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Topic: UConn football to the MAC?

Topic: UConn football to the MAC?

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Pataskala
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UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/22/2019 9:28:57 PM

They're leaving the AAC and joining Big East for b-ball. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/columnist/d... /

Would the MAC be interested, with maybe Army coming along as a football-only school?

We will get by.
We will get by.
We will get by.
We will survive.

Broomball @ Midnight!
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/22/2019 10:48:35 PM

No, just no.

(Connecticut native and obvious MAC fan, let them die)

You just got lesson number one: don't think; it can only hurt the ball club. - Crash Davis (1988)

BS Ohio '88 - MA Florida '92 - PhD Florida '10

Bobcat Grad 86
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/23/2019 6:47:49 AM

No Football for You

https://pixel.nymag.com/imgs/daily/vulture/2014/07/03/03-...

Last Edited: 6/23/2019 6:48:11 AM by Bobcat Grad 86

BobcatSports
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/23/2019 3:15:42 PM

Never underestimate the MAC�s ability to prostitute itself out for no good reason.

Jeff Hill
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/23/2019 6:43:09 PM

Another related question-who will replace UConn in the AAC? Topic was covered in today's The Athletic.

The state of UConn athletics as we know it traces back more than two decades, to the university�s 1997 decision to move its football program up from Division I-AA (now FCS) to Division I-A (now FBS). The Connecticut legislature spent $92 million to build a football stadium in East Hartford, and the returns in the 20 seasons of play at the FBS level have been few and far between.

The Huskies� football program has had three different head coaches (across four different regimes), posted seven winning seasons (none in the past eight years) and has been a member of two different conferences.

Oh, and the athletic department ran a $40 million deficit in 2018.

That conference aspect to all of this is even more tenuous, now that the school has decided to move to the Big East for all sports that league sponsors. All indications are that UConn football�s current home, the American Athletic Conference, wants no part of the school as a football-only member, meaning the program is likely looking at a period of independence that will test the stomachs of all who have a financial stake in the program. AAC commissioner Mike Aresco did not return a call for comment Saturday.

UMass, the only other state school in New England that competes in the FBS, may in some ways be a template for what the Huskies are facing from a football standpoint, with an off-campus stadium for an independent football program flanking otherwise generally healthy school athletic teams.

One former Division I athletic director said he was once approached about the UMass AD job and told the school that trying to sustain a football program there was a dealbreaker for him.

That cannot bode well for a program like UConn�s, as the school will owe a $10 million exit fee to the AAC and will likely see its television revenue from the Big East slowly get phased in.

�I think that will be challenging, to get a schedule that has traditional rivalries or some consistency to it,� former UConn AD Todd Turner said when asked about the viability of independence. �That would be very difficult.

�They�re not like Army. Army�s independent, but they schedule nationally with ease, mostly because of their brand. People are willing to go to Michie Stadium in West Point because of the history and tradition. I just think it�s gonna be a little more difficult (without that).�

Turner was in Storrs from 1987-90, back when the football program competed in the now-defunct Yankee Conference. He said university leadership always wondered then what the long-term plan would be for the football program, and he cannot fault the ensuing regimes for making the moves they did given football�s growing importance in collegiate athletics.

Even now, UConn�s decision to go all-in on the gridiron, however faulty it may appear 22 years later, is largely looked at as a victim of poor timing and circumstance.

You cannot write about UConn and realignment without mentioning Boston College, and while both Northeast rivals were jockeying for a position in the ACC that eventually went to BC in 2005, it is important to remember BC was in the midst of a football renaissance during that era, posting 12 consecutive winning seasons that included the Eagles� final six years in the Big East.

Turner, who went on to become the AD at N.C. State from 1990-96 and now runs Collegiate Sports Associates, a search firm, thinks BC�s status as a private school also gave it an edge over UConn in the ACC � a league that currently houses more private schools than the other four Power 5 conferences combined.

ACC commissioner John Swofford was asked by The Athletic last month about how UConn had found itself as the biggest loser of the realignment craze that took over college sports a decade ago.

�It�s an obvious question, I guess; I just hadn�t really thought much about it,� Swofford said in May. �I don�t know. I think obviously football�s a big part of � or was a big part of � all the expansion moves. It�s a quality institution, tremendous basketball tradition. Part of it was the comfortability in terms of the Northeast. So I don�t know.

�Maybe it was the sort of lack of a traditional football history, a longer football history, at the top. Because that�s really the only thing I can think of that might�ve been a little hard to overcome at that, looking backwards.�

UConn, among several others, famously tried to legally stop some of its Big East brethren from defecting to the ACC during the first wave of expansion. And despite a brief period of football success from 2007-10 during coach Randy Edsall�s first go-round � four consecutive winning seasons, two shared Big East titles, one Fiesta Bowl appearance � the Huskies rarely made a dent nationally. Most recently, in the second year of Edsall�s second stint, UConn posted the worst defensive marks in major college football history.

Now the program is currently homeless, with its future options either unknown � would Conference USA accept UConn as a football-only member? � or not viable (independence). The school�s, and the state�s, gamble to go all-in on football has reared its ugly head, and no one knows what comes next.

What this means for the AAC moving forward is unclear at the moment. Keeping UConn as a football-only member doesn�t seem logical for a program that has contributed very little to the league on the gridiron.

What is possible is that a league that saw several of its teams bend over backward in hopes of a Big 12 invitation in 2016 could now be on the other end. Teams in the Sun Belt, MAC or Conference USA or independents may seek entrance into a conference that has separated itself from other Group of 5 leagues. That separation is highlighted by a new media rights deal that will pay AAC members an average of $7 million annually over 12 years beginning in 2020-21, a payout much higher than other Group of 5 conferences. It�s a deal not expected to be significantly impacted by UConn�s impending departure.

If the conference looks to replace UConn, football independents like Army or BYU could be options as football-only members or full members, but it�s not clear if either is eager to give up the scheduling freedom that comes with independence. Army, a program on the rise for the first time in decades, may look at Navy�s recent struggles and point to a league that is now comfortable against the service academy style of play. BYU, which left the Mountain West in 2011, may not be interested in the long travel. BYU is also close to renewing its television deal with ESPN.

Navy and Army had or have a long history of independence (Army spent seven unsuccessful seasons in Conference USA from 1998-2004), but Air Force has been in a conference since 1980, first the Western Athletic Conference and then the Mountain West since 1999. However, the Falcons may not be interested in the increased travel and losing nearby rivalries with Colorado State and Wyoming.

Boise State briefly agreed to join the pre-AAC Big East in 2011, but later backed out in part because the Mountain West allowed the Broncos to make their own media rights contract for home football games. That deal with ESPN is currently worth $1.8 million, on top of $1.1 million from the Mountain West, which is also negotiating a new conference media rights contract at the moment and could see an increase like the AAC.

Outside of that group, there may not be natural fits that would bring much growth. The remaining 11 members, plus non-football member Wichita State, may not replace UConn at all.

That would leave unbalanced football divisions. At the AAC meetings in Dallas last month, Aresco brought up the idea of scrapping football divisions so that the two highest-ranked AAC teams would face off like the Big 12, but there was no interest from league members. Although conferences no longer need 12 teams to hold a conference championship game, that idea would require a waiver from the NCAA because the AAC doesn�t have a round-robin conference schedule in which everyone plays each other, as the Big 12 does.

�There doesn�t seem to be any appetite for it, I can tell you categorically,� Aresco said last month. �We like our divisions.�

Aresco also said the league isn�t interested in expanding to nine conference games, citing the value the league�s teams get from playing four nonconference games each year. That being the case, the AAC appears unlikely to follow the Big 12�s model with no divisions and a championship game that matches the conference�s top two teams.

The loss of the AAC�s most northeastern school also comes at a time when the conference headquarters is leaving the region, with the league office planning to relocate from Providence, R.I., to the Dallas area next summer. Despite the league offices moving, Aresco said last month the AAC planned to keep football media days in Newport, R.I. It�s not clear if UConn�s departure will change that, but it further highlights how UConn may have felt geographically isolated.

When the AAC was formed in 2013, it quickly lost schools like Rutgers and Louisville to Power 5 leagues and teetered on collapse. With a new 12-year media rights contract in place, there is finally some security. The AAC will withstand the loss of UConn, and it may even become an opportunity for growth if the league wants a replacement.

Bobcat1996
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/23/2019 10:00:25 PM

The MAC has no business trying to get UCONN to join for football only. Let the Huskies play the likes of BYU, UMASS, NM State and others, but please NO to the MAC.

OUcats82
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/24/2019 9:40:00 AM

Bobcat1996 wrote:

The MAC has no business trying to get UCONN to join for football only. Let the Huskies play the likes of BYU, UMASS, NM State and others, but please NO to the MAC.

Agreed.

While the national traction MACtion etc. has given the conference is nothing too seismic, allowing a team like UConn to use the league for a "rent a home" solution would be a step in the wrong direction IMHO.

Between UCF, Temple and UMass (maybe others I am forgetting) I've never liked the MAC being a home for misfiits who otherwise bring their toys to a different playground.

If the conference wants to expand in anyway, I say full membership or none. I've never been fond of Missouri being in the conference for wrestling as they are coming from a program with SEC resources.

I know it's common for lower profile sports to be in other conferences (WVU in MAC Soccer, Tennessee Crew I believe competes in C-USA etc.) but for football, basketball etc. I want only the core, full programs.

Plus, would they really offer an upgrade in the conference profile? Their program will probably continue to dip in talent/performance as they move forward.

Ohio-The State University

OU_Country
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/24/2019 11:23:28 AM

Broomball @ Midnight! wrote:

No, just no.

(Connecticut native and obvious MAC fan, let them die)

+1. I want schools in the MAC for all sports, not just football.

rpbobcat
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/24/2019 12:35:14 PM

A local sports talk station was talking about this this morning.

Uconn would be joining the Big East for basketball only.

All other sports would stay in the AAC.

From what they said,Uconn would have to wait till the 2020 season to join
the Big East and have a $10 mil. buyout.

OhioBobcat
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/24/2019 5:08:33 PM

BobcatSports wrote:

Never underestimate the MAC�s ability to prostitute itself out for no good reason.

This!

OhioBobcat
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/24/2019 5:10:54 PM

OU_Country wrote:

Broomball @ Midnight! wrote:

No, just no.

(Connecticut native and obvious MAC fan, let them die)

+1. I want schools in the MAC for all sports, not just football.

I 100% agree. If the MAC hasn't learned its lesson from the UCF, UMass and Temple experiments then it never will. Leave....it...alone....

L.C.
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/24/2019 5:58:21 PM

Isn't this where someone is supposed to suggest expanding Peden to 35,000 seats, and making the jump to the AAC to replace U.Conn?

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

RPKirtland
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/24/2019 6:56:44 PM

L.C. wrote:

Isn't this where someone is supposed to suggest expanding Peden to 35,000 seats, and making the jump to the AAC to replace U.Conn?

I'll bite, I would love to see this. I know the "SEO Market" arguments arise, but it's a two-fer to improve Peden and make a jump.

However, another two decades in the MAC wouldn't be the worst. Something to be said for stability.

Went a little too far west, let's go SJ Earthquakes!

MonroeClassmate
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/24/2019 8:27:55 PM

OU_Country wrote:

Broomball @ Midnight! wrote:

No, just no.

(Connecticut native and obvious MAC fan, let them die)

+1. I want schools in the MAC for ALL sports, not just football.

You mean like swimming and track?

OUcats82
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/25/2019 8:58:26 AM

MonroeClassmate wrote:

OU_Country wrote:

Broomball @ Midnight! wrote:

No, just no.

(Connecticut native and obvious MAC fan, let them die)

+1. I want schools in the MAC for ALL sports, not just football.

You mean like swimming and track?

This piqued my curiosity.....

I don't think there any schools in the MAC that field teams in every conference sponsored sport.

After going online to Get Some MACtion it looks like this is the case.

I know Miami and Ball State are the only actual full-fledged MAC schools who offer men's swimming. The other programs are actually Missouri Valley Conference based.

Wrestling is going to be a huge hodge-podge here soon.

In other news, their search function stinks on the site. I simply typed "wrestling" and was given a no results found message.

Last Edited: 6/25/2019 8:59:26 AM by OUcats82

Ohio-The State University

rpbobcat
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/25/2019 9:48:36 AM

OUcats82 wrote:

Wrestling is going to be a huge hodge-podge here soon.

Personally,I think the merger of the MAC and EWL for wrestling,is a major
upgrade,especially given the quality of of the teams in the EWL.

As I posted in the Olympic Sports Forum,the consensus in the wrestling community is that,over time,the combined conference could become the third best conference in the country,behind the B1G and EIWA.

Pataskala
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/25/2019 11:23:20 AM

MonroeClassmate wrote:

OU_Country wrote:

Broomball @ Midnight! wrote:

No, just no.

(Connecticut native and obvious MAC fan, let them die)

+1. I want schools in the MAC for ALL sports, not just football.

You mean like swimming and track?

And baseball.

We will get by.
We will get by.
We will get by.
We will survive.

SBH
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/25/2019 11:27:35 AM

I'd take UConn for football only if they were willing to pony up $2 million a year and guarantee some home BBall games for the privilege. They're losing much more than that in their current conference affiliation. Plus, it would be a great way to engage our many East Coast alumni. I loved the trip to UMass and saw a game in Storrs many years ago.

Last Edited: 6/25/2019 11:28:21 AM by SBH

OUcats82
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/25/2019 12:03:46 PM

rpbobcat wrote:

OUcats82 wrote:

Wrestling is going to be a huge hodge-podge here soon.

I definitely agree on its quality. Was simply trying to say that the membership will come from a wide array of schools whose other programs are primarily in other conferences.

It looks like it will have:

MAC
SEC
C-USA
Horizon League
OVC
NEC
PSAC

Ohio-The State University

rpbobcat
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/25/2019 1:40:51 PM

OUcats82 wrote:

rpbobcat wrote:

OUcats82 wrote:

Wrestling is going to be a huge hodge-podge here soon.

Thing is,I think its going to be a long time before someone knock off Missouri as conference champion.

OUcats82
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/26/2019 9:02:58 AM

rpbobcat wrote:

OUcats82 wrote:

rpbobcat wrote:

OUcats82 wrote:

Wrestling is going to be a huge hodge-podge here soon.

Thing is,I think its going to be a long time before someone knock off Missouri as conference champion.

Agreed. They will have that in a half nelson for a long time.

Ohio-The State University

Pataskala
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/26/2019 12:22:25 PM

Jeff Hill wrote:

Another related question-who will replace UConn in the AAC?

The best choice would be BYU. Lots of name recognition and a good football history. But, as the article mentioned, it would involve a lot of travel and BYU has its own ESPN deal and sometimes its own bowl deal that it might not want to give up.

Won't be Army. Army and Navy want their annual game to be the last one of the regular season, after all the conference championship games. Having them in the same conference would mess things up big time.

If they're looking for TV markets the two most notable teams from G5 conferences would be Charlotte (CUSA) and Georgia State (Sun Belt). Neither team would have to pony up much to get out of their conferences, and GASt just renovated the old Turner Field in Atlanta for football, so they have a good venue in a big city. The drawback for both teams is that they've historically been mediocre at best.

We will get by.
We will get by.
We will get by.
We will survive.

Flat Tire
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/26/2019 2:57:56 PM

Most of the current media reports indicate the AAC will not add a replacement. The AAC is concerned about their image as a potential P5 addition. Adding a CUSA; MAC or Sun Belt team doesn't enhance their imagine. Like it has been posted, Army and BYU apparently have no interest in joining the AAC. Anyway, most AAC members would jump ship to join a P5 conference; so why pay entrance fees and be left in another CUSA situation? JMHO

OUcats82
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/26/2019 3:15:20 PM

Interesting take here on how eyeballs on TV sets in key markets are shifting to devices in hands:

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/universit... /

"While football and men�s and women�s basketball will still be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU, most basketball games, a large number of football games and other sports including baseball and soccer will air on ESPN+, the network�s streaming service.

Streaming subscriptions in place of television sets will be the key metric in the coming years. And from that angle, Georgia State doesn�t deliver the Atlanta market. Tulane, already a conference member, doesn�t deliver the New Orleans market.

Instead, these schools bring with them a base of fans as potential subscribers. And there doesn�t appear to be a match out there to provide enough value to warrant inclusion. "

Ohio-The State University

brucecuth
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RE: UConn football to the MAC?

Posted: 6/26/2019 6:21:01 PM

SBH wrote:

men's AND women's hoops...

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