(02-02-2013 03:38 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote: (02-02-2013 01:16 PM)OhioBobcatJohn Wrote: For Football only it would work, but there are better options like JMU or Delaware which could easiy jump to the MAC all-sports if UMass changed their minds and came all in.
I don't think Delaware is looking to jump up but JMU would for the right situation.
I guess it just depends on what the leagues look like when the dust settles.
1) How many A10 schools does the C7 take?
2) Could the C7 take a school like UConn (unlikely at this point)
3) How does the A10 respond to the raiding?
4) What does the CAA membership look like in 2 years?
Its possible that JMU and Delaware are invited to the A10 and if that is the case they may be desiring a FB only invite from the MAC.
Alternatively, you could have a situation where Delaware receives an invite to the A10 because of its location while JMU is left holding the bag in the CAA. In that case JMU would obviously be wanting that MAC invite pretty bad.
In light of the situation I would be okay with offering Appalachian State an all sport membership to the MAC today to keep them out of the hands of the SBC with the idea of going to 16 in FB with Illinois State and James Madison by 2015.
The problem with Delaware is they need both a stadium renovation and a basketball arena to put their facilities on the MAC level. Appalachian State is already there facility wise for MAC play in FB/BB. Even Illinois State with a 20 million renovation of Hancock Stadium is more prepared for FBS (somewhat light on seats but OK) than what Delaware is.
Whoever is accepted to the MAC should do so for all sports, I agree with that line of thinking. ASU would accept an all sports to the MAC with the Southern Conference crumbling. JMU
might accept an all sport if the CAA is crumbling. The same with Illinois State if Missouri St, Creighton and Evansville depart the MVC.
JMU has really taken a big hit with VCU/ODU departing the CAA. With the geography the way it is (much like Ohio in this regard), they need instate schools for travel purposes. If George Mason moves to the A10 they'll be practically forced to join the MAC as they'll be out of bus range for anybody in the CAA.