(08-27-2015 11:47 PM)Sultan of Euphonistan Wrote: If I recall from before NDSU is about as far from NIU (the closest MAC school) as NIU is from Buffalo (one of the farthest away from NIU). Already that is a bit far for the MAC to reach with NIU. Without NIU it seems even less of a good idea. Mentioning all the states out west is fine in theory but how many really have adequate candidates and how many are you going to take that makes sense for the MAC to take as a whole? IN fact loading up on too many makes them a group flight risk in the future.
Mapquest:
DeKalb to Fargo, ND: 598 miles
DeKalb to Springfield, MO: 493 miles
DeKalb to Wichita, KS: 664 miles
DeKalb to Buffalo, NY: 594 miles
That's right that NIU is as close to North Dakota as it is Buffalo. Wichita is even further from NIU than NDSU and Missouri State isn't that much closer.
My point is if the MAC had to take a chance on either Wichita St, Missouri St or North Dakota St as an FBS school it might as well go with North Dakota State since they are so much further along in the sport.
The only school in the MAC footprint that is close to FBS ready is Illinois State. Despite the objections of NIU fans, Illinois State would be a top pick for proximity reasons.
If you do put Illinois State in the MAC, they are only 375 miles from Springfield, MO but 696 miles from Fargo, ND. Carbondale IL where Southern Illinois is located is only 207 miles from Illinois State.
It seems like if the MAC lost NIU & Toledo the way to probably go would be to add both Illinois State & Southern Illinois to the conference.
Carbondale to Bloomington, IL: 207 miles
Carbondale to Muncie, IN: 324 miles
Carbondale to Kalamazoo, MI: 443 miles
Carbondale to Mt. Pleasant, MI: 556 miles
Carbondale to Ysplanti, MI: 527 miles
Carbondale to Buffalo, NY: 763 miles
SIU is only 170 miles further from Buffalo than NIU and Illinois State is 70 miles further from Buffalo than NIU.
Both SIU and Illinois St then are not too far geographically for the MAC. They are also only an upper deck stadium expansion away from having 25,000 seats.
SIU is 544 miles to Wichita State. That is about as far as anyone they would have to play in the MAC West. Northern Iowa is 440 miles. By comparison Miami-Ohio is 336 miles and Ohio University is 482 miles from SIU.