Quote:Marshall thought they were too good for the MAC but I don't see any benefit for them joining conference USA. We need to improve the MAC as a whole or find a way to be invited to BIG10/12.
Yeah, Marshall's move was a lateral one -- a bit better -- but in the end, good CUSA teams went to the Big East, and the better Big East teams moved to the ACC, and now CUSA is NOT better than the MAC -- and the Big East/AAC is a step above but nothing so special.
I agree -- the MAC as a whole has to improve.
WMU seems to be improving (go Fleck)
UMass seems to be improving (I hear they're getting kicked out tho?)
Akron seemingly has improved to be a real competitor (how much? we shall see)
BGSU seems to be bouncing back from losing their star QB and will be Mac East-to-beat
- Miami-OH needs to get their act together. Been too long.
- Ohio with Frank Solich needs to get themselves to be at least competitive/decent. Come on!
- EMU needs to get their program going where they don't fear D1AA teams, and will at least hang with any mediocre team in other G5 conferences
- Buffalo needs to get some stability and have their above-average years be their Typical year
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Let's say the MAC improves and gets those last things squared away over the next couple years. And let's even say that results in better non-conf wins, and the MAC is almost as good as they were in 2003 (the year of the MAC) for a few years!
That still won't overcome the #1 reason to join B1G/B12: Attendance. Renovating and having, say, 28k? Not going to do it. NIU basketball is improving, and that's a good step.
But the football stadium will need to seat at or very close to 40k, with filled seats to join a BCS conference.
None of that is needed, just a standard renovation opening more seats up if they join AAC or MW. More money will come in from any other conference besides Sun Belt. But travel costs will counteract that, though.