(10-21-2021 12:44 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 11:11 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:24 PM)RUScarlets Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:21 PM)e-bethMSU Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:05 PM)bullet Wrote:  That means everybody but ACC has been looking hard at expansion.

These seem like the best fits for expansion for the MAC, but not necessary ones. Why is the MAC expanding? While they are certainly better fits than U Mass and U Conn were (or UCF, obviously), the MAC doesn't need more schools. So again - why is the MAC expanding?

It forces another bidder to come in before ESPN secures more property for 50 cents on the dollar. Kill the competition, force Amazon Apple or CBS to get involved.

Also, the MAC has the slowest growing demographic footprint of any FBS conference. Getting into the Nashville market would be really significant on that front and it’s still geographically sensible when paired with WKU.

So, I really like this move if the MAC can pull it off.

I think it’s a win for the MAC. Raises the league profile. Brings in a good G5 rivalry.

MTSU and WKU never could get a deal rolling for Nashville to host the Sun Belt or CUSA tournament, the city might be more likely to bite with MAC and if nothing else goads Cleveland into better terms or it dips into Nashville to break up the routine.

Nashville is a great host city. Move the basketball tournament and championship game there would be solid moves.

(10-21-2021 12:57 AM)Realignment Wrote:  

(10-21-2021 12:44 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 11:11 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:24 PM)RUScarlets Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:21 PM)e-bethMSU Wrote:  These seem like the best fits for expansion for the MAC, but not necessary ones. Why is the MAC expanding? While they are certainly better fits than U Mass and U Conn were (or UCF, obviously), the MAC doesn't need more schools. So again - why is the MAC expanding?

It forces another bidder to come in before ESPN secures more property for 50 cents on the dollar. Kill the competition, force Amazon Apple or CBS to get involved.

Also, the MAC has the slowest growing demographic footprint of any FBS conference. Getting into the Nashville market would be really significant on that front and it’s still geographically sensible when paired with WKU.

So, I really like this move if the MAC can pull it off.

I think it’s a win for the MAC. Raises the league profile. Brings in a good G5 rivalry.

MTSU and WKU never could get a deal rolling for Nashville to host the Sun Belt or CUSA tournament, the city might be more likely to bite with MAC and if nothing else goads Cleveland into better terms or it dips into Nashville to break up the routine.

Nashville is a great host city. Move the basketball tournament and championship game there would be solid moves.

Wouldn't happen. The MAC actually does really good attendance-wise in Cleveland as every team in the conference is a short drive away.

(10-20-2021 10:21 PM)e-bethMSU Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:05 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 09:31 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Multiple sources, including the Nashville Post, are reporting the Mid-American Conference is involved in discussions, namely with MTSU and likely WKU, for the purpose of expanding from 12 to 14 members.

https://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/col...60aca.html

That means everybody but ACC has been looking hard at expansion.

These seem like the best fits for expansion for the MAC, but not necessary ones. Why is the MAC expanding? While they are certainly better fits than U Mass and U Conn were (or UCF, obviously), the MAC doesn't need more schools. So again - why is the MAC expanding?

A couple of reasons

1 - WKU is a good hoops school that will improve the depth of the MAC
2 - MTSU has potential, has done well at times in hoops / FB
3 - ESPN would, presumably, up our contract at least enough to cover
4 - Moves the MAC south a bit, but does not blow up the conference.

Potential map here
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2021/10/20/227...he-new-mac

The East becomes:
Buffalo + the Six Ohio Schools

The West becomes:
The Michigan Schools, NIU, BSU, WKU, MTSU

Everyone keeps their rival.

Rumors are flying so fast it's hard to keep track of all of them. They all start with the AAC raiding CUSA in a big way. Apparently, when Walmart (the MWC) refused to sell to them, the AAC went to Big Lots instead, buying in bulk. That caused Big Lots (CUSA) to have a clearance sale, and the SBC and MAC are shopping.

Here's where we now stand, if rumors are correct (10 year average Sagarin rank in parentheses):

AAC: FAU (102), UAB (106), North Texas (108), Rice (111), UTSA (120), Charlotte (129)
SBC: Marshall (80), Southern Miss (97)
MAC: Western Kentucky (86), MTSU (98)

Still on the shelf (so come on down, shoppers - some real bargains here!):

Louisiana Tech (73)
FIU (113)
ODU (118)
UTEP (125)

When you look at those Sagarin ranks, you have to wonder what the AAC was thinking since they were the first ones in the store when the doors opened. If all sales are final that league went from being an FBS tweener conference to bottom feeder, exposing themselves to being picked over by the MWC looking for bargains. Any chance SMU and Memphis would look for an upgrade?

Judy should make a call with A-Sun and WAC commish about a merger of football conferences to get the numbers up. Also add non-football schools like Little Rock, UAFS, UTA, Dayton, North Florida, Lipscomb and FGCU for now. WAC and ASUN will still have FCS football until the schools not ready to move up. You could call up potential growth D2 schools for all sports, but the football can play FCS in ASUN, MVFC or WAC until they are ready.

West:
New Mexico State
UTEP
Lamar
SFAU
La. Tech
Missouri State
McNeese State
Northern Iowa
NDSU football only
SDSU football only

East:
FIU
JMU
Liberty
EKU
Jacksonville State
North Alabama
Chattanooga
Delaware
UMass. football only
UConn football only

Olympic sports:
West:
UTEP
UTA
Little Rock
La. Tech
McNeese State
Central Oklahoma
Missouri State WAC football
Central Missouri ASUN football

East:
FIU
North Florida
Lipscomb
Chattanooga
EKU
Jacksonville State
Liberty
JMU
Delaware

When the other schools are ready?

Then you can get the schools regionalized adding more schools like WAC would be west half of Texas west to California.
C-USA would cover the central like east Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Dakotas and Illinois.
ASUN would be east schools as FIU goes there.

(10-21-2021 02:28 AM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:21 PM)e-bethMSU Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:05 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 09:31 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Multiple sources, including the Nashville Post, are reporting the Mid-American Conference is involved in discussions, namely with MTSU and likely WKU, for the purpose of expanding from 12 to 14 members.

https://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/col...60aca.html

That means everybody but ACC has been looking hard at expansion.

These seem like the best fits for expansion for the MAC, but not necessary ones. Why is the MAC expanding? While they are certainly better fits than U Mass and U Conn were (or UCF, obviously), the MAC doesn't need more schools. So again - why is the MAC expanding?

A couple of reasons

1 - WKU is a good hoops school that will improve the depth of the MAC
2 - MTSU has potential, has done well at times in hoops / FB
3 - ESPN would, presumably, up our contract at least enough to cover
4 - Moves the MAC south a bit, but does not blow up the conference.

Potential map here
https://www.ubbullrun.com/2021/10/20/227...he-new-mac

The East becomes:
Buffalo + the Six Ohio Schools

The West becomes:
The Michigan Schools, NIU, BSU, WKU, MTSU

Everyone keeps their rival.

The MAC divisions would likely look like this:

MAC East
Buffalo
Akron
Kent State
Ohio
Miami
MTSU
WKU

MAC West
CMU
EMU
WMU
Toledo
BGSU
Ball State
NIU

Nashville being situated between MTSU and WKU is ideal for travel, especially for Olympic sports. Direct flights would likely be available there from all the major markets within the MAC footprint, including Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

(10-20-2021 10:38 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  Marshall and Old Dominion, also James Madison, are far better fits for the MAC.

I can't see the MAC having any real interest in WKU or MTSU. I suspect this is a PSYOP to shake Marshall and Old Dominion loose.

The mouse is beating Judy hard on the ropes.

That was my first thought as well. This doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense. Honestly, I’m not sure expansion makes sense for the MAC unless it involves Marshall. Old Dominion would work as well. Western Kentucky may also work but Middle Tennessee State is just too far.

I think the MAC stands pat.

(10-21-2021 06:38 AM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote:  Honestly, I’m not sure expansion makes sense for the MAC unless it involves Marshall.

That's pretty much where I am. I'm also intrigued by North Dakota State. But I'm not sure how adding Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State really helps the MAC.

(10-21-2021 06:38 AM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:38 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  Marshall and Old Dominion, also James Madison, are far better fits for the MAC.

I can't see the MAC having any real interest in WKU or MTSU. I suspect this is a PSYOP to shake Marshall and Old Dominion loose.

The mouse is beating Judy hard on the ropes.

That was my first thought as well. This doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense. Honestly, I’m not sure expansion makes sense for the MAC unless it involves Marshall. Old Dominion would work as well. Western Kentucky may also work but Middle Tennessee State is just too far.

I think the MAC stands pat.

MTSU is closer than ODU to the Ohio schools

(10-21-2021 05:10 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  Judy should make a call with A-Sun and WAC commish about a merger of football conferences to get the numbers up. Also add non-football schools like Little Rock, UAFS, UTA, Dayton, North Florida, Lipscomb and FGCU for now. WAC and ASUN will still have FCS football until the schools not ready to move up. You could call up potential growth D2 schools for all sports, but the football can play FCS in ASUN, MVFC or WAC until they are ready.

West:
New Mexico State
UTEP
Lamar
SFAU
La. Tech
Missouri State
McNeese State
Northern Iowa
NDSU football only
SDSU football only

East:
FIU
JMU
Liberty
EKU
Jacksonville State
North Alabama
Chattanooga
Delaware
UMass. football only
UConn football only

Olympic sports:
West:
UTEP
UTA
Little Rock
La. Tech
McNeese State
Central Oklahoma
Missouri State WAC football
Central Missouri ASUN football

East:
FIU
North Florida
Lipscomb
Chattanooga
EKU
Jacksonville State
Liberty
JMU
Delaware

When the other schools are ready?

Then you can get the schools regionalized adding more schools like WAC would be west half of Texas west to California.
C-USA would cover the central like east Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Dakotas and Illinois.
ASUN would be east schools as FIU goes there.

Lamar and SFA but not SHSU?!

(10-20-2021 09:43 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  48 hours ago, I would’ve never considered WKU/MTSU to MAC realistic.

These would be terrific additions for the MAC. Best possible adds outside of Marshall.

Exactly. Expands the MAC footprint by 2 more states. Southern states with good recruiting. WKU has a great basketball history. Both schools offer solid fan support and decent football.

(10-20-2021 10:38 PM)johnintx Wrote:  So if this happens, the MAC would have teams in both Bowling Green, Ohio and Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Does 2 Bowling Greens beat 3 Owls?

(10-21-2021 04:09 AM)ken d Wrote:  Rumors are flying so fast it's hard to keep track of all of them. They all start with the AAC raiding CUSA in a big way. Apparently, when Walmart (the MWC) refused to sell to them, the AAC went to Big Lots instead, buying in bulk. That caused Big Lots (CUSA) to have a clearance sale, and the SBC and MAC are shopping.

Here's where we now stand, if rumors are correct (10 year average Sagarin rank in parentheses):

AAC: FAU (102), UAB (106), North Texas (108), Rice (111), UTSA (120), Charlotte (129)
SBC: Marshall (80), Southern Miss (97)
MAC: Western Kentucky (86), MTSU (98)

Still on the shelf (so come on down, shoppers - some real bargains here!):

Louisiana Tech (73)
FIU (113)
ODU (118)
UTEP (125)

When you look at those Sagarin ranks, you have to wonder what the AAC was thinking since they were the first ones in the store when the doors opened. If all sales are final that league went from being an FBS tweener conference to bottom feeder, exposing themselves to being picked over by the MWC looking for bargains. Any chance SMU and Memphis would look for an upgrade?

because the 4-5 year ranks are a lot better than the 10 year ranks.

(10-20-2021 10:38 PM)johnintx Wrote:  So if this happens, the MAC would have teams in both Bowling Green, Ohio and Bowling Green, Kentucky.

If the MAC paired WKU and UMass all sports they would also have two teams in Amherst as Mass and NY.

(10-21-2021 12:14 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 11:15 PM)All4One Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 09:43 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  48 hours ago, I would’ve never considered WKU/MTSU to MAC realistic.

These would be terrific additions for the MAC. Best possible adds outside of Marshall.

Hell, they nearly joined the conference 15 years ago. MTSU had the letter of acceptance in their hands ready to sign and WKU was going to move to 1-A to the MAC with them instead of staying in the Sun Belt.

The MAC commish Jon Steinbrecher has been in place since 2009. He was here during the add of UMass and the last round of realignment so he knows all of the possibilities.

I guess one possibility is to take a shot here at UMass all sports.

1) Eastern conference dream is dead. Its going to become SBC East.
2) AAC is no longer an aspirational conference. Its just a place for metro schools.
3) TV money for the 12 team playoff is going to be huge. Can't miss out.

The MAC might even try a 16 team play that includes UMass too.

I wouldn't necessarily assume the MAC would just pick up 2-4 CUSA schools and not try to look at A10 or MVC for a 14th or 16th school.

I personally like the idea if the MAC could pull it off is to grab WKU and convince UMASS all sports. Big boost to basketball then.

(10-20-2021 10:13 PM)True Bearcat Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:07 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:05 PM)True Bearcat Wrote:  Wow just wow. An hour ago I thought CUSA may survive, but if the MAC strikes this deal. It may be curtains for the Conference that pushed the University of Cincinnati to its current heights.

I don't think may be curtains is the correct term. It would be curtains.

The BIG EAST was just Cincinnati, South Florida, UCONN, and Temple at one point, and morphed into the American, so CUSA may slither out just like they did.

Maybe but it'll be like the WAC, a shell of itself.

(10-21-2021 07:10 AM)whittx Wrote:  

(10-21-2021 06:38 AM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:38 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  Marshall and Old Dominion, also James Madison, are far better fits for the MAC.

I can't see the MAC having any real interest in WKU or MTSU. I suspect this is a PSYOP to shake Marshall and Old Dominion loose.

The mouse is beating Judy hard on the ropes.

That was my first thought as well. This doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense. Honestly, I’m not sure expansion makes sense for the MAC unless it involves Marshall. Old Dominion would work as well. Western Kentucky may also work but Middle Tennessee State is just too far.

I think the MAC stands pat.

MTSU is closer than ODU to the Ohio schools

I think any issue here is that both MTSU and WKU have had feelers on them in the past, and both passed for, at the time, greener pastures in CUSA. I thought these two were good for the MAC years ago, especially WKU. MAC might be telling them both to kick rocks now.

I’m still looking at the likes of ODU, Marshall, JMU, Stony and even Delaware. Maybe even UMass coming back around for the full commitment.

(10-21-2021 07:48 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:13 PM)True Bearcat Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:07 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:05 PM)True Bearcat Wrote:  Wow just wow. An hour ago I thought CUSA may survive, but if the MAC strikes this deal. It may be curtains for the Conference that pushed the University of Cincinnati to its current heights.

I don't think may be curtains is the correct term. It would be curtains.

The BIG EAST was just Cincinnati, South Florida, UCONN, and Temple at one point, and morphed into the American, so CUSA may slither out just like they did.

Maybe but it'll be like the WAC, a shell of itself.

Well, the original football lineup was Houston, Tulane, Memphis, Southern Miss, Cincinnati and Louisville, plus Marquette, DePaul, SLU, UAB, USF, and UNCC for basketball. So yeah, a year ago they had 3 of those schools, and if the rumors are true they'll have none of those schools, and only 3 of the 14 schools they had a month ago.

If the B12 ultimately goes to 14, presumably with Boise St. and Memphis, CUSA may be finished off as the American and MWC backfill, setting off a further domino effect.

(10-21-2021 12:14 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 11:15 PM)All4One Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 09:43 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  48 hours ago, I would’ve never considered WKU/MTSU to MAC realistic.

These would be terrific additions for the MAC. Best possible adds outside of Marshall.

Hell, they nearly joined the conference 15 years ago. MTSU had the letter of acceptance in their hands ready to sign and WKU was going to move to 1-A to the MAC with them instead of staying in the Sun Belt.

The MAC commish Jon Steinbrecher has been in place since 2009. He was here during the add of UMass and the last round of realignment so he knows all of the possibilities.

I guess one possibility is to take a shot here at UMass all sports.

1) Eastern conference dream is dead. Its going to become SBC East.
2) AAC is no longer an aspirational conference. Its just a place for metro schools.
3) TV money for the 12 team playoff is going to be huge. Can't miss out.

The MAC might even try a 16 team play that includes UMass too.

I wouldn't necessarily assume the MAC would just pick up 2-4 CUSA schools and not try to look at A10 or MVC for a 14th or 16th school.

UMass is the only football school in A10 they could be interested in. Don't think anyone but Illinois St. would be from the MVC and I really don't think they are ready.