I have the utmost respect for the presidents of the MAC especially those at Miami of Ohio and Toledo.
Alot of CUSA and WAC schools should try to look at the MAC as an example of what it means to be loyal.
There is no doubt in my mind that if the Mountain West called Boise, Fresno, and Hawaii tomorrow, all three of those would leave.
I admire the MAC's resolve and it's desire to stay together.
So what does that have to do with MTSU? Nothing really. It just sucks to know that we very well could be an Independent in 2005 if the WAC is successful in stealing away North Texas, UL-Lafayette, and Arkansas State along with Idaho.
There is also talk that the WAC may also take Troy State and not Idaho. Then we'd really be screwed.
I hope the Sun Belt follows in the steps of your conference. What it means to stay togther, to be loyal--all for one and one for all.
What an inspiring post :)
I know for a fact that I lay awake at night thinking how I can shape my life around the principles of the MAC.
(BTW- How in the hell would Troy State fit into the WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE? Think about what you're saying)
BlueRaiderPride Wrote:There is no doubt in my mind that if the Mountain West called Boise, Fresno, and Hawaii tomorrow, all three of those would leave.
I admire the MAC's resolve and it's desire to stay together.
Don't get us wrong; if the Big Ten came calling, any of us would leave in a second. Same goes, I suspect, for the Big East.
Conference USA just doesn't have the same cachet for us -- and I'm not sure that league was interested in us, anyway.
Quoting Knight Time here:
Quote:(BTW- How in the hell would Troy State fit into the WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE? Think about what you're saying)
No stranger than fitting Central Florida into the Mid-American -- or Northern Illinois* and Arkansas State into the Big West.
---
* I think every Huskie fan here will admit NIU's Big West period was waaaay dumb.
Schadenfreude Wrote:BlueRaiderPride Wrote:There is no doubt in my mind that if the Mountain West called Boise, Fresno, and Hawaii tomorrow, all three of those would leave.
I admire the MAC's resolve and it's desire to stay together.
Don't get us wrong; if the Big Ten came calling, any of us would leave in a second. Same goes, I suspect, for the Big East.
Conference USA just doesn't have the same cachet for us -- and I'm not sure that league was interested in us, anyway.
Quoting Knight Time here:
Quote:(BTW- How in the hell would Troy State fit into the WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE? Think about what you're saying)
No stranger than fitting Central Florida into the Mid-American -- or Northern Illinois* and Arkansas State into the Big West.
---
* I think every Huskie fan here will admit NIU's Big West period was waaaay dumb.
UCF fit alot more into the MAC than TSU would fit into the WAC.
Think about it, there would be a team in Alabama and a team in Hawaii- in the same conference.
To Blue Raider Pride:
If your conference starts to go south or whatever, tell your AD not to forget us.
I'm not a big fan of raiding other conferences (EVERY team we added was an independent or moving up to I-A - Akron, Marshall, NIU, UB and UCF), but if MTSU feels the need to make a move, just have your AD get with the WKU AD and say, "think the MAC would like us as #13 and 14?").
I'll write my AD and say, "Go for it."
emu steve Wrote:I'm not a big fan of raiding other conferences (EVERY team we added was an independent or moving up to I-A - Akron, Marshall, NIU, UB and UCF), but if MTSU feels the need to make a move, just have your AD get with the WKU AD and say, "think the MAC would like us as #13 and 14?").
I'll write my AD and say, "Go for it."
I agree, and I think quite a few people here share our opinion on this.
Schadenfreude Wrote:* I think every Huskie fan here will admit NIU's Big West period was waaaay dumb.
Yeah, but it was really only predicated by the even dumber decision to go Indy.
The Knight Time Wrote:Schadenfreude Wrote:BlueRaiderPride Wrote:There is no doubt in my mind that if the Mountain West called Boise, Fresno, and Hawaii tomorrow, all three of those would leave.
I admire the MAC's resolve and it's desire to stay together.
Don't get us wrong; if the Big Ten came calling, any of us would leave in a second. Same goes, I suspect, for the Big East.
Conference USA just doesn't have the same cachet for us -- and I'm not sure that league was interested in us, anyway.
Quoting Knight Time here:
Quote:(BTW- How in the hell would Troy State fit into the WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE? Think about what you're saying)
No stranger than fitting Central Florida into the Mid-American -- or Northern Illinois* and Arkansas State into the Big West.
---
* I think every Huskie fan here will admit NIU's Big West period was waaaay dumb.
UCF fit alot more into the MAC than TSU would fit into the WAC.
Think about it, there would be a team in Alabama and a team in Hawaii- in the same conference.
Actually, it's be a travel partner for La. Tech, who is already in the WAC.
Schadenfreude Wrote:BlueRaiderPride Wrote:There is no doubt in my mind that if the Mountain West called Boise, Fresno, and Hawaii tomorrow, all three of those would leave.
I admire the MAC's resolve and it's desire to stay together.
Don't get us wrong; if the Big Ten came calling, any of us would leave in a second. Same goes, I suspect, for the Big East.
Conference USA just doesn't have the same cachet for us -- and I'm not sure that league was interested in us, anyway.
Quoting Knight Time here:
Quote:(BTW- How in the hell would Troy State fit into the WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE? Think about what you're saying)
No stranger than fitting Central Florida into the Mid-American -- or Northern Illinois* and Arkansas State into the Big West.
---
* I think every Huskie fan here will admit NIU's Big West period was waaaay dumb.
Absolutely, Schadenfreude! But the Big 10 is a member of the BC$ and there is no contest there.
CUSA could've possibly only offered slightly more money in television revenue and more shots at a bowl game, and those schools still said no.
In my opinion, for any Sun Belt school (other than Idaho) to go WAC even to form an Eastern Division is making a lateral move from the Sun Belt if not a step down.
The only thing the WAC really has now that the Sun Belt doesn't is 38 additional years of experience and look how far the mighty WAC has come!
Still, I can at least hope that our conference follows in the example set out by the MAC. There is more loyalty in your conference than in any other conference non-BC$ conference.
I have nothing but "gut instinct" to go on, but if the WAC does raid and weaken the Sun Belt (due to C-USA poaching them), then I wouldn't be surprised at all for MTSU and the MAC to begin dialogues that also might involve WKU if they are supportive of a move to IA football.
The MAC will likely wait to see how stringently the NCAA enforces the proposed IA attendance rules first, but if they are not relaxed the league will have to face the historical facts that 2 or 3 MAC programs could be in trouble, and may look to Temple (football only), and the 2 "slightly" southern schools mentioned above since the geographies would still make some sense.
Blue Raider -- I also hope the SBC football schools stay together. We are a young football conference and a good regional fit for most of our schools. Of all the non-BCS conferences, after the SBC I prefer the MAC. Of course, I live in Madison and my boss went to CMU so I am a bit prejudiced, eh?
I am in agreement with the above and would welcome MTSU and WKU into the MAC. I think they both have some potential and at the very worst would replace the two schools that have decided to leave.
Bronco stampede Wrote:I am in agreement with the above and would welcome MTSU and WKU into the MAC. I think they both have some potential and at the very worst would replace the two schools that have decided to leave.
And I hope our university has been talking to Commissioner Chryst about possibly replacing one of those schools.
Looking at how things are going, I'm certainly glad Middle Tennessee is located on the southern edge of the MAC "footprint" because there is a growing possibility that the WAC will somehow land North Texas, Louisiana-Lafayette, Arkansas State, and now Troy State to appease Louisiana Tech to stay.
It would really hurt Idaho and Louisiana-Monroe's 1-A future. And you can bet that Florida Atlantic and Florida International wouldn't budge then.
After what Utah State and New Mexico State did, I can't be surpised that the WAC would be successful in selling membership to our core west of the Mississippi River as well as Troy State.
I think you will also find that there are more Middle Tennessee fans than just me in favor of lobbying for MAC membership if the WAC is successful is the dismantling the Sun Belt.
The MAC has proven it has stability where as the WAC does not. The MAC has proven it has loyalty where as the WAC does not.
If our school wants to solidify it's future, then it's at least time for our president and AD to think about looking toward the North.
The WAC will make every effort. Their is a possibility the NCAA Will lax the 5 teams being together 6 years to keep autobid. If they don't, the WAC HAS to keep La Tech, or they lose the auto-bid. I hope they lax the rule, and then La Tech can come over. If not, WAC will do whatever they can to keep La Tech, even if it means inviting half the Sun Belt. The WAC will Likely go to a 12 or 14 team divisional conference if that happened, so having Troy wouldn't be that awful. You'd have Troy St, La Tech, Ark St, ULL, La Tech and North Texas in one division. Very possible.
WKU will go 1-A as soon as we have a SECURE conference that is PROFITABLE for us to make the jump. WKU and MAC have had discussions, where things stand I don't know. WKU just needs to flip the switch.
WKU and MTSU going to the MAC would be a dream come true for BOTH schools.
Diddle Bum Wrote:WKU will go 1-A as soon as we have a SECURE conference that is PROFITABLE for us to make the jump. WKU and MAC have had discussions, where things stand I don't know. WKU just needs to flip the switch.
WKU and MTSU going to the MAC would be a dream come true for BOTH schools.
My personal opinion says Diddle Bum should be thrown out on his rear. How many more directionals does the MAC need? WKU is a 6 hour drive from the nearest MAC school and MTSU even further. Not worth it.
Crack is back.
It's WAY too early in the morning for that sort of irony. :eek:
Kit-Cat Wrote:My personal opinion says Diddle Bum should be thrown out on his rear. How many more directionals does the MAC need? WKU is a 6 hour drive from the nearest MAC school and MTSU even further. Not worth it.
Crack is back.
Guess we should cancel those discussions with Southern Cal then. If they would just change their name.... Damn directionals.
:rolleyes:
KK, you been listening too closely to the Herd posters who beat this drum for a while before they realized they were moving to a conference with likely more 'directionals' than the one they are leaving.
And it was a dumb point in the first place.
Kit-Cat Wrote:My personal opinion says Diddle Bum should be thrown out on his rear. How many more directionals does the MAC need? WKU is a 6 hour drive from the nearest MAC school and MTSU even further. Not worth it.
Crack is back.
Considering your conference NAME is hyphenated you probably shouldn't say too much. I am sure these schools love your opinion as well:
Northern IL
Eastern Michigan
Central Michigan
Western Michigan
Good thing Central Florida took the hint and jetted.
And while we're at it, what's worse than a directional school? How about city colleges... man they don't even cover a region, but just a city. Let's toss those out too.
Toledo
Kent
Bowling Green
Buffalo
Akron
Shew, glad we got rid of all those silly schools.
What a great conference the MAC (we really need to change that too, that pesky hyphen is killing the conference) is now.
:rofl:
Kit-Cat Wrote:Diddle Bum Wrote:WKU will go 1-A as soon as we have a SECURE conference that is PROFITABLE for us to make the jump. WKU and MAC have had discussions, where things stand I don't know. WKU just needs to flip the switch.
WKU and MTSU going to the MAC would be a dream come true for BOTH schools.
My personal opinion says Diddle Bum should be thrown out on his rear. How many more directionals does the MAC need? WKU is a 6 hour drive from the nearest MAC school and MTSU even further. Not worth it.
Crack is back.
I'm with Diddle here.
How about this for a plan:
1. Bring in Middle Tennessee State in all sports, Western Kentucky in all sports but football, and Temple for football only. That makes for an even 14, giving us some margin for error if a couple teams don't stay I-A.
2. Put Western Kentucky on a plan to move to I-A. When WKU is ready to play football in the MAC, maybe they can step in to replace another current member who leaves for I-AA.
3. Keep an eye out east for other expansion opportunities, such as Army, Navy, Massachusetts or (under the right circumstances) Youngstown State, with an eye toward trying to keep twelve football members.
Academic snobs have a legit gripe about Western Kentucky, which offers zero doctorate programs. But I'm thinking Kit Kat is jealous because Western Kentucky brings more hoops tradition to the table than Ohio U.
Quote:Academic snobs have a legit gripe about Western Kentucky, which offers zero doctorate programs.
Unfortunately, we are being held back by the politics of higher education in Kentucky. I am sure most schools in the MAC can understand that to a degree. Kentucky feels only Louisville and Univ of Kentucky should offer PhD's. We struggle to get much of anything. We've been lucky to develop an engineering program recently. We also do have year in and year out a Top 3 journalism program in the nation.