SOS, November scheduling, etc. will be important for BYU. But, I think the winning answers have everything to do with the potential of Big 12 membership. If the Big 12 ever comes calling on the Cougars, it will most likely be as part of a two or four-team expansion. Who else is on the short list?

Cincinnati
Central Florida
South Florida
UConn

[And may be Memphis, UNLV, Air Force, SDSU, and Boise St. (?)]

BYU would be wise to foster relationships and rivalries with other potential Big 12 members. If BYU and Cincinnati have some good games in 2015 and 2016, it builds value in the BYU-Cincinnati game. It shows that each is willing and capable to make the trip and play at a high level. It helps the Big 12 pull that trigger. This is additional motivation to continue the BYU-Central Florida on future schedules.

Also, with AAC-affiliation, BYU would play road games in Dallas, Houston, and Oklahoma....all road trips in prime Big 12 territory. BYU would do well to play road games, get on televisions sets, and in the news in current Big 12 territory. This can create more local awareness, interest, and even potential fans right where BYU wants to be.

The AAC-BYU affiliation is a no brainer, even if it's an informal, loose affiliation. Full membership isn't the answer right now. The AAC affiliation gets BYU some good games in good markets across the nation, yet still allows BYU the flexibility to play 4 or 5 MWC opponents each year and go after 4 or 5 P5 opponents. Win-win.

(06-02-2014 05:57 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(06-02-2014 01:32 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  Besides, Army is better from a TV perspective

Of all the baffling things one finds on this forum, the belief that Army is regarded as anything but the lamest cannon-fodder (from a football POV) is one of the most baffling.

Army football is a joke, and has no value at all except when they are playing Navy.

They get $2 million a year without the Army/Navy game and for just football.

(06-02-2014 06:08 PM)YNot Wrote:  SOS, November scheduling, etc. will be important for BYU. But, I think the winning answers have everything to do with the potential of Big 12 membership. If the Big 12 ever comes calling on the Cougars, it will most likely be as part of a two or four-team expansion. Who else is on the short list?

Cincinnati
Central Florida
South Florida
UConn

[And may be Memphis, UNLV, Air Force, SDSU, and Boise St. (?)]

BYU would be wise to foster relationships and rivalries with other potential Big 12 members. If BYU and Cincinnati have some good games in 2015 and 2016, it builds value in the BYU-Cincinnati game. It shows that each is willing and capable to make the trip and play at a high level. It helps the Big 12 pull that trigger. This is additional motivation to continue the BYU-Central Florida on future schedules.

Also, with AAC-affiliation, BYU would play road games in Dallas, Houston, and Oklahoma....all road trips in prime Big 12 territory. BYU would do well to play road games, get on televisions sets, and in the news in current Big 12 territory. This can create more local awareness, interest, and even potential fans right where BYU wants to be.

The AAC-BYU affiliation is a no brainer, even if it's an informal, loose affiliation. Full membership isn't the answer right now. The AAC affiliation gets BYU some good games in good markets across the nation, yet still allows BYU the flexibility to play 4 or 5 MWC opponents each year and go after 4 or 5 P5 opponents. Win-win.

What makes you think AAC will play pawn to this. What if AAC doesn't need BYU that bad at all. What if BYU is left to play sub belt,Mac , and WAC....

We won't let you milk us of benefits while you gain the upper hand. Jump in completely or get out of the way. We will add Army and Airforce. Have all the service academies and call it a day.

(06-02-2014 06:08 PM)YNot Wrote:  The AAC-BYU affiliation is a no brainer, even if it's an informal, loose affiliation. Full membership isn't the answer right now. The AAC affiliation gets BYU some good games in good markets across the nation, yet still allows BYU the flexibility to play 4 or 5 MWC opponents each year and go after 4 or 5 P5 opponents. Win-win.

Where is the AAC's "win" in this arrangement? I didn't see it in your post.

Everyone pretty much knows that if the P5 choose to expand further those new members are likely to be from the AAC or BYU. I also think both the AAC and BYU have that "we got screwed over and are going to do everything in our power to hold strong" mentality. I really like the potential of that relationship.

Although many people think to add BYU as football only, I think what may be a key aspect of getting BYU in would be to offer them an all-sports invitation. I think this is what would really make the membership worthwhile for BYU. The AAC has proven to be a top-notch conference in multiple sports. Playing all sports in the AAC would really do wonders for their basketball and baseball IMO. As much as people like to downplay sports not called football, I think it's important for a conference and its members to be relevant year-round (I think that is a big negative for the new Big East conference going forward - not meant to be a dig, but I think it does hurt them). The AAC is not a P5 conference, but it has performed above and beyond most of those in the P5. For those who think it'd be a hassle to travel that much for Olympic sports - it's really not that much more travel than UCONN/Temple/UCF/USF have in our current membership. Scheduling can be made even easier if they make trips like UCONN/Temple, UCF/USF, SMU/Houston together. I also suspect BYU can afford the added costs...

Whether it's a formal alliance or membership (my preference), I hope something comes out of all this. JMO.

(06-02-2014 06:11 PM)KNIGHTTIME Wrote:  

(06-02-2014 05:57 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(06-02-2014 01:32 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  Besides, Army is better from a TV perspective

Of all the baffling things one finds on this forum, the belief that Army is regarded as anything but the lamest cannon-fodder (from a football POV) is one of the most baffling.

Army football is a joke, and has no value at all except when they are playing Navy.

They get $2 million a year without the Army/Navy game and for just football.

Maybe so*, but if you think Army would boost our media deal, I don't see how that happens. And they are plain awful, would kill whatever "tweener" perceptions we aspire to.

No thanks.

* I suspect CBS pays them that much for their other games so as to have dibs on the Army-Navy game.

(06-02-2014 06:19 PM)HuskyU Wrote:  Whether it's a formal alliance or membership (my preference), I hope something comes out of all this. JMO.

I like what we have right now: A kind of informal situation where BYU plays 2-3 AAC teams each year, and the bowl thingy in Miami.

But as a full-time member, there is just too much geographical and cultural distance between BYU and the AAC for that to work, either technically or in terms of fan interest.

Would I want BYU to come to Tampa for a game versus USF? Sure, they have a modicum of national reknown, they beat most other teams we can attract. If they showed up every 5-7 years on the schedule, bully.

But playing them every year? No thanks.

(06-02-2014 06:15 PM)AACtopER Wrote:  What makes you think AAC will play pawn to this. What if AAC doesn't need BYU that bad at all. What if BYU is left to play sub belt,Mac , and WAC....

We won't let you milk us of benefits while you gain the upper hand. Jump in completely or get out of the way. We will add Army and Airforce. Have all the service academies and call it a day.

I actually think the AAC's best move would be to add Army and Air Force, if Air Force will move. Having the Commander-In-Chief trophy in house would be brilliant from a branding perspective.

As for BYU-AAC, BYU will help the AAC get on better ESPN networks and in better time slots. It will mutually help BYU and the AAC with exposure, strength of schedule, and perception. It could also be mutually beneficial for the bowl situation. I could see the AAC-BYU affiliation landing the Las Vegas Bowl against the PAC 12, eventually.

I should also add that BYU offers some quality games for AAC competition. The recent UCF and Houston games have been extremely competitive and exciting. The upcoming series with UConn, Cincinnati, and ECU boast this same potential. Should be some great games! Why not grasp onto that and promote it!

(06-02-2014 06:19 PM)HuskyU Wrote:  I think what may be a key aspect of getting BYU in would be to offer them an all-sports invitation. I think this is what would really make the membership worthwhile for BYU. The AAC has proven to be a top-notch conference in multiple sports. Playing all sports in the AAC would really do wonders for their basketball and baseball IMO.

BYU would salivate over the opportunity to play in the AAC basketball. The Cougars would be competitive, but by no means a top team. Olympic sports travel would be a concern for everyone. If Air Force joined the American, then it would make for a convenient travel duo and help alleviate some of the concerns.

(06-02-2014 06:35 PM)YNot Wrote:  

(06-02-2014 06:15 PM)AACtopER Wrote:  What makes you think AAC will play pawn to this. What if AAC doesn't need BYU that bad at all. What if BYU is left to play sub belt,Mac , and WAC....

We won't let you milk us of benefits while you gain the upper hand. Jump in completely or get out of the way. We will add Army and Airforce. Have all the service academies and call it a day.

I actually think the AAC's best move would be to add Army and Air Force, if Air Force will move. Having the Commander-In-Chief trophy in house would be brilliant from a branding perspective.

I'm not sure about this. Certainly, everyone across the land respects the CIC trophy, because we all respect the men and women who have chosen to serve on the front lines to protect our way of life.

But, that respect transcends sports. It doesn't translate into respect for the football programs as football programs. From the college football fan's POV, the service academies are cannon-fodder, small time. They would not improve the perception of our league as heading towards "big time" status.

(06-02-2014 06:43 PM)YNot Wrote:  BYU would salivate over the opportunity to play in the AAC basketball. The Cougars would be competitive, but by no means a top team. Olympic sports travel would be a concern for everyone. If Air Force joined the American, then it would make for a convenient travel duo and help alleviate some of the concerns.

I can't envision any scenario in which BYU or AFA join the American for all-sports. AFA simply would not be competitive; BYU has the never-on-Sunday thing, and both are very, Very far away from the rest of the league.

Maybe not 100% impossible but... Highly unlikely.

I personally think Division 4 would be the best result for P5 and American. An NFL model would do wonders to College Athletics with respect to scheduling, $$$ and publicity.

If BYU is in AAC, it has to be all sport, but with a Western partner like AFU or Colorado State.

BYU's alliance with the AAC is a great thing form them and us. If we could land them, thus creating a true national conference, it would be even better.

I am still of the opinion that (1) we will see a few MWC teams join the AAC in the long run and that (2) one or two AAC teams may leave our conference for greener pastures. I think that #1 is more likely to happen sooner rather than later.

If we can get Colorado State, New Mexico, Boise State, Fresno State, SDSU and BYU to join along with Air Force and one more... let's say UNLV, we'll be golden. There's nothing to say that a pod-system can not work in this new era of college football; this same system can also work for Olympic sports.

(06-02-2014 11:33 PM)Ned Low Wrote:  BYU's alliance with the AAC is a great thing form them and us. If we could land them, thus creating a true national conference, it would be even better.

I am still of the opinion that (1) we will see a few MWC teams join the AAC in the long run and that (2) one or two AAC teams may leave our conference for greener pastures. I think that #1 is more likely to happen sooner rather than later.

If we can get Colorado State, New Mexico, Boise State, Fresno State, SDSU and BYU to join along with Air Force and one more... let's say UNLV, we'll be golden. There's nothing to say that a pod-system can not work in this new era of college football; this same system can also work for Olympic sports.

OK I am getting tired of people saying schools are gonna leave... stfu already this conference is barely a year old. Let it stabilize, Big12 isn't going to just pick someone up like every other season... yes next round would be uconn or uc... but yea lets see how they continue to perform...

UCF, ECU, and USF are possibly the next ones but they aren't going to be considered before the other two... This is probably 5-10 years away worst case... So let the AAC be a stable conference :( gosh...

Regarding Army and similarly Air Force, is the thought that they bring a large national audience and additionally some political clout "just in case" we get into a fight with the P5? AFA and Navy have been competative, Army not so much. They fit the "American" theme perfectly. I go back and forth on whether or not AFA and Army would be better than an all sport western pod with BYU, UNLV, SDSU, and team X.

My favorite part of link is when the BYU homer says "LMBO". Those LDS fans that BYU has are some of the nastiest fans in the stadium during the game but they sure don't cuss!

I think Aresco should be going after BYU and Army football only memberships as hard as he can.

Not only would he have the biggest fish in BYU football, but it could have a BIG effect on the next TV contract. If ESPN is paying them 4 million a year....I could see the contract going up to like 5-6 million a year for the American (4-5 mill for FB only)...ESPN knows they underpaid for the product they got.

There is no need IMO, if you get BYU and Army to go after anything else....let the MWC have their thing, the gap is only going to get bigger in terms of revenue.

If we add Army, can we also add Southern Miss and UAB and then call ourselves "The REAL CUSA"?

(06-03-2014 12:11 PM)HP-TBDPITL Wrote:  I think Aresco should be going after BYU and Army football only memberships as hard as he can.

Not only would he have the biggest fish in BYU football, but it could have a BIG effect on the next TV contract. If ESPN is paying them 4 million a year....I could see the contract going up to like 5-6 million a year for the American (4-5 mill for FB only)...ESPN knows they underpaid for the product they got.

There is no need IMO, if you get BYU and Army to go after anything else....let the MWC have their thing, the gap is only going to get bigger in terms of revenue.

That is pretty my thought. I'd give byu all sports invite if they want too. Gives us 14 fb 12 hoops.

All of a sudden we would have some political clout (Army-Navy) plus have brand recognition. TV dollars should look good with our lineup plus them.