UMass probably has ambitions for a conference such as the AAC. But the AAC is sort of all over the place, as some others, and would need at least support from UConn and Temple to be in the running. UMass probably does not have the level of development yet to get placed in a more bridge-looking conference such as the AAC. Whatever the case, UMass would be wise to challenge their comfort zone and commit to all-sports somewhere, maybe CUSA if that is even feasible.

JMU would be attractive for the SunBelt, MAC, CUSA, or even better down the road. Their location, growth, sports history, resources, and facilities, have appeal under the power 5 level.

I think what is happening is far from what was desired, but certainly something that was a known possibility. The language was fairly clear that if the MAC invited the school for all-sports and the school rejected, that the conference could force them out. Also, there was the clause about Temple. Both happened as Umass rejected the invite and Temple left .

By the rules, UMass needed the MAC to invite them in order to upgrade. Umass has upgraded now and can compete as an indy until they are good enough for an AAC invite. The short marriage have the school what it wanted and the conference the 4 annual OOC basketball games they wanted.

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The two year notice period effectively guaranteed UMass would finish its FBS transition.

Even in the worst case as an independent, UMass should be able to get games against Army and BYU. Navy's original opponents from 2016 may also have some games that need to be replaced-for example, Navy was supposed to play at South Alabama in 2016. There may also be some openings left from the Big 10 going to a nine-game schedule.

Article about MAC expansion:

http://www.hustlebelt.com/2014/4/2/5539 ... on-options

Most of the schools mentioned on this board is this guys view on who could join.Biggest surprises i think is both Delaware and Towson.

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We've been aware of UDel and Towson. Both are good all around schools with good fan support in underserved cfb markets that could really make a splash at FBS. But UDel last I remember stated they would review their options once realignment slowed down (which most assumed meant don't look at us Sun Belt, if we decide to jump it will be to the MAC).

The only suprise in that post to me is that the author think Towson would be higher on the MAC's wish list and more likely to make the move, which goes against what we've general heard about them.

Think about it from these schools perspectives...since 2000 they've been left in the CAA by Richmond (A10, still fb only mbr), ECU (CUSA>AAC), American (Patriot), UMass fb (MAC>Ind), VCU (A10), GA St (SBC), ODU (CUSA), GMU (A10), and is in real danger of losing JMU (MAC), W&M and Richmond/Villanova fb (all to Patriot).

The CAA isn't what it used to be and if UDel/Towson want to be with the bigger/better schools then they'll have to upgrade.

I don't understand why the author even asked about App St.

Also their are a few western candidates that he neglected to mention like Illinois State (Frank the tank had a post about the state of Illinois funding research to "promote" one of their schools), Missouri St, and even the Dakota's especially NDSU.

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Could making a play for 4 schools in the region be in play for the MAC? Take JMU, Delaware, Towson, and then steal ODU away from C-USA with lure of easier travel.

I think if they expand, they are gunning for two Eastern members for 14 in order to relocate Bowling Green to the Western division.

16 would likely add 1 more to the East and 1 to the West for the same reason.

I think the idea that the MAC could steal any school from any conference is unlikely as every conference but the SBC has a bigger/better TV deal, and the Sun Belt is so geographically friendly to the members that it's unlikely they join the MAC (unless we're talking about a more Northern school like EKU or Liberty).

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Academic likeness. There was a time when, emphatically, CUSA > MAC, athletically and academically. CUSA is now piecemeal'ed CUSA 1.0, WAC afterthoughts, SBC, Marshall, and FCS upgrade projects. Except for Rice, MAC looks like a public Ivy League compared to CUSA. TV money is paltry compared to what impact being in a conference of "good schools" has on an enrollment profile.

It's why I wonder (here I go again) if Rice might not be interested in the MAC. Bridge the Owls with MoSU?

Regardless, I think the MAC can be very choosy. I think they're in a position where decent schools with established athletics will want to be. It's just a question of which direction on the map do they go?

The MAC sits right there at the bottom of the FBS barrel with the Sun Belt. Attendance is abysmal and TV prospects aren't bright due to the fact that the B1G hogs eyeballs in the midwest. No reason why Rice would consider joining snowbound schools in the MAC.

I think the MAC should focus on converting FCS schools currently in the Missouri Valley. They offer great support for their basketball programs and sometimes defeat Big Ten opponents in football.

Because of academic likeness? Because of similar operating budgets? Because of similar athletic departments? Stability? Rice has more in common with the MAC schools than CUSA now, and that stuff does bug what little following Rice has. They don't want to be on the same line as the guys now there without the Houston's, SMU's, Tulane's, and Tulsa's.

I don't think much of the idea, but I think it's plausible, even if barely. The perks the MAC has with the Big Ten (even if they are body-baggers), as well as how well Rice works with some of its old mates (especially Texas), Rice gets more out of being in the MAC and being in a "gutted" CUSA for football. The MAC is a conference with schools comfortable with themselves and their peers...it's not a bad trait to have given the movement at all of the other non-majors at their level (at this point, SBC and CUSA).

Rice won CUSA fb this past season. It does say they can compete with it. The MAC is all public universities, and a school such as Miami (Ohio) has a decent reputation.
For now, Rice is not going to find conference likeness. As was implied, they were not picked to follow SMU, Tulane, Tulsa, and cross-town rival Houston, into the AAC.
But CUSA does offer Rice some regional/geographic rivalries. That's better than jumping to a bit lower rung (MAC) and joining up with basically Midwest types concentrated mostly in Ohio and Michigan.
The Southwest Conference break-up perhaps ended up diminishing Rice the most. All the other old SWC members are now associated with stronger conferences---the AAC or a power 5.
It would be nice for Rice to be bonded with TCU, SMU, Tulane, Baylor, and Tulsa, maybe Houston, as a core to a new conference identity; but for anything to happen along those lines a big exit needs to happen in the B12 which also impacts the AAC.
Rice has excellent academics, history, decent athletic facilities, and the sponsored sports. They have improved fb during recent times--just need to sustain success. Their baseball is solid, but their basketball needs considerable work. Basically, Rice needs FANS. As a private school with a small undergraduate enrollment, there are real limits to how much Rice can cultivate their fan base.

The MAC should hold on to UMass FB only while they have them and continue to build in the eastern time zone and TV markets with another FB only to go with them like Army. Army would fit into the MAC better than they would fit into any other conference for FB and leave their Olympic Sports in the Patriot. They could be competitive there and add to Buffalo and UMass for Northeast TV markets. If Army remains independent look for an FCS school in that area that wants to move up.

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James Madison and Delaware as full members would be good east coast adds but James Madison is pretty set on entering FBS as a C-USA member.

Army's athletics are run by a snob. Look at their schedules over the past couple of years and some into the future. If you notice quite a number of elite private colleges, P5 down to Yale (!!!), that was quite deliberate.

The guy running that show up there even took a shot at Navy for joining the Big East/AAC because of the institutions around them.

I think if Army could play both FBS Army and Air Force with a full Patsy schedule, they would. The MAC makes more sense than any other FBS conference for them, but they think a little too much of themselves. Navy would probably join it if the MAC had some kind of presence in Texas. It's where they recruit.