The final Great Realignment of College Football?

[Tony4BG]

Are there two more schools MAC could add and then use pods instead of divisions? Or is 14 enough??

[mbenecke]

Are there two more schools MAC could add and then use pods instead of divisions? Or is 14 enough??

Can't really do pods without going to 16, to me.

[Tony4BG]

Are there two more schools MAC could add and then use pods instead of divisions? Or is 14 enough??

Can't really do pods without going to 16, to me.

Right, MTSU & WKU plus two more.

[MarkL]

The MAC was 14 teams way back about two decades ago - current MAC + Marshall and UCF. That was a big conference. I can't say I'd support 16.

[Schadenfreude]

Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee is now looking "likely" according to Brett McMurphy.

https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/stat ... 2691453955

[pdt1081]

BG is more or less the geographic middle of the MAC. For what it is worth, it is basically double the distance to NDSU as it is to MTSU. Not saying that alone should disinterest you in NDSU but it's a thing.

Hell, its 40 miles closer from NIU to get to MTSU than NDSU.

I'm sure Miami would greatly appreciate a trip to Tennessee instead of another to North Dakota. Same with Western.

[Flipper]

MTSU and WKU are directional schools...the MAC is a natural for them given our existing directional vibe

[kdog27]

MTSU and WKU are directional schools...the MAC is a natural for them given our existing directional vibe

True. Both of those aren’t bad drives from where I live so I am in support. Would definitely like to catch a basketball game at WKU.

[Schadenfreude]

The Blade is saying this is likely to happen. No word on how divisions will be aligned. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/coll ... 0211101139

[Tony4BG]

Wow.

“One of the interesting things I have heard about potential MAC expansion is that adding helps the conference guard against the potential of a current member (or two) dropping down to FCS.”

- Ralph Russo AP

[BGSU33]

Both MTSU and WKU are due south of central Indiana, so both are west of all 6 current MAC East schools. If they indeed come, I would be happy with one going to the east and one going to the west to not displace anyone. But this is the MAC and I don't expect it to go so easily. I wouldn't mind both going to the West and Toledo going to the East to join the other Ohio schools. But I would 100% HATE BG being moved yet again and into a division with what we have with the MAC West schools. BG is a core member of the MAC, we got displaced years ago when the MAC invited affiliate members and it was BS. These two schools need the MAC, the MAC doesn't need them. The MAC should protect its core members and make the newcomers adjust to their new home. Everything is going to be new to them if they come, I just don't want to see BG displaced again to accommodate newcomers. Been there, done that, hated it.

That said, I'm still trying to figure out what exactly the MAC is "adding" by adding these schools? So instead of competing against 5 division teams for a berth in Detroit, you'll now compete against 6? Instead of competing against 11 other schools for one bid into he NCAA Tournament, you'll now compete against 13? Instead of splitting funds between 12 schools, you'll now share it with 14? Instead of traveling around Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and New York, we're now going to add trips to Kentucky and Tennessee? How exactly is all of this going to benefit and help the MAC and its members? I'm asking for facts, not speculation, because right now I'm failing to see the benefits.

[BGSU33]

Wow.

“One of the interesting things I have heard about potential MAC expansion is that adding helps the conference guard against the potential of a current member (or two) dropping down to FCS.”

- Ralph Russo AP

Interesting. And if true, I hope like hell BG isn't one of the schools to ever fall into that. For years I've always heard rumblings about Akron and EMU possibly doing it. While I would hate seeing the MAC losing someone, there are a number of FCS schools already within our footprint that have expressed interest in coming up to the FBS. So I don't see adding them as a safeguard because if someone drops down, others would certainly like to come up.

[Schadenfreude]

Wow.

“One of the interesting things I have heard about potential MAC expansion is that adding helps the conference guard against the potential of a current member (or two) dropping down to FCS.”

- Ralph Russo AP

This strikes me as more of a hypothetical than anything. But...

For years I've always heard rumblings about Akron and EMU possibly doing it.

Are you referring to fan speculation or more than that? (I think you have said you travel in college athletic circles.)

[Schadenfreude]

Both MTSU and WKU are due south of central Indiana, so both are west of all 6 current MAC East schools. If they indeed come, I would be happy with one going to the east and one going to the west to not dispose anyone. But this is the MAC and I don't expect it to go so easily. I wouldn't mind both going to the East and Toledo going to the East to join the other Ohio schools. But I would 100% HATE BG being moved yet again and into a division with what we have with the MAC West schools. BG is a core member of the MAC, we got displaced years ago when the MAC invited affiliate members and it was BS. These two schools need the MAC, the MAC doesn't need them. The MAC should protect its core members and make the newcomers adjust to their new home. Everything is going to be new to them if they come, I just don't want to see BG displaced again to accommodate newcomers. Been there, done that, hate it.

I agree completely.

I'm still trying to figure out what exactly the MAC is "adding" by adding these schools? So instead of competing for against 5 division teams for a berth in Detroit, you'll now compete against 6? Instead of competing against 11 other schools for one bid into he NCAA Tournament, you'll now compete against 13? Instead of splitting funds between 12 schools, we'll share it with 14? Instead of traveling around Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and New York, we're now going to add trips to Kentucky and Tennessee? How exactly is all of this going to benefit and help the MAC and its members? I'm asking for facts, not speculation, because right now I'm failing to see the benefits.

I don't see a whole lot of upside either.

I assume this is primarily about ESPN is trying to take content away from Conference USA and CBS, and that ESPN will be making it worth the MAC's while financially. But I'm unsure that outweighs the disadvantages you've pointed out.

[BGSU33]

Wow.

“One of the interesting things I have heard about potential MAC expansion is that adding helps the conference guard against the potential of a current member (or two) dropping down to FCS.”

- Ralph Russo AP

This strikes me as more of a hypothetical than anything. But...

For years I've always heard rumblings about Akron and EMU possibly doing it.

Are you referring to fan speculation or more than that? (I think you have said you travel in college athletic circles.)

That stemmed from speculation. I have never heard anything concrete or factual from any connection that would support that.