Tulane and ECU to Big East

[Falcon137]

Anyone else been following the craziness today?

Conference USA is on it's knees. They are down to, Southern Miss, UTEP, Tulsa, Rice, Marshall. Next year they'll add La. Tech and FIU. Then FBS newbies, Old Dominion and Charlotte, and transitional schools North Texas and Texas San Antonio. Ouch.

Wouldn't be surprised if UTEP, Tulsa, and Rice try to bolt to the MWC.

Wonder how long until Marshall comes crawling back to the MAC.

[Globetrotter]

I would love to add Marshall, WKU and Middle Tennessee

[jpfalcon09]

WKU and Marshall seem like no-brainers. I wouldn't even call it the Big East anymore, more like the Every is Spread Out Across America Conference. The ESOAAC.

[Falcon137]

If the MAC adds 2 it would be because UMass left for the Big East.

I didn't follow MAC football when Marshall bolted. I've seen some people say they wouldn't come back and or the MAC wouldn't take them back. Is that fan speak or do MAC institutions and the MAC office really hate Marshall?

[Rightupinthere]

If Marshall came crawling back, I would them in their tooth.

[Flipper]

The Big East should be rechristened "Conference USA".... If falcon137's theory proves correct and UTEP, Rice and Tulsa bail on CUSA...Marshall would get what they want, a southern oriented conference they can dominate.

[Rightupinthere]

Marshall would get what they want, a southern oriented conference they can dominate.

Nope, they would still need to cheat to win.

[Globetrotter]

Is there something that the MAC can do to better position itself as we move to fewer conferences?

[BGFalconfromCincy]

The Big East should be rechristened "Conference USA".....

Some friends of mine down in Cincy have started to call it the Big Conference USA East

Everything I have read on the Mountain West is that they are fine at ten at not looking to add. This also seems to have to do with Boise and San Diego State, it sounds like they are holding off going to 12 in case those two bail on the Big East for football only deal. Conference USA will likely look to replace Tulane with some of the Sun Belt teams mentioned earlier in the post.

[Rightupinthere]

Is there something that the MAC can do to better position itself as we move to fewer conferences?

Do you understand that simply by "staying the course" and holding to conference core, we are in a far better position than MWC, CUSA, Big East, and SBC?

We only need to hold members together and wait for all the chips to fall.

[Falcon137]

Is there something that the MAC can do to better position itself as we move to fewer conferences?

Keep the 12 core together + UMass and see how it shakes out. I'd personally like to see Western Kentucky added. Adds another new state, weakens the Sun Belt and doesn't let C-USA grab them.

Look at who the MAC will be competing with.

C-USA - In shambles, only hope is raiding the Sun Belt. Hope to not lose any more schools.
Sun Belt - MAC level league, probably lose a few teams. Add FCS schools?
MWC - No Boise, No SDSU. Fresno State and Air Force could be targets for Big East.
Big East - Basically old C-USA. UConn, Cincy, Louisville, USF all want out.

I like where the MAC sits. My guess is there are schools contemplating applying to the MAC simply for the stability.

[Globetrotter]

Is there something that the MAC can do to better position itself as we move to fewer conferences?

Do you understand that simply by "staying the course" and holding to conference core, we are in a far better position than MWC, CUSA, Big East, and SBC?

We only need to hold members together and wait for all the chips to fall.

No need to be condescending but I think that's a strong point. Although I am not sure it's really accurate with those leagues still having more bowl tie ins.

[Globetrotter]

Is there something that the MAC can do to better position itself as we move to fewer conferences?

Keep the 12 core together + UMass and see how it shakes out. I'd personally like to see Western Kentucky added. Adds another new state, weakens the Sun Belt and doesn't let C-USA grab them.

Look at who the MAC will be competing with.

C-USA - In shambles, only hope is raiding the Sun Belt. Hope to not lose any more schools.
Sun Belt - MAC level league, probably lose a few teams. Add FCS schools?
MWC - No Boise, No SDSU. Fresno State and Air Force could be targets for Big East.
Big East - Basically old C-USA. UConn, Cincy, Louisville, USF all want out.

I like where the MAC sits. My guess is there are schools contemplating applying to the MAC simply for the stability.

I hope you're right but I doubt it. My fear has always been being left out as some of the schools from larger cities move in with other area schools. Felipe assures me that won't happen and that is why I like him so much.

[Rightupinthere]

Is there something that the MAC can do to better position itself as we move to fewer conferences?

Do you understand that simply by "staying the course" and holding to conference core, we are in a far better position than MWC, CUSA, Big East, and SBC?

We only need to hold members together and wait for all the chips to fall.

No need to be condescending but I think that's a strong point. Although I am not sure it's really accurate with those leagues still having more bowl tie ins.

No condescension here. Just straight up observation.

Bowl tie ins are contracts. They will likely fall apart in the coming years. A strong MAC would reap rewards as long as we stay the present course.

[Falcon137]

Is there something that the MAC can do to better position itself as we move to fewer conferences?

Keep the 12 core together + UMass and see how it shakes out. I'd personally like to see Western Kentucky added. Adds another new state, weakens the Sun Belt and doesn't let C-USA grab them.

Look at who the MAC will be competing with.

C-USA - In shambles, only hope is raiding the Sun Belt. Hope to not lose any more schools.
Sun Belt - MAC level league, probably lose a few teams. Add FCS schools?
MWC - No Boise, No SDSU. Fresno State and Air Force could be targets for Big East.
Big East - Basically old C-USA. UConn, Cincy, Louisville, USF all want out.

I like where the MAC sits. My guess is there are schools contemplating applying to the MAC simply for the stability.

I hope you're right but I doubt it. My fear has always been being left out as some of the schools from larger cities move in with other area schools. Felipe assures me that won't happen and that is why I like him so much.

Which schools are you talking about? I just don't see the upside right now. How much more will the Big East be worth if the basketball schools break away? C-USA has lost it's top 8 teams and are refilling with FCS schools and Sun Belt schools.

The MAC will have as good a deal as anyone in a few years. Big East sans basketball powers and sans ESPN is not attractive, MWC already kicked ESPN to the curb, Sun Belt is bleh, ESPN doesn't care about C-USA.

MAC fans don't like weeknight games, but the MAC is the most visible non BCS league. Not to mention the MAC and Sun Belt are going to be the only leagues with ESPN deals in the next few years. C-USA can have whatever channel they have. I think CBS Sports, I've seen about 3 C-USA games on TV all year. Their exposure is awful compared to the MAC. Big East can have the NBC Sports Network or CBS and the few eye balls that go with it. ESPN is where the money is and when ESPN backed out so did lots of $$$$.

I could be wrong and Toledo, Akron, and NIU jump ship. But, I don't see the value.