Conference realignment benefitting us

[bgsukid]

PS, every post in here seems to indicate that it is inevitable and we have nothing we can do. There really isn't anything we can try? Adding some bigger name schools, adding some bigger market schools, adding some D2 schools. Just seems like we should do something and not let everything be dictated to us.

Sure you can try to add some bigger name schools. Problem is they'd actually have to accept and I don't see any that would unless it was literally their only option. Adding lower division schools is about your only option or if say something totally unexpected happens like C-USA getting split up happens they could pick up some of their scraps. Neither one of those options really raises the profile of the conference though. There is a possibility Cincinnati or Louisville could get left out if/when the Big East dissolves but they'd join C-USA before they'd join the MAC. Even if the MAC was able to gain one of those two neither one is that big of a catch to elevate the entire conference, you need multiple teams. There's only one school available that would make the conference relevant and that's Notre Dame. If by some miracle ND is late to the party and has no where to go once the Big East goes away and the MAC was able to grab them then you'd get people to pay attention simply because of one school. Of course this would never happen. The Big Ten would take them even if they were already at 16 schools.

[NWLB]

Why would we never win?

Obviously in the strictest literal sense, nobody can say that we would "never" win. Be that, BGSU or the MAC at large.

However I don't think there has been a MAC team in the past 20 years that would win a national title game against any of the past 10 BCS title winners. So many factors would have to fall so perfectly into place, with exactly the right system in place, that even getting to a multi-team title game is literally an insane thing to hope for.

Could lighting strike? Sure. Once every 120 years, and only maybe.

Meanwhile, people alarming seem willing to line-up and flush any and all things down a toilet, contrive endless arguments about the inequities and conspiracies forged by larger conference teams and such.
The whole of the teeth gnashing now underway, over conference membership changes that might seemingly impair the MAC, is to me a missplaced body of angst better suited for Coast-to-Coast AM than a sports radio show.

Sure, the MAC might finally get off the floor and revive some of the past giant-killer success. These things run in cycles, I don't think we are never going to see that again. But even then, I do not see where the nearly 100 years of BGSU football was supposed to be all for a national title.

I think the hard truth is that the realm of 1A football titles, of any kind, simply is not for the MAC. I think chasing that windmill is a waste of time.

And that view does not also mean BGSU or the MAC ought to drop to 1AA. (The world can take FCS and FBS and jam them sideways btw.) I feel if a school wants to offer 1A football, the measure of that should be the grants-in-aid, the logistical support in the form of coaches, trainers, academic supports, etc. Beyond that, attendance, stadium size, and the rest? Not germane to the topic. I don't think there should ever have been a split between 1A and 1AA. Either sponsor Division 1 or go to Division 2.

The MAC has always been the last outpost of this level of football. Can it be more? Sure, a lot more. Frankly however, I think most MAC presidents have always been fine with the "nobility of the struggle" which the schools are in. The constant, desperate battle to stay in 1A checks the fans from pushing to make the harder fight of moving up a notch. The major conferences let the MAC play that game, rattle the sabres, toss them a bone, back off before they really do bring the hammer down.

But saying, oh hey, drop to 1AA, win a title every year? Sorry. Drop down and the entire league will be playing down to the level of its divisional surroundings within 10 years. Hard time getting buts in the seats? Try drawing alumni to 1aa games when OSU is on TV.

And is it easy to fight cutting a 1AA team? Donno.

Being in the near bottom of 1A might grate some nerves, but it is the reality, now and likely forever.

[Globetrotter]

Why would we never win?

Obviously in the strictest literal sense, nobody can say that we would "never" win. Be that, BGSU or the MAC at large.

However I don't think there has been a MAC team in the past 20 years that would win a national title game against any of the past 10 BCS title winners. So many factors would have to fall so perfectly into place, with exactly the right system in place, that even getting to a multi-team title game is literally an insane thing to hope for.

Could lighting strike? Sure. Once every 120 years, and only maybe.

Meanwhile, people alarming seem willing to line-up and flush any and all things down a toilet, contrive endless arguments about the inequities and conspiracies forged by larger conference teams and such.
The whole of the teeth gnashing now underway, over conference membership changes that might seemingly impair the MAC, is to me a missplaced body of angst better suited for Coast-to-Coast AM than a sports radio show.

Sure, the MAC might finally get off the floor and revive some of the past giant-killer success. These things run in cycles, I don't think we are never going to see that again. But even then, I do not see where the nearly 100 years of BGSU football was supposed to be all for a national title.

I think the hard truth is that the realm of 1A football titles, of any kind, simply is not for the MAC. I think chasing that windmill is a waste of time.

And that view does not also mean BGSU or the MAC ought to drop to 1AA. (The world can take FCS and FBS and jam them sideways btw.) I feel if a school wants to offer 1A football, the measure of that should be the grants-in-aid, the logistical support in the form of coaches, trainers, academic supports, etc. Beyond that, attendance, stadium size, and the rest? Not germane to the topic. I don't think there should ever have been a split between 1A and 1AA. Either sponsor Division 1 or go to Division 2.

The MAC has always been the last outpost of this level of football. Can it be more? Sure, a lot more. Frankly however, I think most MAC presidents have always been fine with the "nobility of the struggle" which the schools are in. The constant, desperate battle to stay in 1A checks the fans from pushing to make the harder fight of moving up a notch. The major conferences let the MAC play that game, rattle the sabres, toss them a bone, back off before they really do bring the hammer down.

But saying, oh hey, drop to 1AA, win a title every year? Sorry. Drop down and the entire league will be playing down to the level of its divisional surroundings within 10 years. Hard time getting buts in the seats? Try drawing alumni to 1aa games when OSU is on TV.

And is it easy to fight cutting a 1AA team? Donno.

Being in the near bottom of 1A might grate some nerves, but it is the reality, now and likely forever.

I dont think we should ever drop down unless we are absolutely forced to. And I do think it will be hard to win a national championship but I also think that that should be the end goal. Even if we do it in stages.

[Globetrotter]

I have been doing so research on MAC boards and found alot more info than what seems to be on here.

Good news. At the very least we have thoughts of being proactive. I don't know much about the new commish but from what I read he is from the OVC so that bodes well for trying to get more notoriety.

"Steinbrecher said he will be watching closely, especially the Big 12, because some of the teams left behind could help to strengthen the MAC. But on Friday evening, he wasn't sure whether to be excited or frightened about the future."

Not sure anything will come out of it but Baylor might have trouble finding a home and apparently Iowa St as well, who is a perfect fit.

[jg4242]

If we drop to FCS, maybe we can use the FMB to pull in fans... it works for Jacksonville State! And James Madison, and a host of other small schools with BIG bands...

http://www.jsugamecocksports.com/splash ... =splash_22

[Chimie]

There is a lot of talk about realignment looking strictly at football. That is a terrible assumption to make. Remember, Basketball is pretty important too, and so is academics, but more importantly is the regional ties to big markets.

Colorado, frankly, is a terrible football school. Not so hot in Basketball either, nor do they particularly have academics lately (Weren't they recently on probation for academics?). They 'have' Denver though, so that's the only reason they got an invite to the Pac-11.

For example, Duke and UConn I just can't see getting kicked out of any BCS conference. UConn is huge in the New England region, pull in Boston, and Duke has a national following, just for Basketball, they both are very good academic programs as well. Kansas obviously won't be left out of a power conference, as they're one of the most storied programs in Basketball history, have a national following, have fairly good academics, and put forth a halfway decent football team every now and again. (was it 2007 they went to the BCS?)

Realistically, I actually don't see the conference shake up affecting us too terribly much, other than us losing a OOC game every now and again, but at the same time, we schedule one major game every year. I mean, we have Michigan this year, but otherwise, Troy? Marshall? These aren't exactly huge games we're scheduling here. The other MAC schools do slightly better (Was it OU or Western that played Alabama last year? Too lazy to look it up...)

I understand mid-majors can't complain and will take any leftovers that are from a BCS conference, but I honestly don't think Baylor or any school like that would join the MAC. They're just too far away. I know the WAC goes from Hawaii to Louisiana, but still, the MAC has a region, and we're pretty stuck in it.

Personally, once the conferences collapse into 4-5 Mega conferences, I don't see how it's possible to keep the BCS. With the Pac-16 featuring USC, UCLA, Cal, Oklahoma, Texas, and the occasional rising team (Washington, Arizona, OK St. etc) If they didn't get two auto-bid, they'd be pretty upset. SEC as well if they snatch up the ACC teams. If the big 4-5 conferences try something like this, it'd be a matter of moments until a lawsuit was filed against them for shutting out the rest of the leagues. I think the realignment will give the playoff within the next 3-4 years. 8 team playoff, the 5 major conference champs get the auto bid, the last 3 go to at large, much like the BCS has right now. That way, the Pac-16, Big-16, SEC, MWC, and whatever becomes of the ACC/Big East get their second teams in if they're good enough, but it still assures if a mid-major DOES have a team that can go the distance, they can get into the field. Unfortunately now, with Boise in the MWC, and the MWC most likely getting the upgrade to Auto-Bid, the pedigree Mid-Majors aren't mid-majors anymore, I can't think of a school that would actually have what it takes to make it all the way...

Whatever happens, I think BG will stay 1-A, and the MAC will continue on as it has been. We already have a conference championship game, if we add one or two other members, then so be it. You can always hope a West Virginia or NC State etc falls into our lap, but if you believe that, I've got some nice ocean-front property in Arizona for sale.

[h2oville rocket]

Good news. At the very least we have thoughts of being proactive. I don't know much about the new commish but from what I read he is from the OVC so that bodes well for trying to get more notoriety.

Notoriety? Don't think we want that.

[Globetrotter]

Good news. At the very least we have thoughts of being proactive. I don't know much about the new commish but from what I read he is from the OVC so that bodes well for trying to get more notoriety.

Notoriety? Don't think we want that.

: generally known and talked of;













I am ignoring the second part

[BGorDeath]

We should just declare independence and play Notre Dame every week. At least we would be on national television six times.

[NWLB]

I'm pondering the Big Ten "pausing" at 12. Could prove a very shrewd move. They make it clear to all parties that yes, they are expanding. They effectively put the Big 12 on the clock. They say they are "pausing" which basically tells the world this isn't over. They pass the baton to the PAC-10. It is almost like a draft day.

Texas wants its "fifty dollar to make you holler." I honestly do not see the PAC-10 getting Texas. The SEC would be an amazing conference with Texas and the other Texas schools. But then would it be "too good" for its own good?

MizzoU is, as always, spineless and scared in the presence of real action. They are afraid of making enemies.

The MWC landed a good one in Boise.

I think the Big Ten "pause" really amounts to a bargaining move. They make more, they'll pay more. Now the other powers that be will have to debate going to a known and highly profitable league, or trusting somebody else, well behind the Big Ten, to make as much.

In the end, I think the Big Ten really does move to 16 teams. I think the PAC-10 adds maybe one or three more teams. The SEC might get a couple. MWC absorbs several others and changes their name. The ACC/Big East remain mostly the same.

And this plays out over nearly 5 years or more.

Not to worry though, the MAC will still suck throughout.

[FalconTurf]

Not to worry though, the MAC will still suck throughout.

Thinking about the affect of the mergers on the MAC & BG:
1. No additional players taken by big schools
2. No additional coaches taken by the big schools
3. No additional fans taken by the big schools
4. Possibility of more loses for some big schools which could cause fans and recruits to migrate (2 loses and your out of the National Championship picture).
5. More big regular season match-ups for television.

I see 3 neutral, 1 positive & 1 negative affect.

[Falconfreak90]

Academically, that works.

But the reality is, the Have Nots need those money games. BG cannot afford to just pass them up, nor can most any other non-BCS conference school.

Unfortunately, this is so true. I am so sick and tired of the BCS hogging everything. At this point, I have to agree with my dad and say it is probably time for the non BCS conferences to form their own division. I'd rather play for a National Championship with a playoff system than fight for the measly table scraps that fall from the BCS table.

You complain about the BCS hogging everything, then say you want a playoff that your favorite team can't win, won't ever win, and that has no point including the very teams you complain are suffering.

Circular argument, we've been over it, and I still haven't seen a shred of evidence why a playoff actually would help anything for the MAC or BGSU.

Once again, Nathan, your assumption about what I was trying to say is incorrect. I want a playoff for the non BCS leagues and possibly the top FCS teams. The point I was trying to make is NOT being a part of the BCS but having a whole new division since it's obvious the non BCS leagues are not in the picture.

[hammb]

Academically, that works.

But the reality is, the Have Nots need those money games. BG cannot afford to just pass them up, nor can most any other non-BCS conference school.

Unfortunately, this is so true. I am so sick and tired of the BCS hogging everything. At this point, I have to agree with my dad and say it is probably time for the non BCS conferences to form their own division. I'd rather play for a National Championship with a playoff system than fight for the measly table scraps that fall from the BCS table.

You complain about the BCS hogging everything, then say you want a playoff that your favorite team can't win, won't ever win, and that has no point including the very teams you complain are suffering.

Circular argument, we've been over it, and I still haven't seen a shred of evidence why a playoff actually would help anything for the MAC or BGSU.

Once again, Nathan, your assumption about what I was trying to say is incorrect. I want a playoff for the non BCS leagues and possibly the top FCS teams. The point I was trying to make is NOT being a part of the BCS but having a whole new division since it's obvious the non BCS leagues are not in the picture.

This may reek of "taking my ball and going home" but I want nothing to do with a football program that is competing outside of the BCS and the bowls.

If we aren't going to be competing on the highest level of Division 1 I would find it even more difficult to justify the expenses of a program that is pretty tough to justify from any rational thinking person anyhow. The football program has been mediocre in the worst league in D1A for the past 5 or more years. Right now we have at least the theoretical chance of playing in a BCS bowl if everything breaks JUST RIGHT. Its chances of happening are less than 1/10 of a percent, I'm sure, but there is still a chance. If we break off to form our own national championship tournament then we lose even that miniscule percentage. You take that away and I'd find it very hard to be excited about the program. I find 1AA football (which is essentially what we'd be becoming) to be a worthless, money losing endeavor.

I can tell ya one thing. If we move to anything less than full 1A status, you won't be seeing me renew my season tickets...I just have no desire to watch lower division football. The MAC be the taint of D1A, but at least it's still a part of the body.

[1987alum]

I can tell ya one thing. If we move to anything less than full 1A status, you won't be seeing me renew my season tickets...I just have no desire to watch lower division football. The MAC be the taint of D1A, but at least it's still a part of the body.

Poetically put.

I'm dead set on BG remaining 1-A also.

[BGFalconfromCincy]

Multiple sources are reporting that Texas is now likely going to stay in the Big 12, meaning that Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech would stay as well. That could bring an end to any major realignment/super conference rumors, at least for the time being