The Alliance will be similar to what CUSA has been. CUSA has been very competitive with bottom teams knocking off top teams consistently. Southern Miss loss to UAB last year for example.

But what CUSA showed us is that the better teams fared fairly well in the postseason. CUSA was 4-1 last year and has routinely been above .500 in Bowls. The Alliance will be similar.

What I think is missing from this conversation is that New Mexico just hired Bob Davie, Tulane is about to build a beautiful on campus stadium, Wyoming turned itself around. Colorado State just hired a new coach and has some past tradition to build from. And UNLV is putting plans in place for an on campus stadium that would be one of the best in the country. Only UAB is being held back by the folks at Alabama (are they scared of UAB's academic reputation?), but all others are taking steps forward. Even Rice is making improvements to its FB facilities that will make it more compatible with its program.