UMass could be getting nervous about its anticipated move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision amid nationwide conference upheaval, The Boston Globe reports.
The Minutemen, who are set to join the Mid-American Conference as an FBS (formerly Division I-A) member in 2012, are worried about the Big East's possible intrusion into the MAC for football-only member Temple, Mark Blaudschun reports. UMass' agreement with the MAC is reportedly linked to Temple.
"According to the agreement, if Temple, which is high on the list of candidates to move into the Big East, leaves the MAC, the conference then can use an option that could put a two-year limit on UMass' membership," Blaudschun writes. "Other options include honoring the existing agreement, or taking UMass as a full member."
What this seems to mean — although the whole situation is convoluted — is that the MAC doesn't want a new member that will pick up and leave in five years, as Temple did. So the league could place a limit on UMass' initial membership. (UMass reportedly wants to join as a football-only member and remain in the Atlantic 10 Conference in other sports, as Temple did.)
Read the Globe story by clicking here (registration required).
