MAC Blogger Roundtable....

Our host this week is The Chips Report....


1) CMU's head coach, Dan Enos, complained about his team's schedule and playing 3 conference games in 12 days. Give your opinions on why lopsided MAC scheduling continues to happen.

I'm glad I don't have the job of balancing the MAC's commitment to our ESPN overlords, play games across the space of weekdays and then also try to make sure that teams don't have short weeks.  A team of theoretical mathmeticians would have trouble with it...and I'm pretty sure we don't have people like that doing it.  To me, it goes back to compromises...the MAC has compromised everything to be on ESPN.  They disenfranchise the fan bases and ruin the competitive basis of the game, just to be on ESPN.  I understand we are getting paid.  However, the other reason cited for why it is a good thing for us is that it gives us exposure and helps recruit, to which, I ask this question:

If that is so good, why has the quality of MAC football fallen in the ESPN-era?

2) Do these basketball scores Toledo and NIU have been putting up reflect positively or negatively on the MAC?

Yes, they do.  I mean, it doesn't matter, because the big boys in college football will never respect the MAC no matter what we do, so we shouldn't spend too much time worrying about it.  But, no, it brands the conference as "not playing defense" and not playing "real football."

3) What are your thoughts on the weekday, ESPN MAC schedule? Does TV exposure outweigh attendance?

I think we have largely sold our soul for the ESPN contract, and have done so without any corresponding gains.  As noted above, the ESPN-era has marked a low point in the MAC's national competitiveness.  To answer the question directly, no, I don't think the exposure outweighs the attendance....the money might, but the exposure does not.  By the way, how do prospective recruits feel watching a Wednesday night game with 80% of the seats empty?

4) What play has made the biggest difference (positive or negative) in your respective team's season?


Excellent question!  We're 4-6, so I think it has to be a negative play.  I'd say that the one that comes to mind is the pass out of the end zone by Terrence Owens in the BG-UT game where BG had the chance to get great field position and perhaps win the game.  A close second would be the missed extra point against Wyoming.  A positive play?  How about Anthon Samuels game-changing 96 yard run @Miami.

5) Rank em'

1. NIU
2. UT
3. OU
4. Temple
5. Ball State
6. EMU
7. WMU
8. Miami
9. Kent
10. BG
11. Buffalo
12. CMU
13. Akron