Conference realignment 3.0

[jpatsfan]

Guys its happening and much faster than expected. Rumors are now swirling that Memphis and Cincy will be going to the Big 12. Today's CFP just set in motion the next wave and UMass has to be right smack in the middle of it. See the articles below:

http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-men ... story.html

http://memphisport.com/2014/12/5-reason ... f-memphis/

http://www.bcsnn.com/aac/777-big-12-loo ... rcats.html

http://www.espn929.com/johnmartin/Nashv ... 2/20457311

At this point, the AAC has some difficult options ahead and I have to think now UMass has got to be in the discussion. They will need two basketball schools with FBS programs and UMass and Army comes to mind. Best case scenario, Navy upgrades to full membership and Army and UMass get full invites. AAC gets the annual Army-Navy game on CBS, and they add UMass basketball which is rising and was in the NCAA tournament last year. However, we are now forced to do something about our on-campus stadium (expansion).

[njumass08]

Have to hope.

[DEM]

In an ideal world, this realignment business would hold off another year. I'd like our football program to have a better FBS resume (bowl game and/or MAC championship, which could potentially happen next year); on the other hand, this past season the program has at least shown some sign of competence. We'll see what happens...

[photoman]

Basketball's not helping the situation so far this year...

[MajBugman]

In an ideal world, this realignment business would hold off another year. I'd like our football program to have a better FBS resume (bowl game and/or MAC championship, which could potentially happen next year); on the other hand, this past season the program has at least shown some sign of competence. We'll see what happens...

Agree, would also give another year to get attendance figures up. Maybe at least announce stadium upgrades. Smallest stadium in the AAC is 30K. I know they got the Razor, but would the AAC let them play any games in Amherst?

[jpatsfan]

In an ideal world, this realignment business would hold off another year. I'd like our football program to have a better FBS resume (bowl game and/or MAC championship, which could potentially happen next year); on the other hand, this past season the program has at least shown some sign of competence. We'll see what happens...

Agree, would also give another year to get attendance figures up. Maybe at least announce stadium upgrades. Smallest stadium in the AAC is 30K. I know they got the Razor, but would the AAC let them play any games in Amherst?

No. And the AAC should demand a stadium upgrade.

[NJminuteman]

It looks like the Big12 will be adding at least two more schools. BYU has shown interest in joining, and I would imagine they have the most appeal. The question is who will be the second school. I don't see both Memphis and Cincinnati going together, so where does that leave the AAC if only one leaves?

[eldonabe]

In an ideal world, this realignment business would hold off another year. I'd like our football program to have a better FBS resume (bowl game and/or MAC championship, which could potentially happen next year); on the other hand, this past season the program has at least shown some sign of competence. We'll see what happens...

Agree, would also give another year to get attendance figures up. Maybe at least announce stadium upgrades. Smallest stadium in the AAC is 30K. I know they got the Razor, but would the AAC let them play any games in Amherst?

No. And the AAC should demand a stadium upgrade.

Considreing how much they just spent on that facility, the only thing will do is upgrade the current situation so that would mean capping the other end with seats and maybe adding more to the top (higher up?). How many more seats can they realistically and safely add to McGuirk - 5k or 6k ??? Can they add seats on top of/around the football center? That assuredly means a few more years of all "home" games 90 miles away than on campus for sure.


Here is a/the bigger question: If McCutcheon goes who makes the call on his replacement? I don't care what the politics are of the person is coming in, I care about the policits of the person(s) who are putting that guy in there. Are they pro-football or are we looking at the cliff notes version of UAB?

[photoman]

^ I don't believe the new building (nor the press box for that matter) is physically attached to the old dumpy stadium, so a knockdown/rebuild should not be out of the question.

[Frigidevil]

^ I don't believe the new building (nor the press box for that matter) is physically attached to the old dumpy stadium, so a knockdown/rebuild should not be out of the question.

That would allow us to play games in McGuirk until it's complete too. Another year of being banished to Gilette for the entire season would suck.

[njumass08]

The press box can be moved higher if needed. At least that is what I was told.

[KahunaK]

Looks like Cincinnati has a leg up on getting into the Big 12.

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basket ... =Home_DL_2

[Sam Minuteman]

Looks like Cincinnati has a leg up on getting into the Big 12.

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basket ... =Home_DL_2

McMurphy has been on top of most expansion news from the start, doesn't sound like it's happening.

Brett McMurphy ‏@McMurphyESPN 1h1 hour ago
At Big 12 function in NY: no one ever talked to Cincy, OU’s Joe C wasn't at UCF & SMU’s BOR report UM/Cincy getting invites wrong

Regarding the stadium I really hope that the endzones can be worked on without having to shut the stadium down for a year or two!

[photoman]

^Closing off an endzone may be the easiest solution to adding seats but the problem is it's adding bad seats. End zone seats provide the worst possible view of the field and would be considered the "cheap seats" at any stadium. I'd much rather see additions made to the sideline seats. This would be secondary to my first thought of knocking down the current ancient stadium and using that space for parking or support buildings and then move the stadium location further back.

[DPBOS]

Guys its happening and much faster than expected. Rumors are now swirling that Memphis and Cincy will be going to the Big 12. Today's CFP just set in motion the next wave and UMass has to be right smack in the middle of it.

Except rumors were quickly shot down, more realignment does not appear to be happening now, and it may well not happen, may occur slower than expected, the Big XII may blow up, etc. Until it happens, people will continue to speculate without sufficient insight nor facts.