I am from the midwest and in my experience most kids are more loyal to their local MAC teams than the average South Florida is loyal to say FAU, FIU, USF, UCF, etc. It is a very different football culture and that results in many guys staying home. Tradition has a lot to do with this. MAC teams have been playing for far longer than any of the above mentioned Florida schools and that tradition plays a role in the decisions players make. Maybe a kid didn't grow up going to watch Ohio State or Michigan on the weekends, but it is likely that he went to many games played by local MAC teams and therefore has developed some loyalty.

GO OWLS!!!

owlfan1 said

I am from the midwest and in my experience most kids are more loyal to their local MAC teams than the average South Florida is loyal to say FAU, FIU, USF, UCF, etc. It is a very different football culture and that results in many guys staying home. Tradition has a lot to do with this. MAC teams have been playing for far longer than any of the above mentioned Florida schools and that tradition plays a role in the decisions players make. Maybe a kid didn't grow up going to watch Ohio State or Michigan on the weekends, but it is likely that he went to many games played by local MAC teams and therefore has developed some loyalty.

GO OWLS!!!

I was born in Chicago and get that midwestern loyalty, but WHY Florida kids singing with Bowling Green or Ball St. or Buffalo or frigging E. Michigan over FAU?
I can sort of get Marshall of CUSA - still considered a competitive level above the Belt, or obviously West Virginia. I still think a lot of it is kids WANTING to GET AWAY from home and the PARENTS to be out ON THEIR OWN away from Mom and Dad! And FAU may still be too close for comfort.
And that is why I feel we need to raid OTHER areas of the country for the same reasons PLUS we have the Florida weather and beaches and coeds in shorts and bikinis to offer. They come to Florida and take away 100's of hs kid's evert year leaving us with a depleted talent pool so we need to do the same, just in the opposite direction. And that is why the JUCO route is working pretty well so far with all of them obviously coming in from out of state.
I REALLY ope we get "Lucky" tomorrow - a game changer for sure! Could be the next TY Hilton - but for US! Go Owls!

GAOWL,

I think you hit the nail on the head. Getting away from home, a new experience, and although some do not believe it, cold weather and snow, all play a role in players leaving Florida.

The JUCO route will prove fruitful. I saw a Southern Illinois team turn from a bottom dweller to perennial top 10 team by recruiting JUCO players and landing numerous game changing running backs including NFL running backs Brandon Jacobs and Deji Kareem. In my opinion, not taking JUCO payers was one of Schnellenberger's biggest mistakes.

GO OWLS!!!

owlfan1 said

GAOWL,

I think you hit the nail on the head. Getting away from home, a new experience, and although some do not believe it, cold weather and snow, all play a role in players leaving Florida.

The JUCO route will prove fruitful. I saw a Southern Illinois team turn from a bottom dweller to perennial top 10 team by recruiting JUCO players and landing numerous game changing running backs including NFL running backs Brandon Jacobs and Deji Kareem. In my opinion, not taking JUCO payers was one of Schnellenberger's biggest mistakes.

GO OWLS!!!

Agreed - Go Owls!