This is the most likely outcome from all of the conference shuffling on the five non-BCS football conferences starting in 2005.
The only questions left are will C-USA indeed add UTEP as its 12th member and then what is the WAC's response? The only two schools the WAC will consider for its conference are Idaho and North Texas. Will the WAC take one of them or both? The Sun Belt is completely at the WAC's mercy.
If the WAC were to take both Idaho and North Texas (they may feel pressure to do so if San Jose State is realistically contemplating dropping football to 1-AA and there may be concern that Louisiana Tech may drop back to the Sun Belt to save money) that would leave the Sun Belt with seven football members.
The only Division 1-A Independents in 2005 will be Army, Navy, Notre Dame and Temple (if they continue in 1-A).
Conference USA (12)
East Division
-Central Florida*
-East Carolina
-Marshall*
-Memphis
-Southern Mississippi
-UAB
West Division
-Houston
-Rice*
-SMU*
-Tulane
-Tulsa*
-UTEP*
Mid-American Conference (12)
East Division
-Akron
-Buffalo
-Kent State
-Miami (Ohio)
-Ohio
-Toledo (Toledo moves from the West Division to the East)
West Division
-Ball State
-Bowling Green
-Central Michigan
-Eastern Michigan
-Northern Illinois
-Western Michigan
Moutain West (9)
-Air Force
-BYU
-Colorado State
-New Mexico
-San Diego State
-TCU*
-UNLV
-Utah
-Wyoming
Sun Belt (8)
-Arkansas State
-Florida Atlantic*
-Florida International*
-Louisiana-Lafayette
-Louisiana-Monroe
-Middle Tennessee State
-North Texas (North Texas could get an invite to the WAC instead of Idaho or if the WAC desires a 10 member league)
-Troy State*
Western Athletic (9)
-Boise State
-Fresno State
-Hawaii
-Idaho* (Idaho would be a leading candidate for a WAC invite when UTEP leaves for C-USA. If not Idaho, then North Texas will be invited or both)
-Louisiana Tech
-Nevada
-New Mexico State*
-San Jose State (SJSU may elect to dissolve their football program or drop to Division 1-AA)
-Utah State*
*new members
When the MAC broke into divisions in 1997, Bowling Green started out in the MAC East. The Falcons moved over to the West in to accommodate Central Florida.
I don't think anyone figures Toledo would move over the East. The safe bet is that Bowling Green would end up moving back over, with the MAC again guaranteeing an annual Bowling Green-Toledo crossover game.
But there is some sentiment in Bowling Green for staying in the West with Toledo. Head coach Gregg Brandon has said he'd prefer it; he also points to the rivalry that has developed with Northern Illinois.
There is an argument to be made for moving Ball State over to the East. The Cardinals have something of a rivalry going with Miami, particularly in basketball.
When the MAC broke into divisions in 1997, Bowling Green started out in the MAC East. The Falcons moved over to the West in to accommodate Central Florida.
I don't think anyone figures Toledo would move over the East. The safe bet is that Bowling Green would end up moving back over, with the MAC again guaranteeing an annual Bowling Green-Toledo crossover game.
But there is some sentiment in Bowling Green for staying in the West with Toledo. Head coach Gregg Brandon has said he'd prefer it; he also points to the rivalry that has developed with Northern Illinois.
There is an argument to be made for moving Ball State over to the East. The Cardinals have something of a rivalry going with Miami, particularly in basketball.
I have to admit I put Toledo over in the East simply from reading a few things on the internet about MAC realignment. When will the MAC officially make a decision on who moves over to the East Division?
When will the MAC officially make a decision on who moves over to the East Division?
I don't see a rush -- especially if the MAC is considering expansion, as I suspect.
The conference football schedule often isn't settled until April. Maybe they'll make a decision next winter.
This is the most likely outcome from all of the conference shuffling on the five non-BCS football conferences starting in 2005.
The only questions left are will C-USA indeed add UTEP as its 12th member and then what is the WAC's response? The only two schools the WAC will consider for its conference are Idaho and North Texas. Will the WAC take one of them or both? The Sun Belt is completely at the WAC's mercy.
If the WAC were to take both Idaho and North Texas (they may feel pressure to do so if San Jose State is realistically contemplating dropping football to 1-AA and there may be concern that Louisiana Tech may drop back to the Sun Belt to save money) that would leave the Sun Belt with seven football members.
The only Division 1-A Independents in 2005 will be Army, Navy, Notre Dame and Temple (if they continue in 1-A).
Conference USA (12)
East Division
-Central Florida*
-East Carolina
-Marshall*
-Memphis
-Southern Mississippi
-UAB
West Division
-Houston
-Rice*
-SMU*
-Tulane
-Tulsa*
-UTEP*
Mid-American Conference (12)
East Division
-Akron
-Buffalo
-Kent State
-Miami (Ohio)
-Ohio
-Toledo (Toledo moves from the West Division to the East)
West Division
-Ball State
-Bowling Green
-Central Michigan
-Eastern Michigan
-Northern Illinois
-Western Michigan
Moutain West (9)
-Air Force
-BYU
-Colorado State
-New Mexico
-San Diego State
-TCU*
-UNLV
-Utah
-Wyoming
Sun Belt (8)
-Arkansas State
-Florida Atlantic*
-Florida International*
-Louisiana-Lafayette
-Louisiana-Monroe
-Middle Tennessee State
-North Texas (North Texas could get an invite to the WAC instead of Idaho or if the WAC desires a 10 member league)
-Troy State*
Western Athletic (9)
-Boise State
-Fresno State
-Hawaii
-Idaho* (Idaho would be a leading candidate for a WAC invite when UTEP leaves for C-USA. If not Idaho, then North Texas will be invited or both)
-Louisiana Tech
-Nevada
-New Mexico State*
-San Jose State (SJSU may elect to dissolve their football program or drop to Division 1-AA)
-Utah State*
*new members
I don't know about the WAC taking Idaho over North Texas. Idaho has struggled to bring its football program to full 1-A status, while North Texas has been winning Sun Belt championships. Also, if the rest of your scenario came true and La Tech remained in the WAC, North Texas would give La Tech a somewhat nearby rival.
Schaden is right. BG will move to the East and Toledo will stay in the West.
Of course there is the possibility of expansion, but if it does happen it probably won't be until 2006 IMO.
Miami, BG, and Akron will be the strong football schools in the East.....if Akron can continue to improve after Charlie Frye is gone.
Toledo, NIU, and WMU will be the strong football schools in the West. WMU is a year or two away from being really good again like back in '99 and 2000.
I don't see a rush -- especially if the MAC is considering expansion, as I suspect.
Schadenfreude,
If the MAC does expand, who do you believe will seriously be considered for the open position(s)? MTSU? Western Kentucky? Troy State?
I've heard several teams' name mentioned but I was wondering what team(s) you think would be added or would like to be added to the MAC.
Thanks! :wave:
San Jose state has not said they were enven considering dropping football or going to AA. The faculty senate voted to recommend that as faculty senates are prone to do at all schools. The boosters are opposed to thewir vote and they have the money. I'll bet on the boosters.
Newfie, I'm not the "Man in Orange", but my two cents on possible MAC expansion rest on whether or not the proposed IA attendance rules go into effect, and how much of an impact they have on current MAC schools. If there's an impact, I'd look for Temple to join (football only), and then possibly WKU (in hoops first and IA football in a few years), and MTSU. This pre-supposes that the SunBelt is further weakened (by WAC raiding after C-USA presumably takes UTEP), and WKU and MTSU are looking for a new conference home.
Youngstown State Penguins.
Youngstown State Penguins.
Nice penmanship.
Boy the MAC looks a lot weaker without Marshall... look at that eastern division... not meant as a flame but.... it is pretty doggone weak.
Don't make me laugh let me remind you who is in the east. Remember, Denial is not just a river in Egypt :la:
-Akron - will drop to 1AA
-Buffalo - will drop to 1AA
-Kent State - worst 1A program in the history of the NCAA
-Ohio - Could have good fan support if the EVER had a winning football team.
By the way BuckeyeStu if you are such a MAC fan... why do you have a Buckeye moniker..... did you graduate from Kent but claim to be a buckeye fan
:rofl:
Youngstown State Penguins.
Stu, I had the opportunity to go the Toledo/OSU game a few years back (UT got spanked :bang: ). I was OSUs home opener and alumni band day. I have to admit I was VERY impressed to see FOUR script OHIOs spelled out on the field at once, one in each direction. Those alumni band members were lockstep with the regular band, and between them they nearly blotted out the field. Their was actually an 82 yr old drum major on the field in uniform. Quite a show.
Don't make me laugh let me remind you who is in the east. Remember, Denial is not just a river in Egypt :la:
-Akron - will drop to 1AA
-Buffalo - will drop to 1AA
-Kent State - worst 1A program in the history of the NCAA
-Ohio - Could have good fan support if the EVER had a winning football team.
By the way BuckeyeStu if you are such a MAC fan... why do you have a Buckeye moniker..... did you graduate from Kent but claim to be a buckeye fan
:rofl:
Akron will not fall to I-AA. They went 7-5 last year, beating UCF by 14 points. They were 5-3 in the MAC.
Buffalo may end up back in I-AA, but not as quickly as you think. They host Syracuse this fall so they will make the 15K rule this fall which buys them at least through 2006.
Kent State - Will probably drop, but their level of play on the field isn't as bad as their attendance. They were 5-7 last year, but were 4-4 in the MAC with a 20 point victory over UCF.
Ohio - Only went 2-10 last year and 1-7 in the MAC. But you know they beat UCF 28-0!
Miami - Well they finished 10th in the country last year.....enough said.
BGSU (probably will be in the East) - They only went 11-3, winning at Purdue and only losing by 7 points at OSU. They beat Northwestern in the Motor City Bowl and it just happened to be the largest attendance in MCB history.
As for the West, we already know that NIU beat 2 ranked teams last year and Toledo beat Pittsburgh plus won at Marshall. It was Toledo 3rd win in the last 4 games against Marshall.
When you start looking at the facts you see that the MAC will survive without Marshall, yes they will lose a very good program and there will be some sort of hit from that, but it won't be like you suggest. The fact is that several MAC programs have risen to the level of Marshall.....thanks to the Herd for rising the level of play in the MAC.
And you should be more worried about UCF getting back on their feet then how the MAC will do.
This is the most likely outcome from all of the conference shuffling on the five non-BCS football conferences starting in 2005.
The only questions left are will C-USA indeed add UTEP as its 12th member and then what is the WAC's response? The only two schools the WAC will consider for its conference are Idaho and North Texas. Will the WAC take one of them or both? The Sun Belt is completely at the WAC's mercy.
If the WAC were to take both Idaho and North Texas (they may feel pressure to do so if San Jose State is realistically contemplating dropping football to 1-AA and there may be concern that Louisiana Tech may drop back to the Sun Belt to save money) that would leave the Sun Belt with seven football members.
The only Division 1-A Independents in 2005 will be Army, Navy, Notre Dame and Temple (if they continue in 1-A).
Conference USA (12)
East Division
-Central Florida*
-East Carolina
-Marshall*
-Memphis
-Southern Mississippi
-UAB
West Division
-Houston
-Rice*
-SMU*
-Tulane
-Tulsa*
-UTEP*
Mid-American Conference (12)
East Division
-Akron
-Buffalo
-Kent State
-Miami (Ohio)
-Ohio
-Toledo (Toledo moves from the West Division to the East)
West Division
-Ball State
-Bowling Green
-Central Michigan
-Eastern Michigan
-Northern Illinois
-Western Michigan
Moutain West (9)
-Air Force
-BYU
-Colorado State
-New Mexico
-San Diego State
-TCU*
-UNLV
-Utah
-Wyoming
Sun Belt (8)
-Arkansas State
-Florida Atlantic*
-Florida International*
-Louisiana-Lafayette
-Louisiana-Monroe
-Middle Tennessee State
-North Texas (North Texas could get an invite to the WAC instead of Idaho or if the WAC desires a 10 member league)
-Troy State*
Western Athletic (9)
-Boise State
-Fresno State
-Hawaii
-Idaho* (Idaho would be a leading candidate for a WAC invite when UTEP leaves for C-USA. If not Idaho, then North Texas will be invited or both)
-Louisiana Tech
-Nevada
-New Mexico State*
-San Jose State (SJSU may elect to dissolve their football program or drop to Division 1-AA)
-Utah State*
*new members
I don't know about the WAC taking Idaho over North Texas. Idaho has struggled to bring its football program to full 1-A status, while North Texas has been winning Sun Belt championships. Also, if the rest of your scenario came true and La Tech remained in the WAC, North Texas would give La Tech a somewhat nearby rival.
North Texas WILL NOT go by themselves. If Utep is taken, either the WAC will take almost all the Sunbelt schools, aka (Louisiana, North Texas, Ark State, and Troy), or the Sunbelt and WAC will trade Idaho for La Tech. None of the Sun Belt schools are inclined to commit athletic suicide and go to a WAC not split into divisions.
Tuffguy
Don't make me laugh let me remind you who is in the east. Remember, Denial is not just a river in Egypt :la:
-Akron - will drop to 1AA
-Buffalo - will drop to 1AA
-Kent State - worst 1A program in the history of the NCAA
-Ohio - Could have good fan support if the EVER had a winning football team.
By the way BuckeyeStu if you are such a MAC fan... why do you have a Buckeye moniker..... did you graduate from Kent but claim to be a buckeye fan
:rofl:
Akron will not fall to I-AA. They went 7-5 last year, beating UCF by 14 points. They were 5-3 in the MAC.
Buffalo may end up back in I-AA, but not as quickly as you think. They host Syracuse this fall so they will make the 15K rule this fall which buys them at least through 2006.
Kent State - Will probably drop, but their level of play on the field isn't as bad as their attendance. They were 5-7 last year, but were 4-4 in the MAC with a 20 point victory over UCF.
Ohio - Only went 2-10 last year and 1-7 in the MAC. But you know they beat UCF 28-0!
Miami - Well they finished 10th in the country last year.....enough said.
BGSU (probably will be in the East) - They only went 11-3, winning at Purdue and only losing by 7 points at OSU. They beat Northwestern in the Motor City Bowl and it just happened to be the largest attendance in MCB history.
As for the West, we already know that NIU beat 2 ranked teams last year and Toledo beat Pittsburgh plus won at Marshall. It was Toledo 3rd win in the last 4 games against Marshall.
When you start looking at the facts you see that the MAC will survive without Marshall, yes they will lose a very good program and there will be some sort of hit from that, but it won't be like you suggest. The fact is that several MAC programs have risen to the level of Marshall.....thanks to the Herd for rising the level of play in the MAC.
And you should be more worried about UCF getting back on their feet then how the MAC will do.
By the way our record against Toledo is 2 wins and 1 loss and lifetime we are 22 and 14 vs. the mac 
Before last years disaster we were 20 and 8 vs the mac so do yourself a favor and go back to the MAC board
Don't worry... UCF will get back on it's feet.
MAC has 4 decent programs. Toledo, Miami, BG, and Northern Ill. But even saying that BG and Miami have trouble getting over 15K a game except when they win 9 to 10 games. Notice that you are on the CUSA board and I am not talking smack on your board. 
:drseuss:
This is all up to what LA Tech wants believe it or not. They will still be in the WAC and want 1-3 running partners. If the WAC takes ARK State, ULL & UNT then that almost guantees that the MAC takes Middle Tenn. & Troy State. Basiclly killing the football side of the SunBelt.
At that point then what happens to the NO. Bowl, I think C-USA would take over as the primary bowl conf. and the bowl either invite the ACC or Big East that just lost a bowl. This is all speculation and everything will be known by this July. So strap on your seatbelts. Its gonna be a wild ride for the next few months.
Don't make me laugh let me remind you who is in the east. Remember, Denial is not just a river in Egypt :la:
-Akron - will drop to 1AA
-Buffalo - will drop to 1AA
-Kent State - worst 1A program in the history of the NCAA
-Ohio - Could have good fan support if the EVER had a winning football team.
By the way BuckeyeStu if you are such a MAC fan... why do you have a Buckeye moniker..... did you graduate from Kent but claim to be a buckeye fan
:rofl:
Akron will not fall to I-AA. They went 7-5 last year, beating UCF by 14 points. They were 5-3 in the MAC.
Buffalo may end up back in I-AA, but not as quickly as you think. They host Syracuse this fall so they will make the 15K rule this fall which buys them at least through 2006.
Kent State - Will probably drop, but their level of play on the field isn't as bad as their attendance. They were 5-7 last year, but were 4-4 in the MAC with a 20 point victory over UCF.
Ohio - Only went 2-10 last year and 1-7 in the MAC. But you know they beat UCF 28-0!
Miami - Well they finished 10th in the country last year.....enough said.
BGSU (probably will be in the East) - They only went 11-3, winning at Purdue and only losing by 7 points at OSU. They beat Northwestern in the Motor City Bowl and it just happened to be the largest attendance in MCB history.
As for the West, we already know that NIU beat 2 ranked teams last year and Toledo beat Pittsburgh plus won at Marshall. It was Toledo 3rd win in the last 4 games against Marshall.
When you start looking at the facts you see that the MAC will survive without Marshall, yes they will lose a very good program and there will be some sort of hit from that, but it won't be like you suggest. The fact is that several MAC programs have risen to the level of Marshall.....thanks to the Herd for rising the level of play in the MAC.
And you should be more worried about UCF getting back on their feet then how the MAC will do.
By the way our record against Toledo is 2 wins and 1 loss and lifetime we are 22 and 14 vs. the mac Before last years disaster we were 20 and 8 vs the mac so do yourself a favor and go back to the MAC board
Don't worry... UCF will get back on it's feet.
MAC has 4 decent programs. Toledo, Miami, BG, and Northern Ill. But even saying that BG and Miami have trouble getting over 15K a game except when they win 9 to 10 games. Notice that you are on the CUSA board and I am not talking smack on your board. :drseuss:
Notice that you brought up the MAC, putting them down......that gives me the right to defend them.
So the MAC has 4 strong teams in Toledo, Miami, BG, and NIU right now. Don't forget that in 1999 and 2000 WMU could play with most anyone, but right now there are 4.
The new C-USA as of right now has Marshall, USM, and Memphis that are strong right now.....maybe even add Tulsa after last season. That is 4 strong teams right now. Hmm.....same as the MAC.
2005 MAC East teams records from last year
Miami 13-1...Wins @Northwestern, @Colorado St, Cincinnati, and Marshall 45-6. Only loss @Iowa
#10 in final AP poll, #12 in final Coaches poll.
Bowling Green 11-3...Wins @Purdue and Northwestern. Only losses @Ohio State and Miami(twice)
#23 in both final AP and Coaches poll.
Akron 7-5... 38-24 win over Central Florida, should compete for a MAC championship this year
Kent State 5-7... 36-16 win over Central Florida, basketball school that has made the Elite 8 recently
Ohio 2-10.... 28-0 win over Central Florida, Hampered by injuries all year. Will be better.
Buffalo 1-11... They suck and hopefully the MAC will trade them in for YSU soon.
2005 C-DoA West teams records from last year
Tulsa 8-5... gets to a bowl game by playing in the crappy WAC. 49-10 loss to Minnesota, 45-3 loss to Arkansas, and 52-10 loss to Georgia Tech when playing BCS schools.
Houston 7-6... A decent team that beat SEC cellar dwellar Miss St., other wins came over really bad teams.
Rice 5-7... wins over San Jose st., Nevada, SMU, UTEP, and LA Tech. lost to Houston 48-14, Texas 48-7, and even lowly Duke. Could be dropping football or going to Div. 3
Tulane 5-7... Also beat Miss. St., other wins came over Northwestern St., Army, UAB, and East Carolina
UTEP 2-11... Enough Said.
SMU 0-12... Worst team in college football.
And No Bull, I hope you like how I pointed out how all of the MAC east teams except Buffalo beat your school by 14+ points.
2005 MAC East teams records from last year
Miami 13-1...Wins @Northwestern, @Colorado St, Cincinnati, and Marshall 45-6. Only loss @Iowa
#10 in final AP poll, #12 in final Coaches poll.
Bowling Green 11-3...Wins @Purdue and Northwestern. Only losses @Ohio State and Miami(twice)
#23 in both final AP and Coaches poll.
Akron 7-5... 38-24 win over Central Florida, should compete for a MAC championship this year
Kent State 5-7... 36-16 win over Central Florida, basketball school that has made the Elite 8 recently
Ohio 2-10.... 28-0 win over Central Florida, Hampered by injuries all year. Will be better.
Buffalo 1-11... They suck and hopefully the MAC will trade them in for YSU soon.
2005 C-DoA West teams records from last year
Tulsa 8-5... gets to a bowl game by playing in the crappy WAC. 49-10 loss to Minnesota, 45-3 loss to Arkansas, and 52-10 loss to Georgia Tech when playing BCS schools.
Houston 7-6... A decent team that beat SEC cellar dwellar Miss St., other wins came over really bad teams.
Rice 5-7... wins over San Jose st., Nevada, SMU, UTEP, and LA Tech. lost to Houston 48-14, Texas 48-7, and even lowly Duke. Could be dropping football or going to Div. 3
Tulane 5-7... Also beat Miss. St., other wins came over Northwestern St., Army, UAB, and East Carolina
UTEP 2-11... Enough Said.
SMU 0-12... Worst team in college football.
Now that's some analysis- omitted Ohio's 21 point loss to Kentucky, 28 point loss to Marshall. Omitted Kent's 40 point loss to Pitt an 3 TD loss to horrible Penn State.
I could go on, but we get the picture.
. . . Ohio 2-10.... 28-0 win over Central Florida, Hampered by injuries all year. Will be better. . . .
. . . UTEP 2-11... Enough Said. . . .
Yeah, you're not promoting any double standards at all, are you? :rolleyes: 
2005 MAC East teams records from last year
Miami 13-1...Wins @Northwestern, @Colorado St, Cincinnati, and Marshall 45-6. Only loss @Iowa
#10 in final AP poll, #12 in final Coaches poll.
Bowling Green 11-3...Wins @Purdue and Northwestern. Only losses @Ohio State and Miami(twice)
#23 in both final AP and Coaches poll.
Akron 7-5... 38-24 win over Central Florida, should compete for a MAC championship this year
Kent State 5-7... 36-16 win over Central Florida, basketball school that has made the Elite 8 recently
Ohio 2-10.... 28-0 win over Central Florida, Hampered by injuries all year. Will be better.
Buffalo 1-11... They suck and hopefully the MAC will trade them in for YSU soon.
2005 C-DoA West teams records from last year
Tulsa 8-5... gets to a bowl game by playing in the crappy WAC. 49-10 loss to Minnesota, 45-3 loss to Arkansas, and 52-10 loss to Georgia Tech when playing BCS schools.
Houston 7-6... A decent team that beat SEC cellar dwellar Miss St., other wins came over really bad teams.
Rice 5-7... wins over San Jose st., Nevada, SMU, UTEP, and LA Tech. lost to Houston 48-14, Texas 48-7, and even lowly Duke. Could be dropping football or going to Div. 3
Tulane 5-7... Also beat Miss. St., other wins came over Northwestern St., Army, UAB, and East Carolina
UTEP 2-11... Enough Said.
SMU 0-12... Worst team in college football.
Scram SuckeyeStew,
So ashamed of the you alma mater (that means school you graduated from) that you pretend to be a buckeye fan. Stop lurking here and go back to your Kent Stae board. You are high if you think the MAC is better than CUSA or the WAC :laugh:
I love how all those Rust Belt Conference MACkers think we only have been playing football since we partially joined their league when in fact much of the MAC was fodder for many years until our fluke season in 2003. We are attempting to make the full 360 and I think we will see a new and improved UCF this year.
I don't see a rush -- especially if the MAC is considering expansion, as I suspect.
Schadenfreude,
If the MAC does expand, who do you believe will seriously be considered for the open position(s)? MTSU? Western Kentucky? Troy State?
I've heard several teams' name mentioned but I was wondering what team(s) you think would be added or would like to be added to the MAC.
Thanks! :wave:
It appears Western Kentucky could announce a decision to join the MAC any day now:
<a href='http://www.wildcatfaithful.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49417' target='_blank'>http://www.wildcatfaithful.com/vbulletin/s...&threadid=49417</a>
I checked the WLAP Web site. It doesn't appear to list local sports news. Take this thread for what it is worth.
Middle Tennessee would be a logical travel partner for Western Kentucky and Temple would seem to need a home for football.
If this WKU thing pans out... and there were rumblings about this for a while, I'd put my money on Middle Tennessee next for all sports, then Temple for football only.
11K at Middle Tenn
10K at WKU (If they jump)
Would fit right in the MAC, I guess Troy would just have to wait on an opening from C-USA.
11K at Middle Tenn
10K at WKU (If they jump)
Would fit right in the MAC, I guess Troy would just have to wait on an opening from C-USA.
The thing is that MTSU and WKU fit better geographically with the MAC then the Sun Belt. That said, they could see better fan support because the can relate better to the MAC schools. Also hosting Miami, Toledo, Bowling Green, or NIU is better then hosting North Texas, Lousiana-Monroe, and Louisiana-Lafayette....especially for their fans that are closer to Ohio than you might think.
Also, I am not so sure that WKU would be in I-A for football for quite a while. If this all happens I could see Temple for football only (all other sports within 3-5 years), MTSU for all sports, and WKU for all sports but football which would come in 3-5 years.
11K at Middle Tenn
10K at WKU (If they jump)
Would fit right in the MAC, I guess Troy would just have to wait on an opening from C-USA.
The thing is that MTSU and WKU fit better geographically with the MAC then the Sun Belt. That said, they could see better fan support because the can relate better to the MAC schools. Also hosting Miami, Toledo, Bowling Green, or NIU is better then hosting North Texas, Lousiana-Monroe, and Louisiana-Lafayette....especially for their fans that are closer to Ohio than you might think.
Also, I am not so sure that WKU would be in I-A for football for quite a while. If this all happens I could see Temple for football only (all other sports within 3-5 years), MTSU for all sports, and WKU for all sports but football which would come in 3-5 years.
I agree with rocketfootball. If WKU moves to the MAC, I think it will be with WKU moving up to I-A in two or three years...and that two-three years would be used to expand our stadium and work on getting the attendance numbers up.
Also, I think the would be more fan interest in watching MAC teams play at WKU for football than there would be playing against Sun Belt teams. Just my opinion...which isn't worth much. :)
I love how all those Rust Belt Conference MACkers think we only have been playing football since we partially joined their league when in fact much of the MAC was fodder for many years until our fluke season in 2003. We are attempting to make the full 360 and I think we will see a new and improved UCF this year.
UCF's all-time records vs. the current MAC members
Division 2 - 0-2 (both games played against 1-AA Akron)
Division 1-AA - 3-0 (all three games played against 1-AA Buffalo, and none of these games were close)
Division 1-A (records since 1996, the year we started 1-A play)
Akron 2-2
Ball State 1-1
Bowling Green 2-1
Buffalo 2-0
Central Michigan 1-0
Eastern Michigan 3-1
Kent State 2-1
Marshall 0-2
Miami (OH) 1-1 (the one win was a blowout over Ben Roethlisberger's Redhawks in Oxford in 2002)
Northern Illinois 1-1
Ohio 1-1
Toledo 2-1
Western Michigan 1-0
The only MAC teams we have losing records against are Marshall and Akron, and you can only count Akron if you include their wins over us when we were Division 2. So frankly, anyone who doesn't think UCF has done a decent job against MAC teams needs to think again.