UMass to FBS? Next year?

[Eric]

I'm not so sure that the CAA is automatically better than the MAC. I mostly follow the FBS just to be clear, but I think the two conferences are about even, if only because the MAC has access to more recruiting opportunities. I'd probably give the CAA an edge this year, but I don't see how it's a given. Full disclosure here, I am a MAC fan and live in Michigan and I'm well aware at how awful the conference has been in recent years Ball State and Akron lost to FCS schools I'm aware, but they are two of the three worst teams in the conference to go along with Eastern Michigan. Schools like Toledo and Kent State, mentioned before, would be extremely competitive in the FCS if they were placed in there this season. Lest I remind you guys, Wofford was defeated by Ohio by 3 scores this year

At any rate, it would be a good move for UMass. Even if the CAA is more competitive, the fact that you are playing in the FBS signals a step upward.

[Seawolf97]

I have been following this saga as it unfolds. This is a good move for UMass in the long term for sure.

[mainejeff]

I have been following this saga as it unfolds. This is a good move for UMass in the long term for sure.

Darn right it is! If there were any way in hell that Maine could do this......I'd sure support the move!

I hope that if there is anyway possible for UNH to move up......that they do it. This train is the last one leaving the FBS station.

[Tubby Raymond]

I have been following this saga as it unfolds. This is a good move for UMass in the long term for sure.

Darn right it is! If there were any way in hell that Maine could do this......I'd sure support the move!

I hope that if there is anyway possible for UNH to move up......that they do it. This train is the last one leaving the FBS station.

The sky is falling, the sky is falling

[danefan]

http://www.gazettenet.com/2010/12/15/ma ... may-follow" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Officials from the Mid America Conference visited the University of Massachusetts Tuesday as the conference determines whether to extend UMass an invitation to join the MAC's football league. A site visit would be an unusual step for a conference that didn't expect to make an invite.

Several UMass sources confirmed that the group examined facilities on campus and at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, where the school would likely play some home games if UMass elects to upgrade from its current Championship Subdivision (FCS) status to the Bowl Subdivision (FBS) which includes the MAC.

Athletic director John McCutcheon, who led the MAC officials on the tour, declined comment.

"I don't think it would be appropriate to comment," he said.

The MAC representatives will report back to the league's presidents, who'll decide if they want to invite UMass as a football-only member.

If UMass receives an invitation and chooses to accept, it could begin the process immediately. The Minutemen would spend two years as a transitional FBS team. In the first year, they could maintain their Colonial Athletic Association schedule, but wouldn't be eligible to participate in the FCS Playoffs. The following year, the Minutemen would be required to play a schedule of mostly FBS opponents. UMass would be able to recoup some of the expense of its upgrade by scheduling road games for guarantee money. The program received $550,000 for playing at Michigan last year. FBS schools generally receive larger guarantees than FCS schools do.

[KAUMASS]

I don't think MAC officials visit if they were waiting on Temple. From reading past articles on MAC expansion, they were looking at adding 1 or 2 schools. If UMass goes to the MAC and Temple stays, they don't add another team. If Temple leaves, then they add another school in the east-most likely an FCS team.(Appy, JMU??) I don't see any current FBS team wanting to join the MAC. I honestly don't see Temple going anywhere soon, especially if 'Nova upgrades. Conf. USA probably won't take temple as just a football member, and I don't think Temple wants to be an all sports member of the C-USA. Where else would Temple go? The Big East would add UCF or ECU in all sports b-4 the least likely scenario of adding temple as just a football member. It's nucking futs...

While it looks like the bird is in hand now, it will be interesting to see how the details like schedules play out the next two years. Assuming we go, does UMass try to pick up another FBS game for next year? We have BC on the schedule, but do we drop any other games to try and pick up some more cash?

[89Hen]

Playing in Gillette...

[93henfan]

So are you planning any exciting road trips to Akron or Toledo?

[OhioHen]

5. MAC - not great, but not terrible. UMass fans would support the team I think if the games were on ESPN, which the MAC gets on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Don't forget those Monday and Wednesday night games!!

[mainejeff]

Playing in Gillette...

Yeah.......it's gonna be horrible playing the the ACC and Big East teams here:





......especially when more than 50% of their alums live with an hour of the place.

There's a reason that the UMass/UNH game drew 30,000+!

[Seawolf97]

Major venue for their home games will increase their fan base for sure. Add a few BCS teams to play in Gillete - good move in the long run.

[89Hen]

Yeah.......it's gonna be horrible playing the the ACC and Big East teams here:

......especially when more than 50% of their alums live with an hour of the place.

100% of their student body is more than two hours of the place.

Delaware has 50% of their alumni within an hour of this place...



and this place...



and this place...



The day they move off campus, shoot me.

[93henfan]

The day they move off campus, shoot me.

Same here.

[mainejeff]

Yeah.......it's gonna be horrible playing the the ACC and Big East teams here:

......especially when more than 50% of their alums live with an hour of the place.

100% of their student body is more than two hours of the place.

Delaware has 50% of their alumni within an hour of this place...



and this place...



and this place...

And not one of those places is in Delaware or give a crap about Blue Hen football.......they are non-starters!

The day they move off campus, shoot me.

[LastMinuteman]

Assuming we go, does UMass try to pick up another FBS game for next year? We have BC on the schedule, but do we drop any other games to try and pick up some more cash?

If a transitional FBS team can play 12 games during the first year of transition, I'd say add a name FBS opponent at the end of the year. Treat it as a bowl game and do it for the sake of the seniors who won't get a shot to make the playoffs.

Blue hens gonna hate.

[jd of de]

Yeah.......it's gonna be horrible playing the the ACC and Big East teams here:

......especially when more than 50% of their alums live with an hour of the place.

100% of their student body is more than two hours of the place.

Delaware has 50% of their alumni within an hour of this place...



and this place...



and this place...



The day they move off campus, shoot me.

And it's "on campus" thats the key IMHO. Just ask anyone at the University of Minnesota. Metrodome to the new TFC Bank is only 15 minutes but it's a world apart.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

100% of their student body is more than two hours of the place.

Delaware has 50% of their alumni within an hour of this place...



and this place...



and this place...



The day they move off campus, shoot me.

And it's "on campus" thats the key IMHO. Just ask anyone at the University of Minnesota. Metrodome to the new TFC Bank is only 15 minutes but it's a world apart.

15 minutes by foot maybe... most students live no closer to TCF than to the Dome... the key differences (and reason for success - somewhat) it's open air - it's a GORGEOUS old brick horseshoe - it's open air - it's "theirs" (so that's part of your point) but seriously - it's open air... in Minnesota, in September and October... for those who don't live here, you cannot understand just how beautiful fall afternoons are in this state - everyone is outside enjoying the last few decent weather days of the year - clinging to them even... which makes being outside for gopher games an actual draw.

as for umass - their students don't go to games ON CAMPUS now... what makes you think they will in the MAC? put them in Gillette (saving the school and alums MILLIONS) and see what the response is like - over time, they might consider building something on campus - but considering the alumni (with the money and the numbers for attendance) will find Gillette familiar and closer... it might be better there... as long as you can get a UCONN game and a BC game every year... it'll be great.

this is similar to the reason NDSU tries so hard to be on Minnesota's schedule every year - 30,000 alumni live in the Twin Cities - we bring 20-30,000 fans to Gopher games - far more than travel 3.5 hours to see a game in the FFD...

[Col Hogan]

And it's "on campus" thats the key IMHO. Just ask anyone at the University of Minnesota. Metrodome to the new TFC Bank is only 15 minutes but it's a world apart.

15 minutes by foot maybe... most students live no closer to TCF than to the Dome... the key differences (and reason for success - somewhat) it's open air - it's a GORGEOUS old brick horseshoe - it's open air - it's "theirs" (so that's part of your point) but seriously - it's open air... in Minnesota, in September and October... for those who don't live here, you cannot understand just how beautiful fall afternoons are in this state - everyone is outside enjoying the last few decent weather days of the year - clinging to them even... which makes being outside for gopher games an actual draw.

as for umass - their students don't go to games ON CAMPUS now... what makes you think they will in the MAC? put them in Gillette (saving the school and alums MILLIONS) and see what the response is like - over time, they might consider building something on campus - but considering the alumni (with the money and the numbers for attendance) will find Gillette familiar and closer... it might be better there... as long as you can get a UCONN game and a BC game every year... it'll be great.

this is similar to the reason NDSU tries so hard to be on Minnesota's schedule every year - 30,000 alumni live in the Twin Cities - we bring 20-30,000 fans to Gopher games - far more than travel 3.5 hours to see a game in the FFD...

TTBF gets it...

Most alums are in the eastern part of the state and will not drive out to the Happy Valley...

My family is in the eastern part of the state...a few good games at the Razor would mean easy visit with family and a game...I'll get up there a few more times...

We still need to seriously upgrade Alumni Stadium...better yet, start all over again like we did with the Mullin Center for Basketball and hockey...

But this relationship with the Kraft family and the Patriots could really make this work...

[COBBLESTONE]

UCONN and BC sound like natural rivalries for UMASS. Rentchler is pretty decent in size; seats about 40,000 I believe. UCONN has no problem filling that place and I am sure a game there vs. an FBS UMASS would be no exception. No doubt that UCONN and BC games could fill Gillette. This could really generate some college football interest here in New England.


Go for it UMASS!

[UMass74]

Cobblestone is aware, but non-New Englanders may not be, that Boston college has made an effort to play New England FCS teams. UConn has not.

For an FCS team, there is no better financial deal than a bus trip FBS game. With three FBS schools in New England, Maine, UNH and Rhode Island may be able to get a local FBS game every year. That would help those schools and New England football.

[aceinthehole]

Cobblestone is aware, but non-New Englanders may not be, that Boston college has made an effort to play New England FCS teams. UConn has not.

Huh? UConn has played many New England FCS foes at the Rent.

UConn vs FCS:
2011 - vs UMass (scheduled)
2010 - vs Northeastern (orginally scheduled)
2009 - vs URI
2008 - vs Hofstra (Long Island, NY)
2007 - vs Maine
2006 - vs URI

Boston College vs FCS:
2009 - Northeastern
2008 - URI
2007 - UMass
2006 - Maine
2004 - UMass

[mcveyrl]

This came across the ole wire during lunch...

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/ncf/ne ... id=5929950" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[NCAAjunkie]

That's a WIN for us.

[SuperHornet]

I just LOVE how UD fans think they're ALWAYS among the "haves." How conveniently they forget that these things run in cycles. Just look at THIS decade:

2002: 6-6/4-5
2005: 6-5/3-5
2006: 5-6/3-5
2008: 4-8/2-6
2009: 6-5/4-4

Needless to say, in HALF of this decade, UD didn't even make the playoffs. What else would one expect from a school that has been to the Cigar Bowl and the Refrigerator Bowl, and has had Bill Murray for a head coach?

[jd of de]

I just LOVE how UD fans think they're ALWAYS among the "haves." How conveniently they forget that these things run in cycles. Just look at THIS decade:

2002: 6-6/4-5
2005: 6-5/3-5
2006: 5-6/3-5
2008: 4-8/2-6
2009: 6-5/4-4

Needless to say, in HALF of this decade, UD didn't even make the playoffs. What else would one expect from a school that has been to the Cigar Bowl and the Refrigerator Bowl, and has had Bill Murray for a head coach?

Won it in 2003. Played in NC game in 2007. And Sac States record in the playoffs

As usual SuperHornet you are so gay. So just cut to the chase and