Interesting Stuff and good gauge for access bowl:
http://espn.go.com/college-football/stat...eamratings

It appears the american is loaded with the most top 60 teams of any-non p5 conference.

NIU #47 - Wow - 118 sos remaining. The MAC needs to step it up if we're gonna be considered.
Toledo #74
BGSU #79

Other Non-P5 teams of note:
American:
Cincinnati 38
Houston 42
UCF 50
ECU 59

MW:
Boise 46

C-USA
Marshall 55
UTSA 57

That's the big problem with the MAC. It's so bottom heavy that it destroys your SOS no matter what.

Yep, and really only 1 more week to substantially alter it.

Quote:That's the big problem with the MAC. It's so bottom heavy that it destroys your SOS no matter what.

If UMass improves, which it looks like they're doing, that's a Plus.

If WMU gets a grip on the paddle, and get back at least to the pre-Fleck era of being 7-5 -- that'll help the conference.

If Ohio with their legendary coach and get something going -- which isn't a fairy tale -- that'll help the conference.

If Miami-OH can get their act together with their new coach -- and they're due to hit mediocrity in a year or so -- that'll help the conference.

If we get all that, then it won't be so bottom heavy.

(09-13-2014 02:23 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:That's the big problem with the MAC. It's so bottom heavy that it destroys your SOS no matter what.

If UMass improves, which it looks like they're doing, that's a Plus.

If WMU gets a grip on the paddle, and get back at least to the pre-Fleck era of being 7-5 -- that'll help the conference.

If Ohio with their legendary coach and get something going -- which isn't a fairy tale -- that'll help the conference.

If Miami-OH can get their act together with their new coach -- and they're due to hit mediocrity in a year or so -- that'll help the conference.

If we get all that, then it won't be so bottom heavy.

You just typed a whole lot of "ifs," my friend.

Big 12 is a nice dream, but I would settle for Frazier moving NIU to the American Conference (AAC).

(09-13-2014 03:06 PM)ADOG05 Wrote:  Big 12 is a nice dream, but I would settle for Frazier moving NIU to the American Conference (AAC).

I don't see where NIU comes up with the money to join a major conference but it would be nice.

(09-13-2014 03:09 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  

(09-13-2014 03:06 PM)ADOG05 Wrote:  Big 12 is a nice dream, but I would settle for Frazier moving NIU to the American Conference (AAC).

I don't see where NIU comes up with the money to join a major conference but it would be nice.

Agree, NIU can't quickly come up with the cash to compete in the BIG 12, but the American Athletic Conference I believe would be doable, given the American's competitiveness, I think NIU would also get more respect nationally. ECU just knocked off VA Tech today. Also Nice win for BG over IN. When is UMass leaving MAC?

(09-13-2014 03:09 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  

(09-13-2014 03:06 PM)ADOG05 Wrote:  Big 12 is a nice dream, but I would settle for Frazier moving NIU to the American Conference (AAC).

I don't see where NIU comes up with the money to join a major conference but it would be nice.

Agree, NIU can't quickly come up with the cash to compete in the BIG 12, but the American Athletic Conference I believe would be doable, given the American's competitiveness, I think NIU would also get more respect nationally. ECU just knocked off VA Tech today. Also Nice win for BG over IN. When is UMass leaving MAC?

(09-13-2014 03:16 PM)ADOG05 Wrote:  

(09-13-2014 03:09 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  

(09-13-2014 03:06 PM)ADOG05 Wrote:  Big 12 is a nice dream, but I would settle for Frazier moving NIU to the American Conference (AAC).

I don't see where NIU comes up with the money to join a major conference but it would be nice.

Agree, NIU can't quickly come up with the cash to compete in the BIG 12, but the American Athletic Conference I believe would be doable, given the American's competitiveness, I think NIU would also get more respect nationally. ECU just knocked off VA Tech today. Also Nice win for BG over IN. When is UMass leaving MAC?

I don't think we would ever get an invite into the B12, but AAC would certainly be an improvement.

Please Sean, make it happen!

Waiting for the usual posters to say "the MAC is the perfect fit for NIU."

(09-13-2014 03:50 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  Please Sean, make it happen!

Waiting for the usual posters to say "the MAC is the perfect fit for NIU."

The MAC is the perfect fit for NIU (If we don't want respect or improvements)

AAC will be at 12 members next yr with Navy joining

AAC would be a lateral move though in terms of future, its Big 12 or bust IMO

(09-13-2014 05:13 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  AAC would be a lateral move though in terms of future, its Big 12 or bust IMO

NOT a lateral move. You're delusional.

(09-13-2014 05:38 PM)numbersdontlie Wrote:  

(09-13-2014 05:13 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  AAC would be a lateral move though in terms of future, its Big 12 or bust IMO

NOT a lateral move. You're delusional.

AAC is head and shoulders above MAC, this year especially.

Also you will never be able to go from Mac -> B12, never. Need AAC 1st if that's the end goal.

(09-13-2014 05:50 PM)NIUSox10 Wrote:  

(09-13-2014 05:38 PM)numbersdontlie Wrote:  

(09-13-2014 05:13 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  AAC would be a lateral move though in terms of future, its Big 12 or bust IMO

NOT a lateral move. You're delusional.

AAC is head and shoulders above MAC, this year especially.

100% agree with you guys about the AAC. They also don't have majority of the teams in the bottom half of their conference embarrassing themselves whenever they play an OOC game.

(09-13-2014 05:50 PM)NIUSox10 Wrote:  AAC is head and shoulders above MAC, this year especially.

Also you will never be able to go from Mac -> B12, never. Need AAC 1st if that's the end goal.

I wouldn't say MAC > B12 is impossible...just depends what the landscape looks like. TCU went from the MWC to B12. Utah went from the MWC to the PAC-12. I don't think it will happen, but who knows. There could be a really quick, aggressive realignment at some point and if the B12 decides NIU is the closest it can get to a big midwest market they could take a shot.

(09-13-2014 05:54 PM)armour248 Wrote:  

(09-13-2014 05:50 PM)NIUSox10 Wrote:  AAC is head and shoulders above MAC, this year especially.

Also you will never be able to go from Mac -> B12, never. Need AAC 1st if that's the end goal.

I wouldn't say MAC > B12 is impossible...just depends what the landscape looks like. TCU went from the MWC to B12. Utah went from the MWC to the PAC-12. I don't think it will happen, but who knows. There could be a really quick, aggressive realignment at some point and if the B12 decides NIU is the closest it can get to a big midwest market they could take a shot.

Well your examples are the comparison I am making. Schools arnt going to P5 conferences from CUSA, CBelt, or MAC. They are going from MW and Old BE / AAC as you pointed out.

(09-13-2014 05:54 PM)armour248 Wrote:  

(09-13-2014 05:50 PM)NIUSox10 Wrote:  AAC is head and shoulders above MAC, this year especially.

Also you will never be able to go from Mac -> B12, never. Need AAC 1st if that's the end goal.

I wouldn't say MAC > B12 is impossible...just depends what the landscape looks like. TCU went from the MWC to B12. Utah went from the MWC to the PAC-12. I don't think it will happen, but who knows. There could be a really quick, aggressive realignment at some point and if the B12 decides NIU is the closest it can get to a big midwest market they could take a shot.

Well your examples is what I was pointing out. Movement to P5 was going from AAC/BE and MW, not WAC/CBelt/CUSA/MAC in this alignment phase.