(10-13-2026 12:55 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  How bad would if be if the MAC was no longer seriously Ohio based.

Say Toledo goes FB only out west, Ohio goes to the Sun Belt and Miami goes to the American and the MAC adds Western Kentucky and Delaware, with a 20M media deal for 11 teams.

I don't think having six Ohio based teams is strength by any means, and it has certainly come with some recruiting difficulties for some of those teams. Not sure losing (at least arguably) the strongest three can be spun as a good thing though.

All this exit talk about certain schools is fun and interesting but it really comes down to money. Every school in the MAC and most in the country are operating at a budget deficit. Some in the MAC at a significant budget deficit. Miami created some buzz with this talk of buying into a bigger conference. Sounds good but ultimately they will need to fund the move once there. I really see this as positioning within the MAC to make something happen. The conference needs a good media deal. The conference really needs to be strengthened. Several schools within the conference are just hanging on. Enrollment is a real struggle with several institutions. I believe several MAC schools will be better suited to drop football to FCS. I also believe the MAC needs to be aggressive in adding additional schools. The Sac St deal looks silly but does generate money for the schools. I believe the opportunity is there to add another school or two. Time will tell as this unfolds but the financials don’t lie. Most MAC schools are hemorrhaging money within the athletic departments.

(10-13-2026 08:32 AM)Love and Honor Wrote:  

(10-12-2026 06:56 PM)CLASS Wrote:  What does Miami bring to the table?

TV - No they are non really Cincy or Dayton
Attendance - No

In no particular order:

Football has a relatively high floor and a lot of potential if/when we move on from Martin
Resurgent basketball program with a new arena under construction
Very wealthy donor base that currently funding the best MAC NIL budgets and able to fund conference entrance fees
Good women’s basketball, baseball, and softball programs, a few other strong Olympic programs like field hockey and golf
Ambitious and supportive administration, specifically the President and AD
Good academic and institutional profile for a non-flagship public university

Football, general attendance (last basketball season notwithstanding), and general revenue are certainly weaker points. Nothing is a given but this isn’t 2013 anymore, Miami athletics aren’t chopped liver anymore.

Why do you keep bragging about your wealthy donors
https://wmich.edu/news/2021/06/64413

(10-13-2026 01:16 PM)AllBronco Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 08:32 AM)Love and Honor Wrote:  

(10-12-2026 06:56 PM)CLASS Wrote:  What does Miami bring to the table?

TV - No they are non really Cincy or Dayton
Attendance - No

In no particular order:

Football has a relatively high floor and a lot of potential if/when we move on from Martin
Resurgent basketball program with a new arena under construction
Very wealthy donor base that currently funding the best MAC NIL budgets and able to fund conference entrance fees
Good women’s basketball, baseball, and softball programs, a few other strong Olympic programs like field hockey and golf
Ambitious and supportive administration, specifically the President and AD
Good academic and institutional profile for a non-flagship public university

Football, general attendance (last basketball season notwithstanding), and general revenue are certainly weaker points. Nothing is a given but this isn’t 2013 anymore, Miami athletics aren’t chopped liver anymore.

Why do you keep bragging about your wealthy donors
https://wmich.edu/news/2021/06/64413

It’s relevant because the reality is that if Miami leaves the MAC it’s probably because our alums cut a check to get another conference to accept us. Having a wealthy alumni base doesn’t diminish any other school or make us morally superior, it’s just the way things stand. I wish we lived in a world where it didn’t matter as much and we weren’t in a quasi-professional environment, but we are so Miami has to use the assets it has to overcome our weaknesses. Every other MAC school should use what they have to succeed, including WMU and its bankroll.

(10-13-2026 12:55 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  How bad would if be if the MAC was no longer seriously Ohio based.

Say Toledo goes FB only out west, Ohio goes to the Sun Belt and Miami goes to the American and the MAC adds Western Kentucky and Delaware, with a 20M media deal for 11 teams.

Excellent point! As an Illinois State grad and fan, if the school ever goes FBS, the one negative I see to the MAC is all of the Ohio schools. No disrespect to these schools or the MAC but with the enrollment cliff I would think being in a conference of several states is more valuable than a conference concentrated in two states (Ohio and Michigan). I could be wrong but that is sort of what I’m thinking.

As for Illinois State is concerned, there are no other conferences that fit the bill of multiple states that aren’t reasonably close so it seems to me it’s the MAC or bust. Just wish much more than Ohio and Michigan.

First of all, IMO--I just don't see Miami going to the SBC.

The SBC (it will leak out--but not be official) will make their choice in the next couple of months or less.

Will OHIO take a Sun Belt invitation??

Yes or No.

My prediction is super-conferences. If the AAC snags a few more, that will deplete the other conferences & they will merge together.

BTW, if we end up at a G3 or G4, it's going to be harder to win your conference b/c more teams in it. & with no divisions anymore. If you lose one game, you got nothing to play for anymore. Especially if they want to get rid of bowl games.

(10-13-2026 04:06 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  First of all, IMO--I just don't see Miami going to the SBC.

The SBC (it will leak out--but not be official) will make their choice in the next couple of months or less.

Will OHIO take a Sun Belt invitation??

Yes or No.

Dont see why they would, what is there to gain except further travel costs?

(10-13-2026 04:06 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  First of all, IMO--I just don't see Miami going to the SBC.

The SBC (it will leak out--but not be official) will make their choice in the next couple of months or less.

Will OHIO take a Sun Belt invitation??

Yes or No.

No. They will take WKU because they were second place to their last add.

I think they’ll take liberty. Similar location and they’re the really only option that has had the success and budget comparable to JMU. Almost a perfect replacement.

(10-13-2026 04:06 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  First of all, IMO--I just don't see Miami going to the SBC.

The SBC (it will leak out--but not be official) will make their choice in the next couple of months or less.

Will OHIO take a Sun Belt invitation??

Yes or No.

Tops, perhaps the better question right now is will Marshall and App State be following JMU out the door?

(10-13-2026 05:33 PM)AllBronco Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 04:06 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  First of all, IMO--I just don't see Miami going to the SBC.

The SBC (it will leak out--but not be official) will make their choice in the next couple of months or less.

Will OHIO take a Sun Belt invitation??

Yes or No.

No. They will take WKU because they were second place to their last add.

This could be right. Another argument in favor of Western Kentucky (or, I suppose, Middle Tennessee) is that it might please ESPN, which currently does not own the rights to Conference USA schools but does own the rights to Sun Belt and MAC schools.

Counterpoint: The decision to be made a year ago was how to replace Louisiana Tech. They needed a school for the Sun Belt's Western division. Perhaps the argument for Western Kentucky is not as strong among cost-conscious Eastern members.

Also, we can't forget that report out of Harrisonburg, Virginia, a year ago -- said to be "inaccurate" by Ohio University -- that asserted that Ohio had had preliminary discussions with the Sun Belt for the opening eventually filled by Louisiana Tech.

I don't see the logic of moving to the Sun Belt for the reasons we've discusssed. But it is reasonable to infer that Ohio has at least thought about it.

(10-13-2026 05:33 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  

(10-12-2026 10:45 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(10-12-2026 09:45 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  Checking in, rumblings of Ohio or Delaware to replace JMU.

The more I've thought about it the more I think its best the SBC just adds one in the east. If it goes to 16 that is going to push the conference toward a split.

Ohio IMO adds more value than Delaware. Travel partner for Marshall. Strong recruiting sate. Demonstrated success in FB & BB. Delaware has no history in BB and no history of note in FBS. Plus Delaware is a flight risk to the American.

What makes ohio attractive again? 1 MAC C in football since the 60s?

OHIO has a $1Billion endowment and 29,500 students. Enrollment increasing consistently the past decade, unlike CMU. Appalachian vibe for the SunBelt, but draws from the entire state and nationally. R1 university. 26,000 stadium and 13,000 arena. 90 minutes from Marshall. Won’t go quietly if the MAC shrinks. Also just destroying CMU is attractive. 2nd longest home winning streak currently in the nation. Attendance has been top tier. Nike CEO is an OU alum. Draws tv viewers. Need more or can we go now?

(10-13-2026 06:25 PM)BobcatCrew Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 05:33 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  

(10-12-2026 10:45 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(10-12-2026 09:45 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  Checking in, rumblings of Ohio or Delaware to replace JMU.

The more I've thought about it the more I think its best the SBC just adds one in the east. If it goes to 16 that is going to push the conference toward a split.

Ohio IMO adds more value than Delaware. Travel partner for Marshall. Strong recruiting sate. Demonstrated success in FB & BB. Delaware has no history in BB and no history of note in FBS. Plus Delaware is a flight risk to the American.

What makes ohio attractive again? 1 MAC C in football since the 60s?

OHIO has a $1Billion endowment and 29,500 students. Enrollment increasing consistently the past decade, unlike CMU. Appalachian vibe for the SunBelt, but draws from the entire state and nationally. R1 university. 26,000 stadium and 13,000 arena. 90 minutes from Marshall. Won’t go quietly if the MAC shrinks. Also just destroying CMU is attractive. 2nd longest home winning streak currently in the nation. Attendance has been top tier. Nike CEO is an OU alum. Draws tv viewers. Need more or can we go now?

You're on a roll, so go on.

(10-13-2026 11:09 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  JMU has shown the way to schedule. They usually schedule 0 or 1 low tier P5. You can reach the college playoff just as easy or perhaps easier in the MAC. Just need to schedule your way in.

They’d certainly schedule more power programs if they could get them, but their success makes ADs hesitant to schedule them. Last they they had Louisville who was supposed to be a power, they went to North Carolina the year before and hung 70 on them, beat Virginia the year before that, and Louisville in 2022. They had VaTech scheduled for years and they kept re-scheduling until this year when they just canceled and paid the guarantee just to drop them. They had to scramble late and were able to get San Diego State late and they were supposed to be one of the top G5s but have had a tough run this season. They played Liberty earlier and also have UConn later on.

(10-13-2026 07:46 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 11:09 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  JMU has shown the way to schedule. They usually schedule 0 or 1 low tier P5. You can reach the college playoff just as easy or perhaps easier in the MAC. Just need to schedule your way in.

They’d certainly schedule more power programs if they could get them, but their success makes ADs hesitant to schedule them. Last they they had Louisville who was supposed to be a power, they went to North Carolina the year before and hung 70 on them, beat Virginia the year before that, and Louisville in 2022. They had VaTech scheduled for years and they kept re-scheduling until this year when they just canceled and paid the guarantee just to drop them. They had to scramble late and were able to get San Diego State late and they were supposed to be one of the top G5s but have had a tough run this season. They played Liberty earlier and also have UConn later on.

Has JMU ever played or scheduled a game against a real power school P4 school from the SEC or B10?

(10-13-2026 07:46 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 11:09 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  JMU has shown the way to schedule. They usually schedule 0 or 1 low tier P5. You can reach the college playoff just as easy or perhaps easier in the MAC. Just need to schedule your way in.

They’d certainly schedule more power programs if they could get them, but their success makes ADs hesitant to schedule them. Last they they had Louisville who was supposed to be a power, they went to North Carolina the year before and hung 70 on them, beat Virginia the year before that, and Louisville in 2022. They had VaTech scheduled for years and they kept re-scheduling until this year when they just canceled and paid the guarantee just to drop them. They had to scramble late and were able to get San Diego State late and they were supposed to be one of the top G5s but have had a tough run this season. They played Liberty earlier and also have UConn later on.

Yep, the softer schedules have been very good for you. The one year we had 2 lower tier BIG teams we went to the cotton bowl. I don’t know why we didn’t learn from that. Went right back to playing UM, OSU, Notre Dame, etc…

(10-13-2026 08:04 PM)Flat Tire 2 Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 07:46 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 11:09 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  JMU has shown the way to schedule. They usually schedule 0 or 1 low tier P5. You can reach the college playoff just as easy or perhaps easier in the MAC. Just need to schedule your way in.

They’d certainly schedule more power programs if they could get them, but their success makes ADs hesitant to schedule them. Last they they had Louisville who was supposed to be a power, they went to North Carolina the year before and hung 70 on them, beat Virginia the year before that, and Louisville in 2022. They had VaTech scheduled for years and they kept re-scheduling until this year when they just canceled and paid the guarantee just to drop them. They had to scramble late and were able to get San Diego State late and they were supposed to be one of the top G5s but have had a tough run this season. They played Liberty earlier and also have UConn later on.

Has JMU ever played or scheduled a game against a real power school P4 school from the SEC or B10?

They’ve only been an FBS program since 2022. They’re located in Virginia not Michigan or Florida, so scheduling ACC teams makes more sense.

(10-13-2026 07:46 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 11:09 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  JMU has shown the way to schedule. They usually schedule 0 or 1 low tier P5. You can reach the college playoff just as easy or perhaps easier in the MAC. Just need to schedule your way in.

They’d certainly schedule more power programs if they could get them, but their success makes ADs hesitant to schedule them. Last they they had Louisville who was supposed to be a power, they went to North Carolina the year before and hung 70 on them, beat Virginia the year before that, and Louisville in 2022. They had VaTech scheduled for years and they kept re-scheduling until this year when they just canceled and paid the guarantee just to drop them. They had to scramble late and were able to get San Diego State late and they were supposed to be one of the top G5s but have had a tough run this season. They played Liberty earlier and also have UConn later on.

Yet schools like Marshall, App State and Toledo and other's have beaten P4 schools ranked in the top 10 and have no issue scheduling them.

(10-13-2026 08:25 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 08:04 PM)Flat Tire 2 Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 07:46 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 11:09 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  JMU has shown the way to schedule. They usually schedule 0 or 1 low tier P5. You can reach the college playoff just as easy or perhaps easier in the MAC. Just need to schedule your way in.

They’d certainly schedule more power programs if they could get them, but their success makes ADs hesitant to schedule them. Last they they had Louisville who was supposed to be a power, they went to North Carolina the year before and hung 70 on them, beat Virginia the year before that, and Louisville in 2022. They had VaTech scheduled for years and they kept re-scheduling until this year when they just canceled and paid the guarantee just to drop them. They had to scramble late and were able to get San Diego State late and they were supposed to be one of the top G5s but have had a tough run this season. They played Liberty earlier and also have UConn later on.

Has JMU ever played or scheduled a game against a real power school P4 school from the SEC or B10?

They’ve only been an FBS program since 2022. They’re located in Virginia not Michigan or Florida, so scheduling ACC teams makes more sense.

I think it is called scheduling down. If you are afraid, get a dog. A lot of 1-AA teams played power teams, remember App beating Michigan at the Big House?