The MAC is the only FBS conference that any current SBC team would not leave immediately for if asked. Probably only 2-3 would even consider the MAC, because of geography.

(05-03-2012 07:11 AM)Seminole Indian Wrote:  The MAC is the only FBS conference that any current SBC team would not leave immediately for if asked. Probably only 2-3 would even consider the MAC, because of geography.

Coincidentally those would also be the schools the MAC would likely not want. Granted I don't think the MAC is all that interested in any particular SB school. MTSU and WKU are the only ones even worth taking a second to think about (others are too far away and not in a part of the country we want to go into) and frankly there are better situations for the MAC (please note that is not a shot at those schools I am not saying they are bad but that they don't currently bring that much to the MAC and the MAC does not bring anything game changing for them either currently). The MAC is a very solid league with a lot of history and I find it funny that Belt fans are taking the shots that they are with the history you have. You should probably know better but hey I guess it makes you feel better so what ever enjoy throwing stones...

(05-03-2012 07:40 AM)Sultan of Euphonistan Wrote:  

(05-03-2012 07:11 AM)Seminole Indian Wrote:  The MAC is the only FBS conference that any current SBC team would not leave immediately for if asked. Probably only 2-3 would even consider the MAC, because of geography.

Coincidentally those would also be the schools the MAC would likely not want. Granted I don't think the MAC is all that interested in any particular SB school. MTSU and WKU are the only ones even worth taking a second to think about (others are too far away and not in a part of the country we want to go into) and frankly there are better situations for the MAC (please note that is not a shot at those schools I am not saying they are bad but that they don't currently bring that much to the MAC and the MAC does not bring anything game changing for them either currently). The MAC is a very solid league with a lot of history and I find it funny that Belt fans are taking the shots that they are with the history you have. You should probably know better but hey I guess it makes you feel better so what ever enjoy throwing stones...

Sorry if it came off that way but my post was not meant to be a putdown of the MAC at all, they are quality conference.

Was meant to be a small putdown of the SBC which is filled with schools, and fans, ready to leave at the first offer. If the MAC had a stronger southern footprint it could probably get any SBC team it wanted, just don't see many that they, or anyone would want.

If the Sunbelt keeps taking schools in Texas or farther west (NMSU/Idaho), I'd prefer the MAC.

I want to be in a Southeast conference, it's where are fans/students are from, where we recruit, etc.

However, if we're going to be an outlier (and WKU) to a Texas based conference, why not the MAC? I'd much rather play Miami Ohio, NIU, Ohio, than TxSt, NMSU, Idaho, Stevie Ray Vaughn Austin, Lamar, whatever. I might drive to Ohio, but I sure as heck am never going to Idaho.

Then again, what our AD, fans, boosters, students want, and what our suicidally insane President does usually don't go along with each other.

(05-03-2012 07:52 AM)Seminole Indian Wrote:  

(05-03-2012 07:40 AM)Sultan of Euphonistan Wrote:  

(05-03-2012 07:11 AM)Seminole Indian Wrote:  The MAC is the only FBS conference that any current SBC team would not leave immediately for if asked. Probably only 2-3 would even consider the MAC, because of geography.

Coincidentally those would also be the schools the MAC would likely not want. Granted I don't think the MAC is all that interested in any particular SB school. MTSU and WKU are the only ones even worth taking a second to think about (others are too far away and not in a part of the country we want to go into) and frankly there are better situations for the MAC (please note that is not a shot at those schools I am not saying they are bad but that they don't currently bring that much to the MAC and the MAC does not bring anything game changing for them either currently). The MAC is a very solid league with a lot of history and I find it funny that Belt fans are taking the shots that they are with the history you have. You should probably know better but hey I guess it makes you feel better so what ever enjoy throwing stones...

Sorry if it came off that way but my post was not meant to be a putdown of the MAC at all, they are quality conference.

Was meant to be a small putdown of the SBC which is filled with schools, and fans, ready to leave at the first offer. If the MAC had a stronger southern footprint it could probably get any SBC team it wanted, just don't see many that they, or anyone would want.

Sorry I should have separated the sentences or somehow made it clear that the last part was not really talking about but some other posters. Only the first part was really meant for you specifically as a clarification that the feeling is mutual for both parties. You thus far seem to be a fine poster (as are most here when they are not getting defensive though I guess it is understandable when a MAC poster posts a thread about taking two schools from a conference, this probably should have gone to the individual school boards rather than here just to keep people from getting salty). I for one would see no reason for Troy to want to go to the MAC and no reason for the MAC to want Troy as their just is so little going for it.

I also disagree about WKU and MAC basketball. WKU would likely do very well in part due to probably being in the west division. That division has been very weak which will allow a school with a pulse (aka WKU) to have a really good chance at dominating which in turn will give them a high seeding in the tournament which in turn allows them a solid chance at moving on. However making the move is not likely worth it as while the MAC is a solid basketball conference it isn't so great as to warrant a move from the Belt especially since WKU is already FBS as well.

I personally have the MAC ahead of the Belt but at the same time it does not matter much since the difference is small enough that we are in reality we are peers much like the SEC and Big-10 are peers. Further like those two conferences while we compete on the field we generally are not competing for the same teams for the most part. One problem the Belt has is that it is competing for the non-AQ hearts of minds with CUSA whereas the MWC and the MAC do not really compete in the same way as we both lack same area FBS football leagues. This is why CUSA can steal from the Belt and it makes it hard for them to steal long time MAC schools (this was also why it was easy for them to steal the previous MAC schools as teams like UCF were really southern type schools and so were not committed to a midwestern league).

(05-03-2012 07:52 AM)Seminole Indian Wrote:  Was meant to be a small putdown of the SBC which is filled with schools, and fans, ready to leave at the first offer.

Yep. Cut their own throats.

(05-03-2012 07:11 AM)Seminole Indian Wrote:  The MAC is the only FBS conference that any current SBC team would not leave immediately for if asked. Probably only 2-3 would even consider the MAC, because of geography.

Well I think ODU could be the wild card here. They reportedly haven't decided with certainty to move to CUSA. If they fall through, does CUSA look at MTSU to take the spot. In that scenario, WKU might then be intetrested in a move as well if MTSU leaves the Belt.

This is from a recent Katz post.

Old Dominion is still considering a move to Conference USA and according to one school source there is still indecision. The move for the Monarchs for football would make sense if it’s going to upgrade. But for hoops? ODU needs to be with VCU and George Mason. The Monarchs don’t need to move to another one-bid league that is losing its best team in Memphis. If ODU were going to the A-10 then that would be worth endorsing. But a move to CUSA is not.

(05-02-2012 08:35 PM)Gallia Cat Wrote:  I have always like both of these universities and feel the would it nicely in the Mid-American Conference. Similar schools, facilities and budgets. Any feedback from WKU and MTSU fans?

Seems you would like to break the back of the Sun Belt Conference. Why would you think any of the SBC presidents would want their respective schools to join the MAC? That would be like going from the backyard swimming pool into a cesspool. The audacity of some people, GEEZ.

(05-03-2012 09:38 AM)JoeJag Wrote:  

(05-02-2012 08:35 PM)Gallia Cat Wrote:  I have always like both of these universities and feel the would it nicely in the Mid-American Conference. Similar schools, facilities and budgets. Any feedback from WKU and MTSU fans?

Seems you would like to break the back of the Sun Belt Conference. Why would you think any of the SBC presidents would want their respective schools to join the MAC? That would be like going from the backyard swimming pool into a cesspool. The audacity of some people, GEEZ.

And that is exactly what I am talking about. The actual analogy would be going from your backyard swimming pool to the neighbors back yard swimming pool. Both are about the same size but each have different pool toys and only slight differences that really come to preference. Your insults are completely unnecessary.

(05-02-2012 08:55 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  The MAC has generally lower attendence than the Sun Belt. Exactly one team has renovated or built a football facility in the last 20 years (and only 2 in the last 30). More rural schools with small enrollments. Most schools are in economically declining areas so economic growth is unlikely to be driving conference growth as time moves forward. Great rivalries for the most part. But....

I don't see the MAC being a threat to pick off Sun Belt teams. Unless the Belt announces its going to 16 teams and the next four are Idaho, NMSU, Liberty, and Jacksonville State.

I only see WKY as a slight possiability to the MAC for 2013 if...

The MAC does not add JMU.
AND EITHER
MTSU leaves for CUSA for 2013
OR
WKY is put in the West division with NM St and without MTSU for 2013.

After this season starts it will really depend on what UMASS and the MAC agree to after this 2yr contract ends.

(05-03-2012 07:55 AM)RaiderDoug Wrote:  If the Sunbelt keeps taking schools in Texas or farther west (NMSU/Idaho), I'd prefer the MAC.

I want to be in a Southeast conference, it's where are fans/students are from, where we recruit, etc.

However, if we're going to be an outlier (and WKU) to a Texas based conference, why not the MAC? I'd much rather play Miami Ohio, NIU, Ohio, than TxSt, NMSU, Idaho, Stevie Ray Vaughn Austin, Lamar, whatever. I might drive to Ohio, but I sure as heck am never going to Idaho.

Then again, what our AD, fans, boosters, students want, and what our suicidally insane President does usually don't go along with each other.

Agreed. CUSA has built their new conference around Texas and the mid-Atlantic regions. The SBC needs to seize the opportunity to put a stranglehold on the non-AQ southeast.