It's the Return of the MAC. (UMASS joins the Mid-American Conference in 2025.)

[@jcmartin6305]

AS A FORMER STUDENT ATHLETE AT UMASS AND NOW AT VALDOSTA STATE WHAT HE IS SAYING ABOUT THE ATTENDANCE IS TRUE FROM FRANK MARTIN

[@w.alan.21]

None of the MAC schools are private. Good info 👍

[@killuhcam27]

Rhode Island and Albany should be considered because they would be rivals and travel partners for UMass and help balance out this new large geographic footprint

[@bbspeaks6260]

Interesting. I don’t know much about those programs. Do they have large enough budgets, and investments to run at the FBS level?

[@killuhcam27]

@@bbspeaks6260 I don’t know about those schools exact budgets but Albany along with Buffalo are the two flagship universities of New York’s public colleges so they would pair well together and are a short drive from UMass. Albany also has a really nice looking stadium that was recently renovated that I personally want to visit one of these days, it’s on the smaller end but that’s not that big of a deal nowadays. Rhode Island is the flagship of their state, are long term conference mates and rivals of UMass. They are A10 members and CAA football members which are quite respectable conferences so they would help justify UMass’s move. Their stadium is a little dated but by the looks of it it could get renovated fairly easily but even as is they could host FBS MAC football when you compare it to other new FBS stadiums like SHSU and Kennesaw state. Another reason Rhode Island could have for a potential move would be that with UMass’s departure, RI will be only one of three public colleges in a conference of 14 total schools so they may be a better institutional fit in the new look MAC

[@killuhcam27]

@@bbspeaks6260 I don’t know what their athletic budgets are but I think they’d be in the realm of possibility for a move up to fbs. Albany is, along with Buffalo, one of the two flagship universities in New York’s public university system and is a close drive to UMass. They have a really nice looking recently renovated football field that is a little small but would still be more than sufficient for G5 football. Rhode Island is also the flagship university of their state, a long time conference mate and rival of UMass in the A10, a more historically prestigious Olympic sports conference compared to the MAC so they could follow their rival to the MAC to possibly have an easier route to March Madness. Another reason the university could use to justify a conference change is that after UMass’s departure, rhode island will be only one of three public schools in a conference with 14 members so I think in the future they would be a better institutional fit in the new look MAC. One negative is their football stadium is a little lacking and could definitely benefit from a renovation but comparing it to recent fcs call ups like Sam Houston and Kennesaw State I think what they have will be sufficient for the short term

[@bbspeaks6260]

Nice info. I’ll be sure to put them I’m the mix on any future vids.

[@bobbolondz2701]

UMass only big rival in the A10 is Rhode Island. The big challenge will be recruiting east coast prospects to play in a midwestern league

[@bbspeaks6260]

How much of an impact do you think that point is? I mean. Would I care wear people are from if I’m competing to win? Or is that more of a function of family being able to attend?

[@G_54-GMG]

UMass and UConn should just go back to the FCS level

[@bbspeaks6260]

Well if UMass wants to stay at FBS I think they made the best move for now.

[@G_54-GMG]

@@bbspeaks6260 I don't know. A lot of the stuff that they have is abysmal, the athletic department is apathetic when it comes to football, their fan base is apathetic when it comes to football, they are nowhere near the Boston market because they're in Amherst, and this is a school that cares way more about hockey or basketball than they do football. They're more okay with getting their butt whooped than building a competitive football team.

[@Z64sports]

If they never accepted the first full invitation how is this a "return"?

[@bbspeaks6260]

They played football for several years as a member of the conference. Partial or full they were still counted as a member.

[@stephenstaedtler6902]

I was surprised UMass went to the MAC. It is worse than CUSA in basketball, baseball, softball, and was even slightly worse in football this past year. It's hard to imagine UMass making MAC football better considering their FBS record is 24-112. I think UMass is too obsessed with academics rather than sports. As a CUSA fan, I am glad we missed out on this one.

[@bbspeaks6260]

Can any college be too obsessed with academics?

[@stephenstaedtler6902]

@@bbspeaks6260 - It's one thing to be obsessed with academics of your own institution, but it is another thing to think all your sports relationships and conferences must be based on academics. Judging by what we've seen recently from Ivy league students and protests, maybe some of the academics aren't what they are cracked up to be.

[@bbspeaks6260]

@@stephenstaedtler6902 I see your point. However, I tend to believe that academics is a leverage tool these days. For instance the BIGTEN uses the AAU designation as a way to keep brands/schools that they don't want in the conference out. The FSU question is one that will force the BIGTEN to show their cards.