How will UMass change the MAC scene?

[psc2009]

And what does it mean to BG?

Here is TMD's take on what UMass joining means to both the MAC and its newest team. I'm hoping to see BGSU move to the West and I'd like to see a 9-game MAC slate. My only concern is that it could hurt even more for bowl bids to only play three nonconference games.

http://themacdaily.com/index.php?news&nid=666

[Rightupinthere]

I wish people would think beyond football when realigning the divisions.

Split the football only schools. UMass to the West.

[Falconfreak90]

BG should tell the MAC office to pound salt if they try to move us back to the West. We've done that dance before and someone else should be the one to move.

[BGSU33]

I wish people would think beyond football when realigning the divisions.

Split the football only schools. UMass to the West.

+1

[BGSU33]

BG should tell the MAC office to pound salt if they try to move us back to the West. We've done that dance before and someone else should be the one to move.

+2

[transfer2BGSU]

BG should tell the MAC office to pound salt if they try to move us back to the West. We've done that dance before and someone else should be the one to move.

BG volunteered to switch divisions last time. Any team can move between divisions, so while some people think it is automatically BG, well they're wrong.

Listen to what the conference is willing to offer
i.e. Conference assistance in scheduling some NAME programs coming to BG for football and basketball games, AND GUARANTEEING UMass will play at the Stroh Center this year or next
Better TV exposure for the university within the conference television deals
An extra share of the television package revenue or the NCAA draw

If they don't want to deal, then they can go to Miami, OU, Kent, Akron, and Buffalo and see which of them wants to change divisions.

Some of you need to lighten up on the caffeine (NOT directed at the Freak) and realize that it is good to be in this position.

[MarkL]

The more I think about it, the more I think the MAC's divisions are about to be restructured. I think they're going to split up UMass and Temple, but they don't want to welcome UMass into the MAC and move them into the west, then tell them that they have to travel to Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and NW Ohio on a weekly basis ... welcome to our conference. I think they're going to be splitting the divisions such that Temple and UMass are split but no one single school is completely screwed in terms of geography. Problem is, this will all be just in time I'm sure for UMass and Temple to try to move elsewhere, therefore screwing over the MAC and the new divisions.

[VDub26Falcon]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...The fact that the MAC is allowing this schools to join on a football only basis is assinine (sp?). It's the same with Notre Shame and the Big East with their basketball only contract. It should be an all or nothing deal. What are we gaining by adding UMass to football? More travel expenses? A lower quality division? Yes, Temple has turned themselves into a good team but how many years did that take? We beat them 140-14, or something close to that, in back to back seasons when they first joined. The only people that should be told to go pound salt are the Minutemen and Owls if they think they can use us to get better and then bolt for the best offer when they get to the point of being bowl eligible every year.

[Lord_Byron]

The more I think about it, the more I think the MAC's divisions are about to be restructured. I think they're going to split up UMass and Temple, but they don't want to welcome UMass into the MAC and move them into the west, then tell them that they have to travel to Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and NW Ohio on a weekly basis ... welcome to our conference. . .

I don't think the travel logistics make one bit of difference in which division UMass is placed. If they've got eight conference games, they're going to be on the road for 4 of them. Is there really a difference if they have to fly to Akron or Dekalb? Is Buffalo that much more convenient than Ypsilanti? Athens v. Kalamazoo?

The only thing I'd bet on is that the MAC screws things up in some way we can't even imagine.

[transfer2BGSU]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...The fact that the MAC is allowing this schools to join on a football only basis is assinine (sp?). It's the same with Notre Shame and the Big East with their basketball only contract. It should be an all or nothing deal. What are we gaining by adding UMass to football? More travel expenses? A lower quality division? Yes, Temple has turned themselves into a good team but how many years did that take? We beat them 140-14, or something close to that, in back to back seasons when they first joined. The only people that should be told to go pound salt are the Minutemen and Owls if they think they can use us to get better and then bolt for the best offer when they get to the point of being bowl eligible every year.

Oh VDub, you just don't understand what it is actually happening.

This IS NOT about football. PERIOD.

This is about EXPOSURE.

Sure, yeah the football team is seen by the people in the New England area. But what else do they see?

They see the universities that make up the MAC (even Toledo). And do you know what that means to our universities? Exposure to OUT-OF-STATE students that pay not only the tuition, but also OUT-OF-STATE fees!!! Or let me show you what I mean -

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


Most of the MAC institutions (if not all) are less expensive (even when you add the out-of-state fees) than many of the schools on the East coast.

The MAC Presidents know that we can reach out and bring some of these full paying students onto our campuses.

Say it now - Show me the money!

I can't hear you!

[MarkL]

The only thing I'd bet on is that the MAC screws things up in some way we can't even imagine.

No argument on that point from me.

[gmartin]

Well UMASS has already screwed it up. If you join a conference at least get the conference name correctly. They announced they were joining the MAC Conference.

Ughhhh. I cringe when I hear that. Can we just be called the MA Conference. We are not the Mid American Conference Conference.

[VDub26Falcon]

+1 gmartin

[Falcon137]

+1 to everything transfer said.

[MarkL]

I'm trying to watch the press conference live on UMass's website. It's a joint conference between UMass and the MAC, and division agreements might be announced. Mine's totally lagging and not loading one bit. Anyone able to watch this?