(02-28-2015 08:47 AM)broncojohnny Wrote:  Western has a thousand mid-week games and that just SUCKS...This conference just blows...2 Saturday games all year......geezzzzz

At least one of your midweek games is a TH night, NIU's are back to back Wed & Tues 11/18 & 11/24. But 4 Sat home games is better than the 3 NIU had last year

Having four midweek games scheduled in November means you're a top program in the MAC. It also means those games are going to be televised on an ESPN channel. NIU AD Sean Frazier, Rod Carey, and most thoughtful NIU fans realize this is a big plus for the program. It definitely helps recruiting and national exposure.

In 2014, NIU had four out of four midweek November games on national TV - two on ESPN2 and two on ESPNU. Having midweek November games is a program-builder for NIU (or any other MAC school).

(02-28-2015 08:47 AM)broncojohnny Wrote:  Western has a thousand mid-week games and that just SUCKS...This conference just blows...2 Saturday games all year......geezzzzz

MACtion began when the MAC signed a 10yr/$14m deal with ESPN in 2007. Based on the success of mid week Nov. games ESPN reopened the contract with 3yrs left and added $24m to the original $14m and then offered a new contract for 10yr/$100m. Teams like NIU and Ohio have played 16 MACtion games since 2007 while WMU has played 3 and only 1 of those was a home game. The Broncos sat back and let everyone else make the sacrifices that earned this conference an additional $124m, we have no sympathy for your whining. Time to step up and earn your keep. row the boat.

(03-01-2015 10:45 AM)huskiebob Wrote:  Having four midweek games scheduled in November means you're a top program in the MAC. It also means those games are going to be televised on an ESPN channel. NIU AD Sean Frazier, Rod Carey, and most thoughtful NIU fans realize this is a big plus for the program. It definitely helps recruiting and national exposure.

In 2014, NIU had four out of four midweek November games on national TV - two on ESPN2 and two on ESPNU. Having midweek November games is a program-builder for NIU (or any other MAC school).

At some point, the rationale that weeknight games helps recruiting needs to be confirmed in some way. The only ways would be 1) higher recruiting rankings by MAC schools vs. other conferences, which I have not seen and which is iffy anyway, or 2) more MAC wins vs. other conferences. Certainly that hasn't been the case in bowl games, and is very questionable regarding OOC games early in the season.

It remains to be seen whether recruiting is even helped when going against other MAC schools. WMU is supposedly getting recruits, and they've hardly played any MACtion games. NIU's recruiting ranking was relatively high this year but it's not like we're generally beating out P5 schools in most cases. Also, it could be a fluke.

And I'm not sure national exposure is a plus when you're showing games with empty stadiums (stadia?).

The only reason NIU's weeknight games have anybody there is because the students are on hand (for the first half only), the West side normally has a sparse crowd except against Toledo. And we have way fewer season ticket holders than some of the other MAC schools, which is very understandable considering our scheduling.

(03-01-2015 03:24 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(03-01-2015 10:45 AM)huskiebob Wrote:  Having four midweek games scheduled in November means you're a top program in the MAC. It also means those games are going to be televised on an ESPN channel. NIU AD Sean Frazier, Rod Carey, and most thoughtful NIU fans realize this is a big plus for the program. It definitely helps recruiting and national exposure.

In 2014, NIU had four out of four midweek November games on national TV - two on ESPN2 and two on ESPNU. Having midweek November games is a program-builder for NIU (or any other MAC school).

At some point, the rationale that weeknight games helps recruiting needs to be confirmed in some way. The only ways would be 1) higher recruiting rankings by MAC schools vs. other conferences, which I have not seen and which is iffy anyway, or 2) more MAC wins vs. other conferences. Certainly that hasn't been the case in bowl games, and is very questionable regarding OOC games early in the season.

It remains to be seen whether recruiting is even helped when going against other MAC schools. WMU is supposedly getting recruits, and they've hardly played any MACtion games. NIU's recruiting ranking was relatively high this year but it's not like we're generally beating out P5 schools in most cases. Also, it could be a fluke.

And I'm not sure national exposure is a plus when you're showing games with empty stadiums (stadia?).

The only reason NIU's weeknight games have anybody there is because the students are on hand (for the first half only), the West side normally has a sparse crowd except against Toledo. And we have way fewer season ticket holders than some of the other MAC schools, which is very understandable considering our scheduling.

The saying, win and they will come doesn't really work for you guys. Many schools would die to have winning seasons like NIU. But NIU fans would rather take an extra loss per year and have exciting matchups at HS instead of playing an FCS every year plus 2 or 3 no name FBS schools. Your fans expect wins vs. almost everyone so don't care to support unless it is the annual win the West game vs. Toledo.

(03-01-2015 03:52 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(03-01-2015 03:24 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(03-01-2015 10:45 AM)huskiebob Wrote:  Having four midweek games scheduled in November means you're a top program in the MAC. It also means those games are going to be televised on an ESPN channel. NIU AD Sean Frazier, Rod Carey, and most thoughtful NIU fans realize this is a big plus for the program. It definitely helps recruiting and national exposure.

In 2014, NIU had four out of four midweek November games on national TV - two on ESPN2 and two on ESPNU. Having midweek November games is a program-builder for NIU (or any other MAC school).

At some point, the rationale that weeknight games helps recruiting needs to be confirmed in some way. The only ways would be 1) higher recruiting rankings by MAC schools vs. other conferences, which I have not seen and which is iffy anyway, or 2) more MAC wins vs. other conferences. Certainly that hasn't been the case in bowl games, and is very questionable regarding OOC games early in the season.

It remains to be seen whether recruiting is even helped when going against other MAC schools. WMU is supposedly getting recruits, and they've hardly played any MACtion games. NIU's recruiting ranking was relatively high this year but it's not like we're generally beating out P5 schools in most cases. Also, it could be a fluke.

And I'm not sure national exposure is a plus when you're showing games with empty stadiums (stadia?).

The only reason NIU's weeknight games have anybody there is because the students are on hand (for the first half only), the West side normally has a sparse crowd except against Toledo. And we have way fewer season ticket holders than some of the other MAC schools, which is very understandable considering our scheduling.

The saying, win and they will come doesn't really work for you guys. Many schools would die to have winning seasons like NIU. But NIU fans would rather take an extra loss per year and have exciting matchups at HS instead of playing an FCS every year plus 2 or 3 no name FBS schools. Your fans expect wins vs. almost everyone so don't care to support unless it is the annual win the West game vs. Toledo.

The unacceptably crappy OOC home scheduling we've had over the past decade has hurt as well, thankfully that is being remedied (as long as AD Frazier sticks around). I don't mind the occasional weekday game but a lot of fans can't get there, and certainly won't go to 2-3 of them in one year. And they aren't going to travel to away games on a weeknight either.

We do have 6 home games this year and the first 2 are at the beginning of the year so at least it won't be cold (I think). I'm sure I'll end up freezing at the 2 night games at the end of the year though. Is it too late to build a dome?

(03-01-2015 02:41 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  

(02-28-2015 08:47 AM)broncojohnny Wrote:  Western has a thousand mid-week games and that just SUCKS...This conference just blows...2 Saturday games all year......geezzzzz

MACtion began when the MAC signed a 10yr/$14m deal with ESPN in 2007. Based on the success of mid week Nov. games ESPN reopened the contract with 3yrs left and added $24m to the original $14m and then offered a new contract for 10yr/$100m. Teams like NIU and Ohio have played 16 MACtion games since 2007 while WMU has played 3 and only 1 of those was a home game. The Broncos sat back and let everyone else make the sacrifices that earned this conference an additional $124m, we have no sympathy for your whining. Time to step up and earn your keep. row the boat.

That's great stuff!

All the bitching, whining and hand-wringing over the weeknight games isn't gonna make a bit of difference anyway. The MAC teams that win consistently are gonna be playing the November weeknight MACtion games for the foreseeable future. The crappy MAC teams are gonna be playing the November Saturday games. Deal with it.

(03-01-2015 10:45 AM)huskiebob Wrote:  Having four midweek games scheduled in November means you're a top program in the MAC. It also means those games are going to be televised on an ESPN channel. NIU AD Sean Frazier, Rod Carey, and most thoughtful NIU fans realize this is a big plus for the program. It definitely helps recruiting and national exposure.

In 2014, NIU had four out of four midweek November games on national TV - two on ESPN2 and two on ESPNU. Having midweek November games is a program-builder for NIU (or any other MAC school).

There is a big other side to that coin to the ESPN deal A) loss of credibility as a conference below FBS level B) erosion of season ticket fanbase I don't argue there are MAYBE some recruiting advantages (although I think becoming less and less through time), but there are a boatload of disadvantages and in the long run, I do believe the ESPN Deal has been a negative one for the conference.

(03-01-2015 02:41 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  

(02-28-2015 08:47 AM)broncojohnny Wrote:  Western has a thousand mid-week games and that just SUCKS...This conference just blows...2 Saturday games all year......geezzzzz

MACtion began when the MAC signed a 10yr/$14m deal with ESPN in 2007. Based on the success of mid week Nov. games ESPN reopened the contract with 3yrs left and added $24m to the original $14m and then offered a new contract for 10yr/$100m. Teams like NIU and Ohio have played 16 MACtion games since 2007 while WMU has played 3 and only 1 of those was a home game. The Broncos sat back and let everyone else make the sacrifices that earned this conference an additional $124m, we have no sympathy for your whining. Time to step up and earn your keep. row the boat.

Weeknight games started well before 2007. I know NIU's started in 2004.

(03-01-2015 06:59 PM)niubrad00 Wrote:  

(03-01-2015 02:41 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  

(02-28-2015 08:47 AM)broncojohnny Wrote:  Western has a thousand mid-week games and that just SUCKS...This conference just blows...2 Saturday games all year......geezzzzz

MACtion began when the MAC signed a 10yr/$14m deal with ESPN in 2007. Based on the success of mid week Nov. games ESPN reopened the contract with 3yrs left and added $24m to the original $14m and then offered a new contract for 10yr/$100m. Teams like NIU and Ohio have played 16 MACtion games since 2007 while WMU has played 3 and only 1 of those was a home game. The Broncos sat back and let everyone else make the sacrifices that earned this conference an additional $124m, we have no sympathy for your whining. Time to step up and earn your keep. row the boat.

Weeknight games started well before 2007. I know NIU's started in 2004.

didn't say it was the first time, the new contract brought in a consistent approach to scheduling weeknight games.

It is an interesting question. I used to argue that the weeknight coverage benefitted the Rockets. I used programs like Kansas & Iowa St as examples, how often do you see them on national TV, never. Toledo is on National TV 4 times a year plus. Parents from any part of the country could watch their kids play for the Rockets.

Unfortunately, I am not sure it is benefitting the Rockets in recruiting, each of the last 2 seasons Toledo has lost a recruit to Wake Forest. WF is awful and is never on National TV.

I am getting tired of sacrificing Saturday Toledo Football, for this supposed exposure.

In another interesting twist, it looks like the MAC decided to stick it to UMass and said you are not getting any additional exposure, no weekday night games for you, all you get is Saturday Football games. Damn you, UMass!!!

Being on TV during the weeknight has its advantages, but like everything else there is a limit to its impact. As for UMass not playing any MACtion this year- they did that to themselves by not scheduling an OOC game in Week 1. Without a bye week there was no way for the MAC to schedule them into a weeknight game.

I personally think that the conference should end the season the Tuesday before thanksgiving. Those games on Black Friday have way to many fans disguised as empty seats

Sent from my KFTHWI using Tapatalk

(03-01-2015 07:10 PM)Rocket A Wrote:  It is an interesting question. I used to argue that the weeknight coverage benefitted the Rockets. I used programs like Kansas & Iowa St as examples, how often do you see them on national TV, never. Toledo is on National TV 4 times a year plus. Parents from any part of the country could watch their kids play for the Rockets.

Unfortunately, I am not sure it is benefitting the Rockets in recruiting, each of the last 2 seasons Toledo has lost a recruit to Wake Forest. WF is awful and is never on National TV.

I am getting tired of sacrificing Saturday Toledo Football, for this supposed exposure.

In another interesting twist, it looks like the MAC decided to stick it to UMass and said you are not getting any additional exposure, no weekday night games for you, all you get is Saturday Football games. Damn you, UMass!!!

Yea I'm just not sure the recruiting angle is all it's cracked up to be.

(03-01-2015 07:41 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(03-01-2015 07:10 PM)Rocket A Wrote:  It is an interesting question. I used to argue that the weeknight coverage benefitted the Rockets. I used programs like Kansas & Iowa St as examples, how often do you see them on national TV, never. Toledo is on National TV 4 times a year plus. Parents from any part of the country could watch their kids play for the Rockets.

Unfortunately, I am not sure it is benefitting the Rockets in recruiting, each of the last 2 seasons Toledo has lost a recruit to Wake Forest. WF is awful and is never on National TV.

I am getting tired of sacrificing Saturday Toledo Football, for this supposed exposure.

In another interesting twist, it looks like the MAC decided to stick it to UMass and said you are not getting any additional exposure, no weekday night games for you, all you get is Saturday Football games. Damn you, UMass!!!

Yea I'm just not sure the recruiting angle is all it's cracked up to be.

+1 I think the recruiting thing is vastly overrated. The only tangible advantage IMO , is obviously cash, but if you don't have anybody left to watch your product, what good is the money?

We have 7 home games this year, 5 before mid october. A few weekday games wont rain on my party. At least we'll have fans when the MAC West Powers NIU and WMU come to town. 17-24k on a weekday compared to what the rest of the MAC collectively averages goes a long way. It might be the edge we need to finally win the conference. Judging on everyones schedule, regardless of tallent, we will be in a decent spot come November.

Here is a list of every team's winning % from 2007-2014. I would guess that if you went back and counted the number of MACtion games played by each team over that time and ranked them the list would look similar. The question is- how much does one effect the other?

.667 NIU
.579 Ohio
.550 Toledo
.545 Ball St
.524 BGSU
.524 CMU
.485 Temple*
.455 WMU
.408 Buffalo
.402 Kent St
.293 Miami
.260 Akron
.219 EMU
.139 UMass*

One thing to note for many schools is that they like the exposure just to get their name out in the national picture. While the schools in the MAC are well known in their area and many in academic circles they still want to get students from outside their traditional areas. For instance I know Kent State is trying to attract students from out of state (and out of the country though football won't help that much) and a football game shown across the country may help get the school's name out there.

Remember people football is one of the biggest PR, recruitment, and donations vehicles in your school (even if it does not always show up in your direct AD budget).

(03-01-2015 02:41 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  

(02-28-2015 08:47 AM)broncojohnny Wrote:  Western has a thousand mid-week games and that just SUCKS...This conference just blows...2 Saturday games all year......geezzzzz

MACtion began when the MAC signed a 10yr/$14m deal with ESPN in 2007. Based on the success of mid week Nov. games ESPN reopened the contract with 3yrs left and added $24m to the original $14m and then offered a new contract for 10yr/$100m. Teams like NIU and Ohio have played 16 MACtion games since 2007 while WMU has played 3 and only 1 of those was a home game. The Broncos sat back and let everyone else make the sacrifices that earned this conference an additional $124m, we have no sympathy for your whining. Time to step up and earn your keep. row the boat.

(03-01-2015 07:10 PM)Rocket A Wrote:  It is an interesting question. I used to argue that the weeknight coverage benefitted the Rockets. I used programs like Kansas & Iowa St as examples, how often do you see them on national TV, never. Toledo is on National TV 4 times a year plus. Parents from any part of the country could watch their kids play for the Rockets.

Unfortunately, I am not sure it is benefitting the Rockets in recruiting, each of the last 2 seasons Toledo has lost a recruit to Wake Forest. WF is awful and is never on National TV.

I am getting tired of sacrificing Saturday Toledo Football, for this supposed exposure.

In another interesting twist, it looks like the MAC decided to stick it to UMass and said you are not getting any additional exposure, no weekday night games for you, all you get is Saturday Football games. Damn you, UMass!!!

UMASS is playing Black Friday at Buffalo, yeah they are really getting a raw deal; Sat football and their 1 non Sat game is on a holiday Friday