CSNbbs

In the “End of the AAC?” thread I laid out a pods structure that I think should be implemented by football conferences, including the MAC.

With the new 12-team playoff (I had it first) coming, it behooves a conference to do all it can to try to secure one of the six spots allocated to the Top Six Conference Champions.

The best way to ensure this is to structure it so that the top two teams in the conference meet in the Conference Championship Game each and every season. The current Division structure (especially with the historical disparity between the current West and East divisions) is not the way to go.

(09-04-2021 01:37 PM)NorthCoast Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-03-2021 11:38 PM)NorthCoast Wrote: [ -> ]…I would prefer a 4-pod system (in football) where you would play the two teams in your pod every year and 2 of the other 3 pods every year for a total of 8 conference games every season and playing each pod twice over a three year span.

AAC Football Pods
Pod A - NIU, Toledo, UBuffalo
Pod B - USF, Temple, ECU
Pod C - Memphis, Tulsa, Tulane
Pod D - SMU, Rice, Navy (Navy wants to play SMU every year, is my understanding)

In a scenario where it’s UAB instead of Rice, this is how I would see the pods shaking out.

AAC Football Pods
Pod A - NIU, Toledo, UBuffalo
Pod B - USF, Temple, ECU
Pod C - Memphis, UAB, Tulane
Pod D - SMU, Tulsa, Navy

The pods, I think, are pretty easily sorted out. Obviously, the three Michigan teams would be their own pod. Pairs of Toledo/BGSU, MiamiU/OhioU, and Akron/Kent St would make up the remaining three pods leaving NIU, Ball St, and UBuffalo to be added to one of the pairs.

Due to considerations such as geographic proximity, Rivalry Trophy (MiamiU/Ball St), and non-rival status (NIU/Toledo), the best scenario would shake out with the following pod system:

MAC Football Pods
Pod A - NIU, Toledo, BGSU
Pod B - MiamiU, OhioU, Ball St
Pod C - EMU, W. Mich, C. Mich
Pod D - UBuffalo, Akron, Kent St

What are everyone’s thoughts on this? Would you be in favor of such a restructuring or would you prefer to keep the status quo?

Would rather be in a pod with western and balls. Driving 5 hours each way to play podmates would suck

(09-08-2021 06:20 PM)numbersdontlie Wrote: [ -> ]Would rather be in a pod with western and balls. Driving 5 hours each way to play podmates would suck

The issue there is if your Pod A was, as you prefer, NIU, Western, and Ball St, then what would the other three pods be?

No opinions on this? Anyone?

Of course, this change wouldn’t occur until the new 12-team College Football Playoff is implemented. So, 2023 at the earliest and potentially not until the 2026 season.

If you would like a Pod system but would prefer a Pod structure different from the one outlined above, please list your preferred Pods.

It would make a lot of sense to have the mid-majors realign themselves for a better opportunity. It depends on who is willing to expand to accept the teams. Financially, NIU needs minimal travel expenses currently until things settle down. I really have no idea what schools will even have programs in 2 years let alone still be in Div. 1