(04-29-2015 06:01 PM)KNIGHTTIME Wrote: My tone has changed on Umass. The last thing we need is a bottom feeder football program with terrible support and facilities. It would be fine if we had 4 top 25 caliber teams. If we are going for a project, odu is much better all around and further south.
You are going to eat those words. The media as painted us in black and as a nice whipping subject. The last two years we were painted as the worst FBS program while we never finished last in the MAC or as a whole.
If Fro stays health, we are going bowling this year. Take this statistic, last years spring game we had 6 OL, this year we have 14 OL. The defensive line maybe our weak link. We have a number of former NFL coaches on staff and the reason that our recruiting has not tanked, despite going independent. Besides the coaching staff, new Football Champion Center, our academics and college life in Amherst also have appeal to student athletes.
Edit: Forgot about our kicking game, which cost us a couple of wins last year. We are giving a full ride to a kicker this year and hope it works out.
There is a better picture of our only Saturday game at McGuirk but this is from a mid week, cold November game, which shows part of the Football Performance Center and people on the patio. This is from my seat in the middle section.
UMass has won 5 games total in the last 3 seasons...and now you are going bowling? You guys need to put all focus on basketball and winter/indoor sports. Dominate at those...no high recruit is going to pick UMass in football unless he wants to stay close to home.
In addition the state of Massachusetts has only produced (2) 4* recruits in the last 3 years for football. It ain't happening with the recruits, weather or fans.
(This post was last modified: 04-30-2015 10:01 AM by isidnirb.)
(04-30-2015 07:04 AM)carolinaknights Wrote: BYU, Army, and Air Force are not joining the AAC. There is no need to throw UMASS a bone for their BB and Olympic Sports. Enter into scheduling agrrements with UMASS, Army, and BYU. Schedule 3 - 6 games each with of them. Eight games if that is what UMASS wants. You can schedule them as an alternative in the MIAMI BOWL or let them in on some of the lower tier bowls. Air Force is not leaving the MWC so there is no need to discuss them at all here except for OOC games if a school wants to schedule them. The other schools leave their other sports in the conferences they are in. No need to share BB revenue with them. Schedule BYU, Army, and UMASS OOC for BB and Olympic Sports individually if conference schools want too.
Let this conference grow together for now and keep what ever revenue that is coming in among the current conference mates. If Cinn or UConn get the golden ticket out that they are seeking then evaluate the situation and make the best possible moves for replacement schools. Right now Army and BYU are strong enough to stand on their own as independents in FB and have their other sports in conferences where they want them. UMASS has it's BB and other sports where they want them too. They would not move the other sports to the MAC or they wouldn't be getting kicked out of the MAC. Just give them a scheduling agreement for 4 to 8 games and see if they continue with the stadium commitments they need to move on to join the AAC down the road. Once they are half in for the other sports you are stuck with them if someone better comes along. Don't get me wrong I like UMASS but there is no need to add them for anything right now other than a FB scheduling agreement while realignment, deregulation, and other possible CFP options continue to play out.
As much as I would like to see UMass in the AAC, I don't think there is a need for the AAC to add another team right now. The focus should be on building the conference and rivalries. Unfortunately everyone is looking to step up to the next level whether it is BIG, ACC, BigXII, heck i'm sure any one of these schools would jump to the PAC if they were invited. Maybe once the next round of shifts occur the schools left behind will focus on improving the conference they are in rather than looking for the next meal.
There could be some merit to a scheduling agreement with UMass if the idea is looking ahead 5-8 years when they might be a beneficial addition, IF the conference wants to continue having a northeast presence. IF USF gets into the big XII or Uconn lands in the BIG 10 there conference may want to back fill with UMass. It would be worth it now to schedule some OOC games with them with the idea that it would enhance their value in the future. Sort of like giving your backup QB reps in case the starter goes down, no need to give him a big contract but keep him available and at his best in case you do.
The pissing match between the non power conferences on here is funny, keep it going guys! When the Power conferences finally break away you should be able to settle it on the field!
(04-29-2015 11:21 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote: Not against UMass, solid basketball and potential rival for UConn and Temple. Sometimes I believe this conference should expand to the east with UMass and Marshall to provide Cincinnati, UConn, Temple, and ECU closer opponents for all sports. If there is no need division anymore, then the top two teams can for football championship or the league can go to two 7 team divisions if needed.
(04-29-2015 09:44 PM)mtmedlin Wrote: There are three levels of BCS,
P5
AAC followed by the MWC..
and then the rest. You sir, are the rest.
This is a laugh out loud fantasy. Seriously.
Nice comeback.... you're dismissed sir. The kiddie table awaits you.
You make considerably less money than the AAC. You get nowhere near the coverage and outside of NIUs decent years where they got trashed, your sports are nothing more then padding for the rest.
When was your last BCS bowl win? When was your last men or womans national championship? How many times has the MAC been to super regionals.... back in 2010 Akron was solid in Soccer, but hasnt done a ton since?
I mean hell dude, even CUSA got $4 million a year in TV money than the MAC. At best, your 9th on income...and I think the Sunbelt may actually make more too.
remember when you used to be in a real conference?
(04-29-2015 09:44 PM)mtmedlin Wrote: There are three levels of BCS,
P5
AAC followed by the MWC..
and then the rest. You sir, are the rest.
This is a laugh out loud fantasy. Seriously.
Nice comeback.... you're dismissed sir. The kiddie table awaits you.
You make considerably less money than the AAC. You get nowhere near the coverage and outside of NIUs decent years where they got trashed, your sports are nothing more then padding for the rest.
When was your last BCS bowl win? When was your last men or womans national championship? How many times has the MAC been to super regionals.... back in 2010 Akron was solid in Soccer, but hasnt done a ton since?
I mean hell dude, even CUSA got $4 million a year in TV money than the MAC. At best, your 9th on income...and I think the Sunbelt may actually make more too.
remember when you used to be in a real conference?
Yup... Just like I can remember several occasions when Ohio U. was the worst D1a/FBS program.
(04-29-2015 11:21 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote: Not against UMass, solid basketball and potential rival for UConn and Temple. Sometimes I believe this conference should expand to the east with UMass and Marshall to provide Cincinnati, UConn, Temple, and ECU closer opponents for all sports. If there is no need division anymore, then the top two teams can for football championship or the league can go to two 7 team divisions if needed.
I think this version of expansion weakens C-USA and the A-10 while offering up divisions that limit travel and builds geographic rivalries.
This actually makes a lot of sense to me.
Weakens CUSA by father becoming CUSA.
Yeah, every CUSA team added makes us more like CUSA 2.0 Thats probably the biggest argument for taking a team like UMass along with someone like NIU. The problem with the MAC schools is their low football attendance (they are even low by G5 standards). The only really helpful additions are BYU, Army, or various MW schools. If we lost two, I still would prefer the 10 remaining AAC schools invite the top 10 MW schools to join them as a group. Its basically a super G5 conference that nobody would confuse as CUSA 2.0 (or the WAC for that matter).
(This post was last modified: 04-30-2015 05:21 PM by Attackcoog.)
(04-29-2015 11:21 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote: Not against UMass, solid basketball and potential rival for UConn and Temple. Sometimes I believe this conference should expand to the east with UMass and Marshall to provide Cincinnati, UConn, Temple, and ECU closer opponents for all sports. If there is no need division anymore, then the top two teams can for football championship or the league can go to two 7 team divisions if needed.
I think this version of expansion weakens C-USA and the A-10 while offering up divisions that limit travel and builds geographic rivalries.
This actually makes a lot of sense to me.
Weakens CUSA by father becoming CUSA.
Yeah, every CUSA team added makes us more like CUSA 2.0 Thats probably the biggest argument for taking a team like UMass along with someone like NIU. The problem with the MAC schools is their low football attendance (they are even low by G5 standards). The only really helpful additions are BYU, Army, or various MW schools. If we lost two, I still would prefer the 10 remaining AAC schools and invite 10 MW schools to join them as a group. Its basically a super G5 conference that nobody would confuse as CUSA 2.0 (or the WAC for that matter).
NIU only had like 17k-18k last 3 games of 2013 when they were on a bcs run. There is no hope with those numbers. I can't imagine their numbers if they go under .500.
The only programs that can increase the value of the AAC is Army, BYU, and select teams from the mwc. ODU in 5-7 years could be one to watch. I want us to expand and especially for hoops, but it has to increase revenue and add eyeballs.
The AAC should concentrate on basketball now. Basketball is where this conference could most realistically makes it's stake to being a top 5 conference. We probably aren't going to help you much as long as Lebo's here but that should be the direction regardless. Going to 12 with a basketball only to off set Navy as a football only makes to much sense. Especially since you don't have to go over the 12 shares limit of playoff money given out or whatever the specifics are. There are basketball only programs that would jump at the chance as well I'm sure. Maybe even take UMass for basketball only and tell their football it has a chance to prove itself and have a track and incentive to improve.
(This post was last modified: 04-30-2015 12:56 PM by StillJonesing.)
(04-30-2015 12:54 PM)StillJonesing Wrote: The AAC should concentrate on basketball now. Basketball is where this conference could most realistically makes it's stake to being a top 5 conference. We probably aren't going to help you much as long as Lebo's here but that should be the direction regardless. Going to 12 with a basketball only to off set Navy as a football only makes to much sense. Especially since you don't have to go over the 12 shares limit of playoff money given out or whatever the specifics are. There are basketball only programs that would jump at the chance as well I'm sure. Maybe even take UMass for basketball only and tell their football it has a chance to prove itself and have a track and incentive to improve.
Might not be easy to get a team to be the lone basketball only. I'd just add 3 to really push us higher. Wichita State, VCU, and one other.
(04-30-2015 12:47 PM)KNIGHTTIME Wrote: NIU only had like 17k-18k last 3 games of 2013 when they were on a bcs run. There is no hope with those numbers. I can't imagine their numbers if they go under .500.
sure, never mind that those were against teams with 1 win on the season in the end of November on a weeknight in freezing temperatures, if they can't get 50K to show up for that, there really is no hope.
you complain about how unappealing MAC teams are and then criticize MAC teams that don't get large crowds for playing unappealing teams. Circular logic at its finest.
(04-30-2015 12:47 PM)KNIGHTTIME Wrote: NIU only had like 17k-18k last 3 games of 2013 when they were on a bcs run. There is no hope with those numbers. I can't imagine their numbers if they go under .500.
sure, never mind that those were against teams with 1 win on the season in the end of November on a weeknight in freezing temperatures, if they can't get 50K to show up for that, there really is no hope.
you complain about how unappealing MAC teams are and then criticize MAC teams that don't get large crowds for playing unappealing teams. Circular logic at its finest.
You think ucf doesn't deal with crap weather? We usually have at least 1 game in pouring rain. We have noon games that the heat index will be over 105. If you're in a BCS run you go to the games. I see Big 10 fans sitting in that weather. BTW, I think we had 40k for Akron a few years ago.
There is nothing wrong with the mac. They give scholarships which is a good thing. As far as being relevant, probably not very much as attendance shows.
(This post was last modified: 04-30-2015 02:03 PM by KNIGHTTIME.)
(04-30-2015 12:54 PM)StillJonesing Wrote: The AAC should concentrate on basketball now. Basketball is where this conference could most realistically makes it's stake to being a top 5 conference. We probably aren't going to help you much as long as Lebo's here but that should be the direction regardless. Going to 12 with a basketball only to off set Navy as a football only makes to much sense. Especially since you don't have to go over the 12 shares limit of playoff money given out or whatever the specifics are. There are basketball only programs that would jump at the chance as well I'm sure. Maybe even take UMass for basketball only and tell their football it has a chance to prove itself and have a track and incentive to improve.
Might not be easy to get a team to be the lone basketball only. I'd just add 3 to really push us higher. Wichita State, VCU, and one other.
Nah. Just one. They can take it or leave the offer because it's not a big deal either way.
(04-29-2015 09:44 PM)mtmedlin Wrote: There are three levels of BCS,
P5
AAC followed by the MWC..
and then the rest. You sir, are the rest.
This is a laugh out loud fantasy. Seriously.
Nice comeback.... you're dismissed sir. The kiddie table awaits you.
You make considerably less money than the AAC. You get nowhere near the coverage and outside of NIUs decent years where they got trashed, your sports are nothing more then padding for the rest.
When was your last BCS bowl win? When was your last men or womans national championship? How many times has the MAC been to super regionals.... back in 2010 Akron was solid in Soccer, but hasnt done a ton since?
I mean hell dude, even CUSA got $4 million a year in TV money than the MAC. At best, your 9th on income...and I think the Sunbelt may actually make more too.
remember when you used to be in a real conference?
Oh man... MAC fans have to come to the AAC board to troll... just too funny.
Love the video. "Look, look! We beat you once a few years ago!! See how relevant we are! Here, I'll post the video on your board so you can see it! Yeah, I'm on your board all day... I know my school is not in the American Conference, I'm just hoping I can post here and get noticed." (rolls eyes)
(04-29-2015 09:44 PM)mtmedlin Wrote: There are three levels of BCS,
P5
AAC followed by the MWC..
and then the rest. You sir, are the rest.
This is a laugh out loud fantasy. Seriously.
Nice comeback.... you're dismissed sir. The kiddie table awaits you.
You make considerably less money than the AAC. You get nowhere near the coverage and outside of NIUs decent years where they got trashed, your sports are nothing more then padding for the rest.
When was your last BCS bowl win? When was your last men or womans national championship? How many times has the MAC been to super regionals.... back in 2010 Akron was solid in Soccer, but hasnt done a ton since?
I mean hell dude, even CUSA got $4 million a year in TV money than the MAC. At best, your 9th on income...and I think the Sunbelt may actually make more too.
remember when you used to be in a real conference?
Oh man... MAC fans have to come to the AAC board to troll... just too funny.
Love the video. "Look, look! We beat you once a few years ago!! See how relevant we are! Here, I'll post the video on your board so you can see it! Yeah, I'm on your board all day... I know my school is not in the American Conference, I'm just hoping I can post here and get noticed." (rolls eyes)
Cue the Marshall fans too, they'll be on here holding onto the biggest win in their modern era...beating ECU 2 years ago.
(04-29-2015 11:17 AM)TIGERCITY Wrote: Of the schools that would actually come (no BYU isn't coming) I'd take Marshall over UMass. Marshall is located 'up there' near (nearer) to UConn and Temple, Marshall is a 'national brand,' and Marshall has a good football program.
No to Marshall. If they moved up they'd have to drop taking NQs. That is a huge bonus for their athletics. They will never admit it but multiple 4* players from FL
/GA do not turn down SEC and ACC schools so they can play at Marshall. They end up at Marshall because they don't have the grades.
Lose that privilege and Marshall becomes nothing.
My bigger concern is Marshall did nothing in CUSA until the first round of teams left for the AAC. In 8 years before the defections, they had 2 winning seasons, both 7-6. Maybe they've righted the ship now, but their recent winning ways seems to coincide with a weakening of their conference (including USM's collapse) and a weak OOC. If they had 2 or 3 tougher conference mates like they did before, would they still be hovering between 5-7 and 7-6?
(04-29-2015 11:08 AM)Stay Cool Wrote: Grab NIU instead and get dat TV market yo. Also great football program.
NIU has got my vote.
*fistbump*
I mean with the stadium expansion and renovation the the campus and atheltics facilities coming to 160+ mil and the new programs being implemented for student tailgating, alumni pre/postgame events, opening of new vendors and local sponsors getting onboard, i can see attendance making a big bump. Plus people will get up for watching Cinci, UCF, Houston, and other AAC teams on a weekend or Thursday. Nobody in a college town wants to watch a tuesday night game against EMU... but attendance or our winning football program isn't even going to be the draw, its our Chicago TV market and the recruiting you can draw from the Chicago basketball schools as well. Lots and lots of pluses for a school looking to "buy cheap" on NIU and reap the reward when their continued success and growth gets even bigger
Chicago TV market? Is NIU using their Naperville campus or Hoffman Estates campus?
If NIU can claim Chicago, ECU gets the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill market that is 70 miles away.
Don't most ECU fans on this board already claim Raleigh?
(04-29-2015 11:08 AM)Stay Cool Wrote: Grab NIU instead and get dat TV market yo. Also great football program.
NIU has got my vote.
*fistbump*
I mean with the stadium expansion and renovation the the campus and atheltics facilities coming to 160+ mil and the new programs being implemented for student tailgating, alumni pre/postgame events, opening of new vendors and local sponsors getting onboard, i can see attendance making a big bump. Plus people will get up for watching Cinci, UCF, Houston, and other AAC teams on a weekend or Thursday. Nobody in a college town wants to watch a tuesday night game against EMU... but attendance or our winning football program isn't even going to be the draw, its our Chicago TV market and the recruiting you can draw from the Chicago basketball schools as well. Lots and lots of pluses for a school looking to "buy cheap" on NIU and reap the reward when their continued success and growth gets even bigger
Chicago TV market? Is NIU using their Naperville campus or Hoffman Estates campus?
If NIU can claim Chicago, ECU gets the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill market that is 70 miles away.
Don't most ECU fans on this board already claim Raleigh?
I love ECU fans... but I have seen many of them claim Raleigh
Maybe I'm crazy, but I would look at nova as an all sports invite since they seem to be getting more serious about their football commitment. They would instantly lift us over the next in bball and although they would be an also-ran in fball they would help solidify the Philly market with temple
(05-01-2015 05:23 AM)Tigersmoke Wrote: Maybe I'm crazy, but I would look at nova as an all sports invite since they seem to be getting more serious about their football commitment. They would instantly lift us over the next in bball and although they would be an also-ran in fball they would help solidify the Philly market with temple
You are crazy TV sets aren't being turned on for Temple or Villanova football in the Tri-State area, nor are fans showing up for the football games. No need to try to get more in Philly area, no eyeballs to gain that move the meter up.
(This post was last modified: 05-01-2015 07:14 AM by isidnirb.)
If the Minutemen want to set up some kind of scheduling agreement with the AAC teams (similar to BYU), then cool.
Otherwise, continue to build up the conference from within, and sit back and watch the landscape for a few years and see what happens with all the new legislation that is being enacted.
/
UMass and the AAC Need Each Other--Blaudschun
![[Image: B2W3xDyCMAAIv0e.jpg]](http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B2W3xDyCMAAIv0e.jpg)
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TV sets aren't being turned on for Temple or Villanova football in the Tri-State area, nor are fans showing up for the football games. No need to try to get more in Philly area, no eyeballs to gain that move the meter up.
