App State now in CAA

[BDKJMU]

According to the dumb f***s at ESPN:

"Bowl qualifications may be adjusted to add losers

..........James Madison coach Mickey Matthews has an idea.

"The top two or three teams in our league are bowl teams every year, and I don't think there's any doubt about that," said Matthews, whose Dukes play in the powerful Colonial Athletic Association, which boasts four other FCS national champions (Delaware, Richmond, Villanova, and Appalachian State) since JMU won it in 2004.........."

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?sec ... id=5630045" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And this article was picked up by dozens of news outlets across the country (I counted over 50 on a Yahoo search):
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0o ... 1285955005" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mcveyrl]

Yea, I saw that this morning. Not to mention 2003 NOW comes AFTER 2004...

[89Hen]

And it took FOUR writers to produce that article?

[ChoppinBroccoli]

I'm just surprised there's no mention of LeBron James or Brett Favre in that article.

[green&gold75]

I'm just surprised there's no mention of LeBron James or Brett Favre in that article.

(except I think you forgot Tiger).

[TribeFanInNC]

So MM's suggestion is the CAA champion play in the Joe's Bait and Tackle Bowl from scenic downtown Podunk against the fifth best team in Conference USA instead of playing for the national championship?

I'd rather finish second and keep the dream alive.

[Rob Iola]

I warmly welcome App to the best conference in FCS, but understand that they'll need to wait their turn for their next NC ring, as this year it's W&M's turn (and then UMass, and then ODU, and then Ga State, and then maybe New Hampshire or Towson)...

[mcveyrl]

So MM's suggestion is the CAA champion play in the Joe's Bait and Tackle Bowl from scenic downtown Podunk against the fifth best team in Conference USA instead of playing for the national championship?

I'd rather finish second and keep the dream alive.

Where, exactly, is that his suggestion???

"The top two or three teams in our league are bowl teams every year, and I don't think there's any doubt about that," said Matthews, whose Dukes play in the powerful Colonial Athletic Association, which boasts four other FCS national champions (Delaware, Richmond, Villanova, and Appalachian State) since JMU won it in 2004.

"We wouldn't hesitate at all to play (an FBS team). I don't know how we'd fare against a top-10 team in the nation. I wouldn't go that far, but certainly I think the championship team of the CAA would hold its own against a Division I opponent in a bowl game."

[bluehenbillk]

Well...there goes App St's chances for a playoff spot...

[ASUG8]

No way we're worthy of being part of the exalted CAA.

[SDHornet]

Maybe the writers have the know about a pending CAA invite.

[89Hen]

AppSt in the CAA is the same as Chuck Norris in Iowa. Might as well be dividing by zero.

[SpeedkingATL]

Well...there goes App St's chances for a playoff spot...

No it simply means with ASU in the CAA that the CAA will now get 6 teams in instead of 5 and will be guarenteed a National Championship this year. Since either App or the CAA has won the last 7 National Championships anyway with APP in the CAA, just give the Championship to the CAA winner and the top 5 CAA teams could play in bowls as Mickey suggests.

[TribeFanInNC]

So MM's suggestion is the CAA champion play in the Joe's Bait and Tackle Bowl from scenic downtown Podunk against the fifth best team in Conference USA instead of playing for the national championship?

I'd rather finish second and keep the dream alive.

Where, exactly, is that his suggestion???

"The top two or three teams in our league are bowl teams every year, and I don't think there's any doubt about that," said Matthews, whose Dukes play in the powerful Colonial Athletic Association, which boasts four other FCS national champions (Delaware, Richmond, Villanova, and Appalachian State) since JMU won it in 2004.

"We wouldn't hesitate at all to play (an FBS team). I don't know how we'd fare against a top-10 team in the nation. I wouldn't go that far, but certainly I think the championship team of the CAA would hold its own against a Division I opponent in a bowl game."

The article was about filling out bottom-tier bowl games. Given that context, I read his comments to mean that the top teams of the CAA are bowl capable, and thus could fill slots that might otherwise go to 5-7 FBS teams. Taken as a stand-alone statement, "We wouldn't hesitate at all to play (an FBS team)" is hardly news--JMU plays an FBS opponent nearly every year, and just pulled off an upset of VT. So therefore, the implication is that the comment is directed to the possibility of making the CAA champion bowl eligible if needed.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Have any of you ever tried contacting the writer and informing him of his blatant error instead of just pointing it out to everyone here that already knows he's a dipshit?

[Aho Old Guy]

The H O R R O R

[mcveyrl]

Where, exactly, is that his suggestion???

The article was about filling out bottom-tier bowl games. Given that context, I read his comments to mean that the top teams of the CAA are bowl capable, and thus could fill slots that might otherwise go to 5-7 FBS teams. Taken as a stand-alone statement, "We wouldn't hesitate at all to play (an FBS team)" is hardly news--JMU plays an FBS opponent nearly every year, and just pulled off an upset of VT. So therefore, the implication is that the comment is directed to the possibility of making the CAA champion bowl eligible if needed.

Do you know the question that was in response to? No, you made an assumption (over fordham) about what Matthews was trying to say. It sounds like he was asked if he would have any reservations pitting a CAA team against an FBS team in a bowl game, which he wouldn't.

You made it sound like he said: "Oh hellz yea, we'd skip the playoffs in a heartbeat to play in a bowl game. In fact, that's what I want to do." In fact, he's already said that the game against Delaware is more important then the Va. Tech game in terms of the team reaching its goals.

[89Hen]

either App or the CAA has won the last 7 National Championships

That doesn't get old. How could ANYONE make a case that ECB isn't a legit stance?

[ccd494]

I am in favor of any change that improves Maine's historical record against conference opponents.