IMHO, in the aftermath of MTSU's decision to stay in C-USA, the MAC can choose to remain at 12 member institutions, or expand to 14 with WKU and UMass for all sports, UConn (football affiliate and contractual agreement for men's and women's basketball games) or EKU for all sports.

The MAC doesn't have to act near term, but these are options that would potentially be available.

I'd invite WKU now, and search for #14 for the next year. There are better options than MTSU.

MAC should stay at 12 and work on improving our own opportunities.

We need to focus on improving TV opportunities with other networks (CBS SN, Fox, etc.), increased TV money, less weekday games, improving our chances to gain multiple NCAA postseason bids, increasing our football strength to earn larger CFB playoff money shares, etc.

(11-10-2021 11:00 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  I'd invite WKU now, and search for #14 for the next year. There are better options than MTSU.

leaning towards this

WKU now and pursue NDSU

Hard no on EKU.

The other option is FIU. I've been told the MAC has been talking with them and I know for a fact Dr. Steinbrecher attended the CMU football game in September when the Panthers played at CMU.

On a sidenote, FIU AD Pete Garcia is stepping down.

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/colle...98771.html

Some of you might recall that the MAC offered full membership in 2005 to MAC football affiliate UCF, but the Knights decided to move to C-USA for all sports.

(11-10-2021 11:27 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  The other option is FIU. I've been told the MAC has been talking with them and I know for a fact Dr. Steinbrecher attended the CMU football game in September when the Panthers played at CMU.

On a sidenote, FIU AD Pete Garcia announced he's stepping down.

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/colle...98771.html

Some of you might recall that the MAC offered full membership in 2005 to MAC football affiliate UCF, but the Knights decided to move to C-USA for all sports.

I could see another FB only deal, similar to what UCF was, but I just can't see Ball St. or Kent St. signing up to fly their softball team down there.

They could also be a soccer affiliate

The MAC should just stay at 12 for the time being. Even in 5 years the MAC will be a much better conference than CUSA 3.0. WKU should still have interest in joining at that time, meanwhile, we can take a wait and see approach to see which team emerges as a good team #14 partner.

Illinois State and WKU

I have to admit--- WKU is not going anywhere and would "probably" take a "future" invite in the three to five year range. But if you take us now we will be locked in.

(11-10-2021 11:10 AM)mufanatehc Wrote:  Hard no on EKU.

No for sure on eku.

(11-10-2021 10:53 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  IMHO, in the aftermath of MTSU's decision to stay in C-USA, the MAC can choose to remain at 12 member institutions, or expand to 14 with WKU and UMass for all sports, UConn (football affiliate and contractual agreement for men's and women's basketball games) or EKU for all sports.

We have plenty of other options than this.

(11-10-2021 11:09 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  WKU now and pursue NDSU

I see it this way, too. I guess the question is how ESPN would react. But the football would be great fun.

(11-10-2021 11:10 AM)mufanatehc Wrote:  Hard no on EKU.

I'd prefer Massachusetts football only.

(11-10-2021 01:52 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(11-10-2021 10:53 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  IMHO, in the aftermath of MTSU's decision to stay in C-USA, the MAC can choose to remain at 12 member institutions, or expand to 14 with WKU and UMass for all sports, UConn (football affiliate and contractual agreement for men's and women's basketball games) or EKU for all sports.

We have plenty of other options than this.

I guess the OP is plugged in and this is just what he's hearing.

FIU may have deeper pockets for a move than what MT did and better academic profile. A 20 year GOR locks them up for 15 years at least and they have no shot at the XII so why not go with the MAC?

I'm starting to come to the conclusion its more about the $$$ to move than the MAC balking on travel costs.

EKU makes no sense.

Quote:I see it this way, too. I guess the question is how ESPN would react. But the football would be great fun.

I think ESPN would like it with NDSU joining the MAC for football + WKU for all sports.

However, ya can't count on NDSU joining for that. I certainly don't want a "filler" for a 14th. Bringing in WKU to the MAC, I don't have a problem with at 13. Pluses & Minuses. But it's fine.

(11-10-2021 04:10 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:I see it this way, too. I guess the question is how ESPN would react. But the football would be great fun.

I think ESPN would like it with NDSU joining the MAC for football + WKU for all sports.

However, ya can't count on NDSU joining for that. I certainly don't want a "filler" for a 14th. Bringing in WKU to the MAC, I don't have a problem with at 13. Pluses & Minuses. But it's fine.

You can't count on NDSU joining but I wouldn't consider them filler.

Quote:You can't count on NDSU joining but I wouldn't consider them filler.

I wasn't implying that. I was saying that ya can't count on NDSU joining for football only -- hence, with them not being an option, we wouldn't want to compensate by just getting a 'filler'.

(11-10-2021 02:39 PM)Miami (Oh) Yeah ! Wrote:  EKU makes no sense.

They have a 20,000 seat stadium and easy on travel.

I guess they are ahead of SIU in the conversation.

Options outlined aren't too appealing.

UMass all sports (AD already said they weren't interested)
UConn FB only (would they concede they need a G5 conference?)
Eastern Kentucky (lower level academic/athletic school)
Florida International (a big drag on men's basketball)

UConn is ranked #63 in the USWNR and has a 40,000 seat stadium plus they won't run off to the AAC like Temple did. They can get better in the MAC but not good enough to attract the XII.

Also these suggestions sound like WKU would be going into the east in FB with one of these pairings.

https://getsomemaction.com/news/2021/11/...nsion.aspx


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