(09-28-2026 11:53 AM)astr083 Wrote:  Additionally, the AAC is not much better than the MAC. Throwing away $40 million to play in a conference with Charlotte, FAU, Rice, UTSA, Tulsa, and Temple is just plain dumb, lol.

Sure it's a lot of money. But, the AAC is considerably better than the MAC, likely considered the best G6 aside from the new PAC, even with the recent defections.

I mentioned this up the thread, but since about 10 years ago, schools have really been itching to expand their "brand" geographically and I have to believe that sharing a state with 5 other MAC schools has felt claustrophobic. A move to the AAC provides some differentiation.

Which reminds me... A bit OT, but when rumors of MWC raiding the MAC broke, Toledo was mentioned alongside NIU. Maybe Rocket fans know the scoop, but what happened there? MWC back off? Or did Toledo say no thanks?

(09-28-2026 01:27 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  

(09-28-2026 11:53 AM)astr083 Wrote:  Additionally, the AAC is not much better than the MAC. Throwing away $40 million to play in a conference with Charlotte, FAU, Rice, UTSA, Tulsa, and Temple is just plain dumb, lol.

Sure it's a lot of money. But, the AAC is considerably better than the MAC, likely considered the best G6 aside from the new PAC, even with the recent defections.

I mentioned this up the thread, but since about 10 years ago, schools have really been itching to expand their "brand" geographically and I have to believe that sharing a state with 5 other MAC schools has felt claustrophobic. A move to the AAC provides some differentiation.

Which reminds me... A bit OT, but when rumors of MWC raiding the MAC broke, Toledo was mentioned alongside NIU. Maybe Rocket fans know the scoop, but what happened there? MWC back off? Or did Toledo say no thanks?

The AAC took a huge hit in losing The University of Cincinnati, Houston and UCF.

(09-28-2026 02:37 PM)CLASS Wrote:  

(09-28-2026 01:27 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  

(09-28-2026 11:53 AM)astr083 Wrote:  Additionally, the AAC is not much better than the MAC. Throwing away $40 million to play in a conference with Charlotte, FAU, Rice, UTSA, Tulsa, and Temple is just plain dumb, lol.

Sure it's a lot of money. But, the AAC is considerably better than the MAC, likely considered the best G6 aside from the new PAC, even with the recent defections.

I mentioned this up the thread, but since about 10 years ago, schools have really been itching to expand their "brand" geographically and I have to believe that sharing a state with 5 other MAC schools has felt claustrophobic. A move to the AAC provides some differentiation.

Which reminds me... A bit OT, but when rumors of MWC raiding the MAC broke, Toledo was mentioned alongside NIU. Maybe Rocket fans know the scoop, but what happened there? MWC back off? Or did Toledo say no thanks?

The AAC took a huge hit in losing The University of Cincinnati, Houston and UCF.

Also SMU.

But it still has some decent brands in there with Army and Navy. Tulane, Memphis, and USF are also decent...but by the time the AAC would look to expand, at least one or two of those are going to be gone.

(09-28-2026 11:27 AM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(09-28-2026 10:55 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  I am with the one writer.

AAC leaked it to McMurphy for themselves.

Part of me wonders if Miami did.

To advertise they got turned down despite a $40mil offer?

(09-28-2026 02:47 PM)e-parade Wrote:  

(09-28-2026 02:37 PM)CLASS Wrote:  

(09-28-2026 01:27 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  

(09-28-2026 11:53 AM)astr083 Wrote:  Additionally, the AAC is not much better than the MAC. Throwing away $40 million to play in a conference with Charlotte, FAU, Rice, UTSA, Tulsa, and Temple is just plain dumb, lol.

Sure it's a lot of money. But, the AAC is considerably better than the MAC, likely considered the best G6 aside from the new PAC, even with the recent defections.

I mentioned this up the thread, but since about 10 years ago, schools have really been itching to expand their "brand" geographically and I have to believe that sharing a state with 5 other MAC schools has felt claustrophobic. A move to the AAC provides some differentiation.

Which reminds me... A bit OT, but when rumors of MWC raiding the MAC broke, Toledo was mentioned alongside NIU. Maybe Rocket fans know the scoop, but what happened there? MWC back off? Or did Toledo say no thanks?

The AAC took a huge hit in losing The University of Cincinnati, Houston and UCF.

Also SMU.

But it still has some decent brands in there with Army and Navy. Tulane, Memphis, and USF are also decent...but by the time the AAC would look to expand, at least one or two of those are going to be gone.

Those top 5 are decent as is ECU, but Charlottee is just garbage.

(09-28-2026 01:27 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  ... Which reminds me... A bit OT, but when rumors of MWC raiding the MAC broke, Toledo was mentioned alongside NIU. Maybe Rocket fans know the scoop, but what happened there? MWC back off? Or did Toledo say no thanks?

I don't know if I saw sourced reporting on the details, but Toledo said no thanks.

It's not hard to work out why ... while the Horizon League might be compatible with NIU's ambitions in MBB, it seems like Toledo would be reluctant to move their MBB to any Olympic-sports league below MVC level, and the MVC were not interested in expanding with Toledo at that point in time.

The Athletic weighs in.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7641539...l-share-ta

Miami is talking about the ACC someday.

I'm reminded of when Northern Illinois openly talked of the Big 8.

(09-29-2026 12:40 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  The Athletic weighs in.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7641539...l-share-ta

Miami is talking about the ACC someday.

I'm reminded of when Northern Illinois openly talked of the Big 8.

Wasn't that long ago, but a lot has changed since the NIU/Big XII online banter.

Unlikely Miami gets that far up the ladder (AAC obviously feels more doable when a spot opens one day), but in this environment of constant maneuvering and conference hopping, it can't hurt to make a play for something bigger.

Or at least put the college football world on notice that you're among those exploring things.

(09-29-2026 12:40 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  The Athletic weighs in.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7641539...l-share-ta

Miami is talking about the ACC someday.

I'm reminded of when Northern Illinois openly talked of the Big 8.

Except for the $30-40 million.

(09-29-2026 01:37 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Wasn't that long ago, but a lot has changed since the NIU/Big XII online banter.

Unlikely Miami gets that far up the ladder (AAC obviously feels more doable when a spot opens one day), but in this environment of constant maneuvering and conference hopping, it can't hurt to make a play for something bigger.

Or at least put the college football world on notice that you're among those exploring things.

I mean, if the ACC falls out of the ranks of the power conferences to the top of the new Group of 7 (or 8) ... a school that has positioned itself in the AAC might get picked up as part of the reload.

Miami may never make it to the American, much less ACC, but I’m not going to hate on them for trying to put together a vision

(09-29-2026 04:24 PM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  Miami may never make it to the American, much less ACC, but I’m not going to hate on them for trying to put together a vision

As a biased Miami fan, this is my exact thinking. I have no clue if it will work, but the odds are way better when you are trying vs. when you are not.

If MU leaves for some conference. Ohio will approach the SBC as they kind of fit the southern footprint. Mountains at least. Good tradition. Then the MAC is in trouble. I still feel like Toledo being in a metro and having overall sports success and fan support makes Toledo a better option than Miami for the American. But then theres accodemix. What leagues carry prestige to care about that for MU? Idk. They need to really push the agenda in basketball some more IMO. Toledo needs to get to the damn dance to help its case.

in general the dominoes will fall if Miami is the first to leave. The MWC is not an option for Toledo so that will never happen... dont have to worry. But the American is a no brainer for any MAC team who gets a hand out from them.

(09-29-2026 02:53 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(09-29-2026 01:37 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Wasn't that long ago, but a lot has changed since the NIU/Big XII online banter.

Unlikely Miami gets that far up the ladder (AAC obviously feels more doable when a spot opens one day), but in this environment of constant maneuvering and conference hopping, it can't hurt to make a play for something bigger.

Or at least put the college football world on notice that you're among those exploring things.

I mean, if the ACC falls out of the ranks of the power conferences to the top of the new Group of 7 (or 8) ... a school that has positioned itself in the AAC might get picked up as part of the reload.

The ACC won't fall out of the ranks of Power (Autonomous) Conference. They might take a big media dollar hit, but they have cemented themselves in legally as an Autonomous Conference. The ACC will never be reduced to 2 schools like the PAC did

Even if the ACC loses 10 schools (2 - B1G and 4 each to SEC, XII) giving the B1G, SEC and XII all at 20 schools, the ACC would only have to pick up one school to maintain the minimum numbers per the NCAA, BUT would need to get to 15 quickly to avoid ESPN penalties.

Miami is so gone. https://x.com/johnbreech/status/2105086862935085418

MAC is gonna be quite different in a few years.

(09-30-2026 06:48 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  Miami is so gone. https://x.com/johnbreech/status/2105086862935085418

MAC is gonna be quite different in a few years.

I don't believe NFL coach's or CEOs make the type of money to make a difference. You need billionaires. Nice to have goals though.

(09-30-2026 07:25 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  

(09-30-2026 06:48 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  Miami is so gone. https://x.com/johnbreech/status/2105086862935085418

MAC is gonna be quite different in a few years.

I don't believe NFL coach's or CEOs make the type of money to make a difference. You need billionaires. Nice to have goals though.

Well to.me it appears they are putting a plan in place.

MAC needs a media deal.

They need a good one to solidify its membership.

Wonder if media partners are suggesting a purging of the lower level programs?

(09-30-2026 07:50 AM)indianasniff Wrote:  MAC needs a media deal.

They need a good one to solidify its membership.

Wonder if media partners are suggesting a purging of the lower level programs?

Would love to be a fly on the wall in these negotiations