most on this board are starting to realize is that there is NO other Conference that wants Tech.

None.

Tommy Boy burned the SBC and we don't have the almighty "market share" for the AAC.

Our budget is bad. The students killed any type of cost of living funds.

So as much as I hate to say it, I am guessing the grant of rights idea was Dan Reneau 2.0 (Guice's) idea. Trap other schools with us.

I'm not optimistic that any better offer was coming. If you KNOW that we have no shot, then, sure. Tie everyone else in there with us. As little as I care if we had to swap KSU for EKU or something like that (heck, losing FIU would help with travel and on-field conference strength) we might as well be with this group of schools as with one slightly worse (even if it would only be a little worse).

But if there is any hope at all (and look at all the surprising things that have happened in realignment before) you have to hold out that hope to your fans. You just have to give us some glimmer that one day (in less than 5 years) we'll have homecoming during the best weather month. And our season tickets holders won't lose a third of the value of their commitment. And we'll be playing some other team (JUST one, please, just any ONE) that we have some history with or proximity to or interest in (or ideally all three).


After reading the reporting, we still kind of have that hope I guess. It'll just cost a little more than it otherwise would. So, you know, that's dumb.

Again, Dr. Wood has to say things like "we want this to be a time where we stay together." That's his job and we've seen what happens if you're too public about this stuff. But no we don't. We don't want this to be a time when we stay together. Of course not! Why would we (short of a 100% certain guarantee that we have ZERO other option for the next five years).

[Blue Dawg]

I'm not optimistic that any better offer was coming. If you KNOW that we have no shot, then, sure. Tie everyone else in there with us. As little as I care if we had to swap KSU for EKU or something like that (heck, losing FIU would help with travel and on-field conference strength) we might as well be with this group of schools as with one slightly worse (even if it would only be a little worse).

But if there is any hope at all (and look at all the surprising things that have happened in realignment before) you have to hold out that hope to your fans. You just have to give us some glimmer that one day (in less than 5 years) we'll have homecoming during the best weather month. And our season tickets holders won't lose a third of the value of their commitment. And we'll be playing some other team (JUST one, please, just any ONE) that we have some history with or proximity to or interest in (or ideally all three).


After reading the reporting, we still kind of have that hope I guess. It'll just cost a little more than it otherwise would. So, you know, that's dumb.

Again, Dr. Wood has to say things like "we want this to be a time where we stay together." That's his job and we've seen what happens if you're too public about this stuff. But no we don't. We don't want this to be a time when we stay together. Of course not! Why would we (short of a 100% certain guarantee that we have ZERO other option for the next five years).

They don't care about the fans at all.

Doesn't seem true that EVERY team is trying to get out. Tech certainly has made no efforts.

[NTXDawg]

Good article on the current affairs of college athletics

http://https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/24/opinions/college-football-conferences-realignment-pac-12-acc-sec-big-12-leitch/index.html

[DawgFaninHous]

I've never been this disinterested in an upcoming Tech football season in my life -

Honestly, I could basically care less about it

The past two/three years have basically ruined college athletics for me -

I've gone from holding 13 season tickets in football to FOUR

10 season basketball season tickets to FOUR (and I may reduce that to TWO this year)

Dropped season wbb season tickets in total

Still have my baseball season tickets and two softball tickets

Haven't increased my LTAC giving in over 4 years

I don't tailgate anymore because the powers that be ruined it

IF I go to the games I arrive about 30 minutes prior to kickoff

I will never give a DIME towards NIL and I'm strongly considering reducing my LTAC to the absolute minimum to maintain my seating privileges

In the past 5 to 6 years TECH has repeatedly shown with their actions that they only cater to the highest level of donors and that folks like me are overlooked and taken for granted (oh he will pay this 20% increase and not bat an eye, etal)

I'm to the point I just don't care

Add up the money I was spending annually, compared to what I'm spending now - that's a decent hit to the bottom line

And it there are just 100 more feeling like I'm feeling that's over $70k annually out of a thin athletic budget already

If the administration ever monitored this board, this is the reply that they should see.... to have Dwayne this down and out for Tech sports is incredible. Hell he started the BB&B for goodness sake!

Dwayne,
I couldn't agree with you more.... This 'left-over' CUSA is horrible! If they don't already have a plan to gain the SMU seat at the table for the AAC move coming, then we're dead in the water.
It's gone from "Who's Coming to Who Cares"....
DFiH

[Dwayne From Minden]

Thanks Scott -

But I didn't start BB&B - Dawgbytes did...

[inudesu]

If they don't already have a plan to gain the SMU seat at the table for the AAC move coming, then we're dead in the water.

DFiH

We agreed to a Grant of Rights deal that would make that move cost $800,000 extra per year left on the media deal. On top of normal exit costs (2 years conference payouts, or was).

Because that's what it took to put our best weather games on weeknights on linear ESPNU and CBSSN. You know, for all the people who still have cable and flip channels.

[BCSDAWG]

I've been turned off by the Tech way of doing things for a number of years. Have been disinterested in all athletics as well. This race to the bottom during previous AD's and HC's has done me in. I do have to say, though, I heard Cumbie talk last night at the OVQB in Monroe and left there a smidge more engaged than I've been in years. He's fighting an uphill battle, but he sure seems energetic and committed to accomplishing what can be accomplished at Tech. Of course that might not be saying much based on the state of things in general. I did find it interesting that he made one passing comment...if I heard him correctly...that when he arrived we had 25 scholarship players on the roster. You guys understand all that stuff better than I do, but that sure didn't sound like a lot

I'll watch tomorrow night from the comfort of my air conditioning. I'm always hopeful that things will take a turn for the better and I hope we come out with a W for the players and coaches sakes. I hate to say it but I've reached that point that I don't much care anymore.

[sharky]

Good article on the current affairs of college athletics

http://https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/24/opinions/college-football-conferences-realignment-pac-12-acc-sec-big-12-leitch/index.html

The dawn of this disaster began when the salaries of college coaches (the particular sport doesn't matter) began to exceed the salary of the president of the college/university. Same holds true for the POTuS and any government employee be he/she elected, appointed or hired off the street. Same for governor or mayor or CEO. The "BOSS" should be the highest paid then everyone knows who the BOSS is. Then sanity would prevail regarding salary levels.

[Russdawg]

GAME DAY!!! Go Bulldogs!

[Dawgpix]

Everyone probably knows why I’ve been absent at Tech FB since 2000 season.
This year’s schedule, however, gives me a shot or two at thankfully covering the midweek games.
My meager donation money now gladly goes to a D2 school for a reason.
Public admissions by DeeWayne is damning. The attitude needs to be paid attention to.
His Loyal Blue level — career wise — is perhaps unmatched.
The AD will listen if he’s given reasons for your suggestions (why two video boards in the same endzone when you actually ahold place two in opposite sides or corners (he honored half of my suggestion!)
When the subject of artists to do statues for the plaza my suggestion to use local talent Greg Hamilton was poo-pooed. Maybe he didn’t want the jobs. (He DID do an excellent job on the Bulldog sculpture).
Regardless, the grand opening of the Plaza is being held up by a slow boat from China.
Other than that we might designate some new passengers on the boat ride of donors on the Ouachita River in the 1980s, which catapulted Tech to a higher level.
The AD’s circle of influence around him needs to be enhanced.
This level of athletic department vision right now is waning in the opinion of many.
Compared to the efforts of the development department in Augusts of past, It just ain’t “Happening” right now athletics-wise in our mindsets.