Illinois State to the MAC?

[ChiRedbirdfan]

Already been done. It’s now just a fee. IMO the MVFC explores making the jump together. If someone doesn’t want to then goodbye.

Please advise why jumping together is better for Isu vs jumping alone outside of fact that there may not be another conference option. If “only option” is why you suggest then it makes sense. Otherwise The Dakota schools are so far away and add expense and no value to ISU. Being associated with UNI also adds little value to ISU, IMO. There is some history with UNI but what is that worth?

 

[topiarydan]

I am a big fan of staying in a practical region - hence if the MVC could ever jump up for FBS (and expand to grab back Tulsa, Memphis, Ball State, NIU, WKU and Ark State - all within driving distance (even Normal to Tulsa is only 8 hours so nothing too crazy where there is some nite life and a decent aiport - rather than the 10 hour drives to Brookings and Fargo. Otherwise if we jump to MAC I am fine with that - heading to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo is worthwhile for me

 

[TBS_20]

I am a big fan of staying in a practical region - hence if the MVC could ever jump up for FBS (and expand to grab back Tulsa, Memphis, Ball State, NIU, WKU and Ark State - all within driving distance (even Normal to Tulsa is only 8 hours so nothing too crazy where there is some nite life and a decent aiport - rather than the 10 hour drives to Brookings and Fargo. Otherwise if we jump to MAC I am fine with that - heading to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo is worthwhile for me

Memphis is going to get the call to move up. And why would Tulsa leave the aac? Let's be realistic. There is only 2 ways to realistically move up. MAC or CUSA

 

[BirdGrad2011]

Please advise why jumping together is better for Isu vs jumping alone outside of fact that there may not be another conference option. If “only option” is why you suggest then it makes sense. Otherwise The Dakota schools are so far away and add expense and no value to ISU. Being associated with UNI also adds little value to ISU, IMO. There is some history with UNI but was it that value to ISU?

I’m pro MAC or even CUSA. If MVFC jumped as a compromise I’d be okay. I don’t want to just sit and stay in FCS.

 

[StLRedbird]

I've been reading that the 10 yr TV deal MAC has with ESPN is nearing an end. It's replacement is being negotiated now. Most of the fan comments I've read about that reflect an expectation that the $ amount is going up and a hope that the Tue/Wed night games go away. Many of 'em say that's their #1 priority for the new contract - returning football to an exclusive Sat affair.

 

[StLRedbird]

At minimum if MAC is possibly looking at both, a very good game and close Win by ISU would be an impressive audition for both teams.

I’m of the belief that if you’re not at the party, you can’t be asked to go out on the dance floor. We’ve tried to hitch our wagon to being a basketball school and well it’s been almost 30 years and countless coaches since our last NCAA appearance.

Time to do something different. With TV contracts, NIL money and an expanding playoff structure we could fall flat on our faces, or we could be James Madison. But you never know until you take that leap of faith!

I saw that our overwhelming preference for basketball was acting as a impediment and made the personal decision to hitch my wagon to football about 15 yrs ago. When I saw that Kansas was being utterly ignored as the B12 was getting carved up it was apparent something seismic was under way. Best thing for the university was to understand and act on how important our football program had become.

Anyway, we play the game at a high level. Spack plays a conservative brand and likes to beat people with better play and no mistakes. Sometimes that works out better than others, but we appear to be queued up for a pretty good edition this year.

We lost four games last year by a combined eight points. Flipping that script would've made that 9-1. Returning 17 starters.

 

[Birddog]

Already been done. It’s now just a fee. IMO the MVFC explores making the jump together. If someone doesn’t want to then goodbye.

My understanding is that conference’s can’t move as a whole, but that rather individual schools must be invited by existing FBS conferences.

 

[Birddog]

Agree completely.

I expect you've seen this, but here's a youtube of the MAC commissioner discussing the addition of UMass and what they're looking for in a 14th school. Conversation starts @ the 1:20 mark. We fit the bill in every aspect except that our football program is classified @ FCS, which they would prefer not to dip into.

So there it is. Do we pursue this or not? My grandfather's voice is echoing in my ears. "We're burnin' daylight, boys."

Link to podcast w MAC commissioner

Great interview. Thanks for sharing this link.

 

[fourthandshort]

The problem I have with this is that you don't get to choose your timing. If you've made the decision that it's the right course of action, you pursue opportunities as they present themselves. Is it a bigger risk to get caught rushing the exit when the fire alarm has sounded?

Fair point .. I just think MVFC seems like a much more attractive proposition than MAC in a new sub-FBS world, once the P5 move shakes out. Meaning, there may be even less distinction between MAC and MVFC in the new FBS world .. if/when that happens. Too many unknowns for me.

But again, I know I don't have a strong enough perspective on this compared to many of you posters, including you for sure. So this is a speculative preference thing for me.

 

[StLRedbird]

You know what, fourth? The MAC didn't initiate the conversation w UMass. It was all them. From first phone call to press conference it took six months. This is important to us because UMass is (was...) in a strikingly similar situation with ISU. Past success on the basketball court. No dancin' since '98. Public school caught in a league dominated by privates. Wants to play football. Needs a conference that serves all its masters at once.

They just did the math and determined the MAC was a better overall situation than the A-10 and FBS independent. Okay. That's FBS independent. But they had a pretty clear decision between staying in the A-10 and dropping down to FCS, on the one hand, and leaving the A-10 and taking all sports into the MAC. They chose the latter.

This is just me going fully round the bend to explain why I don't think the MVC/MVFC is any better than UMass apparently think of the A10/CAA situation. Look at the pain they're enduring to get and stay at FBS and ask yourself why. It's about so much more than just the football. It's the entry fee to the big boy club of nat'l research schools. If you're a public school playing @ FCS "something is wrong".

 

[fourthandshort]

You know what, fourth? The MAC didn't initiate the conversation w UMass. It was all them. From first phone call to press conference it took six months. This is important to us because UMass is (was...) in a strikingly similar situation with ISU. Past success on the basketball court. No dancin' since '98. Public school caught in a league dominated by privates. Wants to play football. Needs a conference that serves all its masters at once.

They just did the math and determined the MAC was a better overall situation than the A-10 and FBS independent. Okay. That's FBS independent. But they had a pretty clear decision between staying in the A-10 and dropping down to FCS, on the one hand, and leaving the A-10 and taking all sports into the MAC. They chose the latter.

This is just me going fully round the bend to explain why I don't think the MVC/MVFC is any better than UMass apparently think of the A10/CAA situation. Look at the pain they're enduring to get and stay at FBS and ask yourself why. It's about so much more than just the football. It's the entry fee to the big boy club of nat'l research schools. If you're a public school playing @ FCS "something is wrong".

Not sure U Mass is good point of comparison .. but I do acknowledge this is not something I know enough about.

 

[REALBird]

How about James Madison? Punched a ticket to a bowl game in the Sun-Belt and now the NCAA. Nothing like a change in scenery to get kids and coaches inspired to win.

As stated in my last post, we could be James Madison or fall flat on our faces. I’d rather take a chance.

 

[TBS_20]

Results from the poll (only 20 votes). 12-8 to move up to to FBS. The majority wants the MAC if we move up. I personally like CUSA better, but I get it. Academics are alligned, less travel so we can attend more games. Also, worse competition to make us look better. Now all we need is get an invite from the MAC and $5-million dollars. Although, I'm not concerned about that 5 spot. It'll be there if we get the call.

 

[Crimson Crow]

Results from the poll (only 20 votes). 12-8 to move up to to FBS. The majority wants the MAC if we move up. I personally like CUSA better, but I get it. Academics are alligned, less travel so we can attend more games. Also, worse competition to make us look better. Now all we need is get an invite from the MAC and $5-million dollars. Although, I'm not concerned about that 5 spot. It'll be there if we get the call.

When I hit the powerball, I'll pony up the cash but I need the naming rights.

 

[TBS_20]

When I hit the powerball, I'll pony up the cash but I need the naming rights.

i mean, it would work nicely. maybe we just call the student section that

 

[CaliRdBrd]

Just do it (join the MAC). It’s not like we’re doing anything special and it’s high past time to shake some shit up.
Otherwise we can continue to revel in stagnation and debate the “success” of another 6-win football season and how, with a little luck, we almost go to 8 wins.

 

[Birddog]

When I hit the powerball, I'll pony up the cash but I need the naming rights.

Results from the poll (only 20 votes). 12-8 to move up to to FBS. The majority wants the MAC if we move up. I personally like CUSA better, but I get it. Academics are alligned, less travel so we can attend more games. Also, worse competition to make us look better. Now all we need is get an invite from the MAC and $5-million dollars. Although, I'm not concerned about that 5 spot. It'll be there if we get the call.

Results from the poll (only 20 votes). 12-8 to move up to to FBS. The majority wants the MAC if we move up. I personally like CUSA better, but I get it. Academics are alligned, less travel so we can attend more games. Also, worse competition to make us look better. Now all we need is get an invite from the MAC and $5-million dollars. Although, I'm not concerned about that 5 spot. It'll be there if we get the call.

Plus a hefty entrance fee for the MAC. As much as $4M I’ve seen somewhere?

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Just do it (join the MAC). It’s not like we’re doing anything special and it’s high past time to shake some shit up.
Otherwise we can continue to revel in stagnation and debate the “success” of another 6-win football season and how, with a little luck, we almost go to 8 wins.

Not sure I would like this.
MAC Basketball:

Akron NET 113
Toledo NET 129
Ohio NET 148
Kent State NET 175
Bowling Green NET 229
Miami (Ohio) NET 237
C Michigan NET 261
Ball St NET NET 262
W Michigan NET 286
N Illinois NET 299
E Michigan NET 323
Buffalo NET 345

 

[ISUBird]

Not sure I would like this.
MAC Basketball:

Akron NET 113
Toledo NET 129
Ohio NET 148
Wright St. NET 154
Bowling Green NET 229
Miami (Ohio) NET 237
C Michigan NET 261
Ball St NET NET 262
W Michigan NET 286
N Illinois NET 299
E Michigan NET 323
Buffalo NET 345

You mean Kent State, not Wright State.

 

[DBird]

Just do it (join the MAC). It’s not like we’re doing anything special and it’s high past time to shake some shit up.
Otherwise we can continue to revel in stagnation and debate the “success” of another 6-win football season and how, with a little luck, we almost go to 8 wins.

O

Not sure I would like this.
MAC Basketball:

Akron NET 113
Toledo NET 129
Ohio NET 148
Wright St. NET 154
Bowling Green NET 229
Miami (Ohio) NET 237
C Michigan NET 261
Ball St NET NET 262
W Michigan NET 286
N Illinois NET 299
E Michigan NET 323
Buffalo NET 345

I hate it!!