(09-05-2021 12:38 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  

(09-05-2021 11:15 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  Programs keep falling upwards while MAC stays still

Eh, the schools on that upward trajectory are located in large, growing mostly southern cities with appealing media market potential (and consistently good game day attendance).

UCF leapfrogged up the ladder due to location, not by any savvy moves by their AD or president. And BYU always had a solid national brand.

Our grimy, cold Rust Belt small towns with declining populations and enrollments are just not built for upward mobility.

UCF used location to get into CUSA but also built an on campus stadium in the process. They brought in George O'Leary and paid him over 1 million dollars before leaving the MAC.

They were ahead of the FAU/FIU twins in FBS. Had UCF waited an additional 10 years to start their program they might not be where they are today.