As an alum of Kent State University and Middle Tennessee, I would love to see Middle get into the Mid American Conference if the opportunity presented itself. No disrespect to Idaho, Utah State, and New Mexico, but Middle would be better off playing schools closer to home and would generate more fan interest if it competed in a stronger conference such as the MAC. Yesterday, the MAC had a great day with Marshall, Toledo, and Northern Illinois winning over Kansas State, Pittsburg, and Alabama respectively. Personally, I would love to see Middle play in the MAC and would attend all of its home conference games if it were in the MAC. Some might argue that Middle has no commonality with MAC teams such as Miami, Ohio, Kent State, Bowling Green, Ball State, and Toledo. However, schools in the conference such as Marshall, Central Florida, and Miami are geograhically closer to Middle than Idaho, Utah State, and New Mexico. Furthermore, I believe fans would enjoy going to Orlando to watch Middle play Central Florida or travel to Marshall and its great college football atmosphere. Others might suggest that Middle would be better off in the Conference USA. But when considering both football and basketball, I believe the MAC would be a better fit since Middle's basketball program would strugle in Conference USA but would find the MAC competitive enough to increase its fan interest in basketball. Not only is the MAC strong in football, but it is very good in basketball. Just two years ago, Kent State went to the Elite 8 in the NCAA tournament. If any one out there has any ideas on this, please let me know because I would like to hear from you.

Note: Northern Illinois also beat Maryland in its first game of the year and yesterday, Bowling Green gave Ohio State fits in a very close game much like Middle did with Missouri.

Don't bale out on the SBC yet. I think the 14 team arrangement is only temporary, until the realignment shakes out, and then I think it will be a much more concentrated conference. Already there have been some good rivalries develop in basketball.

I wouldn't mind seeing Middle Tennessee State replace Marshall in the MAC. What is Marshall thinking going to C-USA? Louisville and Cincy are gone for sure. South Florida is probably going to the Big East too. TCU will probably go to the MWC as well. There will not be anyone left in C-USA. Marshall is making a stupid move!

There have been a lot of stupid moves lately around the country. :bang:

As a long time Middle Tennessee fan, I would love to see Middle Tennessee hook up with the MAC, at the very minimum for football.