The move brings the Minutemen back to the MAC for the first time since 2012-15 when UMass was a football-only affiliate.

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“Today marks a historic moment for the Mid-American Conference as we proudly welcome the University of Massachusetts into our family,” MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher stated in a release. “Adding UMass is an exciting next step as we increase the strength of our collective programs. We are thrilled to welcome their student-athletes, coaches, administrators, alumni and fans to the Conference.  The opportunity to add a state flagship institution with exceptional academics and a storied athletics tradition does not come along often.  I look forward to our collaborative efforts in providing outstanding opportunities for student-athletes to maximize their intellectual and athletic pursuits.”

According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, UMass hockey will remain in Hockey East and lacrosse will “apply to stay in (the Atlantic-10) as an affiliate member.”

READ: Notre Dame LB Marist Liufau learning ‘how I can help the team’ at NFL Combine

The Minutemen had been an independent in football. Now, they’ll return to the MAC and compete as part of a conference that could yield a participant in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame and UConn remain as the lone two independent teams in college football. Army will become a member of the American Athletic Conference next season.

UMass went 3-9 last season under second-year head coach Don Brown.

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Among the things the CFP must address includes its television contract, which will enter its final year in 2025.

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According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports, the CFP “has not agreed to a new television contract” despite reports it had reached a new six-year extension with ESPN.

Mid-American Conference commissioner and CFP Management Committee member Jon Steinbrecher denied the reported new agreement with ESPN in an email dated last Tuesday and obtained by Yahoo! Sports.

Rumors and reports have swirled about the CFP and ESPN negotiating a new deal with some mentions of a media rights extension through 2031 that would be “worth about $1.3 billion annually,” according to Yahoo! Sports.

The CFP Board of Managers will meet Tuesday and “is expected to vote on a move from a 6+6 format to a 5+7 format in the 12-team expanded playoff format,” according to Yahoo! Sports.

Under the new 12-team CFP, the 6+6 format would allow six conference champions and six at-large teams to comprise the field.

READ: George Kliavkoff, Pac-12 ‘mutually’ part ways effective Feb. 29

In the 5+7 format, the Power Four conference champions and a Group of Five would earn automatic bids while the remaining seven highest ranked teams would get in the Playoff. Because conference expansion impacted the Pac-12 and it has Oregon State and Washington State left in the conference, the Pac-12 is not eligible to receive an automatic berth due to it not meeting the eight-school minimum.

CFP commissioners will meet Wednesday in Dallas, according to Yahoo! Sports, and address some of the bigger topics surrounding college football. 

In order for the CFP to adopt the 5+7 format, the 11-member Board of Managers “needs unanimity” in its vote.

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