(02-22-2012 03:15 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(02-22-2012 03:13 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(02-22-2012 03:07 PM)stever20 Wrote:  It's a whole lot closer though for UMass to play the MAC....

Also- keep in mind the basketball. UMass in the MAC continues to be in the A10. HUGE local difference there.

I understand it is closer. I even spoke to that. What I am saying is that if the money is greater in the Alliance to the point that the travel distance doesn't matter so much then the closeness isnt a deciding factor.

Now if we are talking about fans travelling to away games, I wasn't aware UMass had a large following. If the Alliance lands a solid tv contract then those fans can watch the away games on the tube and watch the home games at home. Its not like New Englanders are hip to the idea of driving to Ohio, Michigan and Illinois for UMass games when most of them prefer watching Patriot games. UMass is going to have to build up it's following in that regard and the more coverage they can get on the tv, the more of a following they will be able to build up.

The A10 issue is a stickler, in attempting to be devil's advocate against that good point, the best I can come up with is that the Alliance has released talking points about future expansion and the possibility of football only schools. In that case UMass could get in opposite of an addition in the West.

I can't imagine UMass is worth a FB only invite. My guess is the 2 teams mentioned as possible eastern FB only considerations were Temple and Army. If you can't get either of those just take an F_U and move on till the good eastern FCS teams are ready.

Well I was thinking more along the lines of when the Alliance tries to expand to 24 or even further as such was alluded to. When that happens there may be a western program that the alliance wants but is only willing to join in football. Then a program like UMass provides an addition in the east that is more valuable as an addition in conjunction with that western program then it is by itself.

Perhaps though the best move for UMass is to just go ahead with the MAC and seek entry into the Big East at some point.