Hey Meow Tigers,

I do not know a lot about Tennessee, although I have been over a few times mainly to knox or Dollywood, and the Jack Daniels Tour.

Lived in western Carolina for awhile, so the highways as well to get to PA.

How is MTSU? *IF* Memphis stays in the AAC, are they a Green Light? What are your thoughts?

I would like to get a good perspecitive from Memphis Fans first and foremost because I think their opinion and views are very valid.

If you are a fan of other schools but have lived in Tennessee or heard of MTSU (I am sorry, I live with Purple Shades and I am not that familiar) please feel free to chime in too.

Thanks all,

I believe MTSU is the largest University in the state. It's located 30 minutes south of Nashville. Everyone in Middle TN knows MTSU because so many kids go there from here. It's a big commuter school. They have an okay fanbase. Nashville is UT and most kids at MTSU are UT fans or dropouts. With that said, they do have upside and keep improving.

Memphis controls Memphis. MTSU not even close when it comes to Nashville. They do have more fans than Vandy.

Personally I'd prefer no FB adds if 0-2 AAC schools go B12 with Wichita St added for BB to complete the Navy membership. If the AAC does add an all-sports school I'd prefer they bite the bullet go west & get CSU, AFA & BSU for FB only. Then add VCU with Wichita St. to complete one other of those FB only adds. That makes for good scheduling in FB & BB, gaining strength in both. If there is going to be another southern school, USM or WKU would be my preference over MTSU.

Good school, decent athletics. Not a large fanbase but, as tnzazz already pointed out, definitely more than Vanderbilt.

(08-11-2016 08:14 PM)tnzazz Wrote:  I believe MTSU is the largest University in the state. It's located 30 minutes south of Nashville. Everyone in Middle TN knows MTSU because so many kids go there from here. It's a big commuter school. They have an okay fanbase. Nashville is UT and most kids at MTSU are UT fans or dropouts. With that said, they do have upside and keep improving.

Memphis controls Memphis. MTSU not even close when it comes to Nashville. They do have more fans than Vandy.

(08-11-2016 11:32 PM)EvilLore Wrote:  Good school, decent athletics. Not a large fanbase but, as tnzazz already pointed out, definitely more than Vanderbilt.

Ditto to both of the above. I'd also add that I think there is a large upside to MTSU. Their general location in middle Tennessee is a high growth area.

One negative is geography if Memphis is out and replaced by MTSU. 3 hour drive farther east than Memphis creates a wide gap b/t east and west teams. Especially if UC/UM go

MTSU is in a good strategic situation (eg, large enrollment, relatively wealthy region, growing population). The conditions are favorable for athletic success with the spark provided by AAC affiliation. Memphis has nothing to gain and something to lose when MTSU advances.

Therefore, I oppose MTSU's AAC membership while Memphis remains in the conference.

(08-12-2016 08:02 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  MTSU is in a good strategic situation (eg, large enrollment, relatively wealthy region, growing population). The conditions are favorable for athletic success with the spark provided by AAC affiliation. Memphis has nothing to gain and something to lose when MTSU advances.

Therefore, I oppose MTSU's AAC membership while Memphis remains in the conference.

Exactly, I assumed this was a discussion for after expansion.

Houston will just have to travel another 250 miles to play a conference game. :)

(08-11-2016 08:14 PM)tnzazz Wrote:  I believe MTSU is the largest University in the state. It's located 30 minutes south of Nashville. Everyone in Middle TN knows MTSU because so many kids go there from here. It's a big commuter school. They have an okay fanbase. Nashville is UT and most kids at MTSU are UT fans or dropouts. With that said, they do have upside and keep improving.

Memphis controls Memphis. MTSU not even close when it comes to Nashville. They do have more fans than Vandy.

MTSU is the second largest school in Tennessee currently. They sit directly in the middle between UT's enrollment, and Memphis's enrollment numbers.

Also, for those who like to give Memphis **** for academics, MTSU is 328 places behind Memphis in their rankings surrounding test admissions and admitted student GPAs for incoming freshmen, and 223 places behind Memphis in selectivity ranking.

I disagree about MTSU having more fans than Vanderbilt. Go to a Vandy game compared to an MTSU game.

I would not like to share a conference with MTSU. It'd be the same for ECU fans if they shared a conference with Charlotte, or UCF/USF sharing a conference with FIU/FAU, or UC sharing a conference with Ohio/Dayton/Toledo. MTSU would not take away from any recruiting or have any effect on Memphis, but I have no desire to share a conference with them.

They would not move the needle in tv ratings at all. The only way I hope they are added is if Memphis is out.

Thanks Tigers,

I think MTSU should be a no go then, because the question was based on Memphis staying in the AAC.

MTSU is an interesting case. They really should draw better than they do...both in attendance and eyeballs. Not sure what the problem is as they field competitive teams in multiple sports. I think CUSA got it right in inviting both WKU and MTSU to gain access to the Nashville market. For whatever reason, one or the other just doesn't seem to have much of a presence at this time (fan base), though both do well recruiting students and athletes from the greater Nashville area.

(08-12-2016 08:53 AM)gulfcoastgal Wrote:  MTSU is an interesting case. They really should draw better than they do...both in attendance and eyeballs. Not sure what the problem is as they field competitive teams in multiple sports. I think CUSA got it right in inviting both WKU and MTSU to gain access to the Nashville market. For whatever reason, one or the other just doesn't seem to have much of a presence at this time (fan base), though both do well recruiting students and athletes from the greater Nashville area.

The Hilltoppers are a gem in process.

It's a suitcase college that hasn't been D1 very long. Their fanbase in minuscule relative to the size of their market.

Midddle wont be in th AAC while Memphis is a member.

(08-12-2016 08:40 AM)Starfox207 Wrote:  Thanks Tigers,

I think MTSU should be a no go then, because the question was based on Memphis staying in the AAC.

I believe that to be irrelevant, but hypothetically speaking adding MTSU would do nothing for the AAC. Although big and in a good area, schools like Southern Miss are, IMO, much better. Their fans are rabid, MTSU's fans tend to be tepid, at best.

(08-13-2016 12:54 PM)TigerBill Wrote:  

(08-12-2016 08:40 AM)Starfox207 Wrote:  Thanks Tigers,

I think MTSU should be a no go then, because the question was based on Memphis staying in the AAC.

I believe that to be irrelevant, but hypothetically speaking adding MTSU would do nothing for the AAC. Although big and in a good area, schools like Southern Miss are, IMO, much better. Their fans are rabid, MTSU's fans tend to be tepid, at best.

In my opinion, Southern should be at/near the top of the "add list" provided the MS legislature, fanbase, supporters, sponsors, etc can somehow make the $ work. The Golden Eagles don't require equal funding to beat anyone, any time, any place; but they do need "representative" funding.

(08-12-2016 09:44 AM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(08-12-2016 08:53 AM)gulfcoastgal Wrote:  MTSU is an interesting case. They really should draw better than they do...both in attendance and eyeballs. Not sure what the problem is as they field competitive teams in multiple sports. I think CUSA got it right in inviting both WKU and MTSU to gain access to the Nashville market. For whatever reason, one or the other just doesn't seem to have much of a presence at this time (fan base), though both do well recruiting students and athletes from the greater Nashville area.

The Hilltoppers are a gem in process.

Well, at least someone around here "gets it".

Middle is like a cousin. UTK has always been the evil enemy. I hope mtsu does well.

MTSU is historically a well-run program overall, they have always had a challenge connecting with the potential fan base and making them fans. Their all-time best season attendance average is like 22,000.

kick out tulane and tulsa

add Middle Tn st and North Texas