One thing I've missed that is coming back later this season is MAC Tuesdays! In my opinion, MAC conference games are some of the most exciting games to watch (simply because the average score seems to be something around 215-209.)
As far as expansion...
fighting muskie wrote:
Just out of curiosity, when we talk about the MAC expanding to include schools like JMU and Delaware are we talking as full members or football only? Perhaps they could work out a deal where America East takes over CAA football allowing the Dukes and Blue Hens to remain in the CAA for everything else.
Since the MAC is already at 13 for football and the non-BCS conferences only get up to $12M/year to split among their members, no matter the number, why on earth would they expand? If anything, some of the stronger FCS schools could upgrade and form the MEC (Mideast Conference) and the remaining teams could form the MWAC (Midwest Athletic Conference). Maybe add a couple teams from CUSA and Sun Belt.
Maybe two 10-team conferences...
MWAC: Northern Illinois, North Dakota St, Northern Iowa, Ball St, Toledo, Bowling Green, Miami (OH), Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan
States: Illinois, North Dakota, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan
MEC: Ohio, Kent St, Akron, Buffalo, Massachusetts, Delaware, James Madison, Marshall, Old Dominion, Appalachian St
States: Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina
The MAC seems like a much more stable conference than CUSA or the Sun Belt. Also, if any of the FCS schools listed above don't want to move up the FBS, a couple substitutes could be Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, or Charlotte.