I was listening to local sports radio here in Richmond and the UVA beat writer was on to talk about the NCAA tournament. But because this particular beat writer had until recently been JMU's beat writer for years and still has lots of contacts in Harrisonburg, the host also asked him what he thought the impact of the UMass news would have on JMU's FBS plans. The guy basically said that the UMass move made JMU to the MAC less likely and while JMU may prefer the CUSA or MAC, the study showed there wasnt much difference between the three and over the last year, JMU has learned from App State that if you want FBS you need to take the offer on the table. Sounded to me like he expected JMU to join the SBC.

I figure the MAC told JMU they would be number 14 if UMass stayed, but a month ago when UMass said no, JMU was told the MAC was staying at 12 and the talks with the SBC started.

My two bit opinion.

In the long run, someone needs to slip beneath the waves to never been seen again.

College football runs in cycles and sooner or later we will have a new cycle where the talk of the day turns back to needing to make it harder to move to FBS and stay in FBS. No FBS school has walked away since 1995 when Pacific suspended football for a year.

Having a more modern example is the perfect antidote to talk of tightening up FBS. Answer that the marketplace supports what it can support and when someone doesn't belong they leave. Point to the dearly departed in a respectful manner as your example and proof.

(03-26-2014 04:29 PM)AppfanInCAAland Wrote:  I was listening to local sports radio here in Richmond and the UVA beat writer was on to talk about the NCAA tournament. But because this particular beat writer had until recently been JMU's beat writer for years and still has lots of contacts in Harrisonburg, the host also asked him what he thought the impact of the UMass news would have on JMU's FBS plans. The guy basically said that the UMass move made JMU to the MAC less likely and while JMU may prefer the CUSA or MAC, the study showed there wasnt much difference between the three and over the last year, JMU has learned from App State that if you want FBS you need to take the offer on the table. Sounded to me like he expected JMU to join the SBC.

I figure the MAC told JMU they would be number 14 if UMass stayed, but a month ago when UMass said no, JMU was told the MAC was staying at 12 and the talks with the SBC started.

One thing though is that there is still a lot of talk that JMU may ultimately choose FCS after this.

If that happens...we need to start preparing ourselves for our first ever Private School in Football.

(03-26-2014 04:29 PM)AppfanInCAAland Wrote:  I was listening to local sports radio here in Richmond and the UVA beat writer was on to talk about the NCAA tournament. But because this particular beat writer had until recently been JMU's beat writer for years and still has lots of contacts in Harrisonburg, the host also asked him what he thought the impact of the UMass news would have on JMU's FBS plans. The guy basically said that the UMass move made JMU to the MAC less likely and while JMU may prefer the CUSA or MAC, the study showed there wasnt much difference between the three and over the last year, JMU has learned from App State that if you want FBS you need to take the offer on the table. Sounded to me like he expected JMU to join the SBC.

I figure the MAC told JMU they would be number 14 if UMass stayed, but a month ago when UMass said no, JMU was told the MAC was staying at 12 and the talks with the SBC started.

That is the most plausible scenario I have seen so far.

I think we might see JMU as an all sports member and UMASS football only to the SunBelt. Would UMASS go to CUSA all sports? They're not gonna take em football only. And I don't see them getting an AAC invite.

(03-26-2014 04:35 PM)Bleeds_Purple Wrote:  I think we might see JMU as an all sports member and UMASS football only to the SunBelt. Would UMASS go to CUSA all sports? They're not gonna take em football only. And I don't see them getting an AAC invite.

More likey UMASS to the AAC with JMU.

(03-26-2014 04:23 PM)slycat Wrote:  UMass vs Georgia St would be the pillow fight of all time

Says Trademark Owner of Suck

(03-26-2014 03:41 PM)EmeryZach Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 03:37 PM)panama Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 03:34 PM)EmeryZach Wrote:  If UConn keeps up with history, then they'll try to block UMass from going to the AAC. They've never before wanted us in the same conference as them.

Also, note that UMass will be playing 3 games ON CAMPUS this year, and 3 games at Gillette.

So expect maybe 1 or 2 games to be at Gillette after this year. The rest will be back on campus.

Has the stadium been expanded?

New football training facility, offices, luxury suites in the North endzone and a new Press Box with suites as well, but no general seating expansion yet. But it's been rumored that new seating in the South endzone might possibly happen in the next few years.

This is what it will look like this season.

May happen?! Next few years?! Um...No.

(03-26-2014 04:38 PM)FloridaJag Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:35 PM)Bleeds_Purple Wrote:  I think we might see JMU as an all sports member and UMASS football only to the SunBelt. Would UMASS go to CUSA all sports? They're not gonna take em football only. And I don't see them getting an AAC invite.

More likey UMASS to the AAC with JMU.

You seem to forget that the AAC is dealing from a position of strength right now. They just crashed the BCS and had, what, 5 teams in the NCAA tourney. UMass football is a dumpster fire (sorry, probably too strong) and JMU isn't even in the club yet, much less an AAC target.

Maybe when the P5 shakes the earth again those schools would become viable but unless UMass has an agreement standing with the AAC, they are between a rock and a hard place right now.

(03-26-2014 02:59 PM)uakronkid Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 02:57 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 02:54 PM)uakronkid Wrote:  Don't forget, UMass is still in the MAC until after 2015. If Umass is the move for the Sun Belt, you're stuck with 11 football teams for another two seasons.

May not, but if they announce to the NCAA prior to July 1st they could be in the Sun Belt July 1st 2015.

Nope. They have to play the 2014 and 2015 seasons in the MAC. That's the contract. Earliest they could be in the Sun Belt is 2016.

They don't HAVE to stay for the 2015 season unless the MAC holds their feet to the fire and with the MAC no longer getting basketball games, the MAC has no reason to want to hold their feet to the fire.

If UMass wanted to forego the 2015 season, really seems unlikely the MAC would make them play the 2015 season.

As it stands today, the more likely situation is that it is UMass insisting they get to play 2015 to buy time to find a home or line-up sufficient FBS home games to remain in FBS as an indy.

(03-26-2014 04:35 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:29 PM)AppfanInCAAland Wrote:  I was listening to local sports radio here in Richmond and the UVA beat writer was on to talk about the NCAA tournament. But because this particular beat writer had until recently been JMU's beat writer for years and still has lots of contacts in Harrisonburg, the host also asked him what he thought the impact of the UMass news would have on JMU's FBS plans. The guy basically said that the UMass move made JMU to the MAC less likely and while JMU may prefer the CUSA or MAC, the study showed there wasnt much difference between the three and over the last year, JMU has learned from App State that if you want FBS you need to take the offer on the table. Sounded to me like he expected JMU to join the SBC.

I figure the MAC told JMU they would be number 14 if UMass stayed, but a month ago when UMass said no, JMU was told the MAC was staying at 12 and the talks with the SBC started.

One thing though is that there is still a lot of talk that JMU may ultimately choose FCS after this.

If that happens...we need to start preparing ourselves for our first ever Private School in Football.

I like the sound of that. It would not surprise me that if JMU is not a big SBC fan and the MAC stays pat that JMU stays in the CAA. If Liberty comes in soon, will NMST also come as an all sport to appease the West teams?

(03-26-2014 04:47 PM)knucklehead Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:35 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:29 PM)AppfanInCAAland Wrote:  I was listening to local sports radio here in Richmond and the UVA beat writer was on to talk about the NCAA tournament. But because this particular beat writer had until recently been JMU's beat writer for years and still has lots of contacts in Harrisonburg, the host also asked him what he thought the impact of the UMass news would have on JMU's FBS plans. The guy basically said that the UMass move made JMU to the MAC less likely and while JMU may prefer the CUSA or MAC, the study showed there wasnt much difference between the three and over the last year, JMU has learned from App State that if you want FBS you need to take the offer on the table. Sounded to me like he expected JMU to join the SBC.

I figure the MAC told JMU they would be number 14 if UMass stayed, but a month ago when UMass said no, JMU was told the MAC was staying at 12 and the talks with the SBC started.

One thing though is that there is still a lot of talk that JMU may ultimately choose FCS after this.

If that happens...we need to start preparing ourselves for our first ever Private School in Football.

I like the sound of that. It would not surprise me that if JMU is not a big SBC fan and the MAC stays pat that JMU stays in the CAA. If Liberty comes in soon, will NMST and Missouri State also come as an all sport to appease the West teams?

Liberty does not get into the SBC Unless NMSU and Missouri State are agreed on. And even then, you need to make sure your President is visiting Troy, Jonesboro, and Lafayette to make sure their leadership is okay with it.

(03-26-2014 04:50 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:47 PM)knucklehead Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:35 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:29 PM)AppfanInCAAland Wrote:  I was listening to local sports radio here in Richmond and the UVA beat writer was on to talk about the NCAA tournament. But because this particular beat writer had until recently been JMU's beat writer for years and still has lots of contacts in Harrisonburg, the host also asked him what he thought the impact of the UMass news would have on JMU's FBS plans. The guy basically said that the UMass move made JMU to the MAC less likely and while JMU may prefer the CUSA or MAC, the study showed there wasnt much difference between the three and over the last year, JMU has learned from App State that if you want FBS you need to take the offer on the table. Sounded to me like he expected JMU to join the SBC.

I figure the MAC told JMU they would be number 14 if UMass stayed, but a month ago when UMass said no, JMU was told the MAC was staying at 12 and the talks with the SBC started.

One thing though is that there is still a lot of talk that JMU may ultimately choose FCS after this.

If that happens...we need to start preparing ourselves for our first ever Private School in Football.

I like the sound of that. It would not surprise me that if JMU is not a big SBC fan and the MAC stays pat that JMU stays in the CAA. If Liberty comes in soon, will NMST and Missouri State also come as an all sport to appease the West teams?

Liberty does not get into the SBC Unless NMSU and Missouri State are agreed on. And even then, you need to make sure your President is visiting Troy, Jonesboro, and Lafayette to make sure their leadership is okay with it.

Again, folks have said Jerry Jr. is meeting with each SBC president in the 'Burg. who knows?

(03-26-2014 04:13 PM)jjmc85 Wrote:  Email I just got from UMass. Not what I wanted to read :(

Quote:Hello Football Ambassadors!

The season preparation is underway, and we will certainly be relying on you again to help generate support, enthusiasm, and broadcast the messages of UMass football! In an effort to keep you informed and prepared for questions you may encounter, the university just announced a moment ago that they will be leaving the MAC conference after the conclusion of the 2015 season. Please see the attached talking points, and you can read an article about it at http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-f...4aaa.html. Thanks for your work, and I look forward to working with you again for the upcoming season!

Thanks,
Kevin

This comes from the MAC board. Even though UMass says they are leaving next year believe one poster said they could do it immediately for $500K and by next year for $250K.

(03-26-2014 04:50 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:47 PM)knucklehead Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:35 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:29 PM)AppfanInCAAland Wrote:  I was listening to local sports radio here in Richmond and the UVA beat writer was on to talk about the NCAA tournament. But because this particular beat writer had until recently been JMU's beat writer for years and still has lots of contacts in Harrisonburg, the host also asked him what he thought the impact of the UMass news would have on JMU's FBS plans. The guy basically said that the UMass move made JMU to the MAC less likely and while JMU may prefer the CUSA or MAC, the study showed there wasnt much difference between the three and over the last year, JMU has learned from App State that if you want FBS you need to take the offer on the table. Sounded to me like he expected JMU to join the SBC.

I figure the MAC told JMU they would be number 14 if UMass stayed, but a month ago when UMass said no, JMU was told the MAC was staying at 12 and the talks with the SBC started.

One thing though is that there is still a lot of talk that JMU may ultimately choose FCS after this.

If that happens...we need to start preparing ourselves for our first ever Private School in Football.

I like the sound of that. It would not surprise me that if JMU is not a big SBC fan and the MAC stays pat that JMU stays in the CAA. If Liberty comes in soon, will NMST and Missouri State also come as an all sport to appease the West teams?

Liberty does not get into the SBC Unless NMSU and Missouri State are agreed on. And even then, you need to make sure your President is visiting Troy, Jonesboro, and Lafayette to make sure their leadership is okay with it.

If I were creating my strategy....

Five people I visit in person and ask for campus tours from and ask lots of questions about their school and facilities and then invite to my school are:
-Troy president because he's former president of the league
-ULM president because president of the league.
-UL president because the Cajuns are influential
-AState chancellor because odds are pretty good UALR votes to keep AState happy (and if you don't vote with AState you either get a call from the governor or whichever appointee to the board he can get a hold of first) and AState has always been a go-to school to broker compromises, especially true after UNO left.
-Texas State president because they are the most remote school for any eastern candidate and a high probability no vote, not sure their opinion means a great deal to UTA because I don't know their dynamic.

Win over three of them then odds are pretty good any eastern candidate will get the votes.

(03-26-2014 04:47 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 02:59 PM)uakronkid Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 02:57 PM)GoApps70 Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 02:54 PM)uakronkid Wrote:  Don't forget, UMass is still in the MAC until after 2015. If Umass is the move for the Sun Belt, you're stuck with 11 football teams for another two seasons.

May not, but if they announce to the NCAA prior to July 1st they could be in the Sun Belt July 1st 2015.

Nope. They have to play the 2014 and 2015 seasons in the MAC. That's the contract. Earliest they could be in the Sun Belt is 2016.

They don't HAVE to stay for the 2015 season unless the MAC holds their feet to the fire and with the MAC no longer getting basketball games, the MAC has no reason to want to hold their feet to the fire.

If UMass wanted to forego the 2015 season, really seems unlikely the MAC would make them play the 2015 season.

As it stands today, the more likely situation is that it is UMass insisting they get to play 2015 to buy time to find a home or line-up sufficient FBS home games to remain in FBS as an indy.

Plus they will save a few dollars in travel cost. But in this case the SBC has all the leverage and if the conference is willing to take UMASS and wanted them for the 2015 season UMASS would have little choice but to be ready for the SBC in 2015. Going Indy for a new moveup is like being on death row. Just a matter of time before you die.

That link seemed to be changed.
Believe it went to this one:
http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-f...14aaa.html

UMass Football Will Leave Mid-American Conference at End of 2015

The 2015 season will be the final one for UMass football as an affiliate member of the MAC.

March 26, 2014

AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts announced today that it will end its football affiliation with the Mid-American Conference (MAC) following the 2015 season.

Athletic Director John McCutcheon said the decision was made after the MAC President's Council elected to exercise a contract clause that offered UMass a choice of becoming a full member for all sports in the MAC or opting to remain a football-only member for just two more years. The university has been conducting a study of its current and potential conference alignments with the assistance of Carr Sports Consulting.

"While the report is not complete," McCutcheon said, "we believe full membership for all sports in the MAC is not a good fit for us. Because most of the MAC schools are in the Midwest, the additional travel would strain our athletic budget and pose considerable time management challenges for our student athletes. We are confident that, within the next two years, we will find a more suitable conference for our FBS football program."

Currently, UMass Amherst has 21 varsity athletic teams (10 for men, 11 for women). Football plays in the MAC and the other 20 teams compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference, Hockey East (men's ice hockey) and the Colonial Athletic Association (men's lacrosse). UMass began playing as a football-only member of the MAC in 2012.

McCutcheon said, "We remain committed to FBS football. Many institutions have successfully navigated this challenging period of conference realignment and we will do the same."

Football coach Mark Whipple expressed confidence in the future of the university's FBS program. "I was aware of this possibility when I accepted the position of head coach, and I believe this move is in the university's best interest. My focus is on building a program that we all can be proud of and that provides a great experience for our student athletes."

Whipple, the coach with the most wins in UMass football history, returned to the helm of the program this year. The Minutemen's 2014 home schedule includes three games at refurbished McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst in addition to three games at Gillette Stadium.

(03-26-2014 05:01 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:50 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:47 PM)knucklehead Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:35 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:29 PM)AppfanInCAAland Wrote:  I was listening to local sports radio here in Richmond and the UVA beat writer was on to talk about the NCAA tournament. But because this particular beat writer had until recently been JMU's beat writer for years and still has lots of contacts in Harrisonburg, the host also asked him what he thought the impact of the UMass news would have on JMU's FBS plans. The guy basically said that the UMass move made JMU to the MAC less likely and while JMU may prefer the CUSA or MAC, the study showed there wasnt much difference between the three and over the last year, JMU has learned from App State that if you want FBS you need to take the offer on the table. Sounded to me like he expected JMU to join the SBC.

I figure the MAC told JMU they would be number 14 if UMass stayed, but a month ago when UMass said no, JMU was told the MAC was staying at 12 and the talks with the SBC started.

One thing though is that there is still a lot of talk that JMU may ultimately choose FCS after this.

If that happens...we need to start preparing ourselves for our first ever Private School in Football.

I like the sound of that. It would not surprise me that if JMU is not a big SBC fan and the MAC stays pat that JMU stays in the CAA. If Liberty comes in soon, will NMST and Missouri State also come as an all sport to appease the West teams?

Liberty does not get into the SBC Unless NMSU and Missouri State are agreed on. And even then, you need to make sure your President is visiting Troy, Jonesboro, and Lafayette to make sure their leadership is okay with it.

If I were creating my strategy....

Five people I visit in person and ask for campus tours from and ask lots of questions about their school and facilities and then invite to my school are:
-Troy president because he's former president of the league
-ULM president because president of the league.
-UL president because the Cajuns are influential
-AState chancellor because odds are pretty good UALR votes to keep AState happy (and if you don't vote with AState you either get a call from the governor or whichever appointee to the board he can get a hold of first) and AState has always been a go-to school to broker compromises, especially true after UNO left.
-Texas State president because they are the most remote school for any eastern candidate and a high probability no vote, not sure their opinion means a great deal to UTA because I don't know their dynamic.

Win over three of them then odds are pretty good any eastern candidate will get the votes.

Good info. Again, I have no inside info, but I have heard they are meeting with all presidents. Not sure of the accuracy.

(03-26-2014 05:01 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:50 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:47 PM)knucklehead Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:35 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:29 PM)AppfanInCAAland Wrote:  I was listening to local sports radio here in Richmond and the UVA beat writer was on to talk about the NCAA tournament. But because this particular beat writer had until recently been JMU's beat writer for years and still has lots of contacts in Harrisonburg, the host also asked him what he thought the impact of the UMass news would have on JMU's FBS plans. The guy basically said that the UMass move made JMU to the MAC less likely and while JMU may prefer the CUSA or MAC, the study showed there wasnt much difference between the three and over the last year, JMU has learned from App State that if you want FBS you need to take the offer on the table. Sounded to me like he expected JMU to join the SBC.

I figure the MAC told JMU they would be number 14 if UMass stayed, but a month ago when UMass said no, JMU was told the MAC was staying at 12 and the talks with the SBC started.

One thing though is that there is still a lot of talk that JMU may ultimately choose FCS after this.

If that happens...we need to start preparing ourselves for our first ever Private School in Football.

I like the sound of that. It would not surprise me that if JMU is not a big SBC fan and the MAC stays pat that JMU stays in the CAA. If Liberty comes in soon, will NMST and Missouri State also come as an all sport to appease the West teams?

Liberty does not get into the SBC Unless NMSU and Missouri State are agreed on. And even then, you need to make sure your President is visiting Troy, Jonesboro, and Lafayette to make sure their leadership is okay with it.

If I were creating my strategy....

Five people I visit in person and ask for campus tours from and ask lots of questions about their school and facilities and then invite to my school are:
-Troy president because he's former president of the league
-ULM president because president of the league.
-UL president because the Cajuns are influential
-AState chancellor because odds are pretty good UALR votes to keep AState happy (and if you don't vote with AState you either get a call from the governor or whichever appointee to the board he can get a hold of first) and AState has always been a go-to school to broker compromises, especially true after UNO left.
-Texas State president because they are the most remote school for any eastern candidate and a high probability no vote, not sure their opinion means a great deal to UTA because I don't know their dynamic.

Win over three of them then odds are pretty good any eastern candidate will get the votes.

Now look here people. I offered what I think is the most likely scenario in which the MAC stays at 12, causing JMU to join the SBC and it is used as a launching board to talk about Liberty!?!

(03-26-2014 05:10 PM)AppfanInCAAland Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 05:01 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:50 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:47 PM)knucklehead Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:35 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  One thing though is that there is still a lot of talk that JMU may ultimately choose FCS after this.

If that happens...we need to start preparing ourselves for our first ever Private School in Football.

I like the sound of that. It would not surprise me that if JMU is not a big SBC fan and the MAC stays pat that JMU stays in the CAA. If Liberty comes in soon, will NMST and Missouri State also come as an all sport to appease the West teams?

Liberty does not get into the SBC Unless NMSU and Missouri State are agreed on. And even then, you need to make sure your President is visiting Troy, Jonesboro, and Lafayette to make sure their leadership is okay with it.

If I were creating my strategy....

Five people I visit in person and ask for campus tours from and ask lots of questions about their school and facilities and then invite to my school are:
-Troy president because he's former president of the league
-ULM president because president of the league.
-UL president because the Cajuns are influential
-AState chancellor because odds are pretty good UALR votes to keep AState happy (and if you don't vote with AState you either get a call from the governor or whichever appointee to the board he can get a hold of first) and AState has always been a go-to school to broker compromises, especially true after UNO left.
-Texas State president because they are the most remote school for any eastern candidate and a high probability no vote, not sure their opinion means a great deal to UTA because I don't know their dynamic.

Win over three of them then odds are pretty good any eastern candidate will get the votes.

Now look here people. I offered what I think is the most likely scenario in which the MAC stays at 12, causing JMU to join the SBC and it is used as a launching board to talk about Liberty!?!

We used it as a launching pad for the realistic question of...what on earth is the SBC Going to do if JMU STILL says no.