Key tweets, and it's all gone to Hell.

[Rufus]

Northern Illinois and Toledo would be fools to join MW as football-only. What of their other sports? The MAC isn't going to let them keep everything else parked in the MAC. It's all or nothing, which is why UMass was initially booted as football-only, only to come back a few years later as all-sport members.

Although, this could be good news for Western Kentucky, who has wanted MAC membership for years now.

 

[JMick]

I was surprised to hear him throw that out there. It was unsolicited.

From a pure football experience standpoint, horsebarn hill would be awesome. It would really show off the university to traveling teams/fans and recruits.

I still don't know if id totally be behind the idea. As a student horsebarn hill was pretty cool and it's nice to have the open land there.

 

[UConnJim]

Northern Illinois and Toledo would be fools to join MW as football-only. What of their other sports? The MAC isn't going to let them keep everything else parked in the MAC. It's all or nothing, which is why UMass was initially booted as football-only, only to come back a few years later as all-sport members.

Although, this could be good news for Western Kentucky, who has wanted MAC membership for years now.

They could go to the Horizon League for the rest of their sports. Similar to the MAC and probably less travel.

 

[Rufus]

 

[WrenchFan69]

That was some website mistake. They're not going back up to FBS

 

[Travelman6]

How do you know he reads The Yard? I believe you by the way, I’m just curious. If I was the AD I’d have a covert username

Ya the boneyard would never be able to guess

 

[dayooper]

Northern Illinois and Toledo would be fools to join MW as football-only. What of their other sports? The MAC isn't going to let them keep everything else parked in the MAC. It's all or nothing, which is why UMass was initially booted as football-only, only to come back a few years later as all-sport members.

Although, this could be good news for Western Kentucky, who has wanted MAC membership for years now.

Can they go football only? I thought if the league you were in sponsors a sport, you were required to play that sport in your conference. Since The MAC sponsors D1 football, they were required to play football in there. It’s all or nothing.

It could have changed on the last few years but I don’t remember if it did.

 

[Patman]

Can they go football only? I thought if the league you were in sponsors a sport, you were required to play that sport in your conference. Since The MAC sponsors D1 football, they were required to play football in there. It’s all or nothing.

It could have changed on the last few years but I don’t remember if it did.

No. The pac is desperate

 

[JohnFSilver]

Someone should tell Dave Benedict not to even mention Horsebarn Hill as an option for a football stadium on campus. There could be a massive protest by those who want to keep it pristine. There are so many other locations if the go-ahead is given.

All those people who protested the research lab now work for pfizer. Lol.

 

[Urcea]

No. The pac is desperate

It’s the poverty stricken MWC, not the PAC, looking to do this

 

[Patman]

It’s the poverty stricken MWC, not the PAC, looking to do this

my fault... man its all a mess

 

[gioff2323]

my fault... man its all a mess

Which is what we need

 

[Fishy]

Can they go football only? I thought if the league you were in sponsors a sport, you were required to play that sport in your conference. Since The MAC sponsors D1 football, they were required to play football in there. It’s all or nothing.

It could have changed on the last few years but I don’t remember if it did.

They would have to move the rest of their sports to another conference that does not offer football. (MVC)

They would not be able to remain in the MAC.

 

[Kolumbo]

They would have to move the rest of their sports to another conference that does not offer football. (MVC)

They would not be able to remain in the MAC.

That would make sense then, a step up for both football and basketball. Ohio U would be a good option too, largest school behind Buffalo with good football and basketball.

 

[noeynox]

That would make sense then, a step up for both football and basketball. Ohio U would be a good option too, largest school behind Buffalo with good football and basketball.

Those schools would be nuts to leave the stability of the MAC for this nonsense. Its not like they aspire to one day be in the P4. The MWC needs to be looking at Conf USA.

 

[Fishy]

That would make sense then, a step up for both football and basketball. Ohio U would be a good option too, largest school behind Buffalo with good football and basketball.

I kinda think they should consider staying where they are.

The MAC is like the last coherent, regional all-sports conference where you can actually develop a rivalry with nearly every other school. (Okay, no one is developing a rivalry with UMass, but still.)

That conference just works.

 

[WrenchFan69]

 

[XStorrsion]

Poor UTEP and New Mexico St still can't get a MW invite

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Poor UTEP and New Mexico St still can't get a MW invite

“Poor” overall athletic departments and regions financially, yes both may be significant factors. Well, aside from minimalist athletic brands and other considerations.

 

[noeynox]

“Poor” overall athletic departments and regions financially, yes both may be significant factors. Well, aside from minimalist athletic brands and other considerations.

Our last loss in the NCAA tournament came to New Mexico State. Never forget!

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Our last loss in the NCAA tournament came to New Mexico State. Never forget!

Not forgotten, and doesn’t not change any of the prior widely accepted info.

 

[Bongo Fury]

They are neighbors and likely rivals . Could be a package deal somewhere.

 

[huskymedic]

Sun Belt leaders discussing possible Texas State departure

Sun Belt officials are preparing for the possibility Texas State leaves the conference sources told the Daily News-Record on Saturday.

www.dnronline.com

-> Western Kentucky would seem like a logical candidate. The Hilltoppers have been consistently solid in multiple sports, including football and men's basketball, and had been rumored within the past few years to have pursued a spot in the MAC along with rival Middle Tennessee State.

WKU is also a geographic fit that would actually tighten the footprint of the Sun Belt’s West Division if it replaced Texas State. The Hilltoppers have an athletic budget around $40 million per year, which is on par with several Sun Belt members.

Middle Tennessee checks some of the same boxes and is a mid-major power in women’s basketball, though has not been as successful recently in football or men’s basketball. Jacksonville State, Florida International and Sam Houston all also fit the Sun Belt footprint to varying degrees, though FIU would fit better in the East Division and Jacksonville State and Sam Houston are recent FCS callups.

Then there are Liberty and Louisiana Tech, who are logical fits for the conference in some ways, but would likely get push back from some members and certainly from several Sun Belt fan bases.

Liberty would give the Sun Belt three teams in Virginia and fit best in the East Division. It's also a private religious school that has dealt with multiple scandals in recent years while the current Sun Belt is all public schools.

Louisiana Tech would be the third SBC school in Louisiana if it joined, and neighbors Louisiana-Monroe. But there has historically been bad blood between Louisiana Tech and several long-time SBC members, fueled in part by former Tech AD Tommy McClelland saying in 2020 his school was above membership in the Sun Belt.

However, sources late Saturday night told the Daily News-Record that with new faces in charge at Louisiana Tech, there may not be significant pushback against the Bulldogs from Sun Belt West schools.

Western Kentucky could likely get a recommendation from the conference commissioner’s office to the league presidents if a Sun Belt slot opens in the coming days. But Louisiana, with its Lafayette campus a 10-hour drive away from Bowling Green, Ky., may be among schools more likely to push for Louisiana Tech. <-

 

[ZooCougar]

Sun Belt for Football only might be fun.

 

[noeynox]