4 hours ago, Walter said:

 

Talked to some Appalachian State fans Saturday. They are fired up about the expansion, especially Marshall. They were both former Southern Conference members and they had a contentious ending to this year's game. Going to be interesting. Thought maybe Western Kentucky may be interested as they were a former member.

A lot to take in... But interesting stuff. I'll post all the tweets in order so easy to follow.

 

 

 

 

12 hours ago, 9068 said:

Talked to some Appalachian State fans Saturday. They are fired up about the expansion, especially Marshall. They were both former Southern Conference members and they had a contentious ending to this year's game. Going to be interesting. Thought maybe Western Kentucky may be interested as they were a former member.

WKU was interested and reportedly, Marshall and Old Dominion lobbied for them over James Madison.  However, ULL and Arkansas State blocked welcoming WKU back to the Sun Belt because they were mad that WKU blocked Sun Belt expansion west in its last few years in the league and then bolted for Conference USA.

WKU is in a really bad place right now because of market size and how its former rivals in the Sun Belt don't want it back.  The commish of Conference USA just wants to double down on Texas by adding FCS programs there and I haven't talked to a single WKU fan that's happy about that.  I think WKU has to hope that the MAC wants to expand to two more teams and welcomes them in with Middle Tennessee at this point.

I'm just trying to figure out what the end game is with all of this? I get it is about setting up your school for the best financial success possible, but it seems we are ultimately heading towards a condensed version (meaning, less conferences) of what we have now. Each conference - besides the SEC - are trying to build legitimacy points. 

18 minutes ago, bugatti said:

I'm just trying to figure out what the end game is with all of this? I get it is about setting up your school for the best financial success possible, but it seems we are ultimately heading towards a condensed version (meaning, less conferences) of what we have now. Each conference - besides the SEC - are trying to build legitimacy points. 

I think the SEC, Big Ten, and potentially others are moving toward an NFL model to maximize earnings.

I think the smaller conferences are attempting to maximize earnings but moving toward a regionalized model that saves money on all sports that aren't football.

13 hours ago, DanvilleFan said:

WKU was interested and reportedly, Marshall and Old Dominion lobbied for them over James Madison.  However, ULL and Arkansas State blocked welcoming WKU back to the Sun Belt because they were mad that WKU blocked Sun Belt expansion west in its last few years in the league and then bolted for Conference USA.

WKU is in a really bad place right now because of market size and how its former rivals in the Sun Belt don't want it back.  The commish of Conference USA just wants to double down on Texas by adding FCS programs there and I haven't talked to a single WKU fan that's happy about that.  I think WKU has to hope that the MAC wants to expand to two more teams and welcomes them in with Middle Tennessee at this point.

Will the MAC take teams below the Mason Dixon line? 

 

 

 

 

CUSA likely adding Liberty, New Mexico St, and FCS members Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State.