(02-20-2012 10:28 AM)exCincy Kid Wrote: Again, I know that many enjoy these hypothetical threads, but Illinois State has indicated no interest in upgrading to DIA football and joining the MAC. No way Army would come, either.
Illinois State isn't ready for MAC football yet averaging only 8,000 in a run down stadium.
With the new stadium upgrade and better recruiting they COULD put themselves in a position 5-10 years of making themselves a solid MAC candidate.
One of the problems for ISU moving up is the MAC West has too many schools in it. Also if the MAC is going to head to 16, that might push Miami over to the West which then furthers the logjam.
Just from what I'm observing, the conference seems to prefer having Bowling Green always in the west for the BG-Toledo rivalry and Miami in the East with its historic ties in NE Ohio. No realignment then should upset the West-East balance or go beyond 14 members.
Temple, UMass, Toledo all go to the alliance......
West: NIU, Illinois St, Ball St, WMU, CMU, EMU, Bowling Green
East: Miami, Ohio, Kent St, Akron, Buffalo, James Madison, ASU
14 schools all sport with everyone having at least one other major rival in its division. This would place Ohio square in the middle of the East division.
Drivable within 4-5 hours (East Division)
Miami (Ohio, Kent St, Akron)
Ohio (Miami, Kent St, Akron, ASU, James Madison)
Kent (Miami, Ohio, Akron, Buffalo)
Akron (Miami, Ohio, Kent St, Buffalo)
Buffalo (Kent St, Akron)
James Madison (Ohio, ASU)
ASU (Ohio, James Madison)
With this set up at least Buffalo, JMU, ASU have two schools a piece within easy driving distance which is about as good as what those schools are going to be able to do unless they get into the ACC (not happening).