[Dr Z]

There's been a lot of talk among MAC and CAA fans about the MAC potentially adding a trio of teams that would include James Madison, Old Dominion, and either App State or the U of Delaware while bringing in UMass as a full member.

Are you just re-posting someones tweet, or was this "talk" going on in your bathroom?....how about a link, for the umpteenth time.

[EA3]

http://ncaabbs.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=472

People can't stop talking about it on the ncaabbs board.

I find MAC expansion talk to be extremely premature at this point...but some people like to play fantasy conference reallignment.

[EA3]

I haven't posted over there in well..... forever. The problem I see is that while I'm interested in Akron moving to a better conference, I have seen nothing that demonstrates that the alliance is either a step up or will improve our general lot. There are a variety of factors that influence mobility. Location, fan base, etc.. UA is clearly investing in its athletic department, and the Cleveland metro area is enticing in that regard. We may yet get our shot, but I do not see that predicated by our inclusion in the abomination that is the alliance. So in effect they are right. I see no need to move for movings sake.

Beyond that, the MAC board has become highly repetitive and nothing new has been shared in the last 3 years, at least. If you have spent any amount of time on there (especially the realignment board) you would be more than familiar with the incessant ramblings of KitKat/LousieKitton/OHFootball/etc... he's been preaching his dribble for some time and most now ignore it.... hence the idea that no one in the MAC cares, when in fact the issue is the proverbial dead horse.
Projection - The notion that the thoughts within ones mind are collectively shared by everyone else.

You mean nobody pays attention when she says the MAC should split into 3 or 4 divisions? Or that Ohio wrote the book on how to be the best in football and basketball in the MAC?

I especially like it when she embellishes numbers that make Ohio look much better when compared to other MAC schools.

[ZachTheZip]

Things have been fairly quiet recently, aside from the Sun Belt picking up a noncompetitive Georgia State (a strange move considering that they have far better programs like Appalachian State and Georgia Southern beating down their doors to try and get in).

A few things to note recently:

The CAA was supposed to hold a vote to raise their exit fee, but couldn't even get half their presidents to dial in to the conference call. It's an indication that a schools like James Madison and Old Dominion could be looking to make a jump.

The MAC is quietly going about its business, but there was a rumor a few days ago about Appalachian State saying they had talked to the MAC about becoming the 14th football member. They have far more name recognition than JMU or ODU, but I feel like it's not as likely as some other scenarios.

There has also been some low rumblings that Akron, Ohio, and Toledo have put their names out to Conference USA / the Alliance. Nothing really substantial, but why would people associated with schools that have no familiarity with Akron mention our name if there wasn't something of substance there?

[johnnyzip84]

Things have been fairly quiet recently, aside from the Sun Belt picking up a noncompetitive Georgia State (a strange move considering that they have far better programs like Appalachian State and Georgia Southern beating down their doors to try and get in).

While Billy Curry has certainly gotten off to a slow start in building Georgia State's football program from scratch, Georgia State has an obvious advantage over the other schools you mention for Sunbelt consideration. They are located in Atlanta, which is obviously a huge TV market. So is Ga Tech, but Tech (20,000 students) is much more of an elite/academic school than GSU (30,000 students). It's a little like the MAC picking up Buffalo even though the Bulls were a mediocre 1-AA/FCS team.

If the MAC were to make a run at any of Appy St, JMU or ODU, I prefer the Monarchs for the same reason. The Tidewater area of Va is a bigger market. Besides, it would make for a better road trip, too

[bobbyake]

While Billy Curry has certainly gotten off to a slow start in building Georgia State's football program from scratch, Georgia State has an obvious advantage over the other schools you mention for Sunbelt consideration. They are located in Atlanta, which is obviously a huge TV market. So is Ga Tech, but Tech (20,000 students) is much more of an elite/academic school than GSU (30,000 students). It's a little like the MAC picking up Buffalo even though the Bulls were a mediocre 1-AA/FCS team.

If the MAC were to make a run at any of Appy St, JMU or ODU, I prefer the Monarchs for the same reason. The Tidewater area of Va is a bigger market. Besides, it would make for a better road trip, too

ODU and JMU both have decent soccer programs. Would love to see that happen.

[72 Roo]

While Billy Curry has certainly gotten off to a slow start in building Georgia State's football program from scratch, Georgia State has an obvious advantage over the other schools you mention for Sunbelt consideration. They are located in Atlanta, which is obviously a huge TV market. So is Ga Tech, but Tech (20,000 students) is much more of an elite/academic school than GSU (30,000 students). It's a little like the MAC picking up Buffalo even though the Bulls were a mediocre 1-AA/FCS team.

If the MAC were to make a run at any of Appy St, JMU or ODU, I prefer the Monarchs for the same reason. The Tidewater area of Va is a bigger market. Besides, it would make for a better road trip, too

Isn't Georgia State in Albany , GA? The Atlanta advantage may be a myth.

[johnnyzip84]

Isn't Georgia State in Albany , GA? The Atlanta advantage may be a myth.

Downtown Atlanta

[ZachTheZip]

If you want to know how seriously we are not taken by C-USA fans, just read the following links. Imagine a conference where everyone thinks like Marshall fans.

Why not Akron?

Speaking of Akron...

Let's talk Akron

Anyone know anything good about Akron?

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=566508

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=565959

[akzipper]

If you want to know how seriously we are not taken by C-USA fans, just read the following links. Imagine a conference where everyone thinks like Marshall fans.

Why not Akron?

Speaking of Akron...

Let's talk Akron

Anyone know anything good about Akron?

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=566508

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=565959

It's funny there are people saying we're suck at everything, don't bring anything to C-USA, etc. But then I look closer and realize the people saying these things are fans of schools like UTEP and Southern Miss. haha really? I mean we may not be great at football, but our basketball and soccer teams speak for themselves. I think we would be one of the best schools in C-USA instantly, and really the only MAC school that needs to move out.

[Zipmeister]

It's funny there are people saying we're suck at everything, don't bring anything to C-USA, etc. But then I look closer and realize the people saying these things are fans of schools like UTEP and Southern Miss. haha really? I mean we may not be great at football, but our basketball and soccer teams speak for themselves. I think we would be one of the best schools in C-USA instantly, and really the only MAC school that needs to move out.

Some people see the glass as half empty, some see it as half full, then there's ak.

[akzipper]

Some people see the glass as half empty, some see it as half full, then there's ak.

Yeah because schools with crap facilities like Dix and Peden Stadium deserve to move up? Have you ever seen some of these schools in the MAC? So many glorified high school or D2 looking stadiums and gyms. It's a joke, really.

Welcome to the Big East Can't State!!

[lance99]

It's funny there are people saying we're suck at everything, don't bring anything to C-USA, etc. But then I look closer and realize the people saying these things are fans of schools like UTEP and Southern Miss. haha really? I mean we may not be great at football, but our basketball and soccer teams speak for themselves. I think we would be one of the best schools in C-USA instantly, and really the only MAC school that needs to move out.

UTEP and Southern Miss should be thankful they have not been stepped down to FCS. Two very bad football schools talking trash. They need to look in the mirror.

[Zipmeister]

Not that the glorious state of Misssssissssipppi is the beat all-end all, but Southern Miss (which is always an entertaining team to watch) had the best football team in the state last year.

[zippy5]

Southern Miss is really good at football and basketball, not sure what you guys are talking about lol. 4/20 is over..