Official: Temple on board on '06

[orangeandbrown]

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... /-1/SPORTS

The Blade has it today. Temple is coming on board. They will start their football in '06, playing six conference games which is less than everyone else plays.

In an important nuance, the league has extracted promises for them to play MAC teams in Men's and Women's basketball, which I think is an important development. They are going to stay in the A-10, however.

According to the article, the MAC thinks that Temple is good for the MAC in football because of their presence in a large media market, no matter how much they suck (that last part was mine).

As an aside, the six conference games could be a competitive issue if they were ever to challenge for a title. It could give them an unfair advantage or disadvantage, depending on who was on the schedule. Hopefully, they will eventually play a full schedule.

You might argue that we already had our share of the worst teams in I-A football, and adding another one might be counter-productive.

IMO, its a neutral move at best. I'm not thrilled, and I'm not distraught. Exactly how many basketball games we get will help determine if this is a success. And, I might add, if any of those games take place in our gyms.

[BGSU-Ph.D.]

I wonder if they will only play six conference games in 2006 because they will be considered a "transitional member"? Connecticut had a transitional year when they joined the Big East as did South Florida when they joined C-USA. If my memory serves me correctly, both lasted only one year.

[BGSU-Ph.D.]

I hope an announcement about W. Kentucky (or someone else) comes soon. I really dislike an unbalanced conference.

[FalconKing]

Yeah...esp since it was only about a month or so ago that the MAC front office released the rotation for the next five years. Maybe we will have to wait longer than 2k7 to play NIU again (outside of the MACC that is!).

[SaxyIrishTenor]

I wonder if they will only play six conference games in 2006 because they will be considered a "transitional member"? Connecticut had a transitional year when they joined the Big East as did South Florida when they joined C-USA. If my memory serves me correctly, both lasted only one year.

Well, if Temple is a "transitional member" would we not be one too, in a way, since we are switching from west to East AGAIN?

I mean, its skewed logic, I know, but... I dunno. I'm still pissed about our schedule.

[Schadenfreude]

I wonder if they will only play six conference games in 2006 because they will be considered a "transitional member"?

We'll find out for sure on Tuesday, but that's my thinking.

[NWLB]

I'm still waiting for WKU.

For the time being, Temple is our b........est new addition to the MAC schedule....yeah, thats it.

[Blazer]

Just saw this on the AP wires as I got to work today.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Associated Press has learned that Temple
University's football team is joining the Mid-American Conference.
A source within the Owls' athletic department tells the A-P
today that Temple will start play in the Cleveland-based conference
in 2007.
The Big East kicked out Temple's football team after 13 years
because the Owls didn't draw enough fans and couldn't field a
competitive team.
Temple will play as an independent during the next two seasons.
The Owls are expected to add more MAC teams onto their schedules
for those years before starting full conference play.
The rest of Temple's teams will stay in the Atlantic Ten.
Marshall is leaving the MAC to join Conference U-S-A.

[bgsuman]

says '07 on espn

[Zom]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/f ... index.html

[bgsuman]

Temple is to play MAC teams Toledo, Bowling Green and Miami (Ohio) in 2005.


Ouch-that not a good way to start 05 for those Owls...I see 3 big losses for them

[UK Peregrine]

Here is Western Michigan's take on Temple joining the MAC. With two very interesting quotes. One on Temple's commitment to football and the other on the possible move of all Temple sports to the MAC. I'm excited about this move a little more now and perhaps Temple can turn their program around much like BG did in 2001.

"The three (MAC) athletic directors that visited (Temple) looked at their commitment to their football program and were very surprised," said Beauregard (WMU), who was not a member the traveling committee. "They have a larger budget than any of us in the league. They put more into marketing ... and they're trying to move away from being a commuter school."

"It gets us into the Philadelphia market and enhances our basketball schedule, with the possibility of looking at full membership down the road sometime," Beauregard said.

http://www.mlive.com/broncos/kzgazette/ ... 291820.xml

[NY-BG-FAN]

It's good that Temple isn't in until 07, then if Western Kentucky or someone else doesn't come in to balance the West division out at least BG will have 2 years in the east instead of having to switch back to the west after just one year.

[transfer2BGSU]

It's good that Temple isn't in until 07, then if Western Kentucky or someone else doesn't come in to balance the West division out at least BG will have 2 years in the east instead of having to switch back to the west after just one year.

Why do you think BGSU will have to go back to the West?

[TG1996]

Here's the Temple release from collegesports.com

http://www.collegesports.com/sports/m-f ... 05aaj.html

Eligible for a bowl spot this year? playing 4 MAC schools? Hmm.