(06-10-2016 04:45 PM)Mestophalies Wrote:  

(06-10-2016 10:42 AM)mlb Wrote:  

(06-09-2016 06:52 PM)nzmorange Wrote:  I know the American won't expand in the foreseeable future, but it's the offseason, so I'm going to ask anyway:

If you *had* to pick *someone* who are the front runners for spots in the American Athletic Conference?

1. Notre Dame
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. Michigan
5. Texas

Sorry we want to build a conference, not destroy one.

If that's case...you clearly gotta rid yourself of #1 too.

(06-10-2016 04:47 PM)HuskyU Wrote:  

(06-10-2016 04:45 PM)Mestophalies Wrote:  

(06-10-2016 10:42 AM)mlb Wrote:  

(06-09-2016 06:52 PM)nzmorange Wrote:  I know the American won't expand in the foreseeable future, but it's the offseason, so I'm going to ask anyway:

If you *had* to pick *someone* who are the front runners for spots in the American Athletic Conference?

1. Notre Dame
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. Michigan
5. Texas

Sorry we want to build a conference, not destroy one.

If that's case...you clearly gotta rid yourself of #1 too.

Touché.

In no particular order, here's the following group who has a decent shot at landing in the AAC


UMass
NIU
ODU
Rice
Charlotte
Wichita State

If Cincinnati leaves, the AAC should look to maintain its Ohio presence before reaching for small markets in Mississippi, WV, Kentucky, etc.

(06-10-2016 10:24 AM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote:  The AAC will have to decide between markets and more respectable football programs. Northern Illinois and Southern Miss make a lot of sense, each having respectable football programs, but are not located within larger markets.

(06-10-2016 10:34 AM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  

(06-10-2016 10:24 AM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote:  The AAC will have to decide between markets and more respectable football programs. Northern Illinois and Southern Miss make a lot of sense, each having respectable football programs, but are not located within larger markets.

NIU seems to be kind of out of the footprint of AAC. I put them as a candidate, but not top tier.

By adding ODU and USM you get a good football program (USM) and a somewhat large market (ODU).

Well luckily for NIU, it is located in the city of Dekalb. Dekalb is located in the Dekalb county. Dekalb county is located within the Chicago media market. So NIU is located within the Chicago media market.



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1.) Air Force (Football Only) - Air Force would be a solid addition and could be put in the West division with Navy, I highly doubt that Army would jump at the chance at joining a conference but if they did I think the American would be a choice for Army too.

2.) UMass - People keep crapping on them, but I think the AAC would be a logical fit for UMass and the American should really consider it, especially if UConn stays in the fold.

3.) NIU - They are itching to move into a better conference and the American should give them a long hard look. But they would probably have to lose members first before they would be extended an invite.

4.) Buffalo - Great academics, AAU, in the State of New York plus extremely close to Toronto, Ontario. Buffalo would be a solid addition to the American.

5.) Rice - They're an automatic addition if Houston ever leaves the American, otherwise I don't see the American doubling-down on the Houston market. But the AAU status and elite Baseball program would be a great addition to the conference.

(06-11-2016 11:12 AM)Realignment Wrote:  1.) Air Force (Football Only) - Air Force would be a solid addition and could be put in the West division with Navy, I highly doubt that Army would jump at the chance at joining a conference but if they did I think the American would be a choice for Army too.

2.) UMass - People keep crapping on them, but I think the AAC would be a logical fit for UMass and the American should really consider it, especially if UConn stays in the fold.

3.) NIU - They are itching to move into a better conference and the American should give them a long hard look. But they would probably have to lose members first before they would be extended an invite.

4.) Buffalo - Great academics, AAU, in the State of New York plus extremely close to Toronto, Ontario. Buffalo would be a solid addition to the American.

5.) Rice - They're an automatic addition if Houston ever leaves the American, otherwise I don't see the American doubling-down on the Houston market. But the AAU status and elite Baseball program would be a great addition to the conference.

UMass has attendance below 15K. Crowds of under 10K are not unusual. A little over 6K showed up to one game. They only had one game with attendance over 15K (barely) and four games with 11K or less. The on campus stadium has a listed capacity of just 17K and doesn't have adequate restroom facilities. Until they get serious about investing in a their FBS program, they are simply not a serious candidate. They have potential, but seem content to bump along "as is" until they actually get an invite. Im not sure if that's going to work.

They are a good academic fit and they are a state flagship. If they get the stadium situation fixed, start winning a few games, and start drawing in the mid-to-upper 20,000's then they would be much more attractive. If UMass gets it together, they would be a good addition to pair with Army in the east.

(06-10-2016 01:36 PM)ChooChoo Wrote:  Food for thought...

School – Forbes 2015 Top College / Research U. / In the South

Southern and Eastern Privates & Academies
Army - #11
Duke - #22
Navy - #27
Rice - #32
BC - #37
AF - #38
Vandy - #47
WF - #59
SMU - #108
Miami - #127
Tulane - #134
Syracuse - #141
Tulsa - #173
Baylor - #197
TCU - #210

Southern and Eastern Publics
UVA - #36
UNC - #49
FLA - #83
Texas - #82
GT - #90
UGA - #102
VT - #122
aTm - #150
UConn - #162
Clemson - #172
NC St - #180
JMU - #185 (frequently mentioned)
LSU - #191

UMass - #207
Pitt - #212
SC - #217
Auburn - #218
OK - #227
FSU - #229
MO - #230
AL - #261
AR - #272
TN - #295

UKY - #319
Ole Miss - #332
OK St - #339
MS St - #353
Houston - #358 / #144 / #73
Cincy - #381 / #151 / #87 (Midwest)
App St - #385 / NA / #82
La Tech - #389 / #154 / #84
FL Tech - #391 (DII watch list)
Temple - #396 / #157 / #145 (Northeast)

TX Tech - #403
NM St - #417 / NA / #92
WV - #421
USF - #425 / #169 / #95
UCF - #427 / #170 / #96
VCU - #447 (frequently mentioned)
GSU - #466 / #183 / #108
FIU - #487 / #188 / #113
UTEP - #491 / #190 / #114
UNCC - #495 / #191 / #115

L’ville - #503 / *192 / #117
UAB - #518 / #195 / #126
ECU - #519 / #196 / #127
ULL - #520 / #197 / #128
FAU - #536 / #201 / #133
ODU - #551 / #205 / #140
Wichita St - #553 (frequently mentioned)
TX St - #555 / NA / #142
MO St - #556 (frequently mentioned)
UNT - #570 / #214 / #149
So Miss - #575 / #215 / #152
WKU - #584 / NA / #156
Ga So - #588 / #219 / #158
Memphis - #595 / #224 / #162

UTA - #601 / #230 / #164
UWF - #605 (DII watch list)
USA - #610 / #235 / #167
UALR - #621 / #242 / #173
Lamar - #624 / #244 / #175 (SBC candidate)
Kennesaw - #631 / NA / #180 (for S.Jag)
MTSU - #635 / #249 / #182
EKU - #637 / NA / #183 (SBC candidate)
Liberty - #639 / NA / #184 (SBC candidate)
UTSA - #642 / #252 / #185
Troy - #648 / NA / #187
CCU - #650 / NA / #188

Marshall - NA / NA / NA
Ark St. – NA/ NA / NA
ULM – NA / NA / NA
Jax St - NA / NA /NA (frequently mentioned)

Florida Tech is a Private tier 1 research. You listed them as public.

(06-11-2016 01:01 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Florida Tech is a Private tier 1 research. You listed them as public.

I'm not sure why I listed them at all. I suppose I was just surprised how highly they were ranked and they, along with West Florida, both strike me as two of the very, very few schools that could ease their way up from DII in the next couple of decades.

Other things that jumped out at me was how highly regarded JMU is nationally, how un-ACC academically Louisville really is, the huge gaps in mission from the top and bottom of the AAC, and that most conferences would look much differently if they were actually paired up with their REAL peer institutions.

(06-11-2016 11:37 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-11-2016 11:12 AM)Realignment Wrote:  1.) Air Force (Football Only) - Air Force would be a solid addition and could be put in the West division with Navy, I highly doubt that Army would jump at the chance at joining a conference but if they did I think the American would be a choice for Army too.

2.) UMass - People keep crapping on them, but I think the AAC would be a logical fit for UMass and the American should really consider it, especially if UConn stays in the fold.

3.) NIU - They are itching to move into a better conference and the American should give them a long hard look. But they would probably have to lose members first before they would be extended an invite.

4.) Buffalo - Great academics, AAU, in the State of New York plus extremely close to Toronto, Ontario. Buffalo would be a solid addition to the American.

5.) Rice - They're an automatic addition if Houston ever leaves the American, otherwise I don't see the American doubling-down on the Houston market. But the AAU status and elite Baseball program would be a great addition to the conference.

UMass has attendance below 15K. Crowds of under 10K are not unusual. A little over 6K showed up to one game. They only had one game with attendance over 15K (barely) and four games with 11K or less. The on campus stadium has a listed capacity of just 17K and doesn't have adequate restroom facilities. Until they get serious about investing in a their FBS program, they are simply not a serious candidate. They have potential, but seem content to bump along "as is" until they actually get an invite. Im not sure if that's going to work.

They are a good academic fit and they are a state flagship. If they get the stadium situation fixed, start winning a few games, and start drawing in the mid-to-upper 20,000's then they would be much more attractive. If UMass gets it together, they would be a good addition to pair with Army in the east.

Yeah, anyone that averages 10,000 fans is not getting in. Sorry, just isn't happening.

ODU and Southern Miss are the top 2 candidates.

Southern Miss has an excellent football history. ODU just got their stadium situation figured out, while although small at 22K, can be expanded to 30K and I think it would be if they got an invite. They can pay for it with the extra revenue they would receive.

One school I forgot to mention to keep an eye on is UTSA. If they can ever get good for an extended period of time, fan support would not be a problem. They have one of the better fan bases from CUSA and can average 30K or more easily. Houston would probably need to leave first before they get any consideration.

(06-10-2016 02:32 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(06-09-2016 11:21 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(06-09-2016 07:14 PM)jdgaucho Wrote:  I'd look at Old Dominion. They seem to be decent all around and would make for a good partner with ECU

I agree. One of the largest population areas in the nation without major pro sports, decent distance from an P5's, close but not too close to other AAC, unranked national academically just means they award a lot of PhD, EdD type terminal degrees so not an academic star but not going to cause anyone any heartburn either. Budget roughly consistent with AAC, self-generating around $15.5 million which means more reliant on institutional aid than typical AAC.

Example I always give is imagine a college in Oklahoma City, the Thunder are still in Seattle, and OU and OKSt aren't in the suburbs and roughly an hour away but rather two or more hours away.

Actually, there are several colleges and universities in the city of OKC.

Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma Christian, SW Nazarene and a few others.
Central Oklahoma is in Edmond.

And which one of those schools would the AAC want? lolhehehehehelol.

(06-10-2016 11:15 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  UMass, Southern Miss. and Old Dominion are the three front runners if they have to expand.

What about Arkansas Tech, NDSU and UCA...they should be your top picks.

If the power structure in college athletics swells more than constricts, I think ODU and Charlotte have higher ceilings than others where they currently reside. For ODU, staying somewhat competitive in basketball while improving football operations will probably help them a long way.

ODU also has a buddy on the inside of the AAC with ECU, who helped to sponsor their CUSA membership, iirc. Then again, Charlotte still had some buddies in CUSA, too, who are now in the AAC.

(06-10-2016 11:41 PM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(06-10-2016 10:24 AM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote:  The AAC will have to decide between markets and more respectable football programs. Northern Illinois and Southern Miss make a lot of sense, each having respectable football programs, but are not located within larger markets.

(06-10-2016 10:34 AM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  

(06-10-2016 10:24 AM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote:  The AAC will have to decide between markets and more respectable football programs. Northern Illinois and Southern Miss make a lot of sense, each having respectable football programs, but are not located within larger markets.

NIU seems to be kind of out of the footprint of AAC. I put them as a candidate, but not top tier.

By adding ODU and USM you get a good football program (USM) and a somewhat large market (ODU).

Well luckily for NIU, it is located in the city of Dekalb. Dekalb is located in the Dekalb county. Dekalb county is located within the Chicago media market. So NIU is located within the Chicago media market.



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(06-11-2016 11:37 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-11-2016 11:12 AM)Realignment Wrote:  1.) Air Force (Football Only) - Air Force would be a solid addition and could be put in the West division with Navy, I highly doubt that Army would jump at the chance at joining a conference but if they did I think the American would be a choice for Army too.

2.) UMass - People keep crapping on them, but I think the AAC would be a logical fit for UMass and the American should really consider it, especially if UConn stays in the fold.

3.) NIU - They are itching to move into a better conference and the American should give them a long hard look. But they would probably have to lose members first before they would be extended an invite.

4.) Buffalo - Great academics, AAU, in the State of New York plus extremely close to Toronto, Ontario. Buffalo would be a solid addition to the American.

5.) Rice - They're an automatic addition if Houston ever leaves the American, otherwise I don't see the American doubling-down on the Houston market. But the AAU status and elite Baseball program would be a great addition to the conference.

UMass has attendance below 15K. Crowds of under 10K are not unusual. A little over 6K showed up to one game. They only had one game with attendance over 15K (barely) and four games with 11K or less. The on campus stadium has a listed capacity of just 17K and doesn't have adequate restroom facilities. Until they get serious about investing in a their FBS program, they are simply not a serious candidate. They have potential, but seem content to bump along "as is" until they actually get an invite. Im not sure if that's going to work.

They are a good academic fit and they are a state flagship. If they get the stadium situation fixed, start winning a few games, and start drawing in the mid-to-upper 20,000's then they would be much more attractive. If UMass gets it together, they would be a good addition to pair with Army in the east.

Same goes for NIU.

As others have said, top tier should be the other 2 academies. Army would be fine coming in solo I imagine, but AFA might require CSU to come with, I don't think AFA is worth also adding CSU, when SDSU is still on the board. If they can be convinced to join with SDSU, awesome, if not, I think we take a look at UMass and NIU in this case

So let's say AFA, Army, and SDSU jump on board. You could stick there at 15 and make 3 divisions of 5, or you could add 1 more to make 4 divisions of 4. Obviously BYU is at the top of that list.

If all this is bantered about behind closed doors, I really hope SDSU slips in some how. They have top 3 attendance in the MWC, they have the second highest budget at $47 mill (2015), in a huge media market in california. Distance be damned, they need to be in this conference all sports.


So here's how it will hopefully unfold:

American Athletic 2.0
• North
  • UConn
  • Temple
  • Cinci
  • Memphis
    
• South
  • ECU
  • UCF
  • USF
  • Tulane
    
• West
  • Houston
  • SMU
  • Tulsa
  • SDSU - All sports
    
• National
  • Army - Football Only
  • Navy - Football Only
  • AFA - Football Only
  • BYU - All sports
    

The academies and BYU get their nation wide exposure, playing a truly national schedule. We get strong basketball talent in BYU and SDSU, and we get the eyeballs that the academies draw. There's no way this lineup get's less than $8 mill per year per team, and locks up that access slot.

Postseason would be the 2 highest ranked pod champions pitted against each other in the CCG. Winner is almost a play in for the access slot.

(06-12-2016 09:00 AM)FlyHawk98 Wrote:  

(06-10-2016 11:41 PM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(06-10-2016 10:24 AM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote:  The AAC will have to decide between markets and more respectable football programs. Northern Illinois and Southern Miss make a lot of sense, each having respectable football programs, but are not located within larger markets.

(06-10-2016 10:34 AM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  

(06-10-2016 10:24 AM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote:  The AAC will have to decide between markets and more respectable football programs. Northern Illinois and Southern Miss make a lot of sense, each having respectable football programs, but are not located within larger markets.

NIU seems to be kind of out of the footprint of AAC. I put them as a candidate, but not top tier.

By adding ODU and USM you get a good football program (USM) and a somewhat large market (ODU).

Well luckily for NIU, it is located in the city of Dekalb. Dekalb is located in the Dekalb county. Dekalb county is located within the Chicago media market. So NIU is located within the Chicago media market.



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(06-11-2016 11:37 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-11-2016 11:12 AM)Realignment Wrote:  1.) Air Force (Football Only) - Air Force would be a solid addition and could be put in the West division with Navy, I highly doubt that Army would jump at the chance at joining a conference but if they did I think the American would be a choice for Army too.

2.) UMass - People keep crapping on them, but I think the AAC would be a logical fit for UMass and the American should really consider it, especially if UConn stays in the fold.

3.) NIU - They are itching to move into a better conference and the American should give them a long hard look. But they would probably have to lose members first before they would be extended an invite.

4.) Buffalo - Great academics, AAU, in the State of New York plus extremely close to Toronto, Ontario. Buffalo would be a solid addition to the American.

5.) Rice - They're an automatic addition if Houston ever leaves the American, otherwise I don't see the American doubling-down on the Houston market. But the AAU status and elite Baseball program would be a great addition to the conference.

UMass has attendance below 15K. Crowds of under 10K are not unusual. A little over 6K showed up to one game. They only had one game with attendance over 15K (barely) and four games with 11K or less. The on campus stadium has a listed capacity of just 17K and doesn't have adequate restroom facilities. Until they get serious about investing in a their FBS program, they are simply not a serious candidate. They have potential, but seem content to bump along "as is" until they actually get an invite. Im not sure if that's going to work.

They are a good academic fit and they are a state flagship. If they get the stadium situation fixed, start winning a few games, and start drawing in the mid-to-upper 20,000's then they would be much more attractive. If UMass gets it together, they would be a good addition to pair with Army in the east.

Same goes for NIU.

Your fixation with us is bordering on sad, but i guess anything to distract you from that hellish TV deal you got shafted with haha

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Just kindly pointing out the facts.

I doubt most people realize just how pathetic NIU's attendance really is.

After all, there are high schools that average 13,000/game.

(06-12-2016 12:41 PM)FlyHawk98 Wrote:  Just kindly pointing out the facts.

I doubt most people realize just how pathetic NIU's attendance really is.

After all, there are high schools that average 13,000/game.

Remember they bring "the Chicago" market. Lol.

(06-12-2016 04:01 PM)utpotts Wrote:  

(06-12-2016 12:41 PM)FlyHawk98 Wrote:  Just kindly pointing out the facts.

I doubt most people realize just how pathetic NIU's attendance really is.

After all, there are high schools that average 13,000/game.

Remember they bring "the Chicago" market. Lol.

And of course our free win each year chimes in. Hey lil buddy, still sore about us destroying your season?

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Lots of fantasy in this thread, although that's the norm this time of year. The realities are:

- No MWC teams will move to the AAC or vice versa
- BYU will not move to the AAC or MWC
- Neither the AAC nor MWC will expand into a national conference with four pods (the new CCG rule specifies no divisions or two divisions)

Unless the Big 12 decides to poach the MWC and not the AAC, any AAC additions will come from CUSA, the MAC or the Sun Belt.

By the same token, unless the Big 12 decides to poach the AAC and not the MWC, any MWC additions will come from CUSA or the Sun Belt, probably in Texas.