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Topic: AAC, C-USA, and Sun Belt Realignment
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OhioCatFan
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Posted: 10/22/2021 4:37 PM
Then there is this:

https://tinyurl.com/4dxyrszx

Which those Sunbelt fans on the Marshall board feel is JMU, and not Marshall. I'm not so sure.
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OhioCatFan
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Posted: 10/22/2021 5:00 PM
Well, maybe Marshall is not moving to the Sunbelt on Wednesday, since they are going to wait until the new president is announced on Thursday, and presumably it'll take him or her a little while to make a decision, with lots of imput from the Board of Governors. Seems to me this whole things is still very fluid, despite what you'll read on herdfans.com.

https://tinyurl.com/4jz4af2j
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Posted: 10/22/2021 5:14 PM
JMU is a better fit for the MAC. Wonder if we were even part of the discussion.
Victory
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Posted: 10/22/2021 5:43 PM
It is interesting to think that MAC presidents and ADs might now have it within their power to end CUSA's existence as a conference.
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Posted: 10/22/2021 8:49 PM
Victory wrote:expand_more
It is interesting to think that MAC presidents and ADs might now have it within their power to end CUSA's existence as a conference.

You need six members to be a conference. If the teams leave for the SBC, CUSA is down to 5 teams and is not going to be recognized as a conference by the NCAA unless they find a 6th member. Calling Umass to recuse.
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Posted: 10/22/2021 9:14 PM
ESPN, quoting Action Network, is reporting that SMiss is headed to the Sun Belt by 2023. Others having the conversation with SB are T'erd, ODU and JMU. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32453666...

So that would leave FIU, WKU, MTSU, LaTech and UTEP as remnants for CUSA, not enough to be a conference. But CUSA's commish says they're talking with "several" D1 schools, from both subdivisions, and are looking for a "regional concept" for whatever's left of the league. That means southern and southwestern schools. NMSU? Probably Liberty, although Liberty hasn't been keen on joining a conference. However this comes out, the MAC might suddenly not be the worst football conference in D1A.
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Victory
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Posted: 10/22/2021 9:25 PM
Pataskala wrote:expand_more
ESPN, quoting Action Network, is reporting that SMiss is headed to the Sun Belt by 2023. Others having the conversation with SB are T'erd, ODU and JMU. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32453666...

So that would leave FIU, WKU, MTSU, LaTech and UTEP as remnants for CUSA, not enough to be a conference. But CUSA's commish says they're talking with "several" D1 schools, from both subdivisions, and are looking for a "regional concept" for whatever's left of the league. That means southern and southwestern schools. NMSU? Probably Liberty, although Liberty hasn't been keen on joining a conference. However this comes out, the MAC might suddenly not be the worst football conference in D1A.
If WKU and MTSU end up in the MAC then its down to 3. It would be really hard to rebuild from there. That's what I mean. It might just have to disband at that point.
ohio9704
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Posted: 10/22/2021 9:34 PM
You get access to the Nashville market with Middle Tennessee and a really good regional basketball program in Western Kentucky. Would love if MAC moves forward in grabbing these two programs. Are they glamour programs? NO. Do they allow survival in the current moving landscape? Yes, temporarily.
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Posted: 10/23/2021 12:54 AM
add LTU, WKy, MT and FIU for a MAC south with MAC north niu,emu,cmu, wmu mac central toledo,bg, miami, bsu and mac east ohio, ub, kent st and akron. 16 team Big MAC would counter the AAC and Sun Belt and move MAC ahead of MWC.
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Posted: 10/23/2021 10:10 AM
Well it looks like Marshall "done deal" with the SBC, as was being reported on herdfans.com yesterday, may not be so done as many of their posters believed. Here's what one ESPN pundit said this morning:

https://tinyurl.com/8kt2wnuh
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Gallia Cat
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Posted: 10/23/2021 12:31 PM
SVAC83 wrote:expand_more
I think conference USA is gone. I bet the MAC is receiving calls from western kentucky and Middle tennesse. These seem to be two schools with no where to go. The only way conference USA survives is if ODU gets left out of the mix. Then you might see a regional league form down that way.
Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee would be solid additions to the MAC and I hope we add them. Sure they are outside the current footprint but still fit with the name “Mid American”. It’s not like both are located in Deep South. They are usually always competitive and would fit in well. Also bringing in the two schools with an already established rivalry will be a positive as the fan bases transitions in. As for Marshall they will never be happy no matter what conference they are in and I believe they would be a destabilizing force if they ever returned. Not to mention I have zero interest in dealing with their delusional fans.

My final thoughts in relation to MTSU and WKU, I hope the league wouldn’t try to relocate the FB championship game and the MAC Basketball tournament from the current locations. These are great venues. The MAC basketball tournament has flourished since relocating to Cleveland.
Last Edited: 10/23/2021 12:43:33 PM by Gallia Cat
GoCats105
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Posted: 10/23/2021 2:25 PM
C-USA is desperate. Rumor has it looking at several FCS schools, including Tarleton State. Seriously MAC, do the damn thing and invite WKU and MTSU.
Last Edited: 10/23/2021 2:26:17 PM by GoCats105
GoCats105
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Posted: 10/23/2021 2:29 PM
Gallia Cat wrote:expand_more
I think conference USA is gone. I bet the MAC is receiving calls from western kentucky and Middle tennesse. These seem to be two schools with no where to go. The only way conference USA survives is if ODU gets left out of the mix. Then you might see a regional league form down that way.
Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee would be solid additions to the MAC and I hope we add them. Sure they are outside the current footprint but still fit with the name “Mid American”. It’s not like both are located in Deep South. They are usually always competitive and would fit in well. Also bringing in the two schools with an already established rivalry will be a positive as the fan bases transitions in. As for Marshall they will never be happy no matter what conference they are in and I believe they would be a destabilizing force if they ever returned. Not to mention I have zero interest in dealing with their delusional fans.

My final thoughts in relation to MTSU and WKU, I hope the league wouldn’t try to relocate the FB championship game and the MAC Basketball tournament from the current locations. These are great venues. The MAC basketball tournament has flourished since relocating to Cleveland.
Probably won't, but moving to a more central location for all like Cincinnati would be kinda cool.
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Posted: 10/23/2021 3:50 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
I think conference USA is gone. I bet the MAC is receiving calls from western kentucky and Middle tennesse. These seem to be two schools with no where to go. The only way conference USA survives is if ODU gets left out of the mix. Then you might see a regional league form down that way.
Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee would be solid additions to the MAC and I hope we add them. Sure they are outside the current footprint but still fit with the name “Mid American”. It’s not like both are located in Deep South. They are usually always competitive and would fit in well. Also bringing in the two schools with an already established rivalry will be a positive as the fan bases transitions in. As for Marshall they will never be happy no matter what conference they are in and I believe they would be a destabilizing force if they ever returned. Not to mention I have zero interest in dealing with their delusional fans.

My final thoughts in relation to MTSU and WKU, I hope the league wouldn’t try to relocate the FB championship game and the MAC Basketball tournament from the current locations. These are great venues. The MAC basketball tournament has flourished since relocating to Cleveland.
Probably won't, but moving to a more central location for all like Cincinnati would be kinda cool.

Cincinnati’s downtown arena is a dump so no thank you. If they ever relocated it to a more central location then Nationwide Arena in Columbus would be the only option acceptable. That being said it needs to stay in Cleveland
Last Edited: 10/23/2021 3:54:48 PM by Gallia Cat
GoCats105
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Posted: 10/23/2021 4:39 PM
Gallia Cat wrote:expand_more
I think conference USA is gone. I bet the MAC is receiving calls from western kentucky and Middle tennesse. These seem to be two schools with no where to go. The only way conference USA survives is if ODU gets left out of the mix. Then you might see a regional league form down that way.
Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee would be solid additions to the MAC and I hope we add them. Sure they are outside the current footprint but still fit with the name “Mid American”. It’s not like both are located in Deep South. They are usually always competitive and would fit in well. Also bringing in the two schools with an already established rivalry will be a positive as the fan bases transitions in. As for Marshall they will never be happy no matter what conference they are in and I believe they would be a destabilizing force if they ever returned. Not to mention I have zero interest in dealing with their delusional fans.

My final thoughts in relation to MTSU and WKU, I hope the league wouldn’t try to relocate the FB championship game and the MAC Basketball tournament from the current locations. These are great venues. The MAC basketball tournament has flourished since relocating to Cleveland.
Probably won't, but moving to a more central location for all like Cincinnati would be kinda cool.

Cincinnati’s downtown arena is a dump so no thank you. If they ever relocated it to a more central location then Nationwide Arena in Columbus would be the only option acceptable. That being said it needs to stay in Cleveland
Oh I'll agree there. Speaking from a football standpoint though, Paul Brown might be kinda cool instead of Ford Field. Not sure how much of a draw it would be for locals or if the MAC would get away from the dome.
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Posted: 10/23/2021 4:45 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
I think conference USA is gone. I bet the MAC is receiving calls from western kentucky and Middle tennesse. These seem to be two schools with no where to go. The only way conference USA survives is if ODU gets left out of the mix. Then you might see a regional league form down that way.
Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee would be solid additions to the MAC and I hope we add them. Sure they are outside the current footprint but still fit with the name “Mid American”. It’s not like both are located in Deep South. They are usually always competitive and would fit in well. Also bringing in the two schools with an already established rivalry will be a positive as the fan bases transitions in. As for Marshall they will never be happy no matter what conference they are in and I believe they would be a destabilizing force if they ever returned. Not to mention I have zero interest in dealing with their delusional fans.

My final thoughts in relation to MTSU and WKU, I hope the league wouldn’t try to relocate the FB championship game and the MAC Basketball tournament from the current locations. These are great venues. The MAC basketball tournament has flourished since relocating to Cleveland.
Probably won't, but moving to a more central location for all like Cincinnati would be kinda cool.

Cincinnati’s downtown arena is a dump so no thank you. If they ever relocated it to a more central location then Nationwide Arena in Columbus would be the only option acceptable. That being said it needs to stay in Cleveland
Oh I'll agree there. Speaking from a football standpoint though, Paul Brown might be kinda cool instead of Ford Field. Not sure how much of a draw it would be for locals or if the MAC would get away from the dome.
Not many people would show up at an open-air stadium in early December.
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Posted: 10/23/2021 7:49 PM
Reading WKU message boards there are some who want no part of the MAC, and others who welcome the idea, saying it would be be better travel and exposure due to our championship games being in pro stadiums.

Also, there was a post on there with a tidbit saying the MAC was planning on inviting WKU back in 2005. They needed a unanimous decision from all of the presidents but EMU was the only school to vote no. At the time, they were protesting the MAC office for some unrelated thing regarding Toledo leaving something off their football game film. To basically flip the double bird at the league office, they voted no on WKU membership.

I've never heard that before but that's fascinating stuff.
Last Edited: 10/23/2021 7:49:32 PM by GoCats105
SBH
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Posted: 10/23/2021 8:19 PM
Quote:expand_more
Not many people would show up at an open-air stadium in early December.
2 responses:

1. Not many people show up to Ford Field when Michigan teams are not represented.

2. Given climate change, who the hell knows when winter even begins these days?

I'd love for the game to be in Canton.
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Posted: 10/23/2021 8:28 PM
MAC expansion would be an error.

Any membership change would mean re-negotiating TV contracts.

TV money is only going down.
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Posted: 10/23/2021 9:03 PM
Pete Chouteau wrote:expand_more
MAC expansion would be an error.

Any membership change would mean re-negotiating TV contracts.

TV money is only going down.
I get that argument. But, who knows what the future has for folks like Akron or Eastern Michigan. I think bigger is better right now. It's not like we are adding UTEP and having to travel all the way there. These teams expand the geographic footprint, but not in a massive expense way. Western Kentucky is about an hour from Nashville and MTSU about 40 minutes.
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Posted: 10/23/2021 9:46 PM
ohio9704 wrote:expand_more
MAC expansion would be an error.

Any membership change would mean re-negotiating TV contracts.

TV money is only going down.
I get that argument. But, who knows what the future has for folks like Akron or Eastern Michigan. I think bigger is better right now. It's not like we are adding UTEP and having to travel all the way there. These teams expand the geographic footprint, but not in a massive expense way. Western Kentucky is about an hour from Nashville and MTSU about 40 minutes.
The ESPN contract goes through 2026-27, so there might not be renegotiation there. But I think CUSA's big contract is with CBS and expires in 2022-23. The MAC's contract with CBS also expires then, so negotiations to renew that contract will be coming up if they haven't already started. CBS could have some extra cash if it chooses not to negotiate with what's left of CUSA.
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Posted: 10/23/2021 10:48 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
I'd love for the game to be in Canton.
Bleh, I’d rather they play the game on campus in Mt. Pleasant than in Canton
Last Edited: 10/23/2021 10:49:30 PM by mf279801
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Posted: 10/24/2021 10:04 AM
mf279801 wrote:expand_more
I'd love for the game to be in Canton.
Bleh, I’d rather they play the game on campus in Mt. Pleasant than in Canton
HoF stadium is awesome and a great atmosphere
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Posted: 10/24/2021 12:38 PM
What analysis is ever done on which configuration is going to win the most football games for the school in question? Marshall looks to be walking into a buzzsaw if they join the SBC.

I had thought one traditional advantage Ohio had was that it had an engineering school and 250 majors. I heard on the Kent St telecast Saturday that Crum was majoring in Aeronautical Engineering at KSU. I guess Kent has a few programs in engineering now giving it a marginal engineering college status. Ohio in the 90's at one point was rated as a Top 40 public university and now its 88th.

The campus and Athens has a lot of enhancements since the 90's which normally is an indicator of a school on the rise. My guess is students are priced out but doesn't apply to athletes on scholarship.
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Posted: 10/24/2021 4:08 PM
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
I'd love for the game to be in Canton.
Bleh, I’d rather they play the game on campus in Mt. Pleasant than in Canton
HoF stadium is awesome and a great atmosphere
With zero taverns or restaurants within short walking distance. Recall that fans are not there to watch football; it is all about the jumbotron, the restrooms, how long the lines to get a hot dog happen to be and how is the cell phone reception.
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