i believed before the 2013 football season started the best outcome would be a school other than Louisville or Rutgers to win it. it's worked out well.

for 2014 the best outcome will either be UCF somehow works it's way into the playoff, or conversely, that someone other than the knights wins the conference.

why? i think what the AAC needs collectively are three things: (1) stability, (2) consistently getting the G5 Access Bowl spot, (3) high TV ratings. all three are interrelated.

if UCF becomes so dominate that they win the conference several years in a row they'll be gone to a P5 conference soon. long term that doesn't help the rest of the group. however, that long-term downside would be trumped by the gain in perception to the conference if UCF can make the playoff. i think they'll be the only AAC school that will start the 2014 season ranked high enough, and with a solid enough OOC schedule, to be able to potentially make it into the playoff next season. however, i also think that whoever wins the AAC will have a good chance of grabbing the G5 Access bowl spot. so, i think we're all otherwise better off, if UCF can't get into the playoff, for a different school to win the conference next year. ideally, for similar, but less immediate reasons, it would also be best if Cincinnati doesn't win the conference next season either.

it seems 2013 has helped the case that the AAC will be the best G5 conference. if we immedately lose our top two programs that perception will take a hit. the collective webosphere seems to think that UCF and Cincinnati are the next two G5 schools to get called up, or perhaps with or after BYU. i think even if they eventually do leave the conference that will be left in the AAC after they've been replaced will still be the best G5 conference. to avoid another big transition year it will help if those aren't the only two schools to win the conference until they leave.

I agree - the AAC needs 2-3 dominate teams fighting for championships and Access Bowls. We don't need everyone at the same level. The optimum conference has the other teams fighting for championships in the other olympic sports - basketball, baseball, soccer, etc. Overall, the season was a success - just need to keep everyone together and next season will be even better.

This was the BIGGEST night for the American...in a transitional year the Champion finished when you look back a STRONG Regular Season with a even STRONGER Fiesta Bowl win over the Big XII Champions and Top 10 Team.

Going forward it appears the College Football Nation with this season behind us and with NIU Flopping in Bowl Games and Chris Petersen now at Washington as the BEST of the G5 and with ECU, UCF, Houston and Cincinnati...win at a good clip OOC and the AAC Champ most years will be going to either the Peach Bowl, Fiesta Bowl or Cotton Bowl...do that and hopefully the new TV Deal will see a good pay raise next time out...

(01-02-2014 07:06 AM)mac6115cd Wrote:  I agree - the AAC needs 2-3 dominate teams fighting for championships and Access Bowls. We don't need everyone at the same level. The optimum conference has the other teams fighting for championships in the other olympic sports - basketball, baseball, soccer, etc. Overall, the season was a success - just need to keep everyone together and next season will be even better.

its so nice of you to volunteer Cincy as cannon fodder to those top 2-3 teams. :)

The Big XII might take a page out of the ACC's playbook and grab UCF and Cincinnati. It seemed like everytime the Big East was making progress the conference would lose schools.

(01-02-2014 09:25 AM)bearcatlawjd Wrote:  The Big XII might take a page out of the ACC's playbook and grab UCF and Cincinnati.

Possible, sure.

I don't think it will happen for a few (4-5-6) years, though, if at all.

(01-02-2014 09:29 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(01-02-2014 09:25 AM)bearcatlawjd Wrote:  The Big XII might take a page out of the ACC's playbook and grab UCF and Cincinnati.

Possible, sure.

I don't think it will happen for a few (4-5-6) years, though, if at all.

This conference if it stays together will get a better TV deal. It already is the best of the rest in football and a solid multiple bid league in basketball.

(01-02-2014 09:25 AM)bearcatlawjd Wrote:  The Big XII might take a page out of the ACC's playbook and grab UCF and Cincinnati. It seemed like everytime the Big East was making progress the conference would lose schools.

I still think ESPN was behind all of that.

Congrats UCF!!! The win was great for you and your future but it also gives some teeth to the league. I'm sure the talking heads would have loved to ignore the AAC next year but with the defending Fiesta Bowl Champs in the league kind of hard to do!! Enjoy the win and the spotlight that will come from it. It's all great for the AAC and UCF!!!

P.S: Excuses are plenty here in Texas right now!!! :)

The American still has to do well outside the league next season but the conference will be favorite to grab the access bid next season. The American also needs UConn and USF to get back to the point where they are going to bowl games every season. While the Bearcats play a difficult non-league schedule I expect them to be good enough to get back to a bowl game too. ECU, UCF, and Houston should all be upper tier teams.

I have no idea what to expect from us next year. If Bortles goes pro, which I think he likely will, We will be hurting with very little experience behind him. If Storm goes that doubles down the loss.

(01-02-2014 10:06 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  I have no idea what to expect from us next year. If Bortles goes pro, which I think he likely will, We will be hurting with very little experience behind him. If Storm goes that doubles down the loss.

If Bortles goes pro, I would have to go with Houston to win the conference next year based on the way it played....

(01-02-2014 08:01 AM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  

(01-02-2014 07:06 AM)mac6115cd Wrote:  I agree - the AAC needs 2-3 dominate teams fighting for championships and Access Bowls. We don't need everyone at the same level. The optimum conference has the other teams fighting for championships in the other olympic sports - basketball, baseball, soccer, etc. Overall, the season was a success - just need to keep everyone together and next season will be even better.

its so nice of you to volunteer Cincy as cannon fodder to those top 2-3 teams. :)

Only for a couple of years to establish the new teams, if cinci wins it hurts the conference because yall were AQ so it reinforces the AQ/Non AQ line

(01-02-2014 07:06 AM)mac6115cd Wrote:  I agree - the AAC needs 2-3 dominate teams fighting for championships and Access Bowls. We don't need everyone at the same level. The optimum conference has the other teams fighting for championships in the other olympic sports - basketball, baseball, soccer, etc. Overall, the season was a success - just need to keep everyone together and next season will be even better.

Agreed.

And the AAC standard bearers are all legit and wearing that A on their sleeves. This year was best possible outcome for the conference. Now, an Omaha run would be the cherry on top.

(05-25-2014 06:12 PM)BigEastHomer Wrote:  the AAC standard bearers are all legit and wearing that A on their sleeves. This year was best possible outcome for the conference. Now, an Omaha run would be the cherry on top. [/size]

You said a mouthful! And, "we've only just begun!"

(05-26-2014 08:33 AM)Gray Avenger Wrote:  

(05-25-2014 06:12 PM)BigEastHomer Wrote:  the AAC standard bearers are all legit and wearing that A on their sleeves. This year was best possible outcome for the conference. Now, an Omaha run would be the cherry on top. [/size]

You said a mouthful! And, "we've only just begun!"