Think Marshall regrets leaving the MAC?

[BGSU33]

This article sure makes it seems so. It also makes me appreciate even more what we have in the MAC. You know what they say about the grass being greener on the other side...

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/m ... bc507.html" target="_blank

[MarkL]

Additionally, Marshall has to travel a lot for games. WMU, ODU, and MTSU are all a state away and Charlotte is two states. Every place else requires flying.
Meanwhile in the MAC East, Buffalo is a seven hour drive and everything else is a breeze, and in the West NIU, WMU, and CMU are only eight hours driving. Literally every MAC school is one or two states away from WV for the Herd. Marshall not only is getting less TV revenue, they also have more travel expenses.
If that expansion talk ever drums up again , I'd listen if Marshall came calling.

[Schadenfreude]

If that expansion talk ever drums up again , I'd listen if Marshall came calling.

I would, too. Unfortunately, it isn't clear that ESPN would offer more more money for the added value Marshall would bring. The World Sports Leader seems to be in a drastic cost-cutting mode right now.

[transfer2BGSU]

I would, too. Unfortunately, it isn't clear that ESPN would offer more more money for the added value Marshall would bring. The World Sports Leader seems to be in a drastic cost-cutting mode right now.

Let Marshall come back to the MAC BUT they do not get a cut of the TV revenue until the contract comes up for negotiation in 2027.

They'll probably would save $700K on their travel expenses no longer being in the Conference Texas. That makes up for no TV revenue (and maybe that will make them THINK before they jump shop AGAIN.

[MarkL]

Frankly if Marshall joined the MAC east as a full time member and brought their friends from Bowling Green, KY to the MAC west, I would call that a win for all involved ... except the rest of C-USA (which would then drop below the Sun Belt IMO). I like the MAC for its stability, and so I would only want to bring on new schools which add something and would be in for the long haul. Marshall and WKU would expand the MAC's footprint into the east and south while only adding one state each direction, thus maintaining a sensible midwest identity. Marshall and WKU both currently are doing great in football and would instantly be contenders in each division. They would elevate the conference perception and would make all teams better, and of course bring two exciting offenses. WKU would bring some much-needed basketball tradition. And while we would get a lot from both and both would get a lot from us, I cannot see either being contenders for AAC or any other conference.

I could honestly see it happening if the desire on the MAC side is there and if Marshall and WKU are looking for a better home for all sports. Purely theoretical right now but the more I think about it, the more I like it.

[zete]

Marshall created a lot of excitement when they were around. Huge games with Miami etc. BUT they were cheaters....

[It's the Journey...]

Are we really entertaining giving Marshall a THIRD go around in the MAC????? They consider the MAC a stepping stone and would not be a long term member, it's in their history. And WKU, maybe we can let them actually kill someone if they join the MAC... Both are terrible potential members.

[MarkL]

Come on, that 2007 WKU cheap shot was three coaching staffs and heavens knows how many ADs ago. This is college sports - people come and go. From all accounts, every part of our trip to WKU in 2014 sans the game itself was pleasant and enjoyable.

C-USA is a bad conference all around. We as a conference are far more established and are far above top to bottom in football and apparently also basketball according to RPI. The Sun Belt has historically been the conference for FCS teams to jump up and transition to FBS while simultaneously pulling down the reputation of the remainder of the conference. Now with C-USA losing everyone to the AAC, they have taken desperate measures to stay afloat by welcoming anyone from FCS who wants to try the jump. C-USA may eventually be decent but right now they are a hobbled together conference while the MAC is a stable and reputable group.

WKU and Marshall are the top two in the conference and they happen to be the only two in our backyard. Now I have no idea if their respective leaderships are in any way pondering a move to a more stable conference. If they are and they are committed to the MAC for more than just a stepping stone, I am all in. Besides, what would they be stepping to? I can't see the AAC calling for either.

[Schadenfreude]

Are we really entertaining giving Marshall a THIRD go around in the MAC?????

I think it would be worth considering.

They consider the MAC a stepping stone and would not be a long term member,

If the the right conference badly wanted us, we would listen, too. Adding Marshall wouldn't necessarily be like adding Central Florida. Everyone knew that was a short term arrangement. While I could be wrong about this, I don't see another conference on the brink of adding Marshall.

[Flipper]

So much for the notion that the MAC is this quaint little mom and pop, stable conference. You guys can't wait to give it up to the biggest whores in the trailer park, Marshall University...

[factman]

I wouldn't go to another game in Huntington, if someone paid all my expenses and flew me there. The city actual;l;y STINKS, and when we came back from dinner after the game, a car pulled up to the hotel with four hoodlum looking guys to get a room, I looked over at the car, and it had 5-6 bullet holes in the driver's door.
My goodness, it is even worse than Toledo!

[FalconTurf]

Marshall left the MAC the second time because they saw the MAC as a stepping stone. The first time were they not asked to leave for thuggish behavior? The history is not completely clear but I do think you must strengthen the conference if the opportunity exists. Let's be realistic, someone is bound to drop to I-AA (FCS) in football or completely drop it and screw up the football championship game scenario. Best have a couple extra teams with a commitment to athletics if they ever become interested.

[Falconfreak90]

F Marshall. They aren't welcome, IMO> We don't need the baggage and if we weren't good enough 10 years ago...I would not attend another game in Huntington, either. Three games was more than enough.

[apollo]

I mean if we're looking to add two more schools, I'd have no problem bringing them back...I wouldn't add them and screw up the balanced divisions. If they are coming by themselves I'm not sure exactly what they bring to the conference? BG definitely doesn't want any competition in the MAC East....or get flipped over to the West....that would be trouble for our mini dynasty we had going.

[falcon83]

I would never, ever want those rednecks back in the MAC!! Two times they thought they were better. They have that ignorant Donald Trump mentality. They made their bed. Let the bedbugs eat them!!