(03-04-2024 10:47 AM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(03-04-2024 10:39 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  Geez, when I saw the headline I thought it was a report of another mass shooting.

Hope the MAC already had #14 signed up....

I'm inclined to think that the delay is because they have a Plan B lined up for #14, but they would rather have WKU, who is not yet decided.

They would keep their Plan B quiet, because if WKU turns them down, Plan B will be treated like it was Plan A all along, and if WKU applies, there's no point in saying who they considered to be second best after WKU.

But it's not 100% ... is possible that they decided to go with #13 first and just hope that they would have a #14 lined up by 2025.

IMO-- your last sentence is most likely. The MAC decided to GRAB UMASS while they could (or CUSA would)--and worry about the rest later--even as late as '25 or '26. They were proactive and aggressive!

(03-04-2024 09:40 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(03-04-2024 10:47 AM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(03-04-2024 10:39 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  Geez, when I saw the headline I thought it was a report of another mass shooting.

Hope the MAC already had #14 signed up....

I'm inclined to think that the delay is because they have a Plan B lined up for #14, but they would rather have WKU, who is not yet decided.

They would keep their Plan B quiet, because if WKU turns them down, Plan B will be treated like it was Plan A all along, and if WKU applies, there's no point in saying who they considered to be second best after WKU.

But it's not 100% ... is possible that they decided to go with #13 first and just hope that they would have a #14 lined up by 2025.

IMO-- your last sentence is most likely. The MAC decided to GRAB UMASS while they could (or CUSA would)--and worry about the rest later--even as late as '25 or '26. They were proactive and aggressive!

What are the odds they'd find somebody to add between now and then? Seems pretty low, since everyone comes up with reasons to go to CUSA (or stay there) and not the MAC. They must figure the MAC will be fine with 13 longer term.

(03-05-2024 05:12 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(03-04-2024 09:40 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(03-04-2024 10:47 AM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(03-04-2024 10:39 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  Geez, when I saw the headline I thought it was a report of another mass shooting.

Hope the MAC already had #14 signed up....

I'm inclined to think that the delay is because they have a Plan B lined up for #14, but they would rather have WKU, who is not yet decided.

They would keep their Plan B quiet, because if WKU turns them down, Plan B will be treated like it was Plan A all along, and if WKU applies, there's no point in saying who they considered to be second best after WKU.

But it's not 100% ... is possible that they decided to go with #13 first and just hope that they would have a #14 lined up by 2025.

IMO-- your last sentence is most likely. The MAC decided to GRAB UMASS while they could (or CUSA would)--and worry about the rest later--even as late as '25 or '26. They were proactive and aggressive!

What are the odds they'd find somebody to add between now and then? Seems pretty low, since everyone comes up with reasons to go to CUSA (or stay there) and not the MAC. They must figure the MAC will be fine with 13 longer term.

Doesn't seem like it's worth spending time speculating on, since if they have a possible Plan A and backup Plan B, we'll have heard about it by the end of March. So we'll know one way or the other in not very many more weeks.

Just going on pure hunch here, but I feel like the WKU and Delaware ships have sailed.

I don't like football-only members. But I dislike an odd-numbered conference more. So if that means reaching out to UConn for football, I'm fine with it. Unless they think they are too "above" the MAC and prefer that jumbled Frankenstein schedule every year.

(03-05-2024 09:26 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Just going on pure hunch here, but I feel like the WKU and Delaware ships have sailed.

I don't like football-only members. But I dislike an odd-numbered conference more. So if that means reaching out to UConn for football, I'm fine with it. Unless they think they are too "above" the MAC and prefer that jumbled Frankenstein schedule every year.

If they are not coming, think 13 will be managed for a while. During that time, WKU could change their mind after consuming the exited teams money and the GOR running out. There is the possibility a U. Albany decides to go FBS or a other New England flagship years down the road.

Very thankful the MAC took us otherwise we'd be heading to CUSA.

This isn’t much more than a hunch but I think we will have another name by July 1, and perhaps much sooner.

(03-05-2024 10:22 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  This isn’t much more than a hunch but I think we will have another name by July 1, and perhaps much sooner.

Can always hope URI steps up, but a real loooong shot. Another name sounds interesting.

(03-05-2024 11:07 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(03-05-2024 10:22 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  This isn’t much more than a hunch but I think we will have another name by July 1, and perhaps much sooner.

Can always hope URI steps up, but a real loooong shot. Another name sounds interesting.

I’m not predicting something out of left field. I’m just of the mind that the MAC likely wouldn’t add just one school. (Otherwise, why not just add Western Kentucky in 2021?)

I suspect Western Kentucky is on the clock.

(03-05-2024 09:26 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Just going on pure hunch here, but I feel like the WKU and Delaware ships have sailed.

I don't like football-only members. But I dislike an odd-numbered conference more. So if that means reaching out to UConn for football, I'm fine with it. Unless they think they are too "above" the MAC and prefer that jumbled Frankenstein schedule every year.

Oh, they very much prefer their frankenjumble schedule, but with NMSU, Liberty, Army and now UMass joining conferences, it might no longer work.

(03-05-2024 11:07 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(03-05-2024 10:22 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  This isn’t much more than a hunch but I think we will have another name by July 1, and perhaps much sooner.

Can always hope URI steps up, but a real loooong shot. Another name sounds interesting.

URI does not invest in their program the way UD and WKU do. They have been under resourced for a long time in FCS. WKU, UD, MTSU would all be much better adds.

(03-06-2024 04:25 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(03-05-2024 11:07 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(03-05-2024 10:22 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  This isn’t much more than a hunch but I think we will have another name by July 1, and perhaps much sooner.

Can always hope URI steps up, but a real loooong shot. Another name sounds interesting.

URI does not invest in their program the way UD and WKU do. They have been under resourced for a long time in FCS. WKU, UD, MTSU would all be much better adds.

URI would probably be the worst add of the New England state schools...including Vermont. They don't have football, but they at least invest in basketball.

(03-06-2024 04:35 PM)e-parade Wrote:  

(03-06-2024 04:25 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(03-05-2024 11:07 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

(03-05-2024 10:22 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  This isn’t much more than a hunch but I think we will have another name by July 1, and perhaps much sooner.

Can always hope URI steps up, but a real loooong shot. Another name sounds interesting.

URI does not invest in their program the way UD and WKU do. They have been under resourced for a long time in FCS. WKU, UD, MTSU would all be much better adds.

URI would probably be the worst add of the New England state schools...including Vermont. They don't have football, but they at least invest in basketball.

They have football, but FCS/I-AA level. Their football stadium is small and in need of major upgrades. URI would be by far smallest school and stadium in the MAC. They would need to dump tons and tons of money into jumping up. They play schools like Brown and Maine, etc. but occasionally play FBS school and get crushed. Their hoops are usually solid.