UMASS goes to the MAC...

[catdaddy2402]

BCS programs have shown a patern of NOT playing (or not wanting to play till forced to) non-BCS FBS programs in their "local" recruiting zones.

South Carolina has played East Carolina 15 times going back to 1977.
Virginia Tech has played East Carolina 16 times going back to 1956 (with most of the games being played from 1987 on)
Ole Miss played Memphis every year from 1976-2009
Ohio State has played at least one of the Ohio MAC schools (or Cincy when they were CUSA) since 1997.
LSU plays regional non-BCS teams every year, mostly the Louisiana schools with a North Texas and Troy mixed in.

There are some BCS teams that don't play local non-BCS teams (primarily the Alabama and Mississippi SEC teams refusing to play in-state non-BCS schools) but I wouldn't say it was a "pattern".

[49RFootballNow]

South Carolina has played East Carolina 15 times going back to 1977.
Virginia Tech has played East Carolina 16 times going back to 1956 (with most of the games being played from 1987 on)
Ole Miss played Memphis every year from 1976-2009
Ohio State has played at least one of the Ohio MAC schools (or Cincy when they were CUSA) since 1997.
LSU plays regional non-BCS teams every year, mostly the Louisiana schools with a North Texas and Troy mixed in.

There are some BCS teams that don't play local non-BCS teams (primarily the Alabama and Mississippi SEC teams refusing to play in-state non-BCS schools) but I wouldn't say it was a "pattern".

I didn't say they NEVER played each other. There are exceptions to every rule. I'd also say that ECU and the 2 BCS programs you mention aren't usually in direct competition for recruits except maybe the Tidewater area of VA. As for the MAC Ohio schools and THE Ohio St. University I think that example holds little water due to most MAC programs being little more than FCS level quality in the first place. Not sure but I believe I heard somewhere that LSU recieved some form of official "encouragement" to play regional programs? ECU had to use legislative pressure to get Chapel Hill and NC State to play them.

[89Hen]

Think I fixed that for you. BCS programs have shown a patern of NOT playing (or not wanting to play till forced to) non-BCS FBS programs in their "local" recruiting zones. UConn and BC can't even agree to play each other so it would be a major coup if UMass can land either.

Not sure that holds water. In the last 4-5 years:

Michigan vs Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Bowling Green, Miami (OH), Toledo...
Ohio State vs Ohio, Eastern Michigan, Toledo...
Texas vs Rice, UTEP, LA-Monroe, Ark St, TCU...

There aren't any non-BCS FBS programs besides UConn and BC in New England. You'd have to go to Buffalo or Temple to find one and UConn's been playing Temple regularly.

[89Hen]

I didn't say they NEVER played each other. There are exceptions to every rule.

I see Catdaddy already chimed in, but I think the exceptions outnumber the rule in this case.

[GA St. MBB Fan]

I'm wondering how much of a step up this is...

Not really sure, but in the long run, it does give UMass a stronger position for a BCS conference to notice them. But then again, I'm one who thinks that the BCS is not long for this world.

Yep and that is the strongest reason to move "up" to the MAC or SunBelt for any school. No one (apparently not even Villanova) is going to be invited from the FCS to the BCS...without spending time in a non-BCS FBS conference.

[catdaddy2402]

I didn't say they NEVER played each other.

So which is it?

BCS programs have shown a patern of NOT playing (or not wanting to play till forced to) non-BCS FBS programs in their "local" recruiting zones.

While ECU doesn't typically compete with VT and/or South Carolina for their top tier recruits, they do actively compete with them on a regular basis for the second and third tier recruits that make up the majority of every recruiting class.

[93henfan]

This sucks for UMass. They're down 25-6 in the series to Delaware with no chance of ever evening things up.

[Mvemjsunpx]

So, will UMass be an FBS transitional this year (& therefore ineligible for the playoffs)?

The article makes it seem that way, though it's kinda short notice for a move-up.

[PenthouseClosedEnd]

Well, this was the worst kept secret in the world.

Here's hoping the rest of us can lay the wood to the Minutemen this fall on their way out the door.

[Seawolf97]

Good for UMass

[danefan]

Think I fixed that for you. BCS programs have shown a patern of NOT playing (or not wanting to play till forced to) non-BCS FBS programs in their "local" recruiting zones. UConn and BC can't even agree to play each other so it would be a major coup if UMass can land either.

I could see both playing them at Gillette, having that option will be a nice advantage for UMass in their transition.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110419/ap_ ... umass_move" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Gillette will be the home field for 2012 on I'd say it's a distinct possibility of getting a home game against the Northeast BCS teams. Bob Kraft will make it happen. He wants the revenue base at Gillette.

[93henfan]

I could see both playing them at Gillette, having that option will be a nice advantage for UMass in their transition.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110419/ap_ ... umass_move" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Gillette will be the home field for 2012 on I'd say it's a distinct possibility of getting a home game against the Northeast BCS teams. Bob Kraft will make it happen. He wants the revenue base at Gillette.

Massachusetts currently plays its home games at the 17,000-seat McGuirk Stadium on campus. Gillette seats just under 69,000 people and is 93 miles from Amherst.

93 miles from campus. For comparison purposes, that is the equivalent of the University of Delaware playing home games at Fed Ex Field, home of the Washington Redskins. And yes, I do realize how many UMass alums are closer to Foxboro than Amherst.

[proasu89]

Good Luck!

[SuperHornet]

Great. UMASS goes from a shot at a REAL National Championship to a shot at three crap bowls that will cost them $$ in the long run.

• Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl
  GoDaddy.com Bowl
  Humanitarian Bowl

[catdaddy2402]

Great. UMASS goes from a shot at a REAL National Championship to a shot at three crap bowls that will cost them $$ in the long run.

• Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl
  GoDaddy.com Bowl
  Humanitarian Bowl

Say what you want about the bowls being "crap", but the MAC bowl with the least attendance last season almost doubled the attendance of the FCS title game.

[AppMan]

Not really sure, but in the long run, it does give UMass a stronger position for a BCS conference to notice them. But then again, I'm one who thinks that the BCS is not long for this world.

Yep and that is the strongest reason to move "up" to the MAC or SunBelt for any school. No one (apparently not even Villanova) is going to be invited from the FCS to the BCS...without spending time in a non-BCS FBS conference.

Gotta learn how to walk before you can run.

[Col Hogan]

So, will UMass be an FBS transitional this year (& therefore ineligible for the playoffs)?

The article makes it seem that way, though it's kinda short notice for a move-up.

My understanding is that once we announce it officially we become transitional...ineligible for the playoffs this season...

And while any transfer from an FBS team prior to the announcement can play this year...any transfers after the announcement must sit out a year and lose a year of eligibility...

[Col Hogan]

I could see both playing them at Gillette, having that option will be a nice advantage for UMass in their transition.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110419/ap_ ... umass_move" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Gillette will be the home field for 2012 on I'd say it's a distinct possibility of getting a home game against the Northeast BCS teams. Bob Kraft will make it happen. He wants the revenue base at Gillette.

I'll be shocked if we play every game at the Razor.....two a season, maybe the teams we're trying to develop rivalries with...will move to Foxboro

[Col Hogan]

Good Luck!

Thank you...we'll need it...

[Col Hogan]

Great. UMASS goes from a shot at a REAL National Championship to a shot at three crap bowls that will cost them $$ in the long run.

• Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl
  GoDaddy.com Bowl
  Humanitarian Bowl

At least we've won one...how's that doing for Sac State???

You left out the TV contract with a real sports network that brings in $$$...and the higher pay out for money games...all that will help build the program...

[Col Hogan]

This sucks for UMass. They're down 25-6 in the series to Delaware with no chance of ever evening things up.

If the Hens ever stopped playing North East Southern Chester School for the Handicapped and played a real money game, you might just get a few more trips to Amherst...

[93henfan]

This sucks for UMass. They're down 25-6 in the series to Delaware with no chance of ever evening things up.

If the Hens ever stopped playing North East Southern Chester School for the Handicapped and played a real money game, you might just get a few more trips to Amherst...

We make more money off West Chester than you guys could afford to pay us with your 13K average.

Btw, I believe our last game with WCUPA is next year, praise the Lord.

[slycat]

So, will UMass be an FBS transitional this year (& therefore ineligible for the playoffs)?

The article makes it seem that way, though it's kinda short notice for a move-up.

My understanding is that once we announce it officially we become transitional...ineligible for the playoffs this season...

And while any transfer from an FBS team prior to the announcement can play this year...any transfers after the announcement must sit out a year and lose a year of eligibility...

You are correct. The December window was the last time transfers could come to San Marcos and not sit out a year. And no playoffs as well. Maybe Texas St should set up a game with UMass and call it the transitional championship.

[Catattack]

You left out the TV contract with a real sports network that brings in $$$...and the higher pay out for money games...all that will help build the program...

What is the MAC tv contract worth per team ?

[LastMinuteman]

The TV money isn't that great. It will pay for 2 or 3 long distance road games. But that's 2 or 3 more flights paid for than we'd have in the CAA. And the exposure and production values of ESPN beat CSN-NE. That will pay dividends in less easily measured ways.