I could be sold that the AAC is an appropriate next step for NIU Football. But an all-conference move for Athletics at this time could be disastrous to the competitiveness and cost effeciencies of all other sports.

Because we are not as strong as we the fans think we are, neither on the field, on the bottom line, nor in our fan base.



It's an Athletics program, not a Football program and all snarky comments aside re: Football Is All That Matters, what is best for the University and the Athletics program as a whole is what will drive the discussion internally. I do not believe that the university thinks that trips to places like Storrs, Houston and Orlando are currently in the best interest of NIU and NIU Athletics.

The prudent thing to do is probably to give the new, post-BCS system a year or two and see how it shakes out before doing anything drastic. Maybe we'll learn that the MAC is a great place to be in that new world, or maybe it will become clear that a change of conferences is required in order to survive or that the MAC needs to partner with the AAC or MWC or who knows. It will all be clearer a year or two from now.

(12-11-2013 11:49 AM)NIU1981 Wrote:  The prudent thing to do is probably to give the new, post-BCS system a year or two and see how it shakes out before doing anything drastic. Maybe we'll learn that the MAC is a great place to be in that new world, or maybe it will become clear that a change of conferences is required in order to survive or that the MAC needs to partner with the AAC or MWC or who knows. It will all be clearer a year or two from now.

We can't have reason polluting things here. This is a college football message board. Hysteria for everybody!

In the last 4 years NIU has-

- won 11+ games each season
- won 4 division titles
- won 2 conference championships
- been ranked in the top 15 twice
- played in a BCS bowl
- have a Heisman finalist QB

what more are you going to accomplish by making a lateral move to another G5 conference?

(12-11-2013 12:54 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  In the last 4 years NIU has-

- won 11+ games each season
- won 4 division titles
- won 2 conference championships
- been ranked in the top 15 twice
- played in a BCS bowl
- have a Heisman finalist QB

what more are you going to accomplish by making a lateral move to another G5 conference?

Make more money, and make more steps towards the final goal of joining the Big 12.

(12-11-2013 08:29 AM)TheHallTrane Wrote:  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

Their best school, Lousiville, is leaving. And Cincy will too.

(12-11-2013 12:54 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  In the last 4 years NIU has-

- won 11+ games each season
- won 4 division titles
- won 2 conference championships
- been ranked in the top 15 twice
- played in a BCS bowl
- have a Heisman finalist QB

what more are you going to accomplish by making a lateral move to another G5 conference?

Just finish off the stadium and get a few extra butts (and better OC teams) into HS. Other than that we are so totally dateable as is!

Picture a Big12 network as is, now picture it carried on Dish and cable in #3 Chicago, duh.

(12-11-2013 12:54 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  In the last 4 years NIU has-

- won 11+ games each season
- won 4 division titles
- won 2 conference championships
- been ranked in the top 15 twice
- played in a BCS bowl
- have a Heisman finalist QB

what more are you going to accomplish by making a lateral move to another G5 conference?

I agree - great things. However for me the main consideration is quality of football and great games. NIU just has too many games that are complete crap every year. How many boring games does the average fan want to see. The goal should be to play other quality teams and have a schedule that will sell out HS 80% of the time.

(12-11-2013 01:31 PM)RedShark27 Wrote:  

(12-11-2013 12:54 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  In the last 4 years NIU has-

- won 11+ games each season
- won 4 division titles
- won 2 conference championships
- been ranked in the top 15 twice
- played in a BCS bowl
- have a Heisman finalist QB

what more are you going to accomplish by making a lateral move to another G5 conference?

I agree - great things. However for me the main consideration is quality of football and great games. NIU just has too many games that are complete crap every year. How many boring games does the average fan want to see. The goal should be to play other quality teams and have a schedule that will sell out HS 80% of the time.

Well, it isn't like we schedule good home games OOC either, so it isn't just the MAC. We wouldn't get a lot more fans to see east coast teams I'm sure, especially after the better AAC teams leave.

Regardless of what some say about the impact on attendance, there is a big bump up in perception with the AAC teams versus the MAC. I do think you would see an increase in attendance and fan support if you traded a midweek slate of directional Michigans and Ohio schools for a more conventional Saturday, late week schedule with teams that carry a lot more name cache. Instead of relying on OOC to be the best home draw you actually have solid programs coming in to your stadium in-conference which sells itself. Houston and ECU are also great programs. Just compare the history of these programs to EMU or Kent out of the MAC. The differences are huge.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Cougars_football
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Caroli...s_football

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Mic...s_football

If the American comes calling, I will help pack up the equipment trucks.

I still wonder what's more important. People at the game, or people watching the game on TV. With the Chicago area, the Big 12 would pick up a Huge audience (FOX) .

(12-11-2013 01:57 PM)DiehardHuskie Wrote:  If the American comes calling, I will help pack up the equipment trucks.

Agree, I will help load the truck if AAC ever makes an offer. I'll also help remove all MAC paraphernalia.

(12-11-2013 01:54 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote:  Regardless of what some say about the impact on attendance, there is a big bump up in perception with the AAC teams versus the MAC. I do think you would see an increase in attendance and fan support if you traded a midweek slate of directional Michigans and Ohio schools for a more conventional Saturday, late week schedule with teams that carry a lot more name cache. Instead of relying on OOC to be the best home draw you actually have solid programs coming in to your stadium in-conference which sells itself. Houston and ECU are also great programs. Just compare the history of these programs to EMU or Kent out of the MAC. The differences are huge.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Cougars_football
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Caroli...s_football

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Mic...s_football

Temple is the worst team in the AAC and I would rather play them than EMU/kent/Umass/Akron


Sent from my iPhone.

(12-11-2013 01:57 PM)DiehardHuskie Wrote:  If the American comes calling, I will help pack up the equipment trucks.

Trucks? I think we'll need planes.

Here is another thought on this topic... What if say 2 - 4 teams bolt the MAC and we are not one of them? I remember reading a while back the MAC was discussing a GOR, right around when word came out about a potential new deal with ESPN. What ever happened with that? One thought is the league couldn't get everyone in the MAC to agree to a GOR which tells me some teams are having doubts or are leaving options open for further movement across FBS.

(12-11-2013 02:17 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote:  Here is another thought on this topic... What if say 2 - 4 teams bolt the MAC and we are not one of them? I remember reading a while back the MAC was discussing a GOR, right around when word came out about a potential new deal with ESPN. What ever happened with that? One thought is the league couldn't get everyone in the MAC to agree to a GOR which tells me some teams are having doubts or are leaving options open for further movement across FBS.

Well that is always possible...when the music stops you don't want to be without a seat...


Sent from my iPhone.

speaking of Temple, they got their wish of not playing "EMU, AKron and UMaass" to play "respectable" teams that drive attendance and "respect".

Temple's home attendance this year in AAC-

27,328- Houston
25,533- Army
21,709- #7 Louisville
20,174- #17 UCF
20,047- Fordham
20,045- UConn

now compare that to their last year in the MAC-

57,323- Penn State
32,368- Villanova
25,820- Buffalo
25,516- Army
21,705- Toledo
17,050- Miami*
16,368- Kent State*

*MACtion

there aren't tens of thousands of fans out there just waiting for NIU to replace Toledo with USF. Winning, and consistent winning is what matters.

to each his own but personally I would be against Ohio moving to the AAC.

(12-11-2013 02:26 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  speaking of Temple, they got their wish of not playing "EMU, AKron and UMaass" to play "respectable" teams that drive attendance and "respect".

Temple's home attendance this year in AAC-

27,328- Houston
25,533- Army
21,709- #7 Louisville
20,174- #17 UCF
20,047- Fordham
20,045- UConn

now compare that to their last year in the MAC-

57,323- Penn State
32,368- Villanova
25,820- Buffalo
25,516- Army
21,705- Toledo
17,050- Miami*
16,368- Kent State*

*MACtion

there aren't tens of thousands of fans out there just waiting for NIU to replace Toledo with USF. Winning, and consistent winning is what matters.

to each his own but personally I would be against Ohio moving to the AAC.

The MAC#'s are skewed with Penn State who everyone in PA grew up a fan of and Villanova which is in the same city...


Sent from my iPhone.

(12-11-2013 02:05 PM)Enaiu Wrote:  I still wonder what's more important. People at the game, or people watching the game on TV. With the Chicago area, the Big 12 would pick up a Huge audience (FOX) .

TV. Attendance is still very important but realignment has always been about tv revenue and always will be