CSNbbs

I must say, it is very interesting to see how many more re-alignment related threads for the B12/AAC/CUSA are now pulling in the name NIU.

Is this realistic? Maybe, maybe not. But certainly the NIU perception among bloggers and football fans who spend time on these boards has changed.

Going to the AAC and CUSA is very realistic, I just don't know of NIU wants to since its a lateral move with hardly any upside. The Big 12 will probably never want NIU.

(12-10-2013 11:54 PM)timxlydon Wrote: [ -> ]Going to the AAC and CUSA is very realistic, I just don't know of NIU wants to since its a lateral move with hardly any upside. The Big 12 will probably never want NIU.

Agreed, I think MAC to B12 is improbable. But the point being people would even throw that out there as a potential expansion target.

Respect has been earned, slowly but surely. Here is to hoping we keep the foot on the pedal next year and finish the fight this year.

What would the Mac's Reaction be to the Huskies leaving? I almost feel like the Mac would try to prevent this from happening at all costs (even though it may be limited things in which they CAN do).

I also wonder if the Huskies would really WANT to leave the MAC to make a lateral move, especially since the MAC spends so much time Highlighting the Huskies. Plus, they would lose their mid-game weeks - not that everyone on this board would 'disapprove' of that, but we all have to admit that the midweek games this season are part of the reason why the Huskies/Jordan Lynch received so much attention.

Agreed, no need to jump to AAC or CUSA, only worth moving to the top 5 conferences. The MAC has terrible marketing as a whole and has conceded to living in the BIG10's shadow. They have a competitive and exciting conference but their marketing looks second class. They can not even get decent and professional looking camera work for games. How many times do the televised MAC games that are not on ESPN look like crap. Remember the IDAHO game? With the internet, they can have a designated channel with HD quality that work on a ROKU, XBOX, and PC to have all their games watchable for the fans. They might even benefit from helping sponsor a "MAC Bar" in Chicago and other major cities to mobilize their fan base to stick together. Right now, the MAC is the best fit for NIU geographically and culturally. The MAC just has to elevate their status as the premier NON-AQ Conference.

(12-11-2013 12:33 AM)HUSKiESbelieve Wrote: [ -> ]Remember the IDAHO game?

I remember that game. Are you trying to say that the Huskies should have their own channel like the Vandals?

Or are you saying that game was a pathetic excuse of a broadcast, and that's the Mac's fault? If so, that was out of the MAC's control. The Vandals are independent right now and don't really have a strong following, and there would be little incentive for ESPN or any other Network to want to televise this game. They only had one Espn game, and that was when they played Florida State - on ESPNU.

(12-11-2013 12:33 AM)HUSKiESbelieve Wrote: [ -> ]With the internet, they can have a designated channel with HD quality that work on a ROKU, XBOX, and PC to have all their games watchable for the fans.

They kind of already do, but yah... It could definitely use some work.

The stream was terrible and couldn't even watch the game, so yes it was a pathetic broadcast. MAC should have their own channel. So fans can watch all games and bars can show the games in High Def quality. The IHSA football championships had free and better streaming with better broadcasters than many of the MAC games not on espn.

I don't see a move right now. It will be interesting to see how this "playoff" system works out. If NIU were to be left on the outside looking in then maybe some serious efforts would be made to make a move. Of course the basketball program would need to improve. Also the theory of the 4 super conferences could come true in future years.

In a perfect world and keeping geography in mind, a move to B1G makes the most sense, but I doubt that would ever happen.

The MAC has been good for NIU no doubt, but I think we are headed for a major decision in the next few years with all of the changes going on.

(12-11-2013 12:56 AM)HUSKiESbelieve Wrote: [ -> ]The stream was terrible and couldn't even watch the game, so yes it was a pathetic broadcast.

This wasn't the Mac's fault, though.

(12-11-2013 12:57 AM)AZ Huskie Wrote: [ -> ]In a perfect world and keeping geography in mind, a move to B1G makes the most sense, but I doubt that would ever happen.

Yah, especially because there are already two Illinois schools; Northwestern, and Illinois. I guess that never stopped the MAC, though - 6 Ohio teams.

(12-11-2013 12:59 AM)Enaiu Wrote: [ -> ]

(12-11-2013 12:56 AM)HUSKiESbelieve Wrote: [ -> ]The stream was terrible and couldn't even watch the game, so yes it was a pathetic broadcast.

This wasn't the Mac's fault, though.

True, it wasn't their fault in the sense that it was Idaho streaming the game, but I feel like the MAC can do a better job in controlling how they project their games and if they knew that Idaho didn't have technology to stream the game at a certain quality they could have come in themselves or something.

BIG12 would gain the most from NIU, connect the conference geographically, allow them to offer the B12 Network to Dish and Cable users in the #3 market.

(12-11-2013 01:06 AM)Enaiu Wrote: [ -> ]

(12-11-2013 12:57 AM)AZ Huskie Wrote: [ -> ]In a perfect world and keeping geography in mind, a move to B1G makes the most sense, but I doubt that would ever happen.

Yah, especially because there are already two Illinois schools; Northwestern, and Illinois. I guess that never stopped the MAC, though - 6 Ohio teams.

Yup and the BIG 10 HQ is in Illinois while the MAC's HQ is in Ohio.

(12-11-2013 01:06 AM)Enaiu Wrote: [ -> ]

(12-11-2013 12:57 AM)AZ Huskie Wrote: [ -> ]In a perfect world and keeping geography in mind, a move to B1G makes the most sense, but I doubt that would ever happen.

Yah, especially because there are already two Illinois schools; Northwestern, and Illinois. I guess that never stopped the MAC, though - 6 Ohio teams.

Or 3 from Michigan as well. Again probably not a possibility, but I also think NIU would compete better in B1G. They proved that this year.

As posted by https://www.facebook.com/NIUToTheBig12
Fox/Big 12 could use some Chicago love




All they would have to do is start Marketing the Huskies on their channel...

AAC=old CUSA
CUSA=old Sunbelt

People saying AAC is a lateral move is one of the dumbest things Ive ever heard, that would be a GIGANTIC step in the right direction. I mean look at the difference in schools, for a quick comparison

MAC Schedule - Western Michigan, Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Buffalo, Kent State Miami OH, etc.

AAC - Louisville, Cincinnati, UCF, Houston, SMU, Connecticut, South Florida

On top of that the bottom of the MAC is so embarrassing its not even funny

The AAC is better than the MAC.

C-USA.....no.

AAC would lose out on regional away games and I'd argue is only a modest step up. Sure, the competition might be somewhat better - but attending an away game would be near impossible.

CUSA is terrible.

I'm dreaming of NIU in the B1G or Big 12. Regional conference with strong competition and a definite upward move.

CUSA would be a big step down from the MAC, but the AAC would be a big step up. Big 12 would be best, but NIU needs to improve a lot in facilities, bball, and nonrevenue sports to make that jump. The AAC would bring more money, more exposure, and would be a good move. If NIU doesn't move, they need to dominate the MAC.