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Ohio Football Topic
Topic: NIU Picking Their Dog Up From The Hospital?
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cbarber357
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Posted: 12/10/2024 10:09 PM
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Maybe Tim was picking the Huskies up so they could leave the MAC together?

Noise resurfacing about NIU potentially leaving the MAC to join the Mountain West as a football only school - https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/northern-illinois-foo...

Article also confirms Toledo has no interest. Another weird move. Closest conference game would be a 14 hour drive away in Laramie, Wyoming. Other than Air Force, probably adding at least 10 more hours of driving to get anywhere else. Also includes Hawaii.
Last Edited: 12/10/2024 10:12:16 PM by cbarber357
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 12/10/2024 10:17 PM
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cbarber357 wrote:expand_more
Maybe Tim was picking the Huskies up so they could leave the MAC together?

Noise resurfacing about NIU potentially leaving the MAC to join the Mountain West as a football only school - https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/northern-illinois-foo...

Article also confirms Toledo has no interest. Another weird move. Closest conference game would be a 14 hour drive away in Laramie, Wyoming. Other than Air Force, probably adding at least 10 more hours of driving to get anywhere else. Also includes Hawaii.
Hmm . . . if they go, let's get on the phone to WKU pronto.
ts1227
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Posted: 12/10/2024 10:52 PM
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OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
Maybe Tim was picking the Huskies up so they could leave the MAC together?

Noise resurfacing about NIU potentially leaving the MAC to join the Mountain West as a football only school - https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/northern-illinois-foo...

Article also confirms Toledo has no interest. Another weird move. Closest conference game would be a 14 hour drive away in Laramie, Wyoming. Other than Air Force, probably adding at least 10 more hours of driving to get anywhere else. Also includes Hawaii.
Hmm . . . if they go, let's get on the phone to WKU pronto.
Are they still joined at the hip with MTSU, who nuked it the last time around?
BillyTheCat
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Posted: 12/10/2024 10:57 PM
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If NIU goes, it should be gone in all sports.
ohio9704
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Posted: 12/10/2024 11:00 PM
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BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
If NIU goes, it should be gone in all sports.
That is a fact!
Clown Ohio Fan
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Posted: 12/10/2024 11:01 PM
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ts1227 wrote:expand_more
Maybe Tim was picking the Huskies up so they could leave the MAC together?

Noise resurfacing about NIU potentially leaving the MAC to join the Mountain West as a football only school - https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/northern-illinois-foo...

Article also confirms Toledo has no interest. Another weird move. Closest conference game would be a 14 hour drive away in Laramie, Wyoming. Other than Air Force, probably adding at least 10 more hours of driving to get anywhere else. Also includes Hawaii.
Hmm . . . if they go, let's get on the phone to WKU pronto.
Are they still joined at the hip with MTSU, who nuked it the last time around?
The MAC wanted WKU/MTSU to be a package deal but Western Kentucky was always willing to join as a solo addition but was voted down. I haven't heard anything substantial since but it seems like their interest has waned since everything went down.
Clown Ohio Fan
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Posted: 12/10/2024 11:03 PM
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BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
If NIU goes, it should be gone in all sports.
Honestly, I'd say good riddance! They think their brand is critical to the MAC but it isn't. The numbers show they have poor attendance and they're middle of the pack as far as their reach and program interest in the MAC.

They have a good football program that's been mediocre in recent years and offer next to nothing in basketball. I'm fine with flipping them with UMass and calling it a day unless the MAC has a bigger plan up their sleeve which seems doubtful.
Mike Coleman
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Posted: 12/10/2024 11:29 PM
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They did this before, in the 80s, right?? Independent for football and something like the MVC for other sports. Never let them back in again.
GoCats105
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Posted: 12/10/2024 11:54 PM
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I really just don't understand the Mountain West's play here. NIU can't be adding that much in value by themselves. Unless they're being fed some B.S. about the Chicago media market, I just don't get this move at all. NIU will bankrupt themselves with travel costs and there's no way in hell the MW is going to be a high value TV target now that they've lost the top half of their league.
Andrew Ruck
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Posted: 12/11/2024 7:47 AM
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BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
If NIU goes, it should be gone in all sports.
100% yes. And that declaration by the MAC would shut this down right away and they'd stay. I honestly don't care if they leave, I just don't want them either all in or all out.
Victory
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Posted: 12/11/2024 8:18 AM
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Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
If NIU goes, it should be gone in all sports.
100% yes. And that declaration by the MAC would shut this down right away and they'd stay. I honestly don't care if they leave, I just don't want them either all in or all out.
If I'm not mistaken, The MAC has already said that
colobobcat66
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Posted: 12/11/2024 9:05 AM
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cbarber357 wrote:expand_more
Maybe Tim was picking the Huskies up so they could leave the MAC together?

Noise resurfacing about NIU potentially leaving the MAC to join the Mountain West as a football only school - https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/northern-illinois-foo...

Article also confirms Toledo has no interest. Another weird move. Closest conference game would be a 14 hour drive away in Laramie, Wyoming. Other than Air Force, probably adding at least 10 more hours of driving to get anywhere else. Also includes Hawaii.
They’re not going to be driving to their games, that’s for sure.
colobobcat66
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Posted: 12/11/2024 9:08 AM
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GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
I really just don't understand the Mountain West's play here. NIU can't be adding that much in value by themselves. Unless they're being fed some B.S. about the Chicago media market, I just don't get this move at all. NIU will bankrupt themselves with travel costs and there's no way in hell the MW is going to be a high value TV target now that they've lost the top half of their league.
If it’s football only, they won’t be bankrupt flying by charter to 6 games.
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 12/11/2024 9:12 AM
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ohio9704 wrote:expand_more
If NIU goes, it should be gone in all sports.
That is a fact!
They likely can't afford to also go in basketball, gonna be a fun bus ride to Fresno.
Mike Coleman
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Posted: 12/11/2024 9:31 AM
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M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
If NIU goes, it should be gone in all sports.
That is a fact!
They likely can't afford to also go in basketball, gonna be a fun bus ride to Fresno.
The point is, they would join something like the Horizon for other sports.
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 12/11/2024 9:34 AM
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Mike Coleman wrote:expand_more
If NIU goes, it should be gone in all sports.
That is a fact!
They likely can't afford to also go in basketball, gonna be a fun bus ride to Fresno.
The point is, they would join something like the Horizon for other sports.
I've always hated that, but I guess its the world we live.

Side note... I truly hope "picking up their dog from the hospital" lives on as a great meme on this board LOL
GoCats105
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Posted: 12/11/2024 10:57 AM
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colobobcat66 wrote:expand_more
I really just don't understand the Mountain West's play here. NIU can't be adding that much in value by themselves. Unless they're being fed some B.S. about the Chicago media market, I just don't get this move at all. NIU will bankrupt themselves with travel costs and there's no way in hell the MW is going to be a high value TV target now that they've lost the top half of their league.
If it’s football only, they won’t be bankrupt flying by charter to 6 games.
But they're banking on the assumption that the MW will be worth a lot more than the MAC. I think that's still up for debate as they've lost Boise, Fresno, CSU, USU and SDSU. Their conference's value took a huge hit. And potentially, they're going to have to find a landing spot for the rest of their athletics programs if the MAC kicks them out, which could potentially add more to travel costs.
cbarber357
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Posted: 12/11/2024 11:04 AM
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M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
If NIU goes, it should be gone in all sports.
That is a fact!
They likely can't afford to also go in basketball, gonna be a fun bus ride to Fresno.
The point is, they would join something like the Horizon for other sports.
I've always hated that, but I guess its the world we live.

Side note... I truly hope "picking up their dog from the hospital" lives on as a great meme on this board LOL
I will personally be doing my part.
Bobcat Love
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Posted: 12/11/2024 1:13 PM
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cbarber357 wrote:expand_more
If NIU goes, it should be gone in all sports.
That is a fact!
They likely can't afford to also go in basketball, gonna be a fun bus ride to Fresno.
The point is, they would join something like the Horizon for other sports.
I've always hated that, but I guess its the world we live.

Side note... I truly hope "picking up their dog from the hospital" lives on as a great meme on this board LOL
I will personally be doing my part.
Gloria Navarez looking Jon Steinbrecher right in the eyes and saying "Dare me" - she is a disaster of an Administrator and she's literally eating Steinbrecher's lunch. We have to do something about this conference. It's terrible. The money. The exposure. The competition level. The regionality. Complete grease fire.
OUcats82
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Posted: 12/11/2024 1:45 PM
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M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
If NIU goes, it should be gone in all sports.
That is a fact!
They likely can't afford to also go in basketball, gonna be a fun bus ride to Fresno.
The point is, they would join something like the Horizon for other sports.
I've always hated that, but I guess its the world we live.

Side note... I truly hope "picking up their dog from the hospital" lives on as a great meme on this board LOL
So.....PUTDFTH.....is that like BUTM?
greencat
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Posted: 12/11/2024 1:51 PM
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There is a better chance of getting Nashville media market attention with WKU (even without MTSU) than NIU getting a sliver of attention in Chicago. (although with both WKU & MTSU it would be a slam dunk to get media attention in NashVegas).

Unlike UMass, WKU's academics are NOT respected at all but at this point in the NCAA world, does that really matter anymore? Does anybody care?

I'd say to invite WKU and let Middle sulk over them leaving.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 12/11/2024 1:55 PM
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greencat wrote:expand_more
There is a better chance of getting Nashville media market attention with WKU (even without MTSU) than NIU getting a sliver of attention in Chicago. (although with both WKU & MTSU it would be a slam dunk to get media attention in NashVegas).

Unlike UMass, WKU's academics are NOT respected at all but at this point in the NCAA world, does that really matter anymore? Does anybody care?

I'd say to invite WKU and let Middle sulk over them leaving.
Agree on inviting WKU, and letting MTSU stew in their own juices.

And, on your other point, do college football players actually still have to go to class, or even be enrolled in the school?
Pete Chouteau
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Posted: 12/11/2024 2:07 PM
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Unless losing two, there's no pressure to add and get back to a stupid number like 13 members.
100%Cat
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Posted: 12/11/2024 2:47 PM
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ohio9704 wrote:expand_more
If NIU goes, it should be gone in all sports.
That is a fact!
I'm all for anything that gets that horrendous basketball floor out of the MAC.
greencat
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Posted: 12/11/2024 2:49 PM
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OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
There is a better chance of getting Nashville media market attention with WKU (even without MTSU) than NIU getting a sliver of attention in Chicago. (although with both WKU & MTSU it would be a slam dunk to get media attention in NashVegas).

Unlike UMass, WKU's academics are NOT respected at all but at this point in the NCAA world, does that really matter anymore? Does anybody care?

I'd say to invite WKU and let Middle sulk over them leaving.
Agree on inviting WKU, and letting MTSU stew in their own juices.

And, on your other point, do college football players actually still have to go to class, or even be enrolled in the school?
To quote Bill Shakespeare, MTSU can be "hoist on their own petard."

(and they were so proud being picked 4th is what's left of the CUSA...but oops...they finished in a tie for last place with new coach Derek "all talk" Mason. A nice guy but a crappy coach.)
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