Per X Nicole Auerbach at the Athletic

So now the best move is to just sit tight with the 2 incoming, right?

I'm more curious what the MAC does from here, I can't imagine they'll want to sit at 13.

Liberty?

It makes perfect sense academically. Was always a Longshot for CUSA, even with Delaware.

I expect some WKU fans will now be pushing for WKU to join the MAC now that the MaC is at an odd number and possibly looking for a 14th.

If I were Delaware, I would pay the GOR to go to the MAC.

Even numbers made sense when divisions were mandated for CCG. Now that it’s no longer mandated, the MAC can stay at 13 for the time being. The MAC was at 13 when they added Temple for FB only post Big East/independent. Then they added UMass for #14. When Temple left in 2012 to replace West Virginia in the Big East, the MAC was at 13 again. That’s when the MAC issued the ultimatum of “join for all sports or leave.”


Delaware might change its mind and go to the MAC instead. Maybe UConn might change its mind (very unlikely) and join for FB only. Notre Dame might be the last independent standing when it’s all said and done.

(02-26-2024 03:23 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  Even numbers made sense when divisions were mandated for CCG. Now that it’s no longer mandated, the MAC can stay at 13 for the time being. The MAC was at 13 when they added Temple for FB only post Big East/independent. Then they added UMass for #14. When Temple left in 2012 to replace West Virginia in the Big East, the MAC was at 13 again. That’s when the MAC issued the ultimatum of “join for all sports or leave.”


Delaware might change its mind and go to the MAC instead. Maybe UConn might change its mind (very unlikely) and join for FB only. Notre Dame might be the last independent standing when it’s all said and done.

Didn't they also just announce they too would be dropping divisions? Just like 11 is doable for you guys I could see them just staying at 13. If they add a 14th I would bet it's a FCS team like EKU.

I doubt that Delaware did not know this was happening. The MAC apparently did not want them. I thought CUSA was probably using Delaware as a lure for UMass. Delaware was willing to take what they could get and it is about the same as Liberty. This conference becomes even more of a mess though.

(02-26-2024 03:24 PM)Troy_Fan_15 Wrote:  

(02-26-2024 03:23 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  Even numbers made sense when divisions were mandated for CCG. Now that it’s no longer mandated, the MAC can stay at 13 for the time being. The MAC was at 13 when they added Temple for FB only post Big East/independent. Then they added UMass for #14. When Temple left in 2012 to replace West Virginia in the Big East, the MAC was at 13 again. That’s when the MAC issued the ultimatum of “join for all sports or leave.”


Delaware might change its mind and go to the MAC instead. Maybe UConn might change its mind (very unlikely) and join for FB only. Notre Dame might be the last independent standing when it’s all said and done.

Didn't they also just announce they too would be dropping divisions? Just like 11 is doable for you guys I could see them just staying at 13. If they add a 14th I would bet it's a FCS team like EKU.

I believe the Sun Belt is the only FBS conference keeping divisions. It’s the only conference that has the perfect geographic setup for divisions. Even with the UMass addition, the MAC is compact enough to work with or without divisions.

We can probably kiss Western Kentucky good bye..

(02-26-2024 03:34 PM)JJOHN368 Wrote:  We can probably kiss Western Kentucky good bye..

Maybe it’s the reason why C-USA hasn’t added a 12th school. Maybe it’ll be Delaware changing its mind and join the MAC instead.

(02-26-2024 03:34 PM)JJOHN368 Wrote:  We can probably kiss Western Kentucky good bye..

Doubtful. We have some fans that would love going to the MAC over staying here but money talks and with the CUSA GOR and other things, its highly doubtful. WKU isn't wanted by any other conference. We are here until all of the other CUSa teams leave for greener pastures. By then the big split happens and we rejoin all the remaining FCS teams.

(02-26-2024 03:36 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  

(02-26-2024 03:34 PM)JJOHN368 Wrote:  We can probably kiss Western Kentucky good bye..

Maybe it’s the reason why C-USA hasn’t added a 12th school. Maybe it’ll be Delaware changing its mind and join the MAC instead.

I said when it happened that they were probably insurance for a team leaving. I can't see that happening but Western Kentucky maybe.

(02-26-2024 03:34 PM)JJOHN368 Wrote:  We can probably kiss Western Kentucky good bye..

(02-26-2024 03:39 PM)WKUApollo Wrote:  

(02-26-2024 03:34 PM)JJOHN368 Wrote:  We can probably kiss Western Kentucky good bye..

Doubtful. We have some fans that would love going to the MAC over staying here but money talks and with the CUSA GOR and other things, its highly doubtful. WKU isn't wanted by any other conference. We are here until all of the other CUSa teams leave for greener pastures. By then the big split happens and we rejoin all the remaining FCS teams.

Is the CUSA GOR really prohibitive? It's peanuts I'd think.

(02-26-2024 03:39 PM)WKUApollo Wrote:  

(02-26-2024 03:34 PM)JJOHN368 Wrote:  We can probably kiss Western Kentucky good bye..

Doubtful. We have some fans that would love going to the MAC over staying here but money talks and with the CUSA GOR and other things, its highly doubtful. WKU isn't wanted by any other conference. We are here until all of the other CUSa teams leave for greener pastures. By then the big split happens and we rejoin all the remaining FCS teams.

It seems WKU could probably swing a $1.6 million GOR penalty if they announced they were leaving in 2025. Or if they waited it out until 2026, it becomes $800K... plus the exit fee that would be negotiated.

Yikes!

Yeah, I think this conference is not looking good. Delaware and Tarleton is a disaster. You don't do that on purpose.

I have to think they made a play for UMass and struck out.

(02-26-2024 03:46 PM)unalions Wrote:  

(02-26-2024 03:34 PM)JJOHN368 Wrote:  We can probably kiss Western Kentucky good bye..

Yeah, I do not see WKU sticking around.. That will probably be the move to get Eastern Kentucky invited and that ColonelKentucky dude life complete haha

If they lose Western Kentucky, I think it makes sense to add Tarleton and Missouri State though. You will need both of them to get good to equal WKU.