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Figured I'd post this in the football forum since that's where most of the traffic is.

Last Saturday, in my conversation with Greg Christopher, I asked him about potential new members for the MAC.

He indicated that it all depends on what Temple does. If Temple stays in the MAC, then they are looking to move the footprint east and add a school that would be geographically closer to Temple. The examples he gave were UMass and Stony Brook. Both are considering the move up to 1A in football. If they don't pan out, he discussed Illinois State as a possible.

If Temple doesn't committ long-term then the view is that 12 teams is right.

I'm travelling to Ohio today, and will be computerless through the week, so everyone have a great Thanksgiving!

Screw expanding, we need to drop someone. The conference is already spread thin with low talent in football. Also, the problem is that the NCAA has placed a moratorium on teams moving up to 1A for a couple years. I think they're waiting to see how schools like FIU pan out.

BGDrew wrote:Screw expanding, we need to drop someone. The conference is already spread thin with low talent in football. Also, the problem is that the NCAA has placed a moratorium on teams moving up to 1A for a couple years. I think they're waiting to see how schools like FIU pan out.

In regard to the moratorium ... it's in place, but a number of schools are setting the wheels in motion to make the move once it's lifted. The moratorium obviously doesn't restrict that sort of activity. And there's little doubt that there will be at least a handful of schools ready to make that jump once the NCAA gives the green light.

The other wildcard is conference realignment, which may coincide with the lifting of the D-IA moratorium. Another shakeup is afoot, though probably not as drastic as the last round. That being said, it's hard to imagine that any realignment wouldn't have some impact on the MAC.

With Temple winning four games and being competitive in some of their losses, may help with their decision. I do not like the fact that they need the MAC for football, but want to stay in the Atlantic 10 for basketball. If it wasn't for the MAC, they might not have a football program.

Lord_Byron wrote:Figured I'd post this in the football forum since that's where most of the traffic is.

Last Saturday, in my conversation with Greg Christopher, I asked him about potential new members for the MAC.

He indicated that it all depends on what Temple does. If Temple stays in the MAC, then they are looking to move the footprint east and add a school that would be geographically closer to Temple. The examples he gave were UMass and Stony Brook. Both are considering the move up to 1A in football. If they don't pan out, he discussed Illinois State as a possible.

If Temple doesn't committ long-term then the view is that 12 teams is right.

I'm travelling to Ohio today, and will be computerless through the week, so everyone have a great Thanksgiving!

Stony Brook?? Really?? That's kind of out of leftfield, first time I've heard them mentioned. I checked their website and see where they're averaging about 4,000 a game for football.

Yes. The big Stony Brook vs Northern Illinois football game will attract the College Gameday crew and be aired on ESPN! I can't wait!!!

I've thought for quite a while that if we want anybody else, the team to take would be Southern Illinois. The Salukis have a genuinely good program, an excellent reputation in basketball, are geographically fine, and an excellent academic record. Their student body is around 12,000 I think, so a little small but fine.

If we take them and all of their sports, it would be ideal, and maybe also that would get Temple to consider moving more into the MAC. We could certainly benefit from Temple's basketball programs.

MarkL wrote:I've thought for quite a while that if we want anybody else, the team to take would be Southern Illinois. The Salukis have a genuinely good program, an excellent reputation in basketball, are geographically fine, and an excellent academic record. Their student body is around 12,000 I think, so a little small but fine.

If we take them and all of their sports, it would be ideal, and maybe also that would get Temple to consider moving more into the MAC. We could certainly benefit from Temple's basketball programs.

SIU could also rival Ohio for best party school in the conference.

Dayons_Den wrote: SIU could also rival Ohio for best party school in the conference.

Could we see a new trophy rivalry? Battle for the Nati Light Keg?

I would throw ALL my support behind Illinois State. We already benchmark against them in several areas, their student population is around the 20,000 mark, and they have announced renovations to their football facilities. ISU is a school focused on playing football in the bowl subdivision and they would be competitive in the MAC in every other sport as soon as they joined. Go Redbirds!

We should go after ND

MarkL wrote:

Dayons_Den wrote: SIU could also rival Ohio for best party school in the conference.

Could we see a new trophy rivalry? Battle for the Nati Light Keg?

Screams for "Dime Beer Night" as the perfect attendance promotion

MacMan, we should go after Notre Dame? They'd work the conference year in and year out in just about every sport. I'm hoping that is a bit of sarcasm (and sorry, I'm new and don't really know how to use the whole quote nonsense).[/quote]

MACMAN wrote:We should go after ND

Dude, we are trying to IMPROVE the conference.

Anyway, right now the Irish fans are hoping CW gets drawn back to the NFL.

Lord_Byron wrote:He indicated that it all depends on what Temple does. If Temple stays in the MAC, then they are looking to move the footprint east and add a school that would be geographically closer to Temple. The examples he gave were UMass and Stony Brook. Both are considering the move up to 1A in football. If they don't pan out, he discussed Illinois State as a possible.

Sweet. At least these guys have common sense. That's exactly what the MAC should be thinking. East is the way to go. Let us follow the TV sets.

I hope we can keep Temple in the fold and make this happen.