Conference USA

[Germainfitch1]

Either half the MAC will have to leave D-I because of attendance issues and we are forced into C-USA when the MAC folds, or the MAC moves to the same division and we head to C-USA. We will most likely move there eventually...how we get there no one really knows. By that time though, a lot of the garbage teams could be moved into the MAC or to other conferences as well. I really think it'd be a step up for our program, not a step down.

I agree. The goals of this team should be to get a bid to the NCAA tournament and to consistently get a bowl bid. We have consistenttly received a bowl bid over the last few eyars but last year is somewhat of a question mark considering only one team who was eligible didn't receive one. Whether we like it or not conference USA is a step up in terms of national respectability. The MAC is seen as a poor, regional conference, C-USA, for all of its troubles, is not. We would achieve both of our goals of NCAA tourney berths and bowl games much easier in C-USA. If we moved with a MAC team or two we would maintain those rivalries and could continue the rivalries out of conference as well. Travel would be the biggest issue as it seems those costs would rise greatly. We would have new exciting rivalries, our recruiting would grow adn attendance would rise as new teams that people were not used to came in to the school.

In my opinion those who are against a move are trapped in a mindset where they value tradition over growth. I would gamble that those who are saying don't move now would find some reason to say it was a good thing if N.Illinois, Miami and Toledo left us for CUSA and we were still in the MAC.

Who is to say if we moved with those four teams we could'nt create the stability in Conference USA that it desperately needs. 4 MAC temas moving together seems like a fairly steady base to build off of to me.

[Schadenfreude]

Either half the MAC will have to leave D-I because of attendance issues and we are forced into C-USA when the MAC folds, or the MAC moves to the same division and we head to C-USA. We will most likely move there eventually...how we get there no one really knows. By that time though, a lot of the garbage teams could be moved into the MAC or to other conferences as well. I really think it'd be a step up for our program, not a step down.

I agree. The goals of this team should be to get a bid to the NCAA tournament and to consistently get a bowl bid. We have consistenttly received a bowl bid over the last few eyars but last year is somewhat of a question mark considering only one team who was eligible didn't receive one. Whether we like it or not conference USA is a step up in terms of national respectability. The MAC is seen as a poor, regional conference, C-USA, for all of its troubles, is not. We would achieve both of our goals of NCAA tourney berths and bowl games much easier in C-USA. If we moved with a MAC team or two we would maintain those rivalries and could continue the rivalries out of conference as well. Travel would be the biggest issue as it seems those costs would rise greatly. We would have new exciting rivalries, our recruiting would grow adn attendance would rise as new teams that people were not used to came in to the school.

In my opinion those who are against a move are trapped in a mindset where they value tradition over growth. I would gamble that those who are saying don't move now would find some reason to say it was a good thing if N.Illinois, Miami and Toledo left us for CUSA and we were still in the MAC.

Who is to say if we moved with those four teams we could'nt create the stability in Conference USA that it desperately needs. 4 MAC temas moving together seems like a fairly steady base to build off of to me.

Conference USA's RPI is virtually dead even with ours.

If Conference USA Lite (tm) was already in place, Conference USA would be way behind the MAC, and staring at one NCAA tournament bid.

It's a lateral move. Really. Wait a year or two. You'll see.

[kdog27]

Either half the MAC will have to leave D-I because of attendance issues

I don't ever see this actually being enforced. I don't think the NCAA has any intention of reducing the number of 1-A members. Just look how many new members have joined since the mid 90's.

They start cutting out teams with attendance issues and they are going have 4-7 teams playing in bowl games.

[1987alum]

I agree. The goals of this team should be to get a bid to the NCAA tournament and to consistently get a bowl bid. We have consistenttly received a bowl bid over the last few eyars but last year is somewhat of a question mark considering only one team who was eligible didn't receive one.

You are spending too much time looking back and not enough looking forward. Convict-DOA's football reputation is sinking and could quickly slip further when the bowl affiliations are shuffled. And by this time next year, Convict-DOA's football could very well be fighting off comparisons to the Sun Belt.

Whether we like it or not conference USA is a step up in terms of national respectability. The MAC is seen as a poor, regional conference, C-USA, for all of its troubles, is not.

Again, looking back that may be true. Expansion will help the MAC expand its footprint. National respectability for the MAC is growing; as guys like Pennington, Leftwich, Big Ben continue to make noise in the NFL, that will only continue to elevate the MAC's stature.

We would achieve both of our goals of NCAA tourney berths and bowl games much easier in C-USA.

Let's revisit that idea in 12 months and see if that's the case. I'm willing to bet it's not.

If we moved with a MAC team or two we would maintain those rivalries and could continue the rivalries out of conference as well.

True. The BG-Toledo game could be an ongoing rivalry, much like the Cincinatti-Miami game.

Travel would be the biggest issue as it seems those costs would rise greatly.

Not a small consideration, given the Convict-DOA's geographic spread.

We would have new exciting rivalries,

What's so exciting about playing East Carolina?

our recruiting would grow adn attendance would rise as new teams that people were not used to came in to the school.

Can't see folks packing the Doyt to see many C-DOA teams. Although the MAC's geo-centric makeup is often seen as a negative, it does make it easier for fans to follow their teams to away games. BG is only a few hours away from many MAC schools - Eastern, Toledo, Miami, Kent, Akron. It's a whole new magilla with C-DOA. Folks from Houston, Southern Miss, Tulane, etc. just aren't going to make a quick jaunt to BG. Memphis is doable and, of course, Marshall would be, too, but after that, what team is going to bring fans to The Doyt?

In my opinion those who are against a move are trapped in a mindset where they value tradition over growth.

Nice attempt to use the false dichotomy tactic. As usual, it is built on flimsy, faulty assumptions. I value growth, but I value long-term growth and stability. The two are not mutually exclusive.

I would gamble that those who are saying don't move now would find some reason to say it was a good thing if N.Illinois, Miami and Toledo left us for CUSA and we were still in the MAC.

Please make your check payable to Karl Smith, c/o phillyBurbs.com.

[1987alum]

Either half the MAC will have to leave D-I because of attendance issues

I don't ever see this actually being enforced. I don't think the NCAA has any intention of reducing the number of 1-A members. Just look how many new members have joined since the mid 90's.

They start cutting out teams with attendance issues and they are going have 4-7 teams playing in bowl games.

kdog: I think the academic standards will have a bigger impact than the attendance standard, because the NCAA has made a big deal out of the former and all but said it's going to abandon the latter.

[Warthog]

Hard for me to admit this, but I agree with many of GermaineFitch1's points. I also agree with others that say CUSA will look pretty crappy next year. But, they do have more national attention, recognition, prestige than the MAC does. I don't think CUSA officials will sit on their hands and do nothing if they think the MAC is passing them.

Whereas the MAC is steeped in tradition, alliances, and rivalries with schools located relatively close together. CUSA on the other hand will have no shame in raiding another conference to try to make theirs better. Witness the robbery of Marshall and UCF (ok UCF they can have) from the MAC. CUSA is/has been looking ahead and trying to make themselves better. What is the MAC doing? Looking at Temple and I-AA teams. Other conferences will laugh if we do that.

[Warthog]

What's so exciting about playing East Carolina?

They have a cool Pirate mascot, of course. Which makes them slightly better then Eastern MI, since both stink on the field.

[1987alum]

What's so exciting about playing East Carolina?

They have a cool Pirate mascot, of course.

[Bassdrummin]

Personally, I love the MAC... it's a great conference. The conf. USA is like a blind man in a lion pit. The guy still can run around all he wants, but sooner or later he's going to run smack into a wall and the curtain is going to come down. If the big east splits, look for them to raid CUSA and then we'll watch that conference fall apart. I, for one, will be lighting a bonfire and roasting marshmellows... who's with me?

[Schadenfreude]

Hard for me to admit this, but I agree with many of GermaineFitch1's points. I also agree with others that say CUSA will look pretty crappy next year. But, they do have more national attention, recognition, prestige than the MAC does. I don't think CUSA officials will sit on their hands and do nothing if they think the MAC is passing them.

They just finished rebuilding their conference almost from scratch.

We've already caught them.

[Warthog]

Hard for me to admit this, but I agree with many of GermaineFitch1's points. I also agree with others that say CUSA will look pretty crappy next year. But, they do have more national attention, recognition, prestige than the MAC does. I don't think CUSA officials will sit on their hands and do nothing if they think the MAC is passing them.

They just finished rebuilding their conference almost from scratch.

We've already caught them.

And that is exactly why I expect them to come poaching the best programs from the MAC. To think that CUSA isn't considering picking up some more MAC schools is :coo-coo: So while the MAC is looking at Temple and I-AA schools for expansion, CUSA is looking squarely at the MAC. "We must protect this house" if we want to maintain this advantage.

[Schadenfreude]

Hard for me to admit this, but I agree with many of GermaineFitch1's points. I also agree with others that say CUSA will look pretty crappy next year. But, they do have more national attention, recognition, prestige than the MAC does. I don't think CUSA officials will sit on their hands and do nothing if they think the MAC is passing them.

They just finished rebuilding their conference almost from scratch.

We've already caught them.

And that is exactly why I expect them to come poaching the best programs from the MAC. To think that CUSA isn't considering picking up some more MAC schools is :coo-coo: So while the MAC is looking at Temple and I-AA schools for expansion, CUSA is looking squarely at the MAC. "We must protect this house" if we want to maintain this advantage.

Let's deal in the most likely scenario: The Big East football schools bolt from the basketball schools and decide to expand.

The Big East will either add one team or four. Nine and 12 are the magic numbers.

If they add one, they'll likely take Memphis ... or, maybe, East Carolina or Central Florida... or maybe a non Conference USA team.

That leaves Conference USA looking for one school.

I doubt any MAC school would leave for Conference USA at that point -- not alone, not with a Memphis or East Carolina gone.

We'd be insane to do that.

If the Big East adds four teams, then it probably raids Conference USA even more deeply -- and, by that point, Conference USA will look even less attractive to the MAC -- to the point where I doubt even a group of the best MAC teams could be persuaded to sign up.

Bottom line: I think there is almost as great a chance of Marshall heading back to the MAC with its tail between its legs (because Memphis and East Carolina are gone) than I do a MAC school leaving for Conference USA.

[Warthog]

Hmmm, the Big East football teams splitting off? That would be interesting. Let's look at who those teams are: Pitt, West Virg, Syracuse, Rutgers, Louisville, Cincinnati, UConn and South Florida. One team, doesn't fit geograpically at all, but who doesn't enjoy a patsy in Florida? Anyway, I would bet on an addition of four teams so that they could hold the coveted championship game.

So four teams. Who would fit in that, geograpically, the best? Toledo, Miami, Bowling Green, ???. While Memphis would be a school everyone wants, what other CUSA teams truly fit the Big East footprint? East Carolina would be about it.

Would this be a football-only conference? Would you consider it if it was?

[Falconfreak90]

This whole thread makes me ill. I realize all decisions like this need to be made pragmatically, but I hope the MAC can continue to gain strength so that it can withstand these types of scenarios.

Exactly....Continue to improve the product known as the MAC. It's been around almost 60 years now. Convict USA? No thanks and no way.

[Falconfreak90]

Personally, I love the MAC... it's a great conference. The conf. USA is like a blind man in a lion pit. The guy still can run around all he wants, but sooner or later he's going to run smack into a wall and the curtain is going to come down. If the big east splits, look for them to raid CUSA and then we'll watch that conference fall apart. I, for one, will be lighting a bonfire and roasting marshmellows... who's with me?

I am Bass! I've got the sticks, you bring the marshmellows.

Great analogy, BTW.

GO BG!~