Eastern Michigan University athletic director Derrick Gragg wouldn’t be surprised if the Mid-American Conference issues invitations to one or two institutions to join the MAC in the near future.

“I think the MAC is going to try to extend invitations to one or two institutions in the next year or two,” he said.

Talking to the EMU Board of Regents Athletic Affairs Committee this afternoon, Gragg said current MAC members will be attending a retreat Oct. 11 to 13 to discuss various issues, including the shifting national collegiate sports landscape and what moves the MAC needs to make.

He said he hopes to learn more about any expansion plans during that meeting.

During his report, Gragg touched on the struggles of the Western Athletic Conference, which has been losing members.

That could result in the conference ranking for the WAC dropping and mean an increase in overall conference ranking for the MAC.

Gragg did not speculate on any members that might be added to the MAC or, at least, invited.

In addition he said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Temple University, which is on a two-year, football-only deal to leave for another conference at the end of its agreement.

A number of conferences shifted members over the summer, including the announcement that Nebraska will join the Big Ten.

Gragg said he would report back to the regents any news he could talk about in future meetings.

David Jesse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.