(11-30-2023 12:23 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  LOTS of reasons to not go above 12 as a G5. Start with CUSA14 and their problems in recent history; unable to agree, more room for "bottom feeders", less revenue, and MORE. Just ask some of the "legacy five". Fourteen did not work well for us.

Oh, I totally agree.

Unfortunately, the kind folks in the league and network offices refuse to let me, a simple fan with all the answers, make these kinds of decisions for them. Most of them won't even return my calls.

The nerve...

About as concerned about going to 14 as EKU fans should be about Campbell taking their FBS spot.

No way CUSA is that stupid.

12 is already pushing it, and good enough for maintaining the “stability” that some were concerned we’d lose should CUSA be raided again soon (which seems increasingly less likely).

(11-30-2023 12:07 PM)smith79jordan Wrote:  During the Delaware news conference, Judy seemed to regret being quoted saying we want to get to 12 teams. It makes me think she's open to 14, which would be a path for UMass and Missouri State. It may not happen this window, but I could see them being added in time for the next TV deal negotiations.

Personally I interpreted that as more of her attempt at remaining tight lipped on who the next expansion candidate may be, and when they’ll be joining. Don’t think it speaks to any real concrete ideas about expanding past 12.

At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

(11-30-2023 01:36 PM)EatEmUp11 Wrote:  

(11-30-2023 12:07 PM)smith79jordan Wrote:  During the Delaware news conference, Judy seemed to regret being quoted saying we want to get to 12 teams. It makes me think she's open to 14, which would be a path for UMass and Missouri State. It may not happen this window, but I could see them being added in time for the next TV deal negotiations.

Personally I interpreted that as more of her attempt at remaining tight lipped on who the next expansion candidate may be, and when they’ll be joining. Don’t think it speaks to any real concrete ideas about expanding past 12.

At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

Agree in both of your previous posts. Fourteen would be a lot of mouths to feed. I'd like to get to 12 and do pods.

(11-30-2023 04:21 PM)smith79jordan Wrote:  

(11-30-2023 01:36 PM)EatEmUp11 Wrote:  

(11-30-2023 12:07 PM)smith79jordan Wrote:  During the Delaware news conference, Judy seemed to regret being quoted saying we want to get to 12 teams. It makes me think she's open to 14, which would be a path for UMass and Missouri State. It may not happen this window, but I could see them being added in time for the next TV deal negotiations.

Personally I interpreted that as more of her attempt at remaining tight lipped on who the next expansion candidate may be, and when they’ll be joining. Don’t think it speaks to any real concrete ideas about expanding past 12.

At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

Agree in both of your previous posts. Fourteen would be a lot of mouths to feed. I'd like to get to 12 and do pods.

Pods don't fit.

FIU is going to be sitting there no matter who we add, same for NMSU/UTEP.

We don't have the right 11 to find a 12th to really make pods or divisions make much sense (over some version of protected partners).

Agree with inutech. Also there is nothing wrong with staying at eleven. Candidates are not going Anywhere.
SBC is not adding fcs or anyone. MAC may not be adding. MW and AAC have no interest in schools on our list.

{DELAWARE DID have some interest from the MAC--so that was a great grab!}

(11-30-2023 05:09 PM)HuskieTap22 Wrote:  I would think this crushes any discussion of UMass coming to the MAC. There is no reason to make this announcement or move forward with this pod alignment now if the conference was planning to expand. If this ends up being the only thing the MAC does to improve its image and conference over the next few years, what a completely underwhelming move.

Interesting post from the MAC board about the new MAC Scheduling Method--several over there agree with this comment.

https://twitter.com/UMassChancellor/stat...50/photo/3

(click on bottom right photo to enlarge)

left to right: UMASS FB Coach Don Brown, AD Ryan Bamford, and Chancellor Javier Reyes

Will they get a CUSA invite?

The AD and Chancellor will have a sit down interview with Minutemen play by play host Jay Burnham next week to discuss UMASS athletics and all things UMASS football.

We should have some answers next week. Even if they don't answer in detail--fans should be able to clearly discern the direction of UMASS sports and conference affiliation.

IMO the MAC is NOT going to invite UMASS at this time. More sure of this after today's MAC scheduling came out plus comments by some of their main posters.

(12-01-2023 12:12 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  IMO the MAC is NOT going to invite UMASS at this time. More sure of this after today's MAC scheduling came out plus comments by some of their main posters.

Be interesting as just watched this video, when the MAC was looking towards us to step in when MTSU bailed. But Bamford holds up a CUSA pamphlet and says football only. Think the MAC is giving UMass a bit of it's own medicine as releasing the the new POD scheduling.
Oct 31, 2021 video <- twitter so you'll need to click on it to watch.

PS. An interested CUSA posted sent me the link and article. Do save this stuff in an oracle APEX app. Select Massachusetts for some of the preset filters and scroll down to Nov 12, 2021 to read the article with the video.
https://apex.oracle.com/pls/apex/f?p=19072:1:0:::::

(12-01-2023 12:33 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(12-01-2023 12:12 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  IMO the MAC is NOT going to invite UMASS at this time. More sure of this after today's MAC scheduling came out plus comments by some of their main posters.

Be interesting as just watched this video, when the MAC was looking towards us to step in when MTSU bailed. But Bamford holds up a CUSA pamphlet and says football only. Think the MAC is giving UMass a bit of it's own medicine as releasing the the new POD scheduling.
Oct 31, 2021 video <- twitter so you'll need to click on it to watch.

PS. An interested CUSA posted sent me the link and article. Do save this stuff in an oracle APEX app. Select Massachusetts for some of the preset filters and scroll down to Nov 12, 2021 to read the article with the video.
https://apex.oracle.com/pls/apex/f?p=19072:1:0:::::

I remember watching the 2021 video and thinking the same thing about UMASS’s decision to stick with their A10 affiliation. It’s now been eight years since UMASS rejected the MAC’s all sports offer and the pool of independents is dwindling. When I recently read UMASS was willing to wait up to three more years for an expected MAC offer, it seemed like the UMASS leadership was once again not reading the tea leaves properly. Now with UDel all sports to CUSA, it’s hard to imagine CUSA doing much more until its next media contract in a couple years. They might add one to get to 12 but I wouldn’t fool around if I were UMass and have an all sports opportunity with CUSA now. Hoping for the best for UMASS. Liberty has enjoyed playing UMASS as an independent but with our need to add P5s and improve our SOS, we may not be able to continue scheduling UMASS as an OOC matchup going forward.

(12-01-2023 02:38 AM)Baldspot Wrote:  

(12-01-2023 12:33 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(12-01-2023 12:12 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  IMO the MAC is NOT going to invite UMASS at this time. More sure of this after today's MAC scheduling came out plus comments by some of their main posters.

Be interesting as just watched this video, when the MAC was looking towards us to step in when MTSU bailed. But Bamford holds up a CUSA pamphlet and says football only. Think the MAC is giving UMass a bit of it's own medicine as releasing the the new POD scheduling.
Oct 31, 2021 video <- twitter so you'll need to click on it to watch.

PS. An interested CUSA posted sent me the link and article. Do save this stuff in an oracle APEX app. Select Massachusetts for some of the preset filters and scroll down to Nov 12, 2021 to read the article with the video.
https://apex.oracle.com/pls/apex/f?p=19072:1:0:::::

I remember watching the 2021 video and thinking the same thing about UMASS’s decision to stick with their A10 affiliation. It’s now been eight years since UMASS rejected the MAC’s all sports offer and the pool of independents is dwindling. When I recently read UMASS was willing to wait up to three more years for an expected MAC offer, it seemed like the UMASS leadership was once again not reading the tea leaves properly. Now with UDel all sports to CUSA, it’s hard to imagine CUSA doing much more until its next media contract in a couple years. They might add one to get to 12 but I wouldn’t fool around if I were UMass and have an all sports opportunity with CUSA now. Hoping for the best for UMASS. Liberty has enjoyed playing UMASS as an independent but with our need to add P5s and improve our SOS, we may not be able to continue scheduling UMASS as an OOC matchup going forward.

Hear you. Many of our fans would be happy with CUSA, but it is a leadership issue. The big thing that changed was a Chancellor that enjoys football and our AD has done nothing to mend any fences with the MAC as scheduling other sports besides football. To me it seems, either CUSA or Bamford will not be renewed in 2-3 years, unless WKU or someone else is on Deck for the MAC. (Latter seems unlikely.) For an AD, he missed the value of football and it's catching up with him. IDK, always could be surprised, but with football, there have been few good surprises.

Not a fan of eleven as it messes up scheduling for Olympic sports. At least in baseball you can play a full round robin. But nobody really excites me as a perspective member. I fully acknowledge nobody was really excited about us joining. But the conference isn’t desperate now. I hate it for UMASS being stuck in Indyville but they should have taken the MAC’s all sports offer when they had the chance.

(12-01-2023 07:52 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(12-01-2023 02:38 AM)Baldspot Wrote:  

(12-01-2023 12:33 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(12-01-2023 12:12 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  IMO the MAC is NOT going to invite UMASS at this time. More sure of this after today's MAC scheduling came out plus comments by some of their main posters.

Be interesting as just watched this video, when the MAC was looking towards us to step in when MTSU bailed. But Bamford holds up a CUSA pamphlet and says football only. Think the MAC is giving UMass a bit of it's own medicine as releasing the the new POD scheduling.
Oct 31, 2021 video <- twitter so you'll need to click on it to watch.

PS. An interested CUSA posted sent me the link and article. Do save this stuff in an oracle APEX app. Select Massachusetts for some of the preset filters and scroll down to Nov 12, 2021 to read the article with the video.
https://apex.oracle.com/pls/apex/f?p=19072:1:0:::::

I remember watching the 2021 video and thinking the same thing about UMASS’s decision to stick with their A10 affiliation. It’s now been eight years since UMASS rejected the MAC’s all sports offer and the pool of independents is dwindling. When I recently read UMASS was willing to wait up to three more years for an expected MAC offer, it seemed like the UMASS leadership was once again not reading the tea leaves properly. Now with UDel all sports to CUSA, it’s hard to imagine CUSA doing much more until its next media contract in a couple years. They might add one to get to 12 but I wouldn’t fool around if I were UMass and have an all sports opportunity with CUSA now. Hoping for the best for UMASS. Liberty has enjoyed playing UMASS as an independent but with our need to add P5s and improve our SOS, we may not be able to continue scheduling UMASS as an OOC matchup going forward.

Hear you. Many of our fans would be happy with CUSA, but it is a leadership issue. The big thing that changed was a Chancellor that enjoys football and our AD has done nothing to mend any fences with the MAC as scheduling other sports besides football. To me it seems, either CUSA or Bamford will not be renewed in 2-3 years, unless WKU or someone else is on Deck for the MAC. (Latter seems unlikely.) For an AD, he missed the value of football and it's catching up with him. IDK, always could be surprised, but with football, there have been few good surprises.

We Middle Tennessee fans know all about leadership issues.

Matt Brown teaser tweet (TODAY)-"I have a pretty good idea WHO the top candidate is for #12, but I want to save on any more reckless speculation until after I exhaust my ability to advance the story with reporting."

Earlier this week Brown said that he would be very, very, surprised if it was not UMASS.




IMO--UMASS has a lot of "splaining" to do.

This could go either way--but CUSA will probably have to be convinced by UMASS (for an invite) with a firm action plan for FB and an ironclad commitment. Otherwise they will go to the next candidate---IF they haven't already.

UMASS starting to look Very "wishy-washy". CUSA can't afford to "mess around". We've got enough problems and Challenges already--we don't need to add more. Besides all that UMASS isn't exactly a strong football program.

The interview next week with the Chancellor and AD should give some strong clues.

Quote:We Middle Tennessee fans know all about leadership issues.

Not to turn this into a competition, but no one can beat us for suffering due to past leadership issues. We are the GOATs when it comes to that. Just do a little reading up on former EKU President Hanley Funderburk. We'd be a non-scholarship FCS program like Morehead if he'd gotten his way, and the only reason he didn't was because he couldn't afford a public confrontation with Roy Kidd.

(12-01-2023 12:04 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Matt Brown teaser tweet (TODAY)-"I have a pretty good idea WHO the top candidate is for #12, but I want to save on any more reckless speculation until after I exhaust my ability to advance the story with reporting."

Earlier this week Brown said that he would be very, very, surprised if it was not UMASS.




IMO--UMASS has a lot of "splaining" to do.

This could go either way--but CUSA will probably have to be convinced by UMASS (for an invite) with a firm action plan for FB and an ironclad commitment. Otherwise they will go to the next candidate---IF they haven't already.

UMASS starting to look Very "wishy-washy". CUSA can't afford to "mess around". We've got enough problems and Challenges already--we don't need to add more. Besides all that UMASS isn't exactly a strong football program.

The interview next week with the Chancellor and AD should give some strong clues.

If it wasn't for a our Chancellor Javier Reyes, would figure we have no chance for finding a conference. Bamford will be their with his pamphlets saying he is building relationships and working his butt off and then throw in football "affiliation". Done listen to Bamford as 8 years of failure and going for finding a conference. Will see what the new Chancellor has to say. Fear the worst and hope for the best.

(12-01-2023 12:33 PM)eku05 Wrote:  

Quote:We Middle Tennessee fans know all about leadership issues.

Not to turn this into a competition, but no one can beat us for suffering due to past leadership issues. We are the GOATs when it comes to that. Just do a little reading up on former EKU President Hanley Funderburk. We'd be a non-scholarship FCS program like Morehead if he'd gotten his way, and the only reason he didn't was because he couldn't afford a public confrontation with Roy Kidd.

To add to this, we are where we are, because of Hanley! We could have moved easily when MTSU moved. I remember my last time in Murfreesboro, walking across their field with the cheerleaders and the Colonel and thinking about what was in our future. Someone said: we will still be paying for Hanley’s incompetence and jealousy of Coach Kidd 25-30 years from now, and here we are! This is WHY so many of us older EKU faithful are so put out with other schools like Kenny State getting a move before us is so disappointing (to put it lightly). We were in line for the Sun Belt, and Coastal got that spot, we were so close. But Myrtle Beach or Richmond, I see why they were chosen. No disrespect to Kenny or others like them, just tired of waiting! We were working on this before some of these teams even had a football program. I feel we are caught in football no man’s land.

(12-01-2023 12:04 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Matt Brown teaser tweet (TODAY)-"I have a pretty good idea WHO the top candidate is for #12, but I want to save on any more reckless speculation until after I exhaust my ability to advance the story with reporting."

Earlier this week Brown said that he would be very, very, surprised if it was not UMASS.

From Matt’s newsletter today:

So what’s next?

With the addition of Delaware, Conference USA now has 11 football-playing institutions. Rawak told me that the league does intend to eventually get to 12, but “probably not significantly more than that.” While she agreed that it would be nice to have a travel partner (the closest full-member right now, Liberty, is about 280 miles away), she was mum about confirming any potential candidates or timelines.

https://www.extrapointsmb.com/p/heres-de...comes-next

The conference only goes to 14 if UMass come on board and then starts throwing their weight around. UMass sees this conference as a short term rental but if they get stuck in it, they will start running it.