Ohio Football Topic
Topic: AAC, C-USA, and Sun Belt Realignment
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giacomo
10/20/2021 9:17 PM
These conference realignment threads really stir the pot!!
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Pataskala
10/20/2021 9:20 PM
giacomo wrote:expand_more
These conference realignment threads really stir the pot!!
With nothing good happening on the field, the mind starts to wander. At least we haven't seen how we're joining the AAC or the ACC.
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OU_Country
10/21/2021 9:55 AM
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.
A regional league is what the remains of the G5 schools should be thinking about. All of them *should* be thinking about it together, in order to give themselves the best chance moving forward in D1 football. Of course they won't, and they'll all be thinking about how to get the most money possible for themselves. Instead, forming 2, 3, 4 quality and sustainable conferences that are geographically sensible with all members on relatively equal footing in terms of finances and academics should be their focus. I just shake my head at this conversation every time I look at posts about realignment. The end of the Big East football conference about ten years ago was the beginning of damage to college athletics as we knew it, and many of us knew it back then. All because of greed that was chasing ESPN money instead of doing the right things.
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GoCats105
10/21/2021 11:17 AM
OU_Country 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.
A regional league is what the remains of the G5 schools should be thinking about. All of them *should* be thinking about it together, in order to give themselves the best chance moving forward in D1 football. Of course they won't, and they'll all be thinking about how to get the most money possible for themselves. Instead, forming 2, 3, 4 quality and sustainable conferences that are geographically sensible with all members on relatively equal footing in terms of finances and academics should be their focus. I just shake my head at this conversation every time I look at posts about realignment. The end of the Big East football conference about ten years ago was the beginning of damage to college athletics as we knew it, and many of us knew it back then. All because of greed that was chasing ESPN money instead of doing the right things.
The thing that kills me the most is these small conferences chasing the scraps that ESPN leaves behind when ESPN couldn't care less about how the product is presented to the masses. I think eventually they're going to realize that alienating their fanbase (further than they already have) simply isn't worth playing on a Tuesday night in front of a paltry crowd with a broadcast team watching the game in Bristol, CT over the same live stream we all are. There has to be a better option out there.

Eventually having a more packed house on a Saturday has to mean more. And lately, CBS Sports Network has produced way better content for the MAC than ESPN has. Even if they do move the bball games to Fridays, at least it's a quality broadcast. Hell, when they go to halftime of a MAC game on ESPN they don't even talk about the game at hand. They use it to advertise the Power 5 conferences or some UFC fight coming up that weekend. So why not work a better deal with CBS? This is especially annoying around MAC tournament time when CBS Sports Network produced the Semi-Finals and does a great job, but then the championship game is on ESPN2 at the same time as some power conference. So who the hell is even watching it besides us MAC fans?
Last Edited: 10/21/2021 11:22:01 AM by GoCats105
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OU_Country
10/21/2021 11:40 AM
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.
A regional league is what the remains of the G5 schools should be thinking about. All of them *should* be thinking about it together, in order to give themselves the best chance moving forward in D1 football. Of course they won't, and they'll all be thinking about how to get the most money possible for themselves. Instead, forming 2, 3, 4 quality and sustainable conferences that are geographically sensible with all members on relatively equal footing in terms of finances and academics should be their focus. I just shake my head at this conversation every time I look at posts about realignment. The end of the Big East football conference about ten years ago was the beginning of damage to college athletics as we knew it, and many of us knew it back then. All because of greed that was chasing ESPN money instead of doing the right things.
The thing that kills me the most is these small conferences chasing the scraps that ESPN leaves behind when ESPN couldn't care less about how the product is presented to the masses. I think eventually they're going to realize that alienating their fanbase (further than they already have) simply isn't worth playing on a Tuesday night in front of a paltry crowd with a broadcast team watching the game in Bristol, CT over the same live stream we all are. There has to be a better option out there.

Eventually having a more packed house on a Saturday has to mean more. And lately, CBS Sports Network has produced way better content for the MAC than ESPN has. Even if they do move the bball games to Fridays, at least it's a quality broadcast. Hell, when they go to halftime of a MAC game on ESPN they don't even talk about the game at hand. They use it to advertise the Power 5 conferences or some UFC fight coming up that weekend. So why not work a better deal with CBS? This is especially annoying around MAC tournament time when CBS Sports Network produced the Semi-Finals and does a great job, but then the championship game is on ESPN2 at the same time as some power conference. So who the hell is even watching it besides us MAC fans?
Above, you said "There has to be a better option out there."

I'm inclined to agree, especially in 2021. What is stopping all of the leagues getting the scraps left behind, as you say, and starting their own broadcast network? Or even better, why not partner with FloSports, who does a bang up job on racing all over the country. All of the non-power conferences, if they worked together, would seem to have a greater bargaining power with anyone than they do by bartering with ESPN, etc. for whatever they can get.
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Pataskala
10/21/2021 11:40 AM
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.
A regional league is what the remains of the G5 schools should be thinking about. All of them *should* be thinking about it together, in order to give themselves the best chance moving forward in D1 football. Of course they won't, and they'll all be thinking about how to get the most money possible for themselves. Instead, forming 2, 3, 4 quality and sustainable conferences that are geographically sensible with all members on relatively equal footing in terms of finances and academics should be their focus. I just shake my head at this conversation every time I look at posts about realignment. The end of the Big East football conference about ten years ago was the beginning of damage to college athletics as we knew it, and many of us knew it back then. All because of greed that was chasing ESPN money instead of doing the right things.
The thing that kills me the most is these small conferences chasing the scraps that ESPN leaves behind when ESPN couldn't care less about how the product is presented to the masses. I think eventually they're going to realize that alienating their fanbase (further than they already have) simply isn't worth playing on a Tuesday night in front of a paltry crowd with a broadcast team watching the game in Bristol, CT over the same live stream we all are. There has to be a better option out there.

Eventually having a more packed house on a Saturday has to mean more. And lately, CBS Sports Network has produced way better content for the MAC than ESPN has. Even if they do move the bball games to Fridays, at least it's a quality broadcast. Hell, when they go to halftime of a MAC game on ESPN they don't even talk about the game at hand. They use it to advertise the Power 5 conferences or some UFC fight coming up that weekend. So why not work a better deal with CBS?
And over-the-air CBS will be hurting for Saturday afternoon games in a couple of years when their SEC contract runs out. They've already started showing Army and some MWC games early on Saturdays in September. They might snatch up the B12 from Fox but without Okla and Tex, the B12 will be a glorified G5 conference. Putting a good G5 game at noon, instead of bull riding and "The Road to Wherever the CFP Championship Game is Being Held," might be in the cards.

BTW, for some reason our game with Toledo on 11/16 is already slotted for ESPN2. Seems kind of early, especially given that neither team has shown much this season. The other games that night are BG-MOFO and WMU-EMU
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BillyTheCat
10/21/2021 12:27 PM
You fail to understand that coaches want to be on TV, they want their product in recurits homes. Recurits want to know they will be on TV. And sorry, they really do not care what Joe Fan feels on this matter, at least not yet.

And not sure what you want these coferences to do? Tell TV "thanks but no thanks"? That is such a swell idea! Wonder why none of them have done that yet?
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Mark Lembright '85
10/21/2021 1:36 PM
OU_Country 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.
A regional league is what the remains of the G5 schools should be thinking about. All of them *should* be thinking about it together, in order to give themselves the best chance moving forward in D1 football. Of course they won't, and they'll all be thinking about how to get the most money possible for themselves. Instead, forming 2, 3, 4 quality and sustainable conferences that are geographically sensible with all members on relatively equal footing in terms of finances and academics should be their focus. I just shake my head at this conversation every time I look at posts about realignment. The end of the Big East football conference about ten years ago was the beginning of damage to college athletics as we knew it, and many of us knew it back then. All because of greed that was chasing ESPN money instead of doing the right things.
The thing that kills me the most is these small conferences chasing the scraps that ESPN leaves behind when ESPN couldn't care less about how the product is presented to the masses. I think eventually they're going to realize that alienating their fanbase (further than they already have) simply isn't worth playing on a Tuesday night in front of a paltry crowd with a broadcast team watching the game in Bristol, CT over the same live stream we all are. There has to be a better option out there.

Eventually having a more packed house on a Saturday has to mean more. And lately, CBS Sports Network has produced way better content for the MAC than ESPN has. Even if they do move the bball games to Fridays, at least it's a quality broadcast. Hell, when they go to halftime of a MAC game on ESPN they don't even talk about the game at hand. They use it to advertise the Power 5 conferences or some UFC fight coming up that weekend. So why not work a better deal with CBS? This is especially annoying around MAC tournament time when CBS Sports Network produced the Semi-Finals and does a great job, but then the championship game is on ESPN2 at the same time as some power conference. So who the hell is even watching it besides us MAC fans?
Above, you said "There has to be a better option out there."

I'm inclined to agree, especially in 2021. What is stopping all of the leagues getting the scraps left behind, as you say, and starting their own broadcast network? Or even better, why not partner with FloSports, who does a bang up job on racing all over the country. All of the non-power conferences, if they worked together, would seem to have a greater bargaining power with anyone than they do by bartering with ESPN, etc. for whatever they can get.
I don't think there's the demand by the viewing public that actually watches college football to watch G5 football that you guys think there is. My hunch is that most casual viewers would rather watch P5 games or nothing at all. Outside of alumni of the G5 school that's on TV, who else is watching a G5 game, other than true diehards? I think this is about as good as it gets for the G5 and if the MAC thinks it can do better than the weekday MACtion games (as far as TV viewership is concerned), well good luck with that.
Last Edited: 10/21/2021 1:57:21 PM by Mark Lembright '85
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Mark Lembright '85
10/21/2021 1:55 PM
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Last Edited: 10/21/2021 1:57:01 PM by Mark Lembright '85
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GoCats105
10/21/2021 2:01 PM
Mark Lembright '85 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.
A regional league is what the remains of the G5 schools should be thinking about. All of them *should* be thinking about it together, in order to give themselves the best chance moving forward in D1 football. Of course they won't, and they'll all be thinking about how to get the most money possible for themselves. Instead, forming 2, 3, 4 quality and sustainable conferences that are geographically sensible with all members on relatively equal footing in terms of finances and academics should be their focus. I just shake my head at this conversation every time I look at posts about realignment. The end of the Big East football conference about ten years ago was the beginning of damage to college athletics as we knew it, and many of us knew it back then. All because of greed that was chasing ESPN money instead of doing the right things.
The thing that kills me the most is these small conferences chasing the scraps that ESPN leaves behind when ESPN couldn't care less about how the product is presented to the masses. I think eventually they're going to realize that alienating their fanbase (further than they already have) simply isn't worth playing on a Tuesday night in front of a paltry crowd with a broadcast team watching the game in Bristol, CT over the same live stream we all are. There has to be a better option out there.

Eventually having a more packed house on a Saturday has to mean more. And lately, CBS Sports Network has produced way better content for the MAC than ESPN has. Even if they do move the bball games to Fridays, at least it's a quality broadcast. Hell, when they go to halftime of a MAC game on ESPN they don't even talk about the game at hand. They use it to advertise the Power 5 conferences or some UFC fight coming up that weekend. So why not work a better deal with CBS? This is especially annoying around MAC tournament time when CBS Sports Network produced the Semi-Finals and does a great job, but then the championship game is on ESPN2 at the same time as some power conference. So who the hell is even watching it besides us MAC fans?
Above, you said "There has to be a better option out there."

I'm inclined to agree, especially in 2021. What is stopping all of the leagues getting the scraps left behind, as you say, and starting their own broadcast network? Or even better, why not partner with FloSports, who does a bang up job on racing all over the country. All of the non-power conferences, if they worked together, would seem to have a greater bargaining power with anyone than they do by bartering with ESPN, etc. for whatever they can get.
I don't think there's the demand by the viewing public that actually watches college football to watch G5 football that you guys think there is. My hunch is that most viewers would rather watch P5 games or nothing at all. Outside of alumni of the G5 school that's on TV, who else is watching a G5 game, other than true diehards? I think this is about as good as it gets for the G5 and if the MAC thinks it can do better than the weekday MACtion games (as far as TV viewership is concerned), well good luck with that.
I'm not saying the G5 is anywhere near going to compete with the P5 in terms of relevancy and audience draw. That's never going to happen. These conferences aren't popular enough to start their own networks, that's very clear. My issue lies with the powers that be basically just signing their livelihood to ESPN and being stuck with a terrible product because of it. What's going to happen when ESPN decides they no longer want to keep the MAC on TV for weekly MACtion games in November and it's relegated to maybe just the MAC title game and that's it?
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Pataskala
10/21/2021 2:10 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.
A regional league is what the remains of the G5 schools should be thinking about. All of them *should* be thinking about it together, in order to give themselves the best chance moving forward in D1 football. Of course they won't, and they'll all be thinking about how to get the most money possible for themselves. Instead, forming 2, 3, 4 quality and sustainable conferences that are geographically sensible with all members on relatively equal footing in terms of finances and academics should be their focus. I just shake my head at this conversation every time I look at posts about realignment. The end of the Big East football conference about ten years ago was the beginning of damage to college athletics as we knew it, and many of us knew it back then. All because of greed that was chasing ESPN money instead of doing the right things.
The thing that kills me the most is these small conferences chasing the scraps that ESPN leaves behind when ESPN couldn't care less about how the product is presented to the masses. I think eventually they're going to realize that alienating their fanbase (further than they already have) simply isn't worth playing on a Tuesday night in front of a paltry crowd with a broadcast team watching the game in Bristol, CT over the same live stream we all are. There has to be a better option out there.

Eventually having a more packed house on a Saturday has to mean more. And lately, CBS Sports Network has produced way better content for the MAC than ESPN has. Even if they do move the bball games to Fridays, at least it's a quality broadcast. Hell, when they go to halftime of a MAC game on ESPN they don't even talk about the game at hand. They use it to advertise the Power 5 conferences or some UFC fight coming up that weekend. So why not work a better deal with CBS? This is especially annoying around MAC tournament time when CBS Sports Network produced the Semi-Finals and does a great job, but then the championship game is on ESPN2 at the same time as some power conference. So who the hell is even watching it besides us MAC fans?
Above, you said "There has to be a better option out there."

I'm inclined to agree, especially in 2021. What is stopping all of the leagues getting the scraps left behind, as you say, and starting their own broadcast network? Or even better, why not partner with FloSports, who does a bang up job on racing all over the country. All of the non-power conferences, if they worked together, would seem to have a greater bargaining power with anyone than they do by bartering with ESPN, etc. for whatever they can get.
I don't think there's the demand by the viewing public that actually watches college football to watch G5 football that you guys think there is. My hunch is that most viewers would rather watch P5 games or nothing at all. Outside of alumni of the G5 school that's on TV, who else is watching a G5 game, other than true diehards? I think this is about as good as it gets for the G5 and if the MAC thinks it can do better than the weekday MACtion games (as far as TV viewership is concerned), well good luck with that.
I'm not saying the G5 is anywhere near going to compete with the P5 in terms of relevancy and audience draw. That's never going to happen. These conferences aren't popular enough to start their own networks, that's very clear. My issue lies with the powers that be basically just signing their livelihood to ESPN and being stuck with a terrible product because of it. What's going to happen when ESPN decides they no longer want to keep the MAC on TV for weekly MACtion games in November and it's relegated to maybe just the MAC title game and that's it?
Probably what they're doing now on pre-midweekMACtion Saturdays. Have maybe one game on ESPNU, the rest on ESPN+/ESPN3 except for whatever game CBSSN wants. But the entire schedule would flip to Saturdays except for an occasional outlier Thursday or Friday game. The money likely will be less because (a) Disney is losing money four-fingered hand over fist and (b) they pretty much blew their wad with the SEC rights.
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cc-cat
10/21/2021 2:11 PM
Mark Lembright '85 wrote:expand_more
I don't think there's the demand by the viewing public that actually watches college football to watch G5 football that you guys think there is. My hunch is that most casual viewers would rather watch P5 games or nothing at all. Outside of alumni of the G5 school that's on TV, who else is watching a G5 game, other than true diehards? I think this is about as good as it gets for the G5 and if the MAC thinks it can do better than the weekday MACtion games (as far as TV viewership is concerned), well good luck with that.
Reality is that outside the top 2-4 teams in each conference (i.e., top 20), no one is clamoring to watch P5 games either. No one is glued to the TV (or computer) for Wake Forest, Ga tech, Ole Miss, Indiana, etc.
Last Edited: 10/21/2021 2:12:04 PM by cc-cat
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OU_Country
10/21/2021 3:16 PM
cc-cat wrote:expand_more
I don't think there's the demand by the viewing public that actually watches college football to watch G5 football that you guys think there is. My hunch is that most casual viewers would rather watch P5 games or nothing at all. Outside of alumni of the G5 school that's on TV, who else is watching a G5 game, other than true diehards? I think this is about as good as it gets for the G5 and if the MAC thinks it can do better than the weekday MACtion games (as far as TV viewership is concerned), well good luck with that.
Reality is that outside the top 2-4 teams in each conference (i.e., top 20), no one is clamoring to watch P5 games either. No one is glued to the TV (or computer) for Wake Forest, Ga tech, Ole Miss, Indiana, etc.
Agreed. When is the last time you watched an ACC game between Ga Tech and Wake on purpose?
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The Optimist
10/21/2021 3:17 PM
cc-cat wrote:expand_more
I don't think there's the demand by the viewing public that actually watches college football to watch G5 football that you guys think there is. My hunch is that most casual viewers would rather watch P5 games or nothing at all. Outside of alumni of the G5 school that's on TV, who else is watching a G5 game, other than true diehards? I think this is about as good as it gets for the G5 and if the MAC thinks it can do better than the weekday MACtion games (as far as TV viewership is concerned), well good luck with that.
Reality is that outside the top 2-4 teams in each conference (i.e., top 20), no one is clamoring to watch P5 games either. No one is glued to the TV (or computer) for Wake Forest, Ga tech, Ole Miss, Indiana, etc.
Gambling definitely draws in some people to random games...
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mf279801
10/21/2021 9:09 PM
Pataskala wrote:expand_more
....(a) Disney is losing money four-fingered hand over fist and (b) they pretty much blew their wad with the SEC rights.
According to their financials, Disney had a net profit (After tax) just north of a billion dollars over the last 4 quarters. Works out to about 60 cents a share. Not a great PE ratio, but Disney is hardly losing money hand over fist*

*Note: ESPN might very well be losing money hand over fist (I didn't check that), but either Disney isn't or they aren't reporting the loss on their finacials
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OUcats82
10/21/2021 9:42 PM
C-USA is going to take a hit with Charlotte, FAU, UAB, North Texas, Rice, and UTSA all accepting invites from The American.

8 teams remain in FIU, La Tech, Marshall, MTSU, Old Dominion, Southern Miss, UTEP and WKU.

Looks like a big chunk of these schools are looking hard at the Sun Belt.

I wouldn't mind having MTSU and WKU in the MAC. Not sure if their old conference would have them back.
Last Edited: 10/21/2021 9:44:07 PM by OUcats82
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cbus cat fan
10/22/2021 10:37 AM
In the interest of continuity during this latest storm of money and and hot potato in college football, I would rather ride out the storm in the ship we have. Maybe take back Marshall if they repent for their past transgressions, rather than try to realign ourselves with schools that may or not fit the current MAC profile. Coaches salaries are approaching 10 million dollars a year, we don't have the munitions to compete in this arms race. With the current mess that Higher Education finds itself, some dreamy eyed mid majors might literally sink the ship with lofty athletic ambitions that will never come to fruition.
Last Edited: 10/22/2021 10:39:35 AM by cbus cat fan
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GoCats105
10/22/2021 10:48 AM
cbus cat fan wrote:expand_more
In the interest of continuity during this latest storm of money and and hot potato in college football, I would rather ride out the storm in the ship we have. Maybe take back Marshall if they repent for their past transgressions, rather than try to realign ourselves with schools that may or not fit the current MAC profile. Coaches salaries are approaching 10 million dollars a year, we don't have the munitions to compete in this arms race. With the current mess that Higher Education finds itself, some dreamy eyed mid majors might literally sink the ship with lofty athletic ambitions that will never come to fruition.
I have a feeling the league isn't going to do anything to jeopardize their current footprint they have in place and will keep it as easy as possible for travel in the future to keep costs low. The Temple and UMass stints were fun ideas, but having only one team on the East Coast made no sense for the league as a whole.

Really there are only a handful of schools they could go after while also slightly expanding the footprint: Marshall, WKU, MTSU and EKU. James Madison would be nice, but the MAC would probably need assurances that another school close by coming aboard would make it worth it. And I can't see them accepting an invite from the MAC over the Sun Belt if it came down to those two. Maybe you throw a bone at Army? But I think they like where they are as an Independent and also seeing what Navy has gone through they'd rather not.

North Dakota State is another pipe dream. It's too far. I don't even know any other FCS schools looking to move up other than schools in the South like Kennesaw State. I've always thought it would be really fun if Youngstown State raised the funds to become an FBS program and have a fun little three team rivalry with Akron and Kent State. But I don't think that's in the cards either.
Last Edited: 10/22/2021 10:49:28 AM by GoCats105
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Pataskala
10/22/2021 11:07 AM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
In the interest of continuity during this latest storm of money and and hot potato in college football, I would rather ride out the storm in the ship we have. Maybe take back Marshall if they repent for their past transgressions, rather than try to realign ourselves with schools that may or not fit the current MAC profile. Coaches salaries are approaching 10 million dollars a year, we don't have the munitions to compete in this arms race. With the current mess that Higher Education finds itself, some dreamy eyed mid majors might literally sink the ship with lofty athletic ambitions that will never come to fruition.
I have a feeling the league isn't going to do anything to jeopardize their current footprint they have in place and will keep it as easy as possible for travel in the future to keep costs low. The Temple and UMass stints were fun ideas, but having only one team on the East Coast made no sense for the league as a whole.

Really there are only a handful of schools they could go after while also slightly expanding the footprint: Marshall, WKU, MTSU and EKU. James Madison would be nice, but the MAC would probably need assurances that another school close by coming aboard would make it worth it. And I can't see them accepting an invite from the MAC over the Sun Belt if it came down to those two. Maybe you throw a bone at Army? But I think they like where they are as an Independent and also seeing what Navy has gone through they'd rather not.

North Dakota State is another pipe dream. It's too far. I don't even know any other FCS schools looking to move up other than schools in the South like Kennesaw State. I've always thought it would be really fun if Youngstown State raised the funds to become an FBS program and have a fun little three team rivalry with Akron and Kent State. But I don't think that's in the cards either.
Don't forget when UCF was in the MAC. That really didn't make sense.

YSU would be nice but I don't think the non-Ohio MAC schools would go for ANOTHER Ohio school.

A few years ago I thought Northern Iowa and/or Southern Illinois might move up, and they would be nice additions to the MAC. But I haven't heard anything about them going D1A over the last decade or so.
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OhioCatFan
10/22/2021 11:41 AM
Update on Marshall fan board (herdfans.com) sentiment. They still have a majority saying, "never MAC," but there are more and more posts saying that if WKU and MTSU come along with Marshall that it might make a good move. Also, it's been posted that Dan D'Antoni, head basketball coach, is lobbying for a return to the MAC. And, others are reporting that the Marshall administration is very hesitant about the Sunbelt, which seems to be preferred by the loudest voices on this Marshall board. So, what do I make of this? I think there must be some serious discussions going on between Marshall and at least WKU also about joining the MAC.
Last Edited: 10/22/2021 11:42:30 AM by OhioCatFan
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GoCats105
10/22/2021 12:08 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
Update on Marshall fan board (herdfans.com) sentiment. They still have a majority saying, "never MAC," but there are more and more posts saying that if WKU and MTSU come along with Marshall that it might make a good move. Also, it's been posted that Dan D'Antoni, head basketball coach, is lobbying for a return to the MAC. And, others are reporting that the Marshall administration is very hesitant about the Sunbelt, which seems to be preferred by the loudest voices on this Marshall board. So, what do I make of this? I think there must be some serious discussions going on between Marshall and at least WKU also about joining the MAC.
Why do I feel like our friend Chuck Landon is a member of that board probably screaming the loudest not to come back?

https://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/chuck-landon-mu-ha...

"The MAC has nothing to add..."

I always laugh when I see this because what exactly has C-USA done? The MAC has been to two NY6 (BCS) bowls in the past decade. C-USA hasn't even come close.
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mf279801
10/22/2021 12:09 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
Update on Marshall fan board (herdfans.com) sentiment. They still have a majority saying, "never MAC," but there are more and more posts saying that if WKU and MTSU come along with Marshall that it might make a good move. Also, it's been posted that Dan D'Antoni, head basketball coach, is lobbying for a return to the MAC. And, others are reporting that the Marshall administration is very hesitant about the Sunbelt, which seems to be preferred by the loudest voices on this Marshall board. So, what do I make of this? I think there must be some serious discussions going on between Marshall and at least WKU also about joining the MAC.
Would the Sunbelt take Marshall? Bit of an outlier geographically. The way CUSA is looking (with the cream of the remaining crop…and to call what’s left after the AAC raid “cream” is generous…openly eying Sunbet applications) at this point, It seems like Marshall is just about facing involuntary Independent status if they’re dead set against MAC membership

Edited to add that rumors (via Gabe McDonald and retweeted by rCFB) that Marshall to the sunbelt (along with JMU, ODU, and Southern Miss will be announced next week.
Last Edited: 10/22/2021 2:31:33 PM by mf279801
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Flat Tire
10/22/2021 1:34 PM
Per the rumor mill, there are a lot of moving parts going on. One of Marshall's main concerns is geography, they want a compact conference.

Marshall has a couple of options. One is stay at CUSA and rebuild trying to get Liberty and JMU to join. Some seem to think that Appy and CCU might consider joining, I don't know about that one but it makes geographic sense, they are at the northern end of the SBC. The SBC wants Marshall and Southern Miss to join now. Marshall is pushing the SBC to expand and to add WKU; ODU and JMU. Apparently Marshall has been in talks with the MAC since early this year.
Last Edited: 10/22/2021 1:37:47 PM by Flat Tire
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GoCats105
10/22/2021 1:51 PM
Flat Tire wrote:expand_more
Per the rumor mill, there are a lot of moving parts going on. One of Marshall's main concerns is geography, they want a compact conference.

Marshall has a couple of options. One is stay at CUSA and rebuild trying to get Liberty and JMU to join. Some seem to think that Appy and CCU might consider joining, I don't know about that one but it makes geographic sense, they are at the northern end of the SBC. The SBC wants Marshall and Southern Miss to join now. Marshall is pushing the SBC to expand and to add WKU; ODU and JMU. Apparently Marshall has been in talks with the MAC since early this year.
No way App and Coastal are gonna leave the Sun Belt to join the dregs of that conference. As it stands today, the SBC is way better than C-USA with all those schools leaving.

That letter that the C-USA commissioner sent to the AAC asking for an alliance makes so much sense now. They knew the inevitable was coming.

If Marshall wants compact, you can't get much better than the MAC or Sun Belt at this point. Geographically, the closest opponent in the Sun Belt would be App State, about 250 miles away compared to the 80 or so miles to Athens. In fact, they'd almost have 4 opponents (Ohio, Miami, Akron and Kent) closer than their closest SBC rival. Add WKU and EKU and that gets even greater.
Last Edited: 10/22/2021 2:13:55 PM by GoCats105
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GoCats105
10/22/2021 2:32 PM
mf279801 wrote:expand_more
Update on Marshall fan board (herdfans.com) sentiment. They still have a majority saying, "never MAC," but there are more and more posts saying that if WKU and MTSU come along with Marshall that it might make a good move. Also, it's been posted that Dan D'Antoni, head basketball coach, is lobbying for a return to the MAC. And, others are reporting that the Marshall administration is very hesitant about the Sunbelt, which seems to be preferred by the loudest voices on this Marshall board. So, what do I make of this? I think there must be some serious discussions going on between Marshall and at least WKU also about joining the MAC.
Would the Sunbelt take Marshall? Bit of an outlier geographically. The way CUSA is looking (with the cream of the remaining crop…and to call what’s left after the AAC raid “cream” is generous…openly eying Sunbet applications) at this point, It seems like Marshall is just about facing involuntary Independent status if they’re dead set against MAC membership

Edited to add that rumors (via Gabe McDonald and retweeted by rCFB) that Marshall to the sunbelt (along with JMU, ODU, and Southern Miss will be announced next week.
Matt Brown also reporting it. Sh*t.

https://twitter.com/MattBrownEP/status/1451599474393063427
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