Good article here by Connor Pignatello of the Daily Hampshire Gazette who interviewed former UMass football standout and current ESPN analyst Rene Ingoglia about UMass joining the MAC:

https://www.gazettenet.com/UMass-Hall-of...s-54245366

The landscape has changed in just the last couple of years.

2PAC is looking to absorb the MWC and potentially add another 4 AAC schools on top to become the G5 competitor for the playoff sport.

The only other option really is the MAC because they have their own georgraphic area and not a southern overlap conference. They have the B1G paying for its refs and scheduling agreement with the B1G as becoming awash with money. That is going to help the MAC's football ratings.

MAC has the best cost model in FBS. AAC blows cash in hopes of finding a spot in the XII or ACC someday. XII and ACC are falling behind and having to spend even more meanwhile a greater percentage of the money is headed to the players.

MAC FB recruiting this year was way above CUSA with Toledo one of the highest classes in the G5. Yes CUSA has broader markets but that is about this.

Part of the reason why Delaware moved from the CAA to CUSA had to do with the CAA becoming weighed down with small privates and HBCUs that they might as well be in CUSA. Travel was no longer that compact. Delaware leaving the CAA is a clear sign that conference is finished as a credible mid major.

We currently an overall rank of #100. but we have 5-6 scholarships for after spring ball. With us joining the MAC. hope we will crack the top 100 and keep improving.
https://247sports.com/college/massachuse...l/Commits/