CSNbbs

Okay, I know there has been a lot of legitimate criticism leveled at MAC Commish Rich Chryst, but let's give some credit to him for this latest ESPN deal.

I am sure many of us remember the days when the MAC football programs were completely ignored. No bowl games, sparse TV coverage, and, hell, there wasn't even a Vegas line on MAC football games while the Ivy League games were listed on the Vegas books!

Now, we have two guaranteed bowl bids with an outside shot at a third. This weekend, starting Thursday, the MAC will be all over cable with coverage on Fox Sports Net and the ESPN networks.

This latest ESPN deal is great news and, with the impending demise of Conference USA, the MAC figures to get more coverage and respect. That is one reason I really want to see my Hurons make a go of it and maintain 1A status...I see the MAC moving in a very positive direction and EMU needs to be a part of it.

Actually, I don't think this is all of Chryst's doing... actually, it is my contention that several of the football programs have improved to the point that ESPN could not ignore them any longer... Now, that you have several programs that have been consistantly successful... there is a growing market among the midwestern beltway... Especially, now that they have opened the entire week to college football... Also, you have desparate colleges like Marshall who are willing to play on Tuesday's just to get on TV.. of course ESPN is going to sign this deal....

KingBob Wrote:Actually, I don't think this is all of Chryst's doing... actually, it is my contention that several of the football programs have improved to the point that ESPN could not ignore them any longer...

Well, it goes hand-in-hand. I agree that improved play has helped the MAC but the impact of a pro-active commissioner with some foreward thinking can't be disregarded. Just look at the fine mess our previous commish, Karl Benson, left us with and the equally superb job he has since done with the WAC!

KingBob Wrote:Also, you have desparate colleges like Marshall who are willing to play on Tuesday's just to get on TV.. of course ESPN is going to sign this deal....

Also, you have school's that turn down Friday night games and then wonder why they can never get on TV while other school's are being previewed.

I don't think that turning down a chance to be on TV on a Friday was the issue... it is obvious now that it wasn't, ie friday night at 9pm est, ESPN Toledo @UNLV However, I just don't think Toledo wanted to be the first... After all, we were the first team in Div 1A history to ever win in Overtime!!!

Papa is a hero!

Herd Fan 4-Life Wrote:

KingBob Wrote:Also, you have desparate colleges like Marshall who are willing to play on Tuesday's just to get on TV.. of course ESPN is going to sign this deal....

Also, you have school's that turn down Friday night games and then wonder why they can never get on TV while other school's are being previewed.

If ESPN and Chryst are keeping Toledo out of games because of that Friday Night game with Minnesota that we refused to move, than that shows how juvenile and immature ESPN and Chryst are. I don't believe that is the reason......Although Chryst sure is pretty juvenile at times.

Toledo's decision not to move the Minnesota game was a stupid mistake that I'll never understand. Even if ESPN were punishing us for that mistake, hopefully the two games we're doing on Fridays this year makes up for it.

HuronDave Wrote:Okay, I know there has been a lot of legitimate criticism leveled at MAC Commish Rich Chryst, but let's give some credit to him for this latest ESPN deal.

Chryst has made many mistakes, but he's done alot of good. Some of the mistakes he inherited from Ippoliti, and he had to live them out.

Chryst promised to give the MAC a higher profile...he's done that. Most MAC teams have improved, which makes everyone look good.

That being said, last year was supposed to be a down year...and it was. (although the MAC had a fast start which raised expectations.)

This year, the MAC is supposed to be competitive, although the west has alot of parity, and holes to fill.

So, the MAC needs to live up to all expectations, because it will be on TV this time.

Do well, and that bodes well for the future: recruiting, bowl bids, etc.

Fail, and this could be a last hurrah.

The objectives:
Lose to no Div IAA teams.
Win all games against CUSA, SBC, WAC and independents.
Win 3-5 games against MWC and BCS teams.
Have 4+ teams w/ 8 wins or more.
Have every team win at least 1 OOC game.
Have no teams w/ fewer than 3 wins.

Some of this is probably redundant due to the schedules. But, do this and the MAC will have momentum.

Well put, Doctor.

Road Warrior Wrote:Well put, Doctor.

I'll second that! Good post Torch...

GO BG!!! GO MAC!!!!!

It would help also to have a dominant team emerge during the season to get some national spolight. I don't think it would be good to have the best 4-5 teams beating each other up to the point where we have no shot at a national ranking because everyone has too many losses.
I believe there is a top 25 team in this league. The problem is, we don't know who that is yet.
Could be NIU--but beating MD is a must. Same can be said of the other contenders and their big OOC games.

Don't make us have to go into Happy Valley to get this league some respect!