MAC looking to expand to 16?

WANTED: Passionate Sycamore Fanatics. That You?

Register NOW to join our community of die-hard Sycamore fans.

Register Log in
S

SycamoreFan317

The Renn Level
There is a thread on the ISU-M board about the MAC expanding to 16 teams with SIU and Ill. State mentioned as possibilities. They also claim that Idaho recruiters are telling recruits they are headed to the MAC.

In another thread is a article from the Ft. Wayne Sentinel talking about ISU-M future football schedules and how they are trying to get at game with ND or Mich. for a $1M price tag.
 

Become a Supporting Member to remove this ad and help support the site.
Article written by a BSU alum mentions ISU as a potential MAC expansion target. If that were to happen, it would be nice to pair with an Illinois school such as IlSU or SIU.

http://overthepylon.net/2012/05/07/the-unlucky-13-of-the-mid-american-conference/

I am under no illusion that ISU is looking to "move up", though I just hope that RP is working to keep us positioned to remain relevant in football. If a multi tier system comes to pass, I hope we stay at the same level as our conference brethren SIU, IlSU, and MSU in addition to Ball State. Much message board discussion centers around the nonBCS and the FCS powers merging to create he 2nd tier...I hope we are part of it. If it does happen that the MVFC and the MAC are peer conferences, would BSU join us in the MVC/MVFC? I would say BSU is more like ISU, ILSU, MSU and SIU than Miami of Ohio or Toledo.
 
Last edited:
i honestly don't think that the mac is an upgrade for us. now having a mac school like ball state join the mvc, that would be a very nice upgrade.
 
I don't see us joing the MAC in any way shape or form. IL State and SIU have made noise about going FBS and losing either one of those schools would be bad news for us travel wise.
 
JamesHat said:
Article written by a BSU alum mentions ISU as a potential MAC expansion target. If that were to happen, it would be nice to pair with an Illinois school such as IlSU or SIU.

http://overthepylon.net/2012/05/07/the-unlucky-13-of-the-mid-american-conference/

I am under no illusion that ISU is looking to "move up", though I just hope that RP is working to keep us positioned to remain relevant in football. If a multi tier system comes to pass, I hope we stay at the same level as our conference brethren SIU, IlSU, and MSU in addition to Ball State. Much message board discussion centers around the nonBCS and the FCS powers merging to create he 2nd tier...I hope we are part of it. If it does happen that the MVFC and the MAC are peer conferences, would BSU join us in the MVC/MVFC? I would say BSU is more like ISU, ILSU, MSU and SIU than Miami of Ohio or Toledo.
Click to expand...

What is Ball State's size as in students.
 

Become a Supporting Member to remove this ad and help support the site.
I have long predicted that Ball State would end up in Indiana State's future and I am not backing away from it. Here come former CMU schools. (for you youngins, that was the Conference of Midwest Universities--ISU, ISU-R, SIU, BSU, NIU). Give me five years to make that happen. I see it coming, of course with some new additions. Nothing is going to look the same in FCS in 3-5 years, trust me, and it may only take 4 years to come true. My guess is the MVFC will be history.
 
Last edited:
Bally #45 said:
I have long predicted that Ball State would end up in Indiana State's future and I am not backing away from it. Here come former CMU schools. (for you youngins, that was the Conference of Midwest Universities--ISU, ISU-R, SIU, BSU, NIU). Give me five years to make that happen. I see it coming, of course with some new additions. Nothing is going to look the same in FCS in 3-5 years, trust me, and it may only take 4 years to come true. My guess is the MVFC will be history.
Click to expand...

That would be the makings of a very nice little conference. Let's hope it comes to fruition.
 
Bally #45 said:
I have long predicted that Ball State would end up in Indiana State's future and I am not backing away from it. Here come former CMU schools. (for you youngins, that was the Conference of Midwest Universities--ISU, ISU-R, SIU, BSU, NIU). Give me five years to make that happen. I see it coming, of course with some new additions. Nothing is going to look the same in FCS in 3-5 years, trust me, and it may only take 4 years to come true. My guess is the MVFC will be history.
Click to expand...

Bally, I have no problem being in a conference with those institutions but the problem I do see is that BSU, NIU and CMU are FBS and we are FCS. They don't want to come down and we don't want to go up. If SIU and ISU-R go FBS then I think we will have to make a decision about making a move..
 
I think it is imperative that we stay a the level of our peer institutions or who we aspire to be peers with. I think getting with BSU would help with school pride, I would say that many students done consider ISUR, SIU and MSU as rivals, but BSU is recognizable to Indiana residents, and they probably have friends that chose BSU. That could create competition among friends and drive pride in what they chose.

Additionally, ISU needs to do more branding. I was at Clemson University and that tiger paw is everywhere, on every sign and building.
 
SycamoreFan317 said:
Bally, I have no problem being in a conference with those institutions but the problem I do see is that BSU, NIU and CMU are FBS and we are FCS. They don't want to come down and we don't want to go up. If SIU and ISU-R go FBS then I think we will have to make a decision about making a move..
Click to expand...
317, They may not what to come down, but as we have commented on here for some time, the may HAVE to come down. I think only one MAC school has the attendance that the NCAA requires and eventually, they may enforce the rule. Ball State football has been the subject of several articles I have read this summer, and the news is pretty bad as far as turning that program around. They didn't mentions going back to FCS but I can tell you that it could happen.
 

Become a Supporting Member to remove this ad and help support the site.
Bally #45 said:
317, They may not what to come down, but as we have commented on here for some time, the may HAVE to come down. I think only one MAC school has the attendance that the NCAA requires and eventually, they may enforce the rule. Ball State football has been the subject of several articles I have read this summer, and the news is pretty bad as far as turning that program around. They didn't mentions going back to FCS but I can tell you that it could happen.
Click to expand...
Eventually the wealthy donors are going to quit writing the checks to pay for the attendance deficit, no?
 
That's been my point all along. The fact that I have a distaste for Ball State raises the hair on my neck and it is certainly feeding this opinion, but they can't afford to continue in FBS averaging 10k a game. BSU is the lowest in attendance in FBS but 4-5 more MAC schools are right there with them. Maybe some of it is wishful thinking but I truly believe the reality of it all will take over. I've been wrong before but I have a strong hunch here. The two schools (ISU and BSU) can't despise each other more than they do. That sounds like a solid rivalry to me. GAME ON~
 
BSU leaving the MAC and joining the Valley would be a step up in everything but football as I see it. Personally I say make them beg for entrance to the Valley, but, like Bally, I take it as a major move to the best rivalry possible. Will they consider that? Doubtful, but it makes a lot of sense.
 
It makes sense, so that is likely why they won't do it. Eventually, it might look more attractive to them, however.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top