It became very clear to me after reading the linked Nashville Ledger article about MTSU's campaign to raise $100 million for athletic facilities upgrades, the school had no intention of ever joining the MAC and is focused solely on a potential AAC invite.

The writer incorrectly included WKU as "nixing" a move to the MAC, which isn't true. The Hilltoppers were ready and willing to join the MAC and still might someday, with say, Missouri State or UMass.

MTSU seems confident that Memphis will receive an invite to the Big XII, thus creating a potential vacancy for them to fill in the AAC. Air Force just might have something to say about that though.

http://www.tnledger.com/editorial/Articl...?id=149565

(01-21-2022 10:16 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  It became very clear to me after reading the linked article in the Nashville Ledger about MTSU's campaign to raise $100 million for athletic facilities upgrades, the school had no intention of ever joining the MAC and is focused solely on a potential invite from the AAC.

The writer incorrectly included WKU as "nixing" a move to the MAC, which isn't true. The Hilltoppers were ready and willing to join the MAC and still might someday, with say, Missouri State or UMass.

MTSU seems confident that Memphis will receive an invite to the Big XII, thus creating a potential vacancy for them to fill in the AAC. Air Force just might have something to say about that though.

http://www.tnledger.com/editorial/Articl...?id=149565

I just read the article. Major thanks for your posting it.

A few things:

* I am an MTSU graduate (who worked part-time for two football seasons with the athlectics department; I talk to MTSU folks.

2. The Ledger is well respected by Nashville-area print journalists (I am a member of that modest, in number, media community).

3. I have known Tom Wood (who wrote this article) since 1981; he's legit. Talented. Connected. Knowledgeable.

I read nothing in the article that suggests MTSU's "grand plan" is the AAC. Middle officials understand the college conference landscape. If Memphis gets the invite to the Big 12, that in no way suggest MTSU will be the replacement.

Hopefully the MWC will take us

(01-21-2022 10:27 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(01-21-2022 10:16 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  It became very clear to me after reading the linked article in the Nashville Ledger about MTSU's campaign to raise $100 million for athletic facilities upgrades, the school had no intention of ever joining the MAC and is focused solely on a potential invite from the AAC.

The writer incorrectly included WKU as "nixing" a move to the MAC, which isn't true. The Hilltoppers were ready and willing to join the MAC and still might someday, with say, Missouri State or UMass.

MTSU seems confident that Memphis will receive an invite to the Big XII, thus creating a potential vacancy for them to fill in the AAC. Air Force just might have something to say about that though.

http://www.tnledger.com/editorial/Articl...?id=149565

I just read the article. Major thanks for your posting it.

A few things:

* I am an MTSU graduate (who worked part-time for two football seasons with the athlectics department; I talk to MTSU folks.

2. The Ledger is well respected by Nashville-area print journalists (I am a member of that modest, in number, media community).

3. I have known Tom Wood (who wrote this article) since 1981; he's legit. Talented. Connected. Knowledgeable.

I read nothing in the article that suggests MTSU's "grand plan" is the AAC. Middle officials understand the college conference landscape. If Memphis gets the invite to the Big 12, that in no way suggest MTSU will be the replacement.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lTSVfYM2Pdk

(01-21-2022 10:16 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  It became very clear to me after reading the linked Nashville Ledger article about MTSU's campaign to raise $100 million for athletic facilities upgrades, the school had no intention of ever joining the MAC and is focused solely on a potential AAC invite.

The writer incorrectly included WKU as "nixing" a move to the MAC, which isn't true. The Hilltoppers were ready and willing to join the MAC and still might someday, with say, Missouri State or UMass.

MTSU seems confident that Memphis will receive an invite to the Big XII, thus creating a potential vacancy for them to fill in the AAC. Air Force just might have something to say about that though.

http://www.tnledger.com/editorial/Articl...?id=149565

They are too cheap to pay the exit fee to go to the MAC due to budget woes. What makes anyone think they can ever meet the AAC investment requirements?

Well they have to say something to explain to their fans why they are still in C-USA. This is their version of "we are better than the Sun Belt" that worked so well for Louisiana Tech.

(01-21-2022 10:29 PM)Pony94 Wrote:  Hopefully the MWC will take us

You are more than welcome to join, friend.

(01-21-2022 10:27 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(01-21-2022 10:16 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  It became very clear to me after reading the linked article in the Nashville Ledger about MTSU's campaign to raise $100 million for athletic facilities upgrades, the school had no intention of ever joining the MAC and is focused solely on a potential invite from the AAC.

The writer incorrectly included WKU as "nixing" a move to the MAC, which isn't true. The Hilltoppers were ready and willing to join the MAC and still might someday, with say, Missouri State or UMass.

MTSU seems confident that Memphis will receive an invite to the Big XII, thus creating a potential vacancy for them to fill in the AAC. Air Force just might have something to say about that though.

http://www.tnledger.com/editorial/Articl...?id=149565

I just read the article. Major thanks for your posting it.

A few things:

* I am an MTSU graduate (who worked part-time for two football seasons with the athlectics department; I talk to MTSU folks.

2. The Ledger is well respected by Nashville-area print journalists (I am a member of that modest, in number, media community).

3. I have known Tom Wood (who wrote this article) since 1981; he's legit. Talented. Connected. Knowledgeable.

I read nothing in the article that suggests MTSU's "grand plan" is the AAC. Middle officials understand the college conference landscape. If Memphis gets the invite to the Big 12, that in no way suggest MTSU will be the replacement.

They are definitely looking beyond Conference USA. Could be the AAC. Could be the MAC. Could be holding out on exit fees and willing to move afterwards. The MAC's TV deal is up for renewal in 2026 while the AAC's is somewhere in the 2030's. It sounds like either of those could be on the table still.

It’s a risky gamble, but I think the OP is right. MTSU is trying to dress up and hope the AAC asks them out if Memphis goes and finds a better league.

Based on the metrics the AAC seems to go for, I think GA St and ODU would also be out there vying for a seat. Ultimately I think MTSU thinks they are out of C-USA one way or another—either with an AAC golden ticket or as SBC backfill.

(01-21-2022 11:24 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  

(01-21-2022 10:16 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  It became very clear to me after reading the linked Nashville Ledger article about MTSU's campaign to raise $100 million for athletic facilities upgrades, the school had no intention of ever joining the MAC and is focused solely on a potential AAC invite.

The writer incorrectly included WKU as "nixing" a move to the MAC, which isn't true. The Hilltoppers were ready and willing to join the MAC and still might someday, with say, Missouri State or UMass.

MTSU seems confident that Memphis will receive an invite to the Big XII, thus creating a potential vacancy for them to fill in the AAC. Air Force just might have something to say about that though.

http://www.tnledger.com/editorial/Articl...?id=149565

They are too cheap to pay the exit fee to go to the MAC due to budget woes. What makes anyone think they can ever meet the AAC investment requirements?

Well they have to say something to explain to their fans why they are still in C-USA. This is their version of "we are better than the Sun Belt" that worked so well for Louisiana Tech.

They won 8 Vic Bubas Cups in their 12 years in the league. Western Kentucky won the other four in that time span. If both of those schools were still in the league, South Alabama would still be waiting to win another league all-sports trophy.

(01-21-2022 11:54 PM)UNLVFan90 Wrote:  

(01-21-2022 10:29 PM)Pony94 Wrote:  Hopefully the MWC will take us

You are more than welcome to join, friend.

Yeah, I would think all SMU has to do is call the MWC office.

(01-22-2022 12:09 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  It’s a risky gamble, but I think the OP is right. MTSU is trying to dress up and hope the AAC asks them out if Memphis goes and finds a better league.

Based on the metrics the AAC seems to go for, I think GA St and ODU would also be out there vying for a seat. Ultimately I think MTSU thinks they are out of C-USA one way or another—either with an AAC golden ticket or as SBC backfill.

The reporting this past round of realignment was that Georgia State wouldn't leave the SBC for the AAC if they were asked. As for ODU, they had been working with Marshall, JMU, and App State for years to all be in the same regional conference. Now that they're together, I highly doubt any of them leave to replace whoever the AAC loses next.

https://twitter.com/mattbrownep/status/1...55200?s=21

I don’t think Memphis gets the bid any time soon… unless there is some more poaching. 12 is a solid number. There just aren’t a pair of schools to justify going to 14. Memphis USF? Colorado St? Boise?

I mean, unless they really love Boise St, then by all means take them and setup some East/West monstrosity. But by the looks of it, Memphis will be made to wait for years as was the case with UCF and UC.

(01-22-2022 08:57 AM)RUScarlets Wrote:  I don’t think Memphis gets the bid any time soon… unless there is some more poaching. 12 is a solid number. There just aren’t a pair of schools to justify going to 14. Memphis USF? Colorado St? Boise?

I mean, unless they really love Boise St, then by all means take them and setup some East/West monstrosity. But by the looks of it, Memphis will be made to wait for years as was the case with UCF and UC.

And that’s where I’m at as well. I don’t see any 2 schools out there in the G5 that would elevate the status of the Big 12.

MTSU obviously doesn’t share my pessimism and thinks change is around the corner.

(01-22-2022 09:03 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  

(01-22-2022 08:57 AM)RUScarlets Wrote:  I don’t think Memphis gets the bid any time soon… unless there is some more poaching. 12 is a solid number. There just aren’t a pair of schools to justify going to 14. Memphis USF? Colorado St? Boise?

I mean, unless they really love Boise St, then by all means take them and setup some East/West monstrosity. But by the looks of it, Memphis will be made to wait for years as was the case with UCF and UC.

And that’s where I’m at as well. I don’t see any 2 schools out there in the G5 that would elevate the status of the Big 12.

MTSU obviously doesn’t share my pessimism and thinks change is around the corner.

I don't know if they go to 16 immediately if they think they can poach the PAC eventually, but I think 14 would be a smart decision. Adding more schools with large fanbases or fanbase potential is a self-fulfilling prophecy for TV revenue. You are competing with conferences of 16, 15, and 14. Something about the large size is obviously working for them and something about the small size is getting them and the PAC shredded. If there is a standalone conference game, would you rather have the interest of 16 schools worth of eyeballs or would you rather have 12 schools worth. Pretty obvious answer. That is why I think Memphis and USF/Boise will follow pretty soon.

Dozens of schools’ goal is the AAC. That part doesn’t matter. The part that matters is how interested the AAC is in them.

To be clear, Middle Tennessee would strongly desire AAC membership if Memphis is invited to the Big 12. But, and again, I simply don't see MTSU officials strategically and assertively planning for that scenario for two reasons: 1. I get the impression they likely know that Middle would not be a viewed by AAC officials as a strong replacement candidate; and 2. MTSU athletics officials historically have not been particularly visionary.

(01-22-2022 10:56 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Dozens of schools’ goal is the AAC. That part doesn’t matter. The part that matters is how interested the AAC is in them.

Correct.

(01-22-2022 07:53 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  

(01-21-2022 11:54 PM)UNLVFan90 Wrote:  

(01-21-2022 10:29 PM)Pony94 Wrote:  Hopefully the MWC will take us

You are more than welcome to join, friend.

Yeah, I would think all SMU has to do is call the MWC office.

MWC needs another baseball program. Probably need another school with good baseball to tag along.

(01-22-2022 10:56 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Dozens of schools’ goal is the AAC. That part doesn’t matter. The part that matters is how interested the AAC is in them.

I think the key to the AAC's heart is ESPN's money. If MT can win over ESPN, then they have a better chance at gaining interest from the AAC. That's my take on how this whole thing seems to work.

But with "pay-for-play" seemingly on the horizon the AAC might be looking a little closer at any candidate's financial strength. If a split or cut is coming, I doubt the AAC wants to end up separated from the power conferences. And, any program that can't afford to fund "pay-for-play" probably won't get much of a look, no matter how much they polish up their facilities.

(01-22-2022 10:43 AM)Titans3775 Wrote:  

(01-22-2022 09:03 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  

(01-22-2022 08:57 AM)RUScarlets Wrote:  I don’t think Memphis gets the bid any time soon… unless there is some more poaching. 12 is a solid number. There just aren’t a pair of schools to justify going to 14. Memphis USF? Colorado St? Boise?

I mean, unless they really love Boise St, then by all means take them and setup some East/West monstrosity. But by the looks of it, Memphis will be made to wait for years as was the case with UCF and UC.

And that’s where I’m at as well. I don’t see any 2 schools out there in the G5 that would elevate the status of the Big 12.

MTSU obviously doesn’t share my pessimism and thinks change is around the corner.

I don't know if they go to 16 immediately if they think they can poach the PAC eventually, but I think 14 would be a smart decision. Adding more schools with large fanbases or fanbase potential is a self-fulfilling prophecy for TV revenue. You are competing with conferences of 16, 15, and 14. Something about the large size is obviously working for them and something about the small size is getting them and the PAC shredded. If there is a standalone conference game, would you rather have the interest of 16 schools worth of eyeballs or would you rather have 12 schools worth. Pretty obvious answer. That is why I think Memphis and USF/Boise will follow pretty soon.

Adding more schools is about making money. Memphis or Boise or USF are not going to make Big 12 schools more money