WKU

[JMU1992]

I was just catching the Western Kentucky/North Texas game on espn 360...and it made me think.....is WKU regretting their decision? They look awfully bad.

Why go I-A if for tht crap?

[EKU05]

I hate to be the one to defend that institution, but transitions are just tough...and they're redshirting the majority of the players they've recruited as an FBS program. They'll be at least competative within the SBC in the very near future. It makes me sick, but I think they did a hell of a job preparing for this move...better than most at least.

[fraydog]

From my view, it sure seemed like the WKU move to FBS was a top-down administrative edict. Ramsdell needs to pray that it works for his job security.

[ASU]

I was just catching the Western Kentucky/North Texas game on espn 360...and it made me think.....is WKU regretting their decision? They look awfully bad.

Why go I-A if for tht crap?

If you go back and read some of the articles on WKU going FBS....it almost seems like the President made the decision when he stopped to pick up a morning cup of coffee. (Wham, bam and thank you mam.)

They seemed to have made the move, believe this or not, because of basketball. I know, I know.....it does not matter in BB, just reflects in football..........but they did it to Help their BB recruiting suppossedly.

[JayJ79]

They seemed to have made the move, believe this or not, because of basketball. I know, I know.....it does not matter in BB, just reflects in football..........but they did it to Help their BB recruiting suppossedly.

I don't really follow basketball, and especially not the recruiting.
But that logic makes ZERO sense to me.

They were already members of the Sun Belt for basketball, so it's not like the move brought them into a higher profile basketball league or anything.

[TexasTerror]

The move could eventually lead to a higher profile league. They are the premier program in the Sun Belt Conference across all fronts (outside of football, which they are technically not a part of).

They are the most attractive school if the C-USA wants to come raid the SBC. Having an FBS program helps them even more in potentially moving out, though they have been in the league for a long time...

[Maroons]

I believe the hope is that they position themselves to join a C-USA type conference the next time a major shakedown occurs and they felt they would never have this opportunity with an FCS football program. It is also about name recognition, which they will tell you they are getting more of as a result. That's not saying I agree... just saying how it is.

Perhaps some of the MVC folks could shed some light on this... but I never understood why WKU didn't lobby to join the "The Valley?" Were they not welcome or were they not interested? It would have allowed them to join a much more competitive basketball conference while maintaining a more affordable football program.

I know that in the state of Kentucky, they feel like this move "groups" them with UK and UofL rather than EKU, Murray and Morehead and that is also part of the separation they are looking for.

[wkuhillhound]

I believe the hope is that they position themselves to join a C-USA type conference the next time a major shakedown occurs and they felt they would never have this opportunity with an FCS football program. It is also about name recognition, which they will tell you they are getting more of as a result. That's not saying I agree... just saying how it is.

Perhaps some of the MVC folks could shed some light on this... but I never understood why WKU didn't lobby to join the "The Valley?" Were they not welcome or were they not interested? It would have allowed them to join a much more competitive basketball conference while maintaining a more affordable football program.

I know that in the state of Kentucky, they feel like this move "groups" them with UK and UofL rather than EKU, Murray and Morehead and that is also part of the separation they are looking for.

I can answer that. The MVC was not interested in expanding at the time. Maybe they are regretting that now with WKU recent Sweet 16 appearance. The MVC would have had an even better profile. Just my two cents.

[JayJ79]

Perhaps some of the MVC folks could shed some light on this... but I never understood why WKU didn't lobby to join the "The Valley?" Were they not welcome or were they not interested? It would have allowed them to join a much more competitive basketball conference while maintaining a more affordable football program.

I don't think the MVC had any interest in adding any all-sports schools, as they want to keep the round-robin home-and-home format in basketball.

[Eight Legger]

They played a pretty decent game at Va. Tech earlier this year that I witnessed firsthand. I know little about them, but they had a nice effort that day in a very hostile environment.

[wkuhillhound]

They played a pretty decent game at Va. Tech earlier this year that I witnessed firsthand. I know little about them, but they had a nice effort that day in a very hostile environment.

That is what frustrates me about them. They did very well at Virginia Tech. That was probably their best defensive effort. Still haven't won against a FBS team this season. xnonono2x

[Maroons]

I can answer that. The MVC was not interested in expanding at the time. Maybe they are regretting that now with WKU recent Sweet 16 appearance. The MVC would have had an even better profile. Just my two cents.

So this was an avenue WKU was interested in pursuing? I have never heard it discussed except sparingly by some fans.

[BearsCountry]

So this was an avenue WKU was interested in pursuing? I have never heard it discussed except sparingly by some fans.

Yep its true back when all the conference shakeups if SLU would have came on board, WKU would have been in the MVC. I know hindsight is nice to have and Evansville had a good program at the time but what if WKU was the school that as added instead of the Aces. MVC football would have been formed and alot of other changes as well more than likely.

[wkuhillhound]

So this was an avenue WKU was interested in pursuing? I have never heard it discussed except sparingly by some fans.

I was certainly interested in it. The MVC was a better overall basketball conference than the Sun Belt. It is more of a regional fit especially with Evansville and Southern Illinois being our closest teams in the MVC it would have built a natural rivalry with these two teams.

[Killtoppers90]

So this was an avenue WKU was interested in pursuing? I have never heard it discussed except sparingly by some fans.

It was never even a thought to the decision makers. WKU can make this work but I think this weekend's loss (and a few others this season) can be laid at the head coach & OC's feet. There were way too many poor decisions made this weekend to say it could be anything but. I just hope this disastrous loss does not hurt us on the recruiting trail. WKU can be a competitive team if our coaching can put us in those situations.

[SO ILLmatic]

I was certainly interested in it. The MVC was a better overall basketball conference than the Sun Belt. It is more of a regional fit especially with Evansville and Southern Illinois being our closest teams in the MVC it would have built a natural rivalry with these two teams.

The MVC "WAS" a better overall basketball conference than the Sun Belt???

[wkuhillhound]

The MVC "WAS" a better overall basketball conference than the Sun Belt???

I meant "IS". xlolx