It doesn't matter how good the AAC is or becomes in football, there is a playoff football committee that by design is only allowed to vote on certain FBS conferences, the AAC not being one of them... AAC might get as powerful as any conference but will never be a p6 in today's landscape.
Committees that make selections for sports games is just wrong, in most any sport imo
(This post was last modified: 05-03-2017 06:17 PM by JHS55.)
(05-03-2017 06:02 PM)JHS55 Wrote: It doesn't matter how good the AAC is or becomes in football, there is a playoff football committee that by design is only allowed to vote on certain FBS conferences, the AAC not being one of them...
Power schools that make more than other G5 schools.
Boise State
BYU
Army
Navy
Air Force
Boise State's does have a deal with ESPN for home games.
BYU also have a deal with ESPN and their own Network.
The 3 military schools do get extra cash for the Armed Forces Network and CBS. The three schools do have games broadcast in other countries like Germany, Australia, Japan, South Korea and so forth where there are military bases are located at for the US. That is why most of the colleges in those countries do have college football.
What it really means is that they want to become attractive enough that
1) ESPN is willing to pay them +20mil/team for their TV rights
2) A major NY6 Bowl wants their champ for an auto bid
I would say to do that their goal needs to be a conference avg attendance of 50k or better and just continue to improve attendance facilities and support.
Also note: The current P conferences have NOTHING to do with achieving those goals. It's entirely on the AAC schools to achieve these goals (as they should be)
(This post was last modified: 05-03-2017 09:27 PM by 10thMountain.)
I'd rather have a commissioner that tries to push a new narrative than one that doesn't even give it a shot. I know it's not true, but you have to believe in your product. Hair Thompson does not, and the MW suffers because of it.
(05-03-2017 03:44 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote: This is not going to end well.......
The American reminds me of the MWC before 2010. They claimed they were the 7th AQ league and that was with BYU, TCU and Utah which the AAC lacks. Just like the MWC, the AAC will learn that individual schools not entire conferences get picked by the cartel. But hey, at least I give them credit by trying.
Actually the MWC was more like CUSA 1.0; in fact one of the MWC's strongest team's (TCU) was from CUSA 1.0.
(05-03-2017 09:25 PM)10thMountain Wrote: If they want to aim high then good for them.
What it really means is that they want to become attractive enough that
1) ESPN is willing to pay them +20mil/team for their TV rights
2) A major NY6 Bowl wants their champ for an auto bid
I would say to do that their goal needs to be a conference avg attendance of 50k or better and just continue to improve attendance facilities and support.
Also note: The current P conferences have NOTHING to do with achieving those goals. It's entirely on the AAC schools to achieve these goals (as they should be)
I doesn't matter how much money anybody makes or how big or small a stadium is, the p5 has a lock on the championship regardless, it's done.
Unless TV demands the AAC be part of one of the contract bowls it is a marketing plan and one that sets a stage for bad feelings among fans of the member schools if it becomes an empty slogan.
(This post was last modified: 05-03-2017 11:36 PM by arkstfan.)
(05-03-2017 11:35 PM)arkstfan Wrote: Unless TV demands the AAC be part of one of the contract bowls it is a marketing plan and one that sets a stage for bad feelings among fans of the member schools if it becomes an empty slogan.
Of course its a marketing plan. The AAC is still a very new conference. Its about differentiation, branding, and creating an image. That said, if you read the plan it doesn't require a contract bowl---doesn't even mention a contract bowl. Virtually every one of its "pillars" discuss goals and bench marks that can only be accomplished via the efforts of its member schools. To the extent it makes demands, its making them of its own member schools and their fans--not the sports world.
Im curious if we see any real follow through in areas where its completely within our control--but might cause a little friction. One basketball bullet point is a good example. The basketball statement---"play strong schedules which will improve Conference RPI and lead to more tournament berths" is one in particular I have my eye on. Im watching that one to see if its all lip service or if its a real live initiative backed by a membership committed to action. If the AD's come out of the AAC Spring Meetings in late May with new scheduling guidelines for basketball---then this initiative might really be something that yields tangible improvement in the leagues development, performance, and perception. Its not the kind of thing that's going to make the AAC a power conference, but it could easily do some good when it comes time to negotiate the next tv deal.
(This post was last modified: 05-04-2017 01:38 AM by Attackcoog.)
So they are going to go with their own individual payment from the CFP and the other four get to be the Group of Four, splitting up what was previously the Group of Five payment?
(05-03-2017 11:35 PM)arkstfan Wrote: Unless TV demands the AAC be part of one of the contract bowls it is a marketing plan and one that sets a stage for bad feelings among fans of the member schools if it becomes an empty slogan.
Only if any of the AAC teams go Independent that tv demands for them. Houston, Navy and UCF go Independent, and there could be demand for them. Boise State as well for MWC. Temple needs more tv ratings when they play against P5 schools. Once they do not play a P5 school? The ratings slide.
Could we see schools go Independent like BYU to claim to be part of the P5 that way? How many P5 schools want to play Boise State, Houston, Navy, Air Force or UCF in a year when those schools are winning?
What if Boise State goes 8-0 against P5 opponents in a year?
What if Houston goes 8-0 against a P5 opponents in a year?
Should they be considered playoff worthy team? Could these schools get a Notre Dame like treatment for the conferences?
There are two things that separate the "Power" conferences from everyone else.
1. A ridiculous media contract
2. A NY6 bowl tie-in
The AAC has neither, therefore, they fall in the "everyone else" category.
Sure, they can declare themselves "P6", they're the 6th best conference IMO. I guess the MWC can declare themselves "P7", and maybe C-USA can declare themselves "P8". I mean, there's only 10 FBS conferences. Heck, the Sun Belt should go all in with a "P10" campaign, helmet stickers and all!
(05-03-2017 03:44 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote: This is not going to end well.......
The American reminds me of the MWC before 2010. They claimed they were the 7th AQ league and that was with BYU, TCU and Utah which the AAC lacks. Just like the MWC, the AAC will learn that individual schools not entire conferences get picked by the cartel. But hey, at least I give them credit by trying.
I think that was a vastly different situation. The MWC was a great league that got good at the wrong time. Now all the power conferences are full with the exception of the Big 12.
The AAC teams are not going anywhere no matter how much they may want to.
I think a couple AAC teams will move up to the Big 12. BTW, I don't want that to happen. I want them to all stay with ECU.
(05-03-2017 11:35 PM)arkstfan Wrote: Unless TV demands the AAC be part of one of the contract bowls it is a marketing plan and one that sets a stage for bad feelings among fans of the member schools if it becomes an empty slogan.
Of course its a marketing plan. The AAC is still a very new conference. Its about differentiation, branding, and creating an image. That said, if you read the plan it doesn't require a contract bowl---doesn't even mention a contract bowl. Virtually every one of its "pillars" discuss goals and bench marks that can only be accomplished via the efforts of its member schools. To the extent it makes demands, its making them of its own member schools and their fans--not the sports world.
Im curious if we see any real follow through in areas where its completely within our control--but might cause a little friction. One basketball bullet point is a good example. The basketball statement---"play strong schedules which will improve Conference RPI and lead to more tournament berths" is one in particular I have my eye on. Im watching that one to see if its all lip service or if its a real live initiative backed by a membership committed to action. If the AD's come out of the AAC Spring Meetings in late May with new scheduling guidelines for basketball---then this initiative might really be something that yields tangible improvement in the leagues development, performance, and perception. Its not the kind of thing that's going to make the AAC a power conference, but it could easily do some good when it comes time to negotiate the next tv deal.
First things first: Temple and USF need to get football stadiums. Thats tackey traveling to play in an NFL stadium. People in the AAC are more worried about ECU's OOC basketball schedules without seeing the elephant in the room.