RaisingFenix

Also, how can you not be looking forward to this?

Perception. We live in a media driven society, and sports more than anything else is tapped into that media. Just look at how ESPiN's fingerprints are on realignment. And in this media saturated culture, branding matters. It has nothing to do directly with on field performance; it has to do with popularity and converting that popularity into $$$ (which may indirectly affect the product on the field in the future). Look at the Rays. The re-branded themselves. Or the B1G. That's why I think its a big deal; I think its weak in terms of a brand. I get all that, but there's more to branding than a name. Regardless of the name, this is now a brand new conference, and it's going to be seen as such. The perception (and reality) is that we are now in a conference full of teams that no one else wanted. I'm hard-pressed to think of a name that would do anything to overcome that perception, and almost every name I've heard suggested by fans has been in jest. In my opinion, I'd dislike any name that has a number or a geographical region, because they limit what you can do as far as expansion. I'd also dislike any name that sounds too grandiose (e.g. "Big" anything), because that just invites derision. I think you just put a solid name on it, and go about trying to change the perception on the field.

To everyone against the name, what exactly is the big deal? Is our team going to perform worse because we're in a conference with a bland name? Is South East or Atlantic Coast really that much more exciting of a name?

I feel pretty okay about this. Yeah, it's a bit bland, but so is every other conference name. "Creative" names would most likely be scoffed at. I also like that they avoided a number in the name (Big 10 with 12 teams, Big 12 with 10 teams, yada, yada). And I think American is still a pretty decent adjective to have in there, even without the coast-to-coast layout that was in the works. Keep in mind that the AAC is still in a very tenuous position, as conference realignment will kick up again eventually and we're bound to lose some teams (or hopefully be lost ourselves?) to other conferences. Then when the AAC has to reload, they're not limited by the name to a specific geographic region or number of teams. I know I certainly got tired of the jokes. "Boise State and San Diego State in the Big EAST? I guess someone failed geography! Har har har!"

I'm not looking forward to the inevitable comparisons to the 25-year obsolete auto company. But I say if that's the name, we go all the way - every school renames their mascots to the Ramblers, Matadors, Gremlins, etc. Then when the conference eventually dies, we may have some collector value to someone who likes antiques.

The Bluto's rafting ride will get you drenched, so bring baggies for phones and prepare to walk around wet all day if you want to go on it. Spiderman and Harry Potter are fantastic, and great for the whole family. Are you doing Islands of Adventure, or Studios, or both?

Thanks guys, you've already given us a lot of stuff to look at! We really appreciate it!

Hey Bulls, My fiancée and I are getting married in Savannah on Oct. 26 (same day as the Louisville game, d'oh!). The following Thursday we play @ Houston. Since she is as big a Bulls fan as I am, she's given me the green light to look for honeymoon destinations near there so we can go to the game. If any of you are familiar with the area, can you make any recommendations? We'd like to be within about a 2-hours drive to Houston, but we usually like vacationing in more scenic, out-of-the-way areas (cabins in the woods of North Georgia and on the Tennessee river have been some of our favorites.) Any help would be greatly appreciated! Go Bulls!

First, I'm sure everyone here would love to see your sources. Second, if we get lucky enough to head off to the Big 12, how much do we really care about forfeiting that money? Wouldn't we make that up in about a year over there?

Hey, come on, 8 points is nothing - they were scoring at will all game! They put up 29 whole points over the first 37 minutes!

But he is the leader we deserve. Collins is a sophomore. Where's the senior leadership, especially Fitzpatrick? You're right that the PG is the leader of the offense, but when the players around him are not capable of performing, Collins can only do so much. I saw a shot at a Dark Knight joke, so I took it. But I agree with you - AC can't be the only player on this team if we ever expect to be better than this. LeDay and Hawkins give me some hope for next year. If Rudd can gain some consistency, he should have a good year next year as well (if he stays).

But he is the leader we deserve.

You've gotta be kidding me

Wtf happened at the line there?

LeDay! I've been waiting for one of those!

Great game BULLS!

Correct. 49-36 Bulls

Okay, I take it back. First couple minutes of the half had "that" feel, but we seem to have found ourselves quickly.

What on earth do we do in the locker room at halftime?

I think I feel more comfortable with a 2-point lead than a 12-point lead at the half. Let's go Bulls!

Has AC been taking fashion tips from Vic?

I think we owe some thanks for this to BSU and SDSU for bailing. With the whole coast-to-coast conference, it looked likely we would be changing the name anyway, which would have given us a lot less leverage in this negotiation.

It is very nice. I haven't been to many other college arenas, only UCF's for a concert once. How does the Sun Dome stack up?

GO BULLS! So we've beaten the top team and the bottom team in the conference. How USF of us.