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With the exception of BYU Colo St Temple Navy and UConn the following schools; Cincy Houston UTEP Rice SMU Tulsa, louisville Tulane Memphis USF UCF ECU SMU USM Marshal UAB ODU and Charlotte were all members of CUSA or the sun belt within the last 10 years or less.
Suddenly MOST goes to a conference AAC formerly the BIG EAST and BANG....they are the greatest league since well the old CUSA.

The perception of NCAA P5 athletic teams are based mainly on winning in sports not academics..the BIG EAST was an experiment where many teams coexist together to prevent poaching. CUSA was a very good basketball and football league AT THE TIME, but there were schools that thought the relationship with CUSA schools were beneath them, can anyone say Lousiville, Cincy, Houston , Memphis and MOST OF THE NOW AAC..
The relationship was doomed from the start, the combination of former CUSA teams, INDEPENDENTS, and football programs left out of the GREAT MONEY GRAB, came together because it looked like a GREAT gathering of athletic teams with winning tradition...but it was made for TV with little else in common.
The AAC was formed because the BIG EAST wanted out of a relationship built for temporary conveniences to save the BIG EAST...The NEW BIG EAST focused was mainly on football, but the OLD BIG EAST played very good basketball, and was created by a group of Catholic schools with a focus toward service and academics.
The perception of CUSA is that its a bad, terrible league and I will confess, I wish it wasnt the case, but the perception and reality matches the perception this time.
But remember not so long ago, UAB was in the league with many of the teams listed above, we were competitive and represented ourselves well...CUSA..AAC. MWC..WIN you get revenue, the nation wants to see you..TV will pay you money, so the nation can see you...
UAB basketball will set the stage for the RETURN..UAB first football year back is vital for our growth and perception..It goes without saying WINNING will bring the attention to UAB and it will be advertising the networks will pay for and the NATION will want to witness.
CUSA needs to win now, to become attractive to the networks and other conferences...

(09-04-2016 04:48 PM)MAN4UAB Wrote:  

(09-04-2016 04:44 PM)UABslant Wrote:  

It doesn't make sense.

Agreed!

This picture is worth more than all the PRO-wild west conference commentaries on this thread.

(09-05-2016 03:59 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-01-1974 06:28 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  When the Big 12 expands, it likely will not pass up one of the two AAC's U C/S F teams based upon location and wealth. Both have about 50,000 enrollment, are in fertile recruiting grounds and are growth oriented.

It is highly likely both UCF & USF will get passed up. They will either go together or not at all.

They did not go into the AAC as a package so why would they go to the Big 12 as one? IMHO if the Big 12 only goes to 12, Houston and Cinnci probably have the inside track. If it goes to 14 though, at least one of those two Florida schools will likely be invited for the stated reasons. In that case, the AAC will backfill with GA State as #1 choice and other "players to be named later".

(09-06-2016 02:13 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(09-05-2016 03:59 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-01-1974 06:28 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  When the Big 12 expands, it likely will not pass up one of the two AAC's U C/S F teams based upon location and wealth. Both have about 50,000 enrollment, are in fertile recruiting grounds and are growth oriented.

It is highly likely both UCF & USF will get passed up. They will either go together or not at all.

They did not go into the AAC as a package so why would they go to the Big 12 as one?

Because the Big 12 isn't the AAC. There would be no sense to leave UCF on an island with USF right down the road. That is the current issue with WVU, they're on an island by themselves. This was not an issue for the AAC. You can Google it if you like.

(09-06-2016 04:02 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 02:13 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(09-05-2016 03:59 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-01-1974 06:28 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  When the Big 12 expands, it likely will not pass up one of the two AAC's U C/S F teams based upon location and wealth. Both have about 50,000 enrollment, are in fertile recruiting grounds and are growth oriented.

It is highly likely both UCF & USF will get passed up. They will either go together or not at all.

They did not go into the AAC as a package so why would they go to the Big 12 as one?

Because the Big 12 isn't the AAC. There would be no sense to leave UCF on an island with USF right down the road. That is the current issue with WVU, they're on an island by themselves. This was not an issue for the AAC. You can Google it if you like.

I doubt that either of us will be Googled by the Big 12 or the AAC in making expansion decisions on which schools to include or exclude from considerations. Our opinions don't agree but their choices will turn out to favor yours or mine. I just don't see the Big 12 taking BOTH Florida schools.

(09-06-2016 06:33 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 04:02 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 02:13 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(09-05-2016 03:59 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-01-1974 06:28 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  When the Big 12 expands, it likely will not pass up one of the two AAC's U C/S F teams based upon location and wealth. Both have about 50,000 enrollment, are in fertile recruiting grounds and are growth oriented.

It is highly likely both UCF & USF will get passed up. They will either go together or not at all.

They did not go into the AAC as a package so why would they go to the Big 12 as one?

Because the Big 12 isn't the AAC. There would be no sense to leave UCF on an island with USF right down the road. That is the current issue with WVU, they're on an island by themselves. This was not an issue for the AAC. You can Google it if you like.

I doubt that either of us will be Googled by the Big 12 or the AAC in making expansion decisions on which schools to include or exclude from considerations. Our opinions don't agree but their choices will turn out to favor yours or mine. I just don't see the Big 12 taking BOTH Florida schools.

I didn't say anything about the Big 12 or AAC wanting to "Google" either one us about expansion decisions. But it has been reported (check Orlando Sentinel and Tampa Tribune) that both USF and UCF needs each other to get into the Big 12 because neither is attractive or strong enough as a separate entity.

(09-06-2016 07:15 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 06:33 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 04:02 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 02:13 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(09-05-2016 03:59 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  It is highly likely both UCF & USF will get passed up. They will either go together or not at all.

They did not go into the AAC as a package so why would they go to the Big 12 as one?

Because the Big 12 isn't the AAC. There would be no sense to leave UCF on an island with USF right down the road. That is the current issue with WVU, they're on an island by themselves. This was not an issue for the AAC. You can Google it if you like.

I doubt that either of us will be Googled by the Big 12 or the AAC in making expansion decisions on which schools to include or exclude from considerations. Our opinions don't agree but their choices will turn out to favor yours or mine. I just don't see the Big 12 taking BOTH Florida schools.

I didn't say anything about the Big 12 or AAC wanting to "Google" either one us about expansion decisions. But it has been reported (check Orlando Sentinel and Tampa Tribune) that both USF and UCF needs each other to get into the Big 12 because neither is attractive or strong enough as a separate entity.

The writers for the Sentinel and the Tribune may be right, but remember there are at least FOUR Florida universities in play (USF, UCF, FAU and FIU) so the conferences may have more choices over the next several years. While all four are relatively young, their growth potential may be important factors in conference choices right along with location.

(09-07-2016 12:03 AM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 07:15 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 06:33 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 04:02 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 02:13 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  They did not go into the AAC as a package so why would they go to the Big 12 as one?

Because the Big 12 isn't the AAC. There would be no sense to leave UCF on an island with USF right down the road. That is the current issue with WVU, they're on an island by themselves. This was not an issue for the AAC. You can Google it if you like.

I doubt that either of us will be Googled by the Big 12 or the AAC in making expansion decisions on which schools to include or exclude from considerations. Our opinions don't agree but their choices will turn out to favor yours or mine. I just don't see the Big 12 taking BOTH Florida schools.

I didn't say anything about the Big 12 or AAC wanting to "Google" either one us about expansion decisions. But it has been reported (check Orlando Sentinel and Tampa Tribune) that both USF and UCF needs each other to get into the Big 12 because neither is attractive or strong enough as a separate entity.

The writers for the Sentinel and the Tribune may be right, but remember there are at least FOUR Florida universities in play (USF, UCF, FAU and FIU) so the conferences may have more choices over the next several years. While all four are relatively young, their growth potential may be important factors in conference choices right along with location.

I don't have to remember because FAU or FIU has no shot whatsoever to land in the Big 12. While you're reaching, do you want to go ahead and grab FGCU and Jacksonville as well?

I don't think anyone is pro MWC. I think most are pro moving up to the AAC. The point is Ingram and Jose Cuervo have no intentions of doing anything per conversations I have had and it will be up to the Foundation to do the work like everything else that gets done under Ingram's watch.

I do think the AAC and MWC will be in an alliance of some sorts and be that next tier. They will be cross scheduling in OOC games in all sports. The other three leagues will be the third tier and end up with little to zero access to the playoff.

(09-07-2016 11:26 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  I don't think anyone is pro MWC. I think most are pro moving up to the AAC. The point is Ingram and Jose Cuervo have no intentions of doing anything per conversations I have had and it will be up to the Foundation to do the work like everything else that gets done under Ingram's watch.

I do think the AAC and MWC will be in an alliance of some sorts and be that next tier. They will be cross scheduling in OOC games in all sports. The other three leagues will be the third tier and end up with little to zero access to the playoff.

So is this just Ingram and his Toad or are they taking orders from Watts\BOT

Not sure. Either they are beyond stupid or they are following marching orders.

(09-07-2016 12:10 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Not sure. Either they are beyond stupid or they are following marching orders.

I trust foundation folks are working on it?

Yes but they need our help pushing this with ad. Also we need to push season ticket sales now.

More details in another thread later.

(09-07-2016 12:29 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Yes but they need our help pushing this with ad. Also we need to push season ticket sales now.

More details in another thread later.

Cool. We can do that. Details will be appreciated

I think you guys should be more optimistic. The dominoes could fall a lot of ways, but let me give one example:

Big 12 adds 4: BYU, Houston, UC and UConn

Mountain West adds: UTEP, SMU, Tulsa and Memphis

The AAC goes after the big cities to help with the TV money,
EAST: Temple, ECU, USF, UCF,----Add Marshall, ODU, MTSU
West: Tulane, Navy, -------------- Add Southern Miss, Rice, UTSA, NIU, UAB

Conference USA takes a chunk of the Sun Belt
EAST: WKU, FIU, FAU, Charlotte,-----Add APP St, GA Southern, GA State
WEST: North TX, LA Tech,-------------Add South AL, ULL, Ark St, Troy, TX State

UMass would go back to the MAC and replace NIU.

Left out would be NM State, ULM and Coastal Carolina. They could go independent or drop to FCS. NCAA could stick NM State and ULM in CUSA.

Schools that I believe have talked about dropping football or going FCS are Hawaii, Eastern Michigan, Wyoming, ULM. Any more?

With all the big cities in the AAC a TV network could offer a good lineup of Friday and Thursday night games. Imagine a Thursday night game of Temple at UAB. Good ratings.

Bingo

Since these two conferences (AAC and MWC) would be the dominant (in relative terms) G5 conferences they could come up with an agreement for OOC scheduling too. Could make for some interesting matchups that could help with travel and bball RPI

Exactly! I suspect eventually the winner between these two in a "pre-playoff" game will end up with access to the playoff and the other three leagues will be left out. They wont be separated by divisions, just access.

(09-07-2016 03:57 PM)biglizard Wrote:  Since these two conferences (AAC and MWC) would be the dominant (in relative terms) G5 conferences they could come up with an agreement for OOC scheduling too. Could make for some interesting matchups that could help with travel and bball RPI

Non conference rotation against WKU, GA State, South Alabama and Troy.

Minium: Conference USA faces expansion threat from the Mountain West
http://pilotonline.com/sports/college/ol...1c448.html