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NIU to join the MWC

Posted on 1/3/25 at 1:29 pm
Posted by msudawg1200
Central Mississippi
Member since Jun 2014
10620 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 1:29 pm
Northern Illinois is leaving the MAC to join the MWC as a football only member beginning in 2026. All other sports are looking for a new home perhaps the Horizon or MVC. NIU pulled this after the 1985-86 school year when all sports went independent, because the school president thought NIU was "too good" for the MAC. After four years as an independent most sports joined the Mid-Continent Conference, then in 1994 the Horizon. The football team remained independent until 1993, when they joined the Big West until 1995. They were actually hoping for a Big 8 invite which never came, and by 1997 had rejoined the MAC. Is joining the MWC move or not for Huskies football?
Posted by MasterAbe1
Member since Oct 2016
6415 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 1:31 pm to
Stupid. Sometimes it’s best to realize what you are as a program, and just be the best there
Posted by Muahahaha
Ohio
Member since Nov 2005
6779 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 1:37 pm to
Is the MWC better than the MAC?
Posted by Raoul Stimulato
Hale Bopp Comet
Member since Sep 2022
1983 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 1:38 pm to
NIU officials should’ve consulted Master Abe 1 before making this move.

They clearly didn’t run the numbers.

But he did.

And now guess what?

They’re fukkkdd.
This post was edited on 1/3/25 at 1:50 pm
Posted by McMillan
Member since Jul 2018
7124 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 1:40 pm to
Could the MAC take one of the Dakota teams from the FCS, please ?
Posted by msudawg1200
Central Mississippi
Member since Jun 2014
10620 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 1:43 pm to
quote:

Is the MWC better than the MAC?

Supposedly more money in the MWC

New MWC-Air Force, Nevada, UNLV, San Jose St, Wyoming, New Mexico, Hawaii, UTEP, and NIU

MAC-Buffalo, Toledo, Bowling Green, Miami OH, Ohio, Kent St, Ball St, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Akron, and UMass(football in 2025)
Posted by TheWalrus
Land of the Hogs
Member since Dec 2012
46135 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 1:45 pm to
NIU, UNI is Northern Iowa
Posted by Hoops
LA
Member since Jan 2013
7860 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 1:52 pm to
Still took that L when Gameday came for their game at BG
Posted by BZ504
Texas
Member since Oct 2005
12673 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 2:33 pm to
They beat Notre Dame and they join a conference that might be slightly better than Maction.
Posted by Cliff Booth
Member since Feb 2021
3098 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 3:02 pm to
This is a weird one. If they joined the old MW, I'd get it, but the new MW is gonna have a hard time getting the G5 spot in the playoff.

Not sure that's worth knocking all your other sports down to a lower tier conference.
Posted by Montezuma
Member since Apr 2013
3659 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 3:57 pm to
Their other sports were not lighting the world on fire, and they were very vocal about MACtion killing their attendance. But the MWC is a shell of itself and not sure if this really sets themselves up for any true benefit.
Posted by CR4090
Member since Apr 2023
8037 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 4:06 pm to
Why?
Posted by Dr RC
The Money Pit
Member since Aug 2011
61069 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 4:31 pm to
quote:

Is the MWC better than the MAC?


The money should be significantly better than what they get from the MAC at this point. Not sure what it might be in the future but it's pretty obvious staying in the MAC is the road more likely to lead to being relegated to a lower division.
This post was edited on 1/3/25 at 4:32 pm
Posted by hogwildinhouston
Member since Oct 2011
789 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 4:40 pm to
quote:

Stupid. Sometimes it’s best to realize what you are as a program, and just be the best there


Exactly. Idaho learned this the hard way.

Dominated in FCS for long periods, had several HCs who lead big programs. Decided they wanted to battle Boise St, and moved to FBS.
Total disaster...

Back to FCS, and finally getting back to being tops there again.

Just like in life...never try to get promoted above your ability.

Posted by GeauxTigers123
Member since Feb 2007
3054 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 5:01 pm to
quote:

Dominated in FCS for long periods, had several HCs who lead big programs. Decided they wanted to battle Boise St, and moved to FBS.


Is the money way better in FBS? Like otherwise why would teams like ULM stay.
Posted by Dr RC
The Money Pit
Member since Aug 2011
61069 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 5:10 pm to
quote:

Exactly. Idaho learned this the hard way.

Dominated in FCS for long periods, had several HCs who lead big programs. Decided they wanted to battle Boise St, and moved to FBS.
Total disaster...





Idaho and Boise both joined FBS (then 1A) via the Big West the exact same year. Idaho actually won the conference in '98 before Boise in '99. They went 3-0 in bowls and went 9-4 two years before dropping down.

The only reason Idaho went back to FCS was the Big West and the WAC collapsed as football conferences and Sun Belt was no longer willing to keep them as a football only member. This made it nearly impossible for them to set up a schedule.

NMSU was barely able to survive as an independent until CUSA rescued them b/c they at least were close enough to schools that were willing to travel to their place for a few home games. Idaho didn't really have that to help them along the way b/c of how far out in BFE they are located. Even then NMSU was forced to do weird shite like play teams twice home and away the same year just to fill out a full 12 games.

Idaho would still be FBS to this day had those conference collapses not happened and would have happily joined CUSA had it been an option when the Sun Belt dumped them.
This post was edited on 1/3/25 at 5:20 pm
Posted by GhostofJackson
Speedy Teflon Wizard
Member since Nov 2009
7031 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 7:10 pm to
quote:

Is the money way better in FBS? Like otherwise why would teams like ULM stay.


Yes, ULM wouldn't bring in enough money to field a team in FCS. It's not even an option.
Posted by chalmetteowl
Chalmette
Member since Jan 2008
53516 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 8:31 pm to
quote:

Yes, ULM wouldn't bring in enough money to field a team in FCS. It's not even an option.


But then they’d spend less

Tech, ULL, and ULM exist in a weird G5 purgatory with no potential to move up
Posted by LSUMJ
BR
Member since Sep 2004
20600 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 8:42 pm to
Will new conference money offset travel costs?
Posted by red sox fan 13
Valley Park
Member since Aug 2018
18220 posts
Posted on 1/3/25 at 10:42 pm to
Leaving the MAC is stupid. That’s the last real old school regional conference, and the teams also don’t have illusions about what they are. You have stability with the MAC.
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