All Activity

Let me ask my friend where we're staying.

Over the years Wyoming has had several games with MAC teams. As I recall the Cowboys have played Ohio, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Bowling Green, I think Western Michigan, Kent State, Northern Illinois, and I think, Ball State. Generally the games have been competitive. I've always thought that Wyoming would be a good fit with the MAC.

Oh yes, if you've been recently then there isn't much reason to return. What kind of food do you guys like and what area are you guys staying? It might give us a better idea of places to go that are fast and convenient given your short stay.

Only 2 teams finished 300+ in the MAC - Buffalo (341st; 9-22) and NIU (354th; 6-25). Most of the teams in the MAC that finished with a similar record to UMass ended up in the 260-280 range, and odds are UMass would've ended up with a few more wins at least to probably settle around the same ~220 spot they finished in the A10. Ohio was 16-16 and finished 179th, for example. CMU finished 219th after going 14-17. It's all hypothetical, but I do believe UMass will be a Q3 opportunity for us.

As a Wyoming fan I have no clue what the Cowboy may do against Akron. Last year's team did very poorly on offense which is the main problem. Last year's starting QB is now a tight end and the back up will be the starter this year. They lost a couple of key players to the Portal including their featured running back. There's been a ton of players come in through the Portal, some of which are projected starters. This team is a big mystery. We won't know until they play.

Thanks for the invite. We'll try and stop by and say "howdy" . Just look for a couple of old farts in brown and gold. 🤠

I've been to the Hall of Fame a couple of years ago. My friend went this summer with his son. This is really a quick trip. We're leaving the DC Metro area early Thursday morning arriving in the Akron area early afternoon. We'll probably go to our hotel, then get dinner somewhere close to the stadium. We like to get to the stadium at least two hours before kickoff so we can meet some locals and then check out the Cowboy's warm ups. Looking forward to the game, but not sure what the Pokes will bring to the first game. New starting QB, and several transfers that will have to contribute. This game will tell us a lot about what kind of season the Cowboys are going to have.

Yes, my comment wasn't serious. It was a play on the "home and home" trope often used on ZipsNation.

Thanks for the info. We'll probably get to Akron by early afternoon. We've already purchased tickets through UW so we can sit with our fellow Pokes.

Embassy Suites tells me North Canton. If you have time, the NFL Hall of Fame is close. I guess my expertise in eating and drinking won't help. Enjoy the game.

They have no say in the conference schedule, it's determined by the MAC office.

If they were in the MAC last year they would have been 300+ for sure. They won't be able to rely on their conference helping their NET going forward.

Martin has a .575 winning percentage in 18 seasons as a head coach at Kansas State (5 seasons), South Carolina (10 seasons), and UMass (3 seasons). UMass is the only place he doesn't have a winning record at, and he's at .500 exactly (47-47; reclamation project as 2 seasons ago he delivered their first winning season since 2014-15). The top of the MAC is solid mid-major basketball, but let's not act like the MAC is going to bolster his resume vs. winning in the Big 12, SEC, and A10. Steele is the only respectable challenger outside of Groce for "best coach in the MAC" but the jury is still out on him. Kowalchoke and Pinky being in the same conversation as Groce, Steele, and Martin is disrespectful to those 3. If Martin fails to take UMass to the top of the MAC, he will lose a lot of credibility, but he's coming in as a top 2 coach, 3rd at absolute worst. S Tier: Groce, Martin A Tier: Steele B Tier: Kowalchoke, Pinky, Boals C Tier: Simon D/F Tier: Really, who the hell cares after those top 7?

Considering that you're a football fan, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is about 20 minutes south in Canton, Ohio. I'm not sure how many days you're planning on staying, but it's certainly worth a visit.

I'm not so sure, at this point, he's the No. 2 coach in the MAC behind Gross. Probably, yes. But let's give the guy a year in the MAC to solidify that statement. Boals, Steele, Kowalczk, Senderoff can all make solid arguments for No. 2 at this point, IMO. I agree Martin's pedigree speaks loudly. But winning in the MAC is no joke, no matter where the MAC ranks nationally. Until Martin runs that gauntlet successfully - and goes deep in the MAC Tournament - I'd say he's even with the four guys above. That would make him No. 2, or maybe No. 6. We'll see.

Thanks for the info. It will be interesting to see how many Wyoming fans show up. We generally get a decent crowd at away games. Two years ago versus Connecticut we had several hundred in Hartford at their stadium. This is pretty good considering how far away Wyoming is.

Thank you. We'll try and stop by. I always like meeting fans of the opposition.

I'm not sure, my friend has set up the reservations. I think it's an Embassy Suites. We're going to the game and returning to Northern Virginia on Friday.

New Commit and another from Pennsylvannia

They were 12-20 last year and bottomed out at only 223. Only 5 MAC schools finished ahead of them in NET: Akron - 91 PCCC - 128 Miami OH - 147 Ohio - 179 CMU - 219 It's all pure speculation, but I think the general public expects UMASS to be a top 4-6 MAC program as their floor which puts them within striking distance of the Q3 threshold (76-160 for Home games). Time will tell if the A10 overly inflated their NET, or if a (likely) better record in the MAC will be more beneficial. Frank Martin is the highest paid coach in the MAC now by quite a bit, and outside of the Groce, he's easily the best coach in the MAC. Their 5 year NET average based on the numbers you shared is ~163, and Frank should have them within that range again. The MAC has been dying for another team to be in that range, which will elevate the whole conference. Not to mention it makes us that much more competitive in the MAC/SBC Challenge, which again should help all NET rankings for the MAC. Maybe little bro is having PTSD from the absolute shellacking they took at the JAR last season.

Surprised Groce couldn't arrange a home and home with Miami, considering his half-brother is the coach.

I got this offer the other day and it’s for alumni from 2014-25. I’m honestly very tempted to get it. Glad athletics is getting more creative with its ticket selling.

Make the climb! I love his mindset in this podcast. Really excited for what he has planned

If 220 is the floor that’s still a great addition compared to the bottom dwellers in the conference. NIU leaving will be a positive in basketball next year

What makes you think this? Only 2 of the last 5 years have been respectable. UMass 2020–21: 119 2021–22: 178 2022–23: 205 2023–24: 91 2024–25: 223