Since my last thread on this subject got closed down due to rampant trash talking, I decided to make another thread, and add a couple of more options to the discussion.

Would the better option for the MAC be to:

A: Bring in a geographic and mutually interested team in Western Kentucky?

B: Steal the C-USA's recent addition in Delaware to reinforce Buffalo and the recently added UMass?

C: Bring in UConn on a no-strings-attached basis for football-only

or

D: Stay at 13 members for the time being

D


And this isn't a crazy idea. Something like 10 out of the last 25 years they played with 13 (at least for football), right?











C does not seem at all doable (I hope A and B are as well). None of those are really just up to the MAC to decide. But I don't think C would be good for them either. I don't know if A or B would be good for the MAC, but I still don't want them to (be able to ) do it.

Best two options would be A or D. A would give you a nice even number with a solid long-term FBS member, but not taking anyone else would maintain that consistency with little fear of poaching.

A, B, and write-in E (MTSU).

Why?

Expands the MAC into new geographies and reaches into the South. The MAC is hyper-regional: 1/2 the conference is in Ohio and 1/4 is in Michigan with 2/3 remaining members in nearby Illinois and Indiana. Even Buffalo is in the Midwest part of New York. These states and regions are losing population and money. The conference needs to expand and reach into new territory. Massachusetts was a great add for the conference but more is needed. I think CUSA and bottom-dweller AAC schools should be open to the idea of joining the MAC.

(03-06-2024 10:51 AM)BePcr07 Wrote:  I think CUSA and bottom-dweller AAC schools should be open to the idea of joining the MAC.

I think and I hope* that you are wrong.









Unless I get to pick the team(s).

(03-06-2024 10:53 AM)inutech Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 10:51 AM)BePcr07 Wrote:  I think CUSA and bottom-dweller AAC schools should be open to the idea of joining the MAC.

I think and I hope* that you are wrong.









Unless I get to pick the team(s).

I see you are a Louisiana Tech fan (grad?). I have said this for a while but y'all have been shafted throughout realignment. I think Tulane will end up in the ACC in the next 3-5 years. I would like the MWC to expand with Louisiana Tech, Navy*, North Texas, Rice, Tulsa, UTSA. If Navy balks, then UTEP. I am presuming Oregon St and Washington St are fighting tooth-and-nail to not be in the MWC. (I do think those two join Tulane in the ACC in 3-5 years.)

If the MWC returned to divisions...

Central: Louisiana Tech, Navy, North Texas, Rice, Tulsa, UTSA
Mountain: Air Force, Boise St, Colorado St, New Mexico, Utah St, Wyoming
West: Fresno St, Hawaii, Nevada, San Diego St, San Jose St, UNLV

(03-06-2024 10:45 AM)inutech Wrote:  D


And this isn't a crazy idea. Something like 10 out of the last 25 years they played with 13 (at least for football), right?











C does not seem at all doable (I hope A and B are as well). None of those are really just up to the MAC to decide. But I don't think C would be good for them either. I don't know if A or B would be good for the MAC, but I still don't want them to (be able to ) do it.

I would have thought you would be in favor of B so that CUSA would be back to 10 members. Just going by your many previous posts on the subject of CUSA membership numbers.

(03-06-2024 10:38 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  Since my last thread on this subject got closed down due to rampant trash talking, I decided to make another thread, and add a couple of more options to the discussion.

Would the better option for the MAC be to:

A: Bring in a geographic and mutally interested team in Western Kentucky?


B: Steal the C-USA's recent addition in Delaware to reinforce Buffalo and the recently added UMass?

C: Bring in UConn on a no-strings-attached basis for football-only

or

D: Stay at 13 members for the time being

A and B would be good for the MAC and bad for CUSA. C or D would be fine though.

I think Temple could be available if the ACC poaches multiple AAC schools and the AAC loses Texas schools to the rebuilt PAC.

(03-06-2024 11:11 AM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 10:45 AM)inutech Wrote:  D


And this isn't a crazy idea. Something like 10 out of the last 25 years they played with 13 (at least for football), right?











C does not seem at all doable (I hope A and B are as well). None of those are really just up to the MAC to decide. But I don't think C would be good for them either. I don't know if A or B would be good for the MAC, but I still don't want them to (be able to ) do it.

I would have thought you would be in favor of B so that CUSA would be back to 10 members. Just going by your many previous posts on the subject of CUSA membership numbers.

Would prefer B to A.


The risk, of course, is that we shed one team but they've already decided to bring in what they thought would be #12 and then we're back to 11 anyway and looking for yet another new #12.

(03-06-2024 11:05 AM)BePcr07 Wrote:  I see you are a Louisiana Tech fan (grad?). I have said this for a while but y'all have been shafted throughout realignment.

Yes and yes. At least to this part. I'm not too confident about the rest, but you never know.

I doubt the MAC will stand pat at 13. We can infer this based on the fact that:

(1) The MAC did not extend Western Kentucky an invitation in 2021 after Middle Tennessee got cold feet about joining them in the MAC.
(2) The MAC nudged UMass out of the conference in 2015 because it did not want to remain at 13 football schools.

The 2021 episode with WKU and MTSU also suggests geographical synergy matters to the MAC. We also know that, for most of the past 20 years, the MAC has clearly been looking for opportunities to expand in the East with flagship (or near-flagship) schools near large markets. The past affiliations of Temple and UMass point to that.

Given that the MAC has now planted a firm flag in the East, the best move might be to supplement that addition with Stony Brook, Delaware, or Albany. Any of these schools would bring at least geographic synergy, and either of the SUNY schools would create an instant in-state rivalry with Buffalo.

All that said, I suspect the MAC is in serious conversations with Western Kentucky. (I have no inside knowledge; I'm just reading the tea leaves, including media reports and posts on here from people who seem to know things.) For years, there has been mutual interest, and this may finally be Western Kentucky's moment. They would be a good addition given that they are fairly close by and have established a good basketball and football tradition.

E for Eastern Kentucky. Richmond KY is geographically friendly for the Ohio schools like WKU. They already have a MAC-level FB stadium & their basketball arena holds 6K people. They just don't have the decorated BB history that WKU has.

(03-06-2024 10:38 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  Since my last thread on this subject got closed down due to rampant trash talking, I decided to make another thread, and add a couple of more options to the discussion.

Would the better option for the MAC be to:

A: Bring in a geographic and mutally interested team in Western Kentucky?


B: Steal the C-USA's recent addition in Delaware to reinforce Buffalo and the recently added UMass?

C: Bring in UConn on a no-strings-attached basis for football-only

or

D: Stay at 13 members for the time being

A, B, & D are all good options. A is the best.

C is not an option. UConn has no interest.

(03-06-2024 12:10 PM)Troy_Fan_15 Wrote:  E for Eastern Kentucky. Richmond KY is geographically friendly for the Ohio schools like WKU. They already have a MAC-level FB stadium & their basketball arena holds 6K people. They just don't have the decorated BB history that WKU has.

I imagine the MAC would rather stay put at 13. It's difficult to see much upside here.

I think add Delaware to the MAC (reinforces east coast), and CUSA either stay at 10 or add Missouri St. and Tarleton St. for 12 (reinforce the current geography).

(03-06-2024 12:46 PM)GoBuckeyes1047 Wrote:  I think add Delaware to the MAC (reinforces east coast), and CUSA either stay at 10 or add Missouri St. and Tarleton St. for 12 (reinforce the current geography).

For most CUSA fans, Tarleton State has a name recognition or just a name problem period.

What’s in a name? A rose by any other, well, you know.

If Tarleton State changed its name to Texas A&M - Stephenville, they might gain some traction.

(03-06-2024 12:57 PM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 12:46 PM)GoBuckeyes1047 Wrote:  I think add Delaware to the MAC (reinforces east coast), and CUSA either stay at 10 or add Missouri St. and Tarleton St. for 12 (reinforce the current geography).

For most CUSA fans, Tarleton State has a name recognition or just a name problem period.

What’s in a name? A rose by any other, well, you know.

If Tarleton State changed its name to Texas A&M - Stephenville, they might gain some traction.

Texas A&M - Metroplex


(It's close in DavidSt terms!)

A &/or B

UConn has no need financially (until the legislature in CT gets tired of supporting UConn) to join a conference. I know they make bank in the Big East but scheduling has got to be a pain in November. sure August and September are easy but all 134 schools except for UConn and Notre Dame have got their conference schedules in November.

I'd say B is preferable, A or D acceptable.

C doesn't work b/c UConn can schedule better as an indy and that's important b/c they still have ACC/B12 aspirations