(02-07-2020 09:06 AM)Illini60940 Wrote:  

(02-06-2020 06:24 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(02-06-2020 11:03 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  There are 3 schools who improve the league aggregate:
- Marshall
- JMU
- NDSU (FB-only)

The MVC schools have a good basketball fan base. They don't improve the league in football success, football fan support, or football budget. That's what the MAC cares about. They are basketball-first schools who are in a league better suited for their goals.

The only FCS I would consider is Villanova. Adjacent state for the footprint and large Philly market.

Considering UConn is a slice of the NYC market both Villanova and Uconn are the best additions.

I would do it for AAC money and a scheduling agreement in Olympic sports.

I am sure Villanova and UConn are dying to get into the MAC. The MAC is a low tier FBS conference, probably the lowest ranked, the only way they are going to add members is to take FCS schools like UNI, ISU, Stony Brook etc.

"The MAC is a low tier FBS conference" -Sure that is a fair statement.

"Probably the lowest ranked" -Probably another fair statement.

So then why would Nova and UConn want to join the MAC in FB?

1) For the ESPN money. They can double dip on TV money between the Big East and MAC. Moving forward they are getting zilch.

2) To compete in a FBS conference that doesn't spend 10 million on a FB staff. It is much cheaper to field a MAC FB team than to have one in the AAC.

3) It is easier to compete in the MAC. UConn and Nova would have some advantages with a different recruiting area and could build bowl level programs. Temple has done it before.

4) At least in Nova's case by moving up it gives them a long term shot at the ACC since they have FBS football.

As I said above joining the MAC worked for Temple so it could work for Temple. It didn't really work for UMass but UConn is a stronger athletic brand.

With the other names UNI, JMU, NDSU they don't have big athletic brands. They are only big on this board because we are CFB insiders. ESPN thinks household names.