LZIp Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 I was reading another forum, and somebody started a topic about which Ohio MAC team would be the best fit for the Big 10. This was hypothetical obviously because no MAC school is on the level of overall academics, sports teams, fan base, and facilities as all of the Big 10 members.This got me doing a little bit of thinking about what is going to happen to all of the "outcast" schools who are left in the dust. I've heard talk of a new division being made, or a lot of schools dropping to FCS. However, nobody knows what is going to happen at this point.So I decided to do some research comparing MAC schools with each other to see which one(s) may have a legitimate shot at joining one of these super conferences. The Big East is still trying to salvage itself even with members leaving, and I also consider it the weakest of the current "Big 6" conferences, excluding basketball. The Big East also makes sense geographically for most, if not all MAC members.What members from the MAC are most likely to be invited to the Big East? My first bid would go to Temple. They field good football and basketball teams pretty regularly, they have more than adequate facilities (play at Lincoln Financial field and their basketball arena holds 10000+), and I'm pretty sure they have pretty good academics. They also bring the Philadelphia market to the table. So, who would be the second choice? I personally think our Akron Zips would have a pretty good chance of being #2.Last season, Akron finished 15th overall in the Capital One Cup which was first in the MAC by far, and would have finished second in the Big East, behind UCONN at 7. Akron's academics depend on which list you go to, but there is no denying that Akron has some outstanding programs that rank well nationally. Plus, academics in the Big East wouldn't be a make or break thing like it would be in potentially joining the Big 10. Akron has the 3rd biggest fan base in the MAC. Only behind Buffalo and Temple (which is understandable to due the large market those teams are located in).If Akron were to join, the Big East would enter the NE-Ohio Market as well. Out of the Ohio MAC teams, Akron has the newest, largest, and nicest football and soccer stadiums. Not to mention we are a soccer powerhouse. Now onto basketball, which is the Big East. Our basketball team isnt a Butler, VCU, or George Washington...but we still have one of, if not the top basketball program in the MAC. Our arenas is small, only holding 5500, but isnt there talks of building a new one?Where do you think Akron ends up after this madness is over and what is your reasoning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip Watcher Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 Moving this to the OT forum, as it isn't specifically related to football. Note also that there are several similar conversations ongoing here. You may find opinions shared there already.Go Zips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K92 Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 All this realignment is solely football driven. None of the other sports impact realignment one iota. The other sports are merely passengers. That is why Kansas is chewing their nails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 All this realignment is solely football driven. None of the other sports impact realignment one iota. The other sports are merely passengers. That is why Kansas is chewing their nails.How did I get here? My name's not Toto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted September 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 All this realignment is solely football driven. None of the other sports impact realignment one iota. The other sports are merely passengers. That is why Kansas is chewing their nails.So Syracuse and Pitt joining the ACC were solely football driven? I don't believe that for one second. If it were solely football driven, WVU wouldnt have been denied by the SEC and ACC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 I think it's safe to say that football is the prime motivator of most of the movement, with basketball also playing some role with schools and conferences where basketball is big, i.e. Big East and ACC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 I think it's safe to say that football is the prime motivator of most of the movement, with basketball also playing some role with schools and conferences where basketball is big, i.e. Big East and ACC.So basically, scoring recent history compared to median D1 schools: UA basketball +31.0UA football -23423582834923482.2348239Chances of getting into big conference: -23423582834923451.7651761 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K92 Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 All this realignment is solely football driven. None of the other sports impact realignment one iota. The other sports are merely passengers. That is why Kansas is chewing their nails.So Syracuse and Pitt joining the ACC were solely football driven? I don't believe that for one second. If it were solely football driven, WVU wouldnt have been denied by the SEC and ACC.WVU was denied by the ACC because of academics, the same reason why the Big Ten isn't interested. I don't think the SEC rejection was ever confirmed was it? I think that is still up in the air. SEC #14 that is. I think the ACC made the move as an insurance move because they ars afraid the SEC is going to raid them. WVU could still be in play for SEC membership, but there are probably 3 or 4 ACC schools they would rather have.I don't think that Cuse and Pitt were taken for basketball considerations. Both are historic football powers and their inclusion in the ACC opens up recruiting a little more in those 2 states. So yeah, I still think its all about football, but I could be totally wrong too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Zip Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 I read somewhere else that Syracuse wouldn't have been considered if they didn't have their football stadium. Apparently the dome was a driving force in getting them into the new conference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangaroo Craig Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 If and when the Big East expands, they will look at Navy and possibly some CUSA schools such as East Carolina and SMU (Rival of TCU). If the Zips are looking to move up, then CUSA would be the next step for them. I'm not sure CUSA would take us due to the poor state of our football program right now. The Zips aren't going anywhere until a major, sustained improvement happens with football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 If and when the Big East expands, they will look at Navy and possibly some CUSA schools such as East Carolina and SMU (Rival of TCU). If the Zips are looking to move up, then CUSA would be the next step for them. I'm not sure CUSA would take us due to the poor state of our football program right now. The Zips aren't going anywhere until a major, sustained improvement happens with football.So, explain to me (anyone eligible) how Notre Dame, Georgetown, DePaul, Seton Hall, Providence and the other basketball-only members of the Big East are "members". I am about the least interested (or informed) person on the planet on this subject, BUT I wonder, if the football schools all leave the conference, what happens to the rest? And could Akron join them either in a new Big East or some other name? I think my point is that UA might have more strength without football -- if that $$ were placed into BB and the other sports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 East Carolina has already applied to the BE, and the BE's top targets right now are the service academies, and then ECU and UCF.I don't think Akron has any chance at the BE, but I do think we make the best case for moving up out of the MAC, save for Temple. Would be cool to maybe be a player in the new CUSA/MWC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted September 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 East Carolina has already applied to the BE, and the BE's top targets right now are the service academies, and then ECU and UCF.I don't think Akron has any chance at the BE, but I do think we make the best case for moving up out of the MAC, save for Temple. Would be cool to maybe be a player in the new CUSA/MWC.That was more of the direction I was trying to go in, not who the Big East is looking to add.There is no doubt that there are many schools more qualified to join a major conference than Akron.About WV- they were initially denied by the SEC, but if the SEC decides to expand to 16, they will be considered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 Where do you think Akron ends up after this madness is over and what is your reasoning? Akron will be in the MAC with all of the current MAC participants, with the exception of Temple...maybe. The reasoning is we are one of the least attractive teams in the MAC. Football is driving this change and we are a terrible football program that would only degrade the current national opinion of Big East football. Enjoy the MAC guys. It is right where we belong and we will be in it for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Posted September 24, 2011 Report Share Posted September 24, 2011 Where do you think Akron ends up after this madness is over and what is your reasoning? I'm gonna have to agree with everyone and say Akron (as well as K.S.U.) will be staying put. Lets be honest, our schools would have to go on an absolute tear with football or basketball. We both already have good b-ball programs but that's still not elevating us to a different conference yet. Our traditions, expertise, and rivalries are in the MAC. This conference can be exciting in football again if we all made Saturday afternoons "a big event" again, like the B1G and, heck, even the Big East do. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.