If they weren't awaken to MAC football as a football-only member, then what has changed for UMass? I suspect UConn fans would have a similar attitude as UMass fans. I doubt the additions of UConn and UMass will have any impact on the MAC's bowl tie-ins. Here is the MAC's current tie-ins (based on best possible games and geography).

Bahamas Bowl vs. Conference USA
Camellia Bowl vs. American Athletic or Sun Belt
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl vs. Mountain West
LendingTree Bowl vs. Sun Belt
Offerpad Arizona Bowl vs. Mountain West
Quick Lane Bowl vs. Big Ten

To be determined among the Group of Five conferences. MAC will get spots in two of these bowls

Cure Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
Myrtle Beach Bowl vs. American Athletic or Sun Belt
New Mexico Bowl vs. Conference USA
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl vs. Group of Five or Army

Remember conferences are not in the charity business. They seek to add members only if the conference can benefit from the new members. What incentive does UConn (or UMass) have to agree to join the West Division? Neither school is like Navy, which wanted to be placed in the AAC's West Division, because neither school recruits nationally.

WRT to JMU joining the MAC, how do you know JMU is even interested in joining the MAC? A few years ago the Daily News Record reported that Delaware and JMU did have conversations with the MAC about joining the conference. The article wasn't clear about whether it was a football-only membership or full membership. However, that deal fell through for at least 2 reasons. First, Delaware wasn't ready to end its football rivalry with Villanova. Second, JMU believed that the MAC didn't have enough representation in the 2 regions that are most important for out-of-state recruiting; the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. Remember JMU doesn't get very many students from the Midwest/Central region. I doubt JMU's interest in the MAC has changed any since that article was published. FWIW JMU has turned down offers from both Conference USA and the Sun Belt for the same reason. If JMU is going to switch DI subdivisions, then according to JMU's AD, it will be for a "northern" conference with somewhat strong ties to the Mid-Atlantic and/or New England regions.