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o&b:

Not much new there; mostly the same speculation based on stringing together some pretty thin threads of information.

Are we going after other schools as well, those that will actually help our conference? I've heard WKU, MTSU, among others as names thrown around.

I'm on the fence about Temple being a football only member. BUT, how in the hell can they still be thinking they can work something out to get them in this year??? Then we have unbalanced divisions, ala basketball. How would the scheduling work for that?

Any chance we go back to the West? Doubt that because that would be an even bigger overhaul of the schedules.

Since they are already on our schedule (and Miami's as well), would some teams play nine conference games and some only eight? That could be a HUGE advantage to us. Hypothetically, lets say we go 8-1 in the MAC, losing only to Ohio. Ohio only plays eight league games and loses only against Toledo to go 7-1. So we could still lose to a East team, have the same number of loses as them, yet have a better winning percentage, therefore going to the MACC. Does that make any sense?

And what about that crap about them being able to play four MAC teams and then represent the league in a Bowl game? Again, far fetched, but are they saying Temple could go 6-5 or 7-4 and the Motor City or GMAC Bowl's could pick them to be the "MAC" representative over all the other real MAC teams? That would be crap.

BGDrew wrote:Are we going after other schools as well, those that will actually help our conference? I've heard WKU, MTSU, among others as names thrown around.

WKU and the MAC have been talking quite publicly about the courtship; I haven't read anything "on the record" about MTSU, just a lot of message board buzz.

Personally, I like the idea of adding MTSU & WKU. It expands our footprint in a manageable, yet logical direction and provides the two new members with a somewhat natural rivalrly.

1987alum wrote: WKU and the MAC have been talking quite publicly about the courtship; I haven't read anything "on the record" about MTSU, just a lot of message board buzz.

100% correct '87. Here's an older article from March on this very subject out of Nashville. It's a good article summing up everything that has been discussed previously on this message board. Below: I've included an excerpt from said article on WKU and MTSU.

"The Mid-American Conference is exploring the possibility of expansion, and a pair of area schools could be on its radar.

The conference has made exploratory inquiries about Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, and there is a possibility that fellow Sun Belt Conference member Middle Tennessee State could be part of a package deal if or when expansion occurs.

In regards to MTSU, the Blue Raiders are already D-I in all sports and have been the subject of speculation of a potential move with Western Kentucky, though no formal contact has yet been made."

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index ... s_id=39896

Great link, UK. Reading carefully, you can see that WKU has had talks with the MAC and the MTSU is strictly speculative at this point.

How is it that the writer says the MAC typically has more NCAA basketball tournament berths than the SBC? Don't both conferences typically send one school to The Dance?

Let's assume Temple comes on in Football for the 2006 season. They're placed in the East. WKU signs up for the '07 season and joins the West.

Personally, I'd rather see a competitive 1AA than a dismal 1A.

1987alum wrote:How is it that the writer says the MAC typically has more NCAA basketball tournament berths than the SBC? Don't both conferences typically send one school to The Dance?

I wondered that too. Perhaps the second bid the MAC gets one out of every five years equates to "typically more" than the Sun Belt. (Crutch time :shrug:)

UK Peregrine wrote:

1987alum wrote:How is it that the writer says the MAC typically has more NCAA basketball tournament berths than the SBC? Don't both conferences typically send one school to The Dance?

I wondered that too. Perhaps the second bid the MAC gets one out of every five years equates to "typically more" than the Sun Belt. (Crutch time :shrug:)

I suspect that's what he meant. It does make a real difference when talking NCAA tournament revenue.

I hope that enough schools vote no so we can leave that crap on the east coast where it belongs.

Media Market... Media Market? If no one pays attention does it matter?

11-1 for Temple coming in. Obviously nothing has been released but basically it's a done deal.

tricky, that one vote against had BEST been Miami's. Or I will be slightly angry, unless they are planning on Temple gradually transferring ALL of their programs to the MAC....

Tricky_Falcon wrote:11-1 for Temple coming in. Obviously nothing has been released but basically it's a done deal.

Details, please.

1987alum wrote:

Tricky_Falcon wrote:11-1 for Temple coming in. Obviously nothing has been released but basically it's a done deal.

Details, please.

I wouldn't bet against it.

As you know, Temple (along with Western Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina State and Middle Tennessee State) is jumping through hoops to line up a fourth MAC opponent this year. The Owls will play Miami, Toledo, Bowling Green and Western Michigan.

I think that's suggestive of the direction this is heading. I'm not saying Temple will join in football for '05, but I think it will happen in '06.

Often, (when there is time) schools schedule their future league in a series of nonconference games prior to full membership. Connecticut went through this sort of hazing with the Big East.

That may be what we are seeing now. I think it's a financial thing -- a way to avoid just forking over a bunch of cash for an entry.

It's the NCAA equivalent of washing dishes to pay a tab. At least that's my take.