(09-08-2016 11:06 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  UMass's performance wasn't the problem. Look at Buffalo, they are 58-144 since joining the MAC in 1999 with only 2 winning seasons in 18yrs. The problem was UMass was the 13th team with no attractive options on the table for a 14th member.

Jmu was, and still is, the 14th school. We were willing, able and ready to join if mass had stayed.

And if you don't think we are attractive, then I don't know what to tell you but we'd be a great fit and bring a ton to the table.

(09-11-2016 02:07 AM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  

(09-08-2016 11:06 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  UMass's performance wasn't the problem. Look at Buffalo, they are 58-144 since joining the MAC in 1999 with only 2 winning seasons in 18yrs. The problem was UMass was the 13th team with no attractive options on the table for a 14th member.

Jmu was, and still is, the 14th school. We were willing, able and ready to join if mass had stayed.

And if you don't think we are attractive, then I don't know what to tell you but we'd be a great fit and bring a ton to the table.

Agree on UMASS and JMU all sports being a great fit for the MAC. However, there is a lot of "holier than though" in this thread. The MAC went 1-2 yesterday vs the FCS which easily could have been 0-3 had UND converted a 2 point conversion to win the game. The MAC is one of my favorite conferences, but let's be real, UMASS and JMU care A LOT about athletics and will do very well here. So if UMASS ever comes to its senses and is willing to go all sports, don't hold your noses to high in the air....

(09-11-2016 09:27 AM)Shox Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 02:07 AM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  

(09-08-2016 11:06 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  UMass's performance wasn't the problem. Look at Buffalo, they are 58-144 since joining the MAC in 1999 with only 2 winning seasons in 18yrs. The problem was UMass was the 13th team with no attractive options on the table for a 14th member.

Jmu was, and still is, the 14th school. We were willing, able and ready to join if mass had stayed.

And if you don't think we are attractive, then I don't know what to tell you but we'd be a great fit and bring a ton to the table.

Agree on UMASS and JMU all sports being a great fit for the MAC. However, there is a lot of "holier than though" in this thread. The MAC went 1-2 yesterday vs the FCS which easily could have been 0-3 had UND converted a 2 point conversion to win the game. The MAC is one of my favorite conferences, but let's be real, UMASS and JMU care A LOT about athletics and will do very well here. So if UMASS ever comes to its senses and is willing to go all sports, don't hold your noses to high in the air....

The MAC has earned what it has from years of competitive play not markets like other conferences.

Its clear from the FCS losses and NIU's that 2016 won't be a strong MAC year. The MAC will be lucky to meet its 6 bowl commitments with the way some of the school are playing.

Its more that are there any combination of schools that could add value to the MAC? If the AAC was dismantled and the MAC could pick up Temple and UConn no doubt that would add some value to the MAC. They have pretty good FB teams and the Philly/NYC TV markets are as good as it gets. Turning the G5 into a G4 reduces a competitor to an access bowl.

OTOH, UMass or JMU would be OK to consider as replacement schools should a MAC school leavesbut in of themselves don't move the needle to go to 14. I don't think the question is could they compete in the MAC but do they make the MAC stronger on average and that answer is no.

If the AAC gets shook up its more likely that the MAC would lose a school or 2 then it would poaching the AAC, primarily, Ohio, Toledo, and especially NIU. However UMASS needs to quit being an east coast A-10 douche bag as well if it wants its football program to survive.

(09-11-2016 09:27 AM)Shox Wrote:  ... However, there is a lot of "holier than though" in this thread...

(09-11-2016 11:26 AM)Shox Wrote:  ..However UMASS needs to quit being an east coast A-10 douche bag...

I hope the MAC doesn't go back to football-only affiliates. We don't need them to survive or even out an odd number in the conference. Navy and Hawaii make sense for their conferences. A 13th member in football doesn't make sense for us. Had we kept UMass, and added another football only school, I would have been ok with that, but Army and New Mexico State would've been the only FBS options that could've realistically considered it. One seems to like their independence, and the other is too far (and adds no value on the gridiron). There was never any way UMass was going to leave their multi-bid Atlantic 10 Conference to join the under appreciated conference we have. If we lose a school to conference realignment, which I think is unlikely, I hope we add a full member somewhat close to us in footprint and culture.

Army as a 12th school wouldn't be a bad one.

(09-11-2016 11:26 AM)Shox Wrote:  If the AAC gets shook up its more likely that the MAC would lose a school or 2 then it would poaching the AAC, primarily, Ohio, Toledo, and especially NIU. However UMASS needs to quit being an east coast A-10 douche bag as well if it wants its football program to survive.

Douche bags or Massholes?
















I KID!!! I KID!!! Don't be so serious!!!

(09-11-2016 11:42 AM)PK_UToledo Wrote:  I hope the MAC doesn't go back to football-only affiliates. We don't need them to survive or even out an odd number in the conference.

The scenarios where the question comes up currently involve the MAC being raided for one member as a knock-on side effect of Big12 expansion.

In which case would have have an odd number in the conference.

(09-12-2016 10:24 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 11:42 AM)PK_UToledo Wrote:  I hope the MAC doesn't go back to football-only affiliates. We don't need them to survive or even out an odd number in the conference.

The scenarios where the question comes up currently involve the MAC being raided for one member as a knock-on side effect of Big12 expansion.

In which case would have have an odd number in the conference.

If they lose a full member, they need to add a full member. Unless they add a football only school and some other school for all other sports.

Edit: I wouldn't even be able to guess what school would want to join the MAC for all sports besides football.

I don't know why Youngstown wouldn't be considered...

(09-15-2016 01:12 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  I don't know why Youngstown wouldn't be considered...

You obviously haven't been to Youngstown before. Plus it would put 7 schools from Ohio in the MAC. That really doesn't grow the conference.

(09-15-2016 01:12 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  I don't know why Youngstown wouldn't be considered...

Because their athletic budget is $7 million smaller than the smallest MAC budget? Because there are too many Ohio MAC schools already? Because they bring nothing to the table that the MAC doesn't already have, both in terms of positives and negatives?

(09-13-2016 09:14 AM)kreed5120 Wrote:  

(09-12-2016 10:24 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 11:42 AM)PK_UToledo Wrote:  I hope the MAC doesn't go back to football-only affiliates. We don't need them to survive or even out an odd number in the conference.

The scenarios where the question comes up currently involve the MAC being raided for one member as a knock-on side effect of Big12 expansion.

In which case would have have an odd number in the conference.

If they lose a full member, they need to add a full member. Unless they add a football only school and some other school for all other sports.

They don't "need" to. 11 can work just fine in BBall.

Army & UMass as football-only members I could see happen, but I doubt it. The MAC should look at Marshall & Western Kentucky, they are ripe for the taking and could add value to the current TV deal they have. Any team from Conference USA is ripe to be picked off because of the awful TV contract they have at the moment, the Sun Belt could pass them by at the next TV deals coming up in 2019.

(09-17-2016 09:43 AM)Realignment Wrote:  Army & UMass as football-only members I could see happen, but I doubt it. The MAC should look at Marshall & Western Kentucky, they are ripe for the taking and could add value to the current TV deal they have. Any team from Conference USA is ripe to be picked off because of the awful TV contract they have at the moment, the Sun Belt could pass them by at the next TV deals coming up in 2019.

I don't see the advantage of adding a couple of weak teams in Army and UMass to the conference.

What might make more sense is to work out an bowl arrangement with Army and Umass for a game against the ACC where the MAC could supply a backup. Neither will usually be bowl eligible so the MAC can represent.

Pull out of sending a high MAC pick to Mobile, let CUSA have that game and trade it for a new game in Charleston.

Camellia vs. SBC
Charleston vs. CUSA
Potato vs. MWC
2 slots in San Diego/Miami/Boca/Bahamas
Backup for Army/UMass vs. ACC
Backup for B1G vs ACC

I'd think upgrading bowl games is more important than adding schools.