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What U-Conn's Conference Annoucement Could Mean For The MAC


For college athletics, the summer months truly are the dog days of summer for news cycles. That much is very true here in the Hustle Belt region of the Midwest. So with yesterday’s news that U-Conn would be joining (re-joining?) the Big East, it represented a significant dot on the MAC landscape. With little to talk about, social media began linking U-Conn to the MAC.

For those who are unaware, U-Conn is going all in on their basketball programs, which has typically been the schools most prestigious brand among athletics. The school had played in the American Athletic Conference since the original Big East imploded in 2013. The current Big East is home to Butler, Creighton (No relation to EMU’S Chris), DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, St. Johns, Seton Hall, Villanova and Xaiver. Most all of these schools are known basketball brands and a step up in play from the American Athletic Conference, where the toughest schools are typically Cincinnati, Houston and Wichita State. These schools also do not offer football.

The school had joined the American, with the idea that the conference would best serve all of their sports, especially football. The University was investing in renovations for Rentschler Field and the program had seen an uptick in success under Randy Edsell, culminating with a 2011 Fiesta Bowl appearance. Since then the football program has cratered out and although Edsell has returned to U-Conn, the Huskies won just one game last season with attendance bottoming out.

It is simply no longer feasible for U-Conn to play in the American just to support their struggling football program while their basketball program and other sports deserve better, which the Big East can offer with tougher schedules, more payouts, higher fan interest and more nationally televised games. As the new Big East does not sponsor football, it is hard to see where U-Conn football fits. The program could stay in the American, but the conference may not welcome a school who is leaving to stay in the conference. Why help out your ex? Playing as an independent is possible but fellow northeast school, U-Mass (who is in a similar situation) has not had much profitability going that route. They could drop back down to the FCS level where they had success previously, but that seems like a step back after previous investments to the program. That would leave conference USA and our beloved Mid-American Conference.

Both conferences have already been rumored to have little to no interest in U-Conn, which makes sense. The MAC is at 12 teams as it stands now, a nice even number. U-Conn would require significant travel to the northeast for any school other than Buffalo. The MAC opted away from football only partnerships with schools like Temple and most recently, U-Mass. It is not like the U-Conn football program would significantly improve the conferences prestige or standing nationally. Although it might be appealing to explore an arrangement like the MAC did with U-Mass basketball. U-Mass played in the MAC as a football only affiliate but part of their deal was to travel to MAC schools for non-conference basketball games, on occasion. These games were typically decent draws and often highlighted the MAC schools non conference slates. It would be a minimal positive to such an arrangement.

Perhaps the biggest effect on the MAC will come from the trickle down. While U-Conn moving conferences is not a major domino outside of the college basketball spectrum, it does have the chance to impact the group of five. If the American Athletic Conference moves to replace U-Conn, Buffalo could be a possibility. Buffalo has had recent athletic success and would replace U-Conn as the conferences northeastern school. Buffalo also has strong enrollment, decent facilities and is near a fairly major market in Buffalo. Maybe Northern Illinois would interest the American, with its proximity to Chicago and previous interest from the Big 12. Toledo could also be somewhat of a fit with a well-run athletic department and strong fan support. Another possibility could be the American Athletic going for Conference USA schools again, and Conference USA targeting MAC schools to replace their potential loses.

There is a chance that U-Conn’s decision will impact the MAC, but there is also a chance that the MAC will be see no impact from their move. Decisions like this are typically not made without a school’s athletic department thinking out all possible repercussions, so we could soon learn the plans for the Connecticut football program. I would not hold my breath on those plans including the Mid-American Conference.

This post was submitted by one of our esteemed readers and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or thoughts of Hustle Belt or SB Nation.