UMass, UTSA & TxSt Back to FCS?

[GoApps70]

Noticed a lot of conversation on the MAC board about them dropping UMass because of Temple deciding to go to the BE. Evidently it is in their agreement with UMass suppossedly.
Also, a lot of posters are saying that UTSA and Texas State will not complete their FBS membership if the WAC folds, which seems possible.
Both things are hard to believe. Has anyone else heard or know anything about these situations.

[danefan]

UMass MAC agreement is directly tied to Temple being in the MAC.

If Temple leaves, the MAC can opt out of the UMass agreement after two years.

If Temple withdraws from the MAC, both UMass and the conference have options. UMass could withdraw with the exit fee of $2.5 million reduced by 80 percent to $500,000. The MAC could choose to switch UMass to a two-year membership or the two parties can agree to continue their arrangement without the Owls.

http://www.gazettenet.com/2012/02/23/um ... r-big-east" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bluehenbillk]

I have a hard time believing UMass would tuck tail & come back to FCS.

[danefan]

I have a hard time believing UMass would tuck tail & come back to FCS.

What do they do if the MAC opts out though?

[89Hen]

I have a hard time believing UMass would tuck tail & come back to FCS.

What do they do if the MAC opts out though?

What their state legislature wanted all along... drop football.

[TribeFanInNC]

I have a hard time believing UMass would tuck tail & come back to FCS.

What do they do if the MAC opts out though?

Call the Big East?

[bluehenbillk]

If I were UMass you know UConn wants out of the Big East, when they go that's when you slide in there.

[Darell1976]

Noticed a lot of conversation on the MAC board about them dropping UMass because of Temple deciding to go to the BE. Evidently it is in their agreement with UMass suppossedly.
Also, a lot of posters are saying that UTSA and Texas State will not complete their FBS membership if the WAC folds, which seems possible.
Both things are hard to believe. Has anyone else heard or know anything about these situations.

Couldn't they be an Independent until another conference opens. Its not their fault if the WAC folds. I know you can't move from FCS to an Independent that you have to be in a conference...I would think this rule wouldn't apply if the conference folds. I can't remember the last time a conference folded except the SWC which merged with the Big 8 and other conferences.

[slycat]

Texas St and UTSA will most likely fall to the Sunbelt if the WAC folds. Hard to think a conference doesn't take a chance on UTSA after averaging 35000 fans and the San Antonio market. And Texas St will have their 30,000 seat stadium open this year and host Texas Tech. I'm thinking an average of at least 25,000 by the end of the season. Different situations then UMass who will Be playing far from campus. Texas St become FBS July 1, 2012. UTSA will be July 1, 2013.

[Cap'n Cat]

Is UMass' stadium any good?

[BDKJMU]

Old stadium:



New stadium:




"...Further, the 2011 season was the last at McGuirk Stadium before a major renovation project. For the 2012 and 2013 seasons the Minutemen will play all of their home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.[4] During this time period plans are in place to upgrade McGuirk Stadium to adequate FBS conditions. Stadium seating is to be increased to about 25,000 seats with more seats being added to the sidelines as well as seating additions to the south end of the stadium. The north end will have a new training facility and locker rooms added, and the press box will be elevated to 2 levels with more TV/radio booths as well as Luxury Suites being added.[5]
The cost of this construction is estimated at $20,000,000 and is expected to be completed in time for the 2014 season. The deal with Gillette Stadium calls for UMass to play at least 4 games per year at the stadium from 2014-2016 which would leave open the possibility for 1-2 games per season during those years to be played on campus at McGuirk Stadium. One of the main reasons for the possibility of games during that period at McGuirk is that the current Mid American Conference TV contract with ESPN typically schedules a handful of MAC games to be played on Tuesday nights in October and November. The thought process is that if UMass were scheduled a home matchup for one of the weeknight games the game could be played on campus thus negating the need to bus students to and from Gillette Stadium late at night on a school night.
The McGuirk renovation project took a big step toward completion, when the UMass Trustees approved a five year 3.1 Billion dollar capital plan. Included in the plan is 30 million dollars to be spent renovating the stadium as part of the transition to FBS football play.[6]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_McG ... ni_Stadium" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SuperHornet]

Just as an extension of what slycat said, I've heard of the possibility that the Sun Belt might just absorb what's left of the WAC, which would obviously included TX St and UTSA.