AAC expansion

[MarkL]

So the AAC is expanding after all and reportedly the following will all join very soon: FAU, Charlotte, North Texas, UTSA, Rice and UAB.

Few thoughts:
- they're obviously targeting media markets. AAC will represent the markets of Tulsa, Philadelphia, Memphis, New Orleans, Miami, Charlotte, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Birmingham, and Tampa. That is impressive.
- but at a cost. Drop the "P6" moniker. The AAC will now be indistinguishable from C-USA and SBC. Hell, to this day I have to look up which programs are in C-USA and SBC because I just can't remember which is which.
- and for that matter, the new programs are not powers. I doubt the average fan knows that UTSA and Charlotte are FBS. They are each new members. I've never seen UTSA gear in any trip to San Antonio. Despite the fact that UTSA is currently ranked
- there is only one AAC member with any legit shot at a power conference anymore and that's Memphis. Get out fast.
- and as of now no MAC impact. I imagine SBC and C-USA will probably merge in some way. But is there any way that C-USA comes calling for MAC members? Or ... any way that some combination of Marshall, WKU, and MTSU want out of a dying conference and seek the MAC?

[Schadenfreude]

I imagine SBC and C-USA will probably merge in some way. But is there any way that C-USA comes calling for MAC members? Or ... any way that some combination of Marshall, WKU, and MTSU want out of a dying conference and seek the MAC?

The Sun Belt had already announced plans to expand. I assume they'll take who they want from Conference USA. Probably every single member of that conference has called the Sun Belt to express interest, and it wouldn't surprise me if many of them have also contacted the MAC, looking for an exit ramp in the event they aren't invited to the Sun Belt.

I think Southern Mississippi will join the Sun Belt for sure, and it just comes down to who else the Sun Belt wants, and whether it adds two or four schools. I would think Marshall also ends up in the Sun Belt, but some seem to think that is less than a sure thing.

I would expect Conference USA to backfill by adding James Madison, Liberty, New Mexico State, or other schools.

As for the MAC: I think the MAC stands pat unless for some reason Marshall doesn't go to the Sun Belt. If Marshall isn't presented a suitable opportunity to join the Sun Belt, they might well prefer to return to the MAC, perhaps with Old Dominion (although the MAC might prefer Western Kentucky or James Madison). If the MAC had an opportunity to bring Marshall back, I personally think that would be too good an opportunity to pass up. Counter arguments: (1) It could mean splitting conference revenue more ways, which is no small thing. (2) Marshall and the MAC have broken up twice before, so how many times are we going to do this? That said, maybe ESPN could help make Marshall worth the MAC's while, since it would mean more product for them. (Conference USA is not an ESPN conference.)

Ultimately, I think Marshall will end up in the Sun Belt and the MAC will stand pat.

[jpfalcon09]

Don't see the MAC adding any schools. Sun Belt will absorb the remnants of CUSA. WKU and Marshall would be nice gets though.

[MarkL]

The MAC through all the conference realignment insanity of the past 15 years has stayed the same. We have twice added a football only member and then asked them to leave if not committing all sports. That speaks to one of two things: conference leadership, or schools that just are not attractive expansion targets. Or both.

Also I hadn't considered either JMU or ODU. It would be great to expand into Virginia. JMU is in a beautiful area of the state in the Shenandoah valley. And selfishly for me that's an easy drive. As for ODU, a fall trip to Virginia Beach for a football game would be a lot of fun. Either or both might open up more interest in non conf games with ACC teams. For anyone who's been to Virginia Tech or UVA for a football game, you know either would be a fun occasional opponent.

[jpfalcon09]

The MAC through all the conference realignment insanity of the past 15 years has stayed the same. We have twice added a football only member and then asked them to leave if not committing all sports. That speaks to one of two things: conference leadership, or schools that just are not attractive expansion targets. Or both.

Also I hadn't considered either JMU or ODU. It would be great to expand into Virginia. JMU is in a beautiful area of the state in the Shenandoah valley. And selfishly for me that's an easy drive. As for ODU, a fall trip to Virginia Beach for a football game would be a lot of fun. Either or both might open up more interest in non conf games with ACC teams. For anyone who's been to Virginia Tech or UVA for a football game, you know either would be a fun occasional opponent.

IMO, JMU and ODU are outside of the footprint of the conference. Temple and UCF felt that way when were members. Marshall having been a prior member makes sense, but they would likely see it as a step down to go from CUSA to back, same for WKU. Unfortunately I believe most programs view the MAC as the worst of the FBS conferences, and likely expansion would probably come from FCS programs in the region looking to jump to FBS (someone like a Youngstown St.).

I say let all these other conferences play musical chairs. A mega-American or Sun Belt in the end isn't going to move the needle on a national level, and it's obvious these conferences are simply positioning themselves to get a bigger media deal when the time comes.

[Tony4BG]

Pete Thamel tweeted Sun Belt eyeing Southern Miss, Marshall, ODU & James Madison.

CUSA looking at Liberty & JMU.

Will be interesting how all this shakes out.

[BillyLP]

It's really hard for me to tell if the steadiness of the MAC is a sign of strength or weakness. Or if it's neither and mostly just due to geography. I am surprised that the AAC isn't going for Buffalo. That feels like a very natural fit, especially if they are going for the TV markets.

Personally, I'd love to see Marshall and WKU become full-time members. I think they would elevate the conference in all sports and fit well within the geographic footprint, but I'm sure the payout for the MAC is less than even the Sun Belt (though I'd argue higher quality belongs to the MAC).

[jpfalcon09]

It's really hard for me to tell if the steadiness of the MAC is a sign of strength or weakness. Or if it's neither and mostly just due to geography. I am surprised that the AAC isn't going for Buffalo. That feels like a very natural fit, especially if they are going for the TV markets.

Personally, I'd love to see Marshall and WKU become full-time members. I think they would elevate the conference in all sports and fit well within the geographic footprint, but I'm sure the payout for the MAC is less than even the Sun Belt (though I'd argue higher quality belongs to the MAC).

Marshall is going to the Sun Belt. There are whispers that the MAC may look at WKU and MTSU. Conference USA is going to cease to exist.

[Flipper]

Always loved beating on Marshall...their last game in conference was a complete ass kicking by the 2004 team. Took a knee on their 5 with less than a minute to go. Showing mercy was more humiliating to them than the extra 6 points would have been. That 2004 team had the best offense I've ever seen here.

[MarkL]

If WKU and MTSU joined I think we would have to scrap the divisions as we know it. Asking yearly travel between the three Michigans and WKU and MTSU is a lot. Perhaps just scrap the divisions and become the first conference to adopt a "floating division". I'd be up for that.

[jpfalcon09]

If WKU and MTSU joined I think we would have to scrap the divisions as we know it. Asking yearly travel between the three Michigans and WKU and MTSU is a lot. Perhaps just scrap the divisions and become the first conference to adopt a "floating division". I'd be up for that.

West

NIU
Ball State
Western Michigan
Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan
Miami
WKU

East

Toledo
BG
Ohio
Akron
Kent
Buffalo
MTSU

[Critical Thinker]

I want to stay at 12. I like that we have a stable, small, midwest-only conference, where I can follow the other schools and appreciate their traditions and root for them in out of conference, except Toledo of course. I wouldn't pay any attention to a Hilltopper or Dukes team that's too far away to visit knowing they'll move on at their earliest opportunity. We all put a similar emphasis on athletics, it's (more or less) competitive; NIU may almost always beat EMU, but it's nothing like Ohio State's annual 60 point win over Rutgers.

I know the only factor that matters is money, but we'd really lose an enjoyable part of BG athletics if we expand, particularly because we'd be seen as the dumping ground for everyone not good enough to join a "better" conference.

I hope we stay the midwest mid-majors and not turn into the national leftovers.

[Schadenfreude]

I want to stay at 12.

I lean that way, too. Maybe, at some point, there will be an opportunity to add a school or schools with long term interest in being in our conference. North Dakota State, despite the distance, comes to mind as a possibility.

Unless ESPN was throwing a lot of money at us to bring in Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee, I lean toward standing pat and wishing them the best.

[jpfalcon09]

I want to stay at 12.

I lean that way, too. Maybe, at some point, there will be an opportunity to add a school or schools with long term interest in being in our conference. North Dakota State, despite the distance, comes to mind as a possibility.

Unless ESPN was throwing a lot of money at us to bring in Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee, I lean toward standing pat and wishing them the best.

From a strictly football point of view, 14 may not be a good idea. I think from a basketball angle, adding WKU and MTSU would provide the MAC two more quality programs. We'll see what happens but if the tea leaves are already reading that those two programs are going to be left in the lurch, it might make sense for the MAC to bring them on and see what happens.

[Flipper]

I want to bring in WKU strictly for the prospect of a Battle for Bowling Green trophy. It could be a green bowling ball mounted on some kind of stand. It would make sense to ESPN...and we could laugh at them for their ignorance