The MAC is in a bit of a pickle because there aren't really any options to expand into KY, PA, NJ, MD, and back into IL. Yes, I know there are DI-FCS and even DII schools in those states. However, those schools are either not in the position to make the move to DI-FBS for football or have any desire to make the move for various reasons. Plus, an argument could be made that Buffalo and UMass should be in the AAC or even C-USA instead of the MAC because they are geographic outliers to the MAC footprint. When Western Kentucky (WKU) announced it was switching to DI-FBS, I was hoping that Buffalo would have joined the AAC so the MAC could fill that spot with WKU. If that had happened then the 6 OH schools (which is probably too much) could have been placed in a division with the 3 MI schools, Ball State, No. Illinois, and WKU in the other division. As far as the Sun Belt losing its footprint of being a strictly southern conference, that may have already happened when Marshall joined the conference. At least I don't think there is a consensus among people that WV is considered to be a "southern state." Plus, if you consider the Sun Belt region to be a "southern region," then some maps have the northern part of the region stopping in the southern part of AR, NC, and TN. Which would mean that Arkansas State, Appalachian State, Middle Tennessee State (when it was a member), Western Kentucky (when it was a member), JMU, ODU, and Marshall are technically outside the Sun Belt region.