(05-05-2013 05:50 AM)Underdog Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 05:18 AM)RecoveringHillbilly Wrote:  

(05-04-2013 07:46 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  Buffalo is going to be in the shadow of Syracuse in any event ~ which is part of what makes them such a natural fit for the MAC. There's a certain degree of "put up or get out" sentiment among some MAC fans about UMass being FB only when their FB is such a cellar program at the moment, while their BB looks like it would slot into the top half of the conference ... but Buffalo is a much better fit.

SU being a private school 2 hours drive from Buffalo doesn't cast as big a shadow as a public flagship like OSU or UM. It's strong up to Rochester then fades further westward. Their MBB is the bigger beast that gets appreciation in WNY but draws the same local tv ratings as other 'national programs' like Duke or UK, or even Niagara/St Bonaventure NCAA Tournament appearances. UB MAC tournament games draw higher local ratings than all. SU football is far less important historically due to the Bills and there being <2K SU alumni in WNY. SU games, including bowls, draw very low ratings (<3.0)while UB's International Bowl appearance drew the highest local rating for a cable broadcast over a 6 year stretch....on ESPN2 no less.

The University at Buffalo’s loss to UConn on Saturday afternoon in the International Bowl was a local ratings hit. The game on ESPN 2 averaged a 16.5 rating, representing 16.5 percent of Western New York homes. To put that in perspective, UB’s afternoon game on cable outrated San Diego’s overtime victory over Indianapolis (16.2) on Channel 2, the local NBC affiliate. It also outrated Arizona’s earlier win over Atlanta (12.6). - Buffalo News 1/6/09

If Buffalo could get more consistent with its football program, I think it would be a better fit for the AAC than the MAC; especially if UMASS is added. The AAC has enough C-USA schools. Consequently, if it were to possibly lose Cincy, I think Buffalo would be a potential replacement because it offers a better market than Cincy when considering the B1G dominates the Ohio market.

The AAC does not take in schools unless they meet one of the following criterias

1) Top 30 media market (SMU, Houston, UCF, Temple)
2) Significant BB or FB support (Memphis, ECU)
3) Great recruiting grounds (Tulane)
4) Strong FB performance (Tulsa, Navy)

There are a few MAC schools that meet criteria #4 (NIU, Toledo, Ohio) but nobody else meets any of the criteria. Out of that group Ohio is the best draft pick available because they have strong FB/BB and academics and the largest budget in the MAC. Ohio already buys home games in BB and FB.

Buffalo has only 1 winning season in 15 years of MAC play. Despite a large local population and good academics they have not been able to build up their football program.

UMass was 2-10 last season and averaged 10k at the gate. UConn is going to block UMass so long as they are in the conference.

(05-05-2013 07:47 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  

(05-04-2013 06:59 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  That 40k number is not correct. That was the TV money the MAC received back in 2003 but that has since been upgraded.

MAC schools receive 150k per ESPN midweek game and 400k per bowl game they participate in. Money is not distributed evenly.

MAC schools range in 16,000 to 30,000 in main campus enrollment with an average endowment of 250 million so there is a decent amount of money available for student fees and new facilities. The average MAC school has raised about 30 million for facilities since 2000.

Every MAC school has put 25,000 in the stands before for a big game and some have even hit 35,000. Its just hard to be consistent with the weather and cronic losing at some programs in a second tier FBS league. The MAC is definitely a step up even when compared to the top FCS conferences in support.

This is the first I have ever seen that. Everything I have read says that the ESPN/MAC contract is 1.4mil per year.

Do you have any link about this 150k per Nov weeknight game?

I've mentioned it several times now.

That is why when Marshall left the MAC was willing to gaurantee Marshall 450k (150k x 3) if they stayed in the MAC as part of the midweek package but they chose the CUSA package and the 1 million per school instead.

That money for TV may be coming out of the MAC's BCS distribution which acts as a raise pool and helps to pay for MAC bowl travel costs (400k per participant). There isn't equal revenue sharing in the MAC.

(05-02-2013 02:08 PM)Underdog Wrote:  

(05-02-2013 11:42 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(05-02-2013 10:05 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-02-2013 09:53 AM)Underdog Wrote:  

(05-02-2013 08:24 AM)Miami (Oh) Yeah ! Wrote:  MAC Commish Steinbrecher:

Steinbrecher and other MAC officials seem content to watch other conferences raid each other. They can observe the shuffling in peace because they know those leading their teams aren't content with the past 12 months.

Rivalries, geography, astute coaching hires and similar expenditures has produced stability, Steinbrecher said. The stability has produced big victories in bunches.

"There's an instability in the system because people are changing things and sometimes they are changing things for the wrong reason," Steinbrecher said. "Some folks think that if you change conferences it's going to make your program better. It's not the conference that makes your program better, it's the programs that make the conference better."

"We truly believe the top teams in our league can compete nationally," Steinbrecher said.

http://news-herald.com/articles/2013/05/...=fullstory

The only conference that would raid the MAC is the AAC (and that would be out of desperation). I can see the AAC losing UCONN and Cincy eventually. The only logical replacements are in the MAC in my opinion. However, if the AAC were to lose USF and UCF, then it would probably replace those lost markets with FIU and FAU from C-USA.

I don't think the core 12 MAC schools will leave for the AAC because of travel costs. This is just like how they didn't leave for CUSA 2.0 due to travel concerns.

Most of the MAC stadiums are in the 24-28k range without the $$$ needed for expansions or the desire to do so while playing in the MAC. The target attendance for MAC programs is in the 20-22k range as an average which most can hit while winning.

The AAC has 7 members in the East and 5 in the West right now so if UConn and Cinncy left it would probably be 1 in the East and West as replacements. Then you are looking at Rice and ODU most likely. The AAC TV deal with ESPN would also have to be renegotiated downward, a further disincentive for a core MAC school to join.

UMass is chomping at the bit to get into the AAC but they only average 10,000 fans a game and play in an off campus stadium 93 miles away. They are still very much a project FBS school at this point. Other AAC members will probably prefer to build within the footprint to reduce travel costs over adding a FB school from Massachusetts.

The old core of MAC schools won't leave for the AAC. They have way too much history together, and the schools are all tightly centered geographically. There's no real financial advantage in changing conferences, since there's little difference in the amount of TV money each conference receives. It wouldn't be worth it, leaving all that history and the short travel to most rivals, for a small increase in money...

UMass has little history with the MAC, and fits better in the AAC. So it wouldn't be a bad move for them. It was the same for Temple, which is why their move made sense. But for the rest of the MAC, it doesn't make sense...

I agree.... In fact, if UCONN eventually leaves, the AAC would seriously consider UMASS for its bball. If Buffalo can start winning, it could possibly be considered as a replacement for Cincy if it also leaves. The AAC would probably do better in that market because it can't compete with Ohio st. Moreover, you have 6 other MAC schools in the same state as Cincy to compete with as well.

UMass yes - Buffalo no for consideration as a replacement for UConn in the northeast if the conference chooses to keep a team there to go along with Temple. If Cinn leaves too the second replacement would come from the south or south west as the conference center seems to be headed that way. If only Cinn leaves say for the B-12 with BYU then UMass would still be a decent add for the NE and some more BB potential if they can kick it back up to the Calipari days.

(05-03-2013 08:57 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(05-03-2013 06:32 AM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  

(05-02-2013 08:24 AM)Miami (Oh) Yeah ! Wrote:  MAC Commish Steinbrecher:

Steinbrecher and other MAC officials seem content to watch other conferences raid each other. They can observe the shuffling in peace because they know those leading their teams aren't content with the past 12 months.

Rivalries, geography, astute coaching hires and similar expenditures has produced stability, Steinbrecher said. The stability has produced big victories in bunches.

"There's an instability in the system because people are changing things and sometimes they are changing things for the wrong reason," Steinbrecher said. "Some folks think that if you change conferences it's going to make your program better. It's not the conference that makes your program better, it's the programs that make the conference better."

"We truly believe the top teams in our league can compete nationally," Steinbrecher said.

http://news-herald.com/articles/2013/05/...fullstory.

I agree that the MAC is a great conference. It is stable because it has schools with similar goals that are very close to each other geographically.

Right now Marshall is looking pretty foolish for leaving the MAC. I thought it was a questionable move in 2004, but hindsight has made it look even worse. I bet they take a MAC invite in a heartbeat today. The MAC is a much better conference than C-USA and 6 of its members are in the next state over.

Marshall is convinced they upgraded their program by joining CUSA, and still feels that way for the most part. Most people there are convinced Marshall is on the same level as WVU, and should be in an even better conference. I doubt you'll find much sentiment around Huntington for the old days in the MAC, even though that would be the best fit for the Herd...

The Herd would fit into the AAC nicely at this point too. Football stadium and attendance are equal to - or better than most of the AAC schools already. Travel wise a trip for UConn would be equal to playing WV in the old BE, Philly with Temple is only 4 or 5 hours away, and Navy and ECU are relatively close too, with Cincinnati right next door in Ohio just as close as some of their old MAC schools. Can't stop thinking that Marshall would be given some serious consideration for AAC membership to close the loop between Temple, Navy, and ECU if UConn and or Cincinnati left the conference one day or if the conference expanded to 14 schools in the future to keep up with the Jones's.

(05-05-2013 09:47 AM)panite Wrote:  

(05-03-2013 08:57 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(05-03-2013 06:32 AM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  

(05-02-2013 08:24 AM)Miami (Oh) Yeah ! Wrote:  MAC Commish Steinbrecher:

Steinbrecher and other MAC officials seem content to watch other conferences raid each other. They can observe the shuffling in peace because they know those leading their teams aren't content with the past 12 months.

Rivalries, geography, astute coaching hires and similar expenditures has produced stability, Steinbrecher said. The stability has produced big victories in bunches.

"There's an instability in the system because people are changing things and sometimes they are changing things for the wrong reason," Steinbrecher said. "Some folks think that if you change conferences it's going to make your program better. It's not the conference that makes your program better, it's the programs that make the conference better."

"We truly believe the top teams in our league can compete nationally," Steinbrecher said.

http://news-herald.com/articles/2013/05/...fullstory.

I agree that the MAC is a great conference. It is stable because it has schools with similar goals that are very close to each other geographically.

Right now Marshall is looking pretty foolish for leaving the MAC. I thought it was a questionable move in 2004, but hindsight has made it look even worse. I bet they take a MAC invite in a heartbeat today. The MAC is a much better conference than C-USA and 6 of its members are in the next state over.

Marshall is convinced they upgraded their program by joining CUSA, and still feels that way for the most part. Most people there are convinced Marshall is on the same level as WVU, and should be in an even better conference. I doubt you'll find much sentiment around Huntington for the old days in the MAC, even though that would be the best fit for the Herd...

The Herd would fit into the AAC nicely at this point too. Football stadium and attendance are equal to - or better than most of the AAC schools already. Travel wise a trip for UConn would be equal to playing WV in the old BE, Philly with Temple is only 4 or 5 hours away, and Navy and ECU are relatively close too, with Cincinnati right next door in Ohio just as close as some of their old MAC schools.

Marshall is another school that is more realistic for the AAC than Buffalo or UMass. They've built up their football program before to the Top 20 level.

Marshall's academics may move them further down the pecking order though. The AAC is going more in the direction of Rice and Army partially because of the academics. Marshall only has 14,000 students without any affiliate campuses.

I know some balk at the idea of Old Dominion to the AAC since they are and FCS upgrade but the potential of that market and a school of 24,000 may be tough to pass up on in 5-10 years.

I sized it up before and UMass/Buffalo are well down the list of AAC expansion candidates as of today.

AAC candidates ranked in order:

1) Army (if available the AAC expands)
2) Rice (academics and to balance the west division at 6)
3) ODU (potential 35k seater and rival for ECU)
4) UTSA (I could see this if the west is raided in 10 years)
5) Marshall (rival for ECU and 38k stadium)
6) Georgia State (May be ready in 10 years)
7) Florida Int. (If both UCF/USF leave)
8) UMass (If UConn left AND they build a strong program)

Anyways talking about who is joining the AAC is a futile discussion because the AAC is at 12 and not seriously considering expansion. Wait another decade and revisit it.

(05-05-2013 10:07 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 09:47 AM)panite Wrote:  

(05-03-2013 08:57 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(05-03-2013 06:32 AM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  

(05-02-2013 08:24 AM)Miami (Oh) Yeah ! Wrote:  MAC Commish Steinbrecher:

Steinbrecher and other MAC officials seem content to watch other conferences raid each other. They can observe the shuffling in peace because they know those leading their teams aren't content with the past 12 months.

Rivalries, geography, astute coaching hires and similar expenditures has produced stability, Steinbrecher said. The stability has produced big victories in bunches.

"There's an instability in the system because people are changing things and sometimes they are changing things for the wrong reason," Steinbrecher said. "Some folks think that if you change conferences it's going to make your program better. It's not the conference that makes your program better, it's the programs that make the conference better."

"We truly believe the top teams in our league can compete nationally," Steinbrecher said.

http://news-herald.com/articles/2013/05/...fullstory.

I agree that the MAC is a great conference. It is stable because it has schools with similar goals that are very close to each other geographically.

Right now Marshall is looking pretty foolish for leaving the MAC. I thought it was a questionable move in 2004, but hindsight has made it look even worse. I bet they take a MAC invite in a heartbeat today. The MAC is a much better conference than C-USA and 6 of its members are in the next state over.

Marshall is convinced they upgraded their program by joining CUSA, and still feels that way for the most part. Most people there are convinced Marshall is on the same level as WVU, and should be in an even better conference. I doubt you'll find much sentiment around Huntington for the old days in the MAC, even though that would be the best fit for the Herd...

The Herd would fit into the AAC nicely at this point too. Football stadium and attendance are equal to - or better than most of the AAC schools already. Travel wise a trip for UConn would be equal to playing WV in the old BE, Philly with Temple is only 4 or 5 hours away, and Navy and ECU are relatively close too, with Cincinnati right next door in Ohio just as close as some of their old MAC schools.

Marshall is another school that is more realistic for the AAC than Buffalo or UMass. They've built up their football program before to the Top 20 level.

Marshall's academics may move them further down the pecking order though. The AAC is going more in the direction of Rice and Army partially because of the academics. Marshall only has 14,000 students without any affiliate campuses.

I know some balk at the idea of Old Dominion to the AAC since they are and FCS upgrade but the potential of that market and a school of 24,000 may be tough to pass up on in 5-10 years.

Rice yes if the conference center keeps moving south and south west but Army still takes the stand of independence after the CUSA disaster. Not that they have had much success since then either though they did go to a bowl one post CUSA season. I would love to have Army in the conference with Navy but the best you will see in the foreseeable future is a scheduling arrangement for 4-6 games and some sort of post season bowl arrangement to like ND has with the ACC. Army tends to play 2-3 north east AAC teams though Rutgers will be moving to the B-10, 2-4 MAC teams, Air Force (MWC), Navy, 1 northeast local FCS team, 2 ACC teams and sprays the rest of their schedule across, the SEC (Vandy), CUSA, the Sunbelt, and occasionally some west coast PAC-12 teams.

Army possible scheduling opponents going forward:

AAC - UConn, Temple, SMU, Houston, Navy
B-10 - Rutgers, possible Indiana, Northwestern
SEC - Vanderbilt, Mississippi St, and has played Texas A&M (Texas loaded with army bases)
PAC-12 - Stanford, California, Oregon St, Washington St

ACC - usually has BC, Wake, Forest and Duke on the schedule. Wouldn't be surprised to see Syracuse and Pitt back on the schedule occasionally too for regional games.

Cusa - mostly Florida, Louisiana, and Texas teams.
Sunbelt - mostly Florida, Louisiana, and Texas teams,
MWC- Air Force and sometimes a second team.

FCS - 1 regional team for 1 and done home game.

BYU as an independent is a possibility to help each other in November for scheduling purposes when the conferences kick into their league schedules.

Army has played the MAC most recently than any other league so i'm not sure how you omit the MAC from future scheduling plans.

(05-05-2013 10:54 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  Army has played the MAC most recently than any other league so i'm not sure how you omit the MAC from future scheduling plans.

Army want a manageable schedule. So yeah, I think the MAC will make up alot of Army. They are nearby and Army is competetive with most MAC schools. So 2 to 3 MAC schools. In addition could see 1 or 2 AAC games, maybe one power conference school, an FCS bodybag, and maybe one CUSA/MW/SB. Add in thier rivary games and thats about right. Panite's idea for a late season game vs BYU is a good one.

My comments are in this color:

(05-05-2013 08:09 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 05:50 AM)Underdog Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 05:18 AM)RecoveringHillbilly Wrote:  

(05-04-2013 07:46 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  Buffalo is going to be in the shadow of Syracuse in any event ~ which is part of what makes them such a natural fit for the MAC. There's a certain degree of "put up or get out" sentiment among some MAC fans about UMass being FB only when their FB is such a cellar program at the moment, while their BB looks like it would slot into the top half of the conference ... but Buffalo is a much better fit.

SU being a private school 2 hours drive from Buffalo doesn't cast as big a shadow as a public flagship like OSU or UM. It's strong up to Rochester then fades further westward. Their MBB is the bigger beast that gets appreciation in WNY but draws the same local tv ratings as other 'national programs' like Duke or UK, or even Niagara/St Bonaventure NCAA Tournament appearances. UB MAC tournament games draw higher local ratings than all. SU football is far less important historically due to the Bills and there being <2K SU alumni in WNY. SU games, including bowls, draw very low ratings (<3.0)while UB's International Bowl appearance drew the highest local rating for a cable broadcast over a 6 year stretch....on ESPN2 no less.

The University at Buffalo’s loss to UConn on Saturday afternoon in the International Bowl was a local ratings hit. The game on ESPN 2 averaged a 16.5 rating, representing 16.5 percent of Western New York homes. To put that in perspective, UB’s afternoon game on cable outrated San Diego’s overtime victory over Indianapolis (16.2) on Channel 2, the local NBC affiliate. It also outrated Arizona’s earlier win over Atlanta (12.6). - Buffalo News 1/6/09

If Buffalo could get more consistent with its football program, I think it would be a better fit for the AAC than the MAC; especially if UMASS is added. The AAC has enough C-USA schools. Consequently, if it were to possibly lose Cincy, I think Buffalo would be a potential replacement because it offers a better market than Cincy when considering the B1G dominates the Ohio market.

The AAC does not take in schools unless they meet one of the following criterias

1) Top 30 media market (SMU, Houston, UCF, Temple)
2) Significant BB or FB support (Memphis, ECU)
3) Great recruiting grounds (Tulane)
4) Strong FB performance (Tulsa, Navy)

I agree that the AAC took the schools that met certain criteria. However, I disagree with your reasons for Tulane and Navy. Tulane offers a large market that it can't provide. This was a mistake our tv expert commissioner overlooked. I know sports fans from New Orleans, and Tulane is never mentioned when discussing college sports. It's either LSU or the Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns. The Ragin' Cajuns name makes it popular to people from Louisiana, and it would have been a better choice than Tulane if the AAC wanted a Louisiana following.

Regarding Navy, it was taken for its national following a name brand, not because it plays good football. Navy was blown out by Norte Dame 50-10, Penn St 34-7, Arizona St 62-28, and manged to lose to Troy 41-31 (need I say more about Navy football).

There are a few MAC schools that meet criteria #4 (NIU, Toledo, Ohio) but nobody else meets any of the criteria. Out of that group Ohio is the best draft pick available because they have strong FB/BB and academics and the largest budget in the MAC. Ohio already buys home games in BB and FB.

I disagree.... The only viable schools in the MAC are UMASS and Buffalo.

Buffalo has only 1 winning season in 15 years of MAC play. Despite a large local population and good academics they have not been able to build up their football program.

Buffalo has the market; thus would be another Tulane in the conference. However, playing in the AAC would improve Buffalo's recruiting and $$ to get a better coach.


UMass was 2-10 last season and averaged 10k at the gate. UConn is going to block UMass so long as they are in the conference.

Umass offers bball, and I specifically stated in two other post in this thread that it could be a replacement for UCONN if it leaves.

I guess we'll have to live with our differences.

I firmly believe that NIU and Toledo have the alumni support potential and recruiting ability to ascend to the P5 level. Buffalo likewise on the P5.

Ohio has the best support and budget in the MAC. They are the best AAC draft pick available without question and have been close to a bid for a year. Ohio is on the fence about joining due to travel concerns on the student athlete. We're taking a wait and see approach (I know this as an insider).

UMass was REJECTED publically by the Big East (now the AAC). UConn is not leaving the AAC anytime soon and even if they did won't be replaced with UMass.

My comments:

(05-05-2013 10:41 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  I guess we'll have to live with our differences.

I respect your opinions and appreciate our differences.

I firmly believe that NIU and Toledo have the alumni support potential and recruiting ability to ascend to the P5 level. Buffalo likewise on the P5.


I agree that NIU and Toledo would make good additions to the AAC regarding football. However, both schools are in markets dominated by the B1G. If fact, the Ohio market is totally dominated by Ohio St. Moreover, there are too many MAC schools in that state as well.

Ohio has the best support and budget in the MAC. They are the best AAC draft pick available without question and have been close to a bid for a year. Ohio is on the fence about joining due to travel concerns on the student athlete. We're taking a wait and see approach (I know this as an insider).

The above reason that I gave for Toledo applies to Ohio. However, it has the state's name, which could make it a more appealing replacement to the AAC if Cincy leaves. Nevertheless, the AAC will not expand unless it loses more schools. It think the MAC should be considered because too many schools were taken from C-USA.

UMass was REJECTED publically by the Big East (now the AAC). UConn is not leaving the AAC anytime soon and even if they did won't be replaced with UMass.

Here's a blog on possible MAC expansion that offers some realistic suggestions: http://conferenceexpansion.com

(05-13-2013 08:14 AM)Underdog Wrote:  Here's a blog on possible MAC expansion that offers some realistic suggestions: http://conferenceexpansion.com

A few points to the article.

1. The guy who was the first draft pick in 2013 played at CMU not Miami Oh. Facepalm moment

2. Army and/or Nova are off the table because the MAC is requesting a GOR.

3. With the CAA falling apart and the A10 having already made their selections (GMU, Davidson) it would make sense for the MAC to look at James Madison or Delaware as a 14th school out of an already damaged CAA.

(05-13-2013 08:45 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 08:14 AM)Underdog Wrote:  Here's a blog on possible MAC expansion that offers some realistic suggestions: http://conferenceexpansion.com

A few points to the article.

1. The guy who was the first draft pick in 2013 played at CMU not Miami Oh. Facepalm moment

2. Army and/or Nova are off the table because the MAC is requesting a GOR.

3. With the CAA falling apart and the A10 having already made their selections (GMU, Davidson) it would make sense for the MAC to look at James Madison or Delaware as a 14th school out of an already damaged CAA.

A GOR for what reason? The article mentions how stable the MAC is....

(05-13-2013 08:57 AM)Underdog Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 08:45 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 08:14 AM)Underdog Wrote:  Here's a blog on possible MAC expansion that offers some realistic suggestions: http://conferenceexpansion.com

A few points to the article.

1. The guy who was the first draft pick in 2013 played at CMU not Miami Oh. Facepalm moment

2. Army and/or Nova are off the table because the MAC is requesting a GOR.

3. With the CAA falling apart and the A10 having already made their selections (GMU, Davidson) it would make sense for the MAC to look at James Madison or Delaware as a 14th school out of an already damaged CAA.

A GOR for what reason? The article mentions how stable the MAC is....

Because thats what we need to expand out Digital Network and resign a much better deal with ESPN. Besides, the GoR is also to prevent an all-sports UMass from leaving Delaware like Temple did to UMass. There could be other teams involved too. ESPN is likely asking for it too.

(05-13-2013 08:14 AM)Underdog Wrote:  Here's a blog on possible MAC expansion that offers some realistic suggestions: http://conferenceexpansion.com

LOL, I just read that article and that is totally something you would write. Is that your blog?

Terribly written and not realistic. Which AAC team do you actually root for? Im guessing you are a Temple or UConn fan with all this non-sense about the AAC taking a MAC east team. You guys would be smarter to just join the MAC as the AAC will eventually take Southern Miss next and maybe FIU/FAU if a florida team leaves. Taking a page out of Ross Perot's book, that giant sucking sound is the AAC slowly transforming more and more toward Texas and the South.

(05-13-2013 09:30 AM)Miami (Oh) Yeah ! Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 08:57 AM)Underdog Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 08:45 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 08:14 AM)Underdog Wrote:  Here's a blog on possible MAC expansion that offers some realistic suggestions: http://conferenceexpansion.com

A few points to the article.

1. The guy who was the first draft pick in 2013 played at CMU not Miami Oh. Facepalm moment

2. Army and/or Nova are off the table because the MAC is requesting a GOR.

3. With the CAA falling apart and the A10 having already made their selections (GMU, Davidson) it would make sense for the MAC to look at James Madison or Delaware as a 14th school out of an already damaged CAA.

A GOR for what reason? The article mentions how stable the MAC is....

Because thats what we need to expand out Digital Network and resign a much better deal with ESPN. Besides, the GoR is also to prevent an all-sports UMass from leaving Delaware like Temple did to UMass. There could be other teams involved too. ESPN is likely asking for it too.

I didn't know the MAC had its own network....

(05-13-2013 09:41 AM)Miami (Oh) Yeah ! Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 08:14 AM)Underdog Wrote:  Here's a blog on possible MAC expansion that offers some realistic suggestions: http://conferenceexpansion.com

LOL, I just read that article and that is totally something you would write. Is that your blog?

Terribly written and not realistic. Which AAC team do you actually root for? Im guessing you are a Temple or UConn fan with all this non-sense about the AAC taking a MAC east team. You guys would be smarter to just join the MAC as the AAC will eventually take Southern Miss next and maybe FIU/FAU if a florida team leaves. Taking a page out of Ross Perot's book, that giant sucking sound is the AAC slowly transforming more and more toward Texas and the South.

"Terribly written and not realistic" should have told you that I didn't write it. The author obviously attended MAC [Donalds] University. Moreover, I would have suggested getting rid of value menu Miami instead of UMASS....

(05-13-2013 08:57 AM)Underdog Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 08:45 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-13-2013 08:14 AM)Underdog Wrote:  Here's a blog on possible MAC expansion that offers some realistic suggestions: http://conferenceexpansion.com

A few points to the article.

1. The guy who was the first draft pick in 2013 played at CMU not Miami Oh. Facepalm moment

2. Army and/or Nova are off the table because the MAC is requesting a GOR.

3. With the CAA falling apart and the A10 having already made their selections (GMU, Davidson) it would make sense for the MAC to look at James Madison or Delaware as a 14th school out of an already damaged CAA.

A GOR for what reason? The article mentions how stable the MAC is....

I believe TPTB in the MAC have rightfully come to the conclusion that our stability account has been thoroughly spent in the last round of realignment.

What's left to take in the MAC is as good as what left in CUSA, the Belt, and Most of the MWC. To drive a wedge in the MAC a conference may need to take two, three, or four teams. That was not going to happen in the last round.

Now?

Ohio - NIU - Buffalo is starting to look good (2 good teams and 2 good markets and 2 very good U's). None of them brings it all to the table but they all hit two our of three boxes.

So the MAC is insulating themselves against a full on raid rather than worrying about losing *1* team.

Now I don't think there will be much motion unless the B12 goes after the AAC or the MWC. There is not a lot of reason for G5 schools to go over 12. Truth be known I would be ok if UMass leaves or we pick up #14 to even things up but