It's really hard to say and going to be hard to prove. Gone are the days where a 9-3 AAC(Big East) team will be able to prove that they are better on the field during a bowl game. And with conferences going to 9 conference games its going to be harder to even prove it during OOC games as well.

Recruiting wise I think that UConn is relatively going to recruit the same. It may be harder for them to get kids out of NJ with Rutgers now being in the B1G. Cincinnati w/ Tubbs should still recruit fine or possibly better than they did the past few years. Hard to say if the loss of AQ status will affect USF's recruiting. On the other hand, the newcomers like Houston, UCF, ECU, and SMU may see their recruiting improve due to the new league.

Best of luck to the AAC.

(05-05-2013 12:39 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 12:00 PM)Gray Avenger Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 11:36 AM)Kruciff Wrote:  Our conference games shouldn't matter (someone will rise to the top) if we take care of business OOC.

I sincerely hope that you are right about that, but fear that a Boise State team that is 8 conference wins and 3-1 OOC will be put ahead of an AAC team that is 6-2 in conference and 3-1 OOC. ACC schools will face a similar same sort of parity as the SEC, but without the recognition and credit. Let us hope that the "committee" will pay sufficient attention to computer rankings.

The media will always love Boise. There's something appealing about beating MWC teams ranked between #90 and #120 by 40 points.

I can't quite figure out how Boise does it. Especially for a team with no history (even the history of sheer existance at the top level) has been so good for this amount of time. However, I will hand them this.---The mark of real success is going through multiple coaching changes (like UC has to some extent and Miami in the 80s-90s) while keeping that winning mommentum. Boise has weathered that as well. That's hard to do outside the top 10-15 usual power programs out there.

(05-05-2013 08:04 AM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  Just for example, these Sagarins for average conference rankings would be acceptable for us:

5) ACC ... #41
6) AAC ... #52
7) MWC ... #68

We must at least accomplish something like those numbers (closer to the ACC than the MWC). If we do better than that, I'll be mildly surprised and extremely happy.

Here is a link to a thread showing the average Sagarin ratings over the last 5 years for the future AAC. Our average team rating is #75/76. I think Tulane & Memphis will be much improved & those 2 alone will help raise the ratings. I think a ranking average of #50 is possible.

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?pid=9252263

(05-05-2013 02:24 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 01:08 PM)DrBox Wrote:   I have never understood why Memphis struggled, but that was an improving team last year, so i think they'll get better too.

Just my opinion: Memphis athletics gives basketball it's top priority. Elite-level players and coaches want to be in an environment in which "their" sport is clearly and indisputably #1.

If so, they will be disappointed in the future. Our new AD has already stated that football will be #1 priority in the future (as it should be). Louisville and Florida are just two examples that football and basketball do not have to be mutually exclusive.

(05-05-2013 02:35 PM)Crusty-the-Pirate Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 12:39 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 12:00 PM)Gray Avenger Wrote:  

(05-05-2013 11:36 AM)Kruciff Wrote:  Our conference games shouldn't matter (someone will rise to the top) if we take care of business OOC.

I sincerely hope that you are right about that, but fear that a Boise State team that is 8 conference wins and 3-1 OOC will be put ahead of an AAC team that is 6-2 in conference and 3-1 OOC. ACC schools will face a similar same sort of parity as the SEC, but without the recognition and credit. Let us hope that the "committee" will pay sufficient attention to computer rankings.

The media will always love Boise. There's something appealing about beating MWC teams ranked between #90 and #120 by 40 points.

I can't quite figure out how Boise does it. Especially for a team with no history (even the history of sheer existance at the top level) has been so good for this amount of time. However, I will hand them this.---The mark of real success is going through multiple coaching changes (like UC has to some extent and Miami in the 80s-90s) while keeping that winning mommentum. Boise has weathered that as well. That's hard to do outside the top 10-15 usual power programs out there.

It's easy when playing weaker competition. If Boise St had played in the PAC 12 or B12, it wouldn't have been as successful. In fact, put Boise St in any power conference, I doubt that it would finish any higher than fourth. It barely beat Washington in the Las Vegas bowl 28-26. Washington was 5-4 in the PAC 12. Nevertheless, I do admire what the school has accomplished and wish it had decided to join the AAC.