We all know that a P5 invite may or may not come in the near future. BE + football independence has been discussed but thrown out the window a few times for logistical reasons. I have a solution to a major logistical problem: scheduling. It was an idea I came up with a few months ago but didn't think it would be well received due to being so far outside the box. Well, times have changed. My idea is that UConn schedule 5 P5 home and home series the first five weeks of the seasons, and FCS game and then BYU, UMass, and Army 2x every year.

Yes, that is right, playing three opponents twice in the same year. Liberty and NMSU are going to do it in 2018 and 2019. Why doesn't UConn?

By playing BYU, UMass, and Army (who all sometime struggle to fill out their schedules) twice, UConn kills two birds with one stone (they fill out their schedules and so do we).

A schedule like this is very possible:
Missouri (A)
Indiana (H)
Illinois (A)
NCSU (H)
BC (A)
FCS (H)
Army (H)
BYU (A)
UMass (A)
Army (A)
BYU (H)
UMass (H)

UConn can still play 5 power schools and four more games against well known opponents (BYU and Army). As far as TV, SNY would get the home BYU, UMass, and Army games. ESPN would get the BYU road game, SNY the road UMass game, and CBS Sports the road Army game. The FCS game would be on SNY, the road P5 on ESPN networks, and the home P5 games on FS1 (they would give UConn 2-3 games a year in exchange for getting their basketball to come on board to the BE). UConn would then just join the Big East for everything else and play a 20-game conference schedule.

UConn would need some serious help from Fox in order to get assistance every year as an independent. They could do two B1G games and two Big 12 games (possibly), or maybe even throw in one PAC-12 game in order to have a five game guarantee every year (then fill the remainder with Army, Navy, BYU, UMass and perhaps a rotation of BC, Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati). That type of schedule is, arguably, much stronger than what they currently have in the American - but the problem for UConn Football isn't the opponents they play; it's the lack of success that is holding them back. They have the support and the resources to be in a power conference. It's arguable that it is because of football that they are being held back.

The Big East would absolutely be in favor of this move, Fox would obviously be in favor of this move, and the Basketball/Olympic supporters of UConn would probably be in favor of this move. However, UConn Football isn't locked out (officially) yet. UConn needs to wait and see what the AAC contract is, and what type of bowl tie-ins they can guarantee. If the AAC continues to fail to get respect from the NCAA Tournament committee, then this route becomes much more realistic - but UConn needs to be patient for a little while longer and see what the environment is in advance of the next (possibly last) major go-around. Edsall built something competitive once before, and he could do it again. If Edsall flames out, that could be strike three for UConn Football (after Pasqualoni and Diaco).

Would be that at least James Madison, Stony Brook, Albany and Delaware will get FBS waivers too. That would allow UConn, UMass, and Army to have conference schedules if they chose to align with them.

(05-27-2017 04:37 PM)NoDak Wrote:  Would be that at least James Madison, Stony Brook, Albany and Delaware will get FBS waivers too. That would allow UConn, UMass, and Army to have conference schedules if they chose to align with them.

UConn doesn't want to play those schools though. As long as we could get 4-5 power conference schools and fill out the remainder of the schedule with respectable opponents (see BYU, Army, etc.) we'll be happy. JMU, Stony Brook, Albany, and Delaware aren't in the respectable opponents category.

I have no inside knowledge, but my guess is that UConn has a standing invitation from the Big East (regardless of what becomes of their football program). While there will always be the potential for UConn to leave for the B1G/ACC, losing one school is much different than losing a group of schools (like Miami/VT/BC, Syracuse/Pitt, WVU/UL/ND, etc.). They have built-in affiliations and rivalries with Villanova, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall and St. Johns, the cost of Olympic travel would be exponentially lowered with the closer regional matchups.

A UConn addition to the Big East would be cement the conference as a top-3 basketball conference, and would actually create a separation in the college basketball landscape of the ACC, B1G, Big 12, Big East, PAC-12, and SEC, and everyone else. The AAC and A-10 would fall further behind. Their addition would also get the Big East more money (and more money for UConn).

While this scenario may not be likely, it will always be on the table and possible until UConn's fate gets decided. As discussed numerous times here on this board, their affiliation in the American is simply not sustainable long-term.

(05-27-2017 04:43 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  I have no inside knowledge, but my guess is that UConn has a standing invitation from the Big East (regardless of what becomes of their football program). While there will always be the potential for UConn to leave for the B1G/ACC, losing one school is much different than losing a group of schools (like Miami/VT/BC, Syracuse/Pitt, WVU/UL/ND, etc.). They have built-in affiliations and rivalries with Villanova, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall and St. Johns, the cost of Olympic travel would be exponentially lowered with the closer regional matchups.

A UConn addition to the Big East would be cement the conference as a top-3 basketball conference, and would actually create a separation in the college basketball landscape of the ACC, B1G, Big 12, Big East, PAC-12, and SEC, and everyone else. The AAC and A-10 would fall further behind. Their addition would also get the Big East more money (and more money for UConn).

While this scenario may not be likely, it will always be on the table and possible until UConn's fate gets decided. As discussed numerous times here on this board, their affiliation in the American is simply not sustainable long-term.

My question to you though is is it plausible that UConn could play BYU, Army, and UMass twice every year (once home and once away)? This is what makes this thread slightly different than previous UConn independence threads.

(05-27-2017 04:49 PM)shizzle787 Wrote:  

(05-27-2017 04:43 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  I have no inside knowledge, but my guess is that UConn has a standing invitation from the Big East (regardless of what becomes of their football program). While there will always be the potential for UConn to leave for the B1G/ACC, losing one school is much different than losing a group of schools (like Miami/VT/BC, Syracuse/Pitt, WVU/UL/ND, etc.). They have built-in affiliations and rivalries with Villanova, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall and St. Johns, the cost of Olympic travel would be exponentially lowered with the closer regional matchups.

A UConn addition to the Big East would be cement the conference as a top-3 basketball conference, and would actually create a separation in the college basketball landscape of the ACC, B1G, Big 12, Big East, PAC-12, and SEC, and everyone else. The AAC and A-10 would fall further behind. Their addition would also get the Big East more money (and more money for UConn).

While this scenario may not be likely, it will always be on the table and possible until UConn's fate gets decided. As discussed numerous times here on this board, their affiliation in the American is simply not sustainable long-term.

My question to you though is is it plausible that UConn could play BYU, Army, and UMass twice every year (once home and once away)? This is what makes this thread slightly different than previous UConn independence threads.

No, I don't think that scenario is feasible. Playing one opponent in football twice a year is tough, but three? BYU may get good publicity with UConn, but I doubt Army and UMass would. Heck, UConn doesn't even enjoy playing UMass.

UCONN would have no promblem putting a sch together
Fox, ESPN, ACC, UCONN BB & WBB, Indepentents, location, Foxboro stadium would all help them
the ? is would they get 10 million

(05-27-2017 05:00 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  

(05-27-2017 04:49 PM)shizzle787 Wrote:  

(05-27-2017 04:43 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  I have no inside knowledge, but my guess is that UConn has a standing invitation from the Big East (regardless of what becomes of their football program). While there will always be the potential for UConn to leave for the B1G/ACC, losing one school is much different than losing a group of schools (like Miami/VT/BC, Syracuse/Pitt, WVU/UL/ND, etc.). They have built-in affiliations and rivalries with Villanova, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall and St. Johns, the cost of Olympic travel would be exponentially lowered with the closer regional matchups.

A UConn addition to the Big East would be cement the conference as a top-3 basketball conference, and would actually create a separation in the college basketball landscape of the ACC, B1G, Big 12, Big East, PAC-12, and SEC, and everyone else. The AAC and A-10 would fall further behind. Their addition would also get the Big East more money (and more money for UConn).

While this scenario may not be likely, it will always be on the table and possible until UConn's fate gets decided. As discussed numerous times here on this board, their affiliation in the American is simply not sustainable long-term.

My question to you though is is it plausible that UConn could play BYU, Army, and UMass twice every year (once home and once away)? This is what makes this thread slightly different than previous UConn independence threads.

No, I don't think that scenario is feasible. Playing one opponent in football twice a year is tough, but three? BYU may get good publicity with UConn, but I doubt Army and UMass would. Heck, UConn doesn't even enjoy playing UMass.

That is true, although I'll disagree about Army. UMass may not even be an FBS school in 5 years so there's that.

Think this is way to early topic for UCONN. I think the next AAC TV Contract plays more into it than anything else. If I am not mistaken, Big East Basketball nearly doubles the AAC TV contract currently. Will that hold in the next contract. Some think the AAC will get paid big time and some think it may be a modest increase. If Big East still pays more than AAC, UCONN might consider a jump if they can get a BYU type TV deal for football. Think we are two years before knowing if that happens.

Here's the thing about UConn going independent in football:

UMass, Liberty, and NMSU are going to be annual games.

Independence is also going to mean relying on P5 regional schools like BC, Syracuse, Pitt, WVU, Rutgers, Maryland, and Penn St for games. Some of those would be okay with an ocasional H and H but most of them are going to want 2 for 1s and Penn St might just flat out say no.

Temple, Army, BYU, and Buffalo are other programs that UConn could reach out to for games.

All in all, I think the Huskies will struggle to put together quality schedules.

(05-27-2017 04:15 PM)shizzle787 Wrote:  We all know that a P5 invite may or may not come in the near future. BE + football independence has been discussed but thrown out the window a few times for logistical reasons. I have a solution to a major logistical problem: scheduling. It was an idea I came up with a few months ago but didn't think it would be well received due to being so far outside the box. Well, times have changed. My idea is that UConn schedule 5 P5 home and home series the first five weeks of the seasons, and FCS game and then BYU, UMass, and Army 2x every year.

Yes, that is right, playing three opponents twice in the same year. Liberty and NMSU are going to do it in 2018 and 2019. Why doesn't UConn?

By playing BYU, UMass, and Army (who all sometime struggle to fill out their schedules) twice, UConn kills two birds with one stone (they fill out their schedules and so do we).

A schedule like this is very possible:
Missouri (A)
Indiana (H)
Illinois (A)
NCSU (H)
BC (A)
FCS (H)
Army (H)
BYU (A)
UMass (A)
Army (A)
BYU (H)
UMass (H)

UConn can still play 5 power schools and four more games against well known opponents (BYU and Army). As far as TV, SNY would get the home BYU, UMass, and Army games. ESPN would get the BYU road game, SNY the road UMass game, and CBS Sports the road Army game. The FCS game would be on SNY, the road P5 on ESPN networks, and the home P5 games on FS1 (they would give UConn 2-3 games a year in exchange for getting their basketball to come on board to the BE). UConn would then just join the Big East for everything else and play a 20-game conference schedule.

Not sure what the point of playing 3 G5 teams twice is. Its not that hard to schedule G5 schools. The hard part is getting 5 P5 home-and-home series.

(05-27-2017 04:15 PM)shizzle787 Wrote:  We all know that a P5 invite may or may not come in the near future. BE + football independence has been discussed but thrown out the window a few times for logistical reasons. I have a solution to a major logistical problem: scheduling. It was an idea I came up with a few months ago but didn't think it would be well received due to being so far outside the box. Well, times have changed. My idea is that UConn schedule 5 P5 home and home series the first five weeks of the seasons, and FCS game and then BYU, UMass, and Army 2x every year.

Yes, that is right, playing three opponents twice in the same year. Liberty and NMSU are going to do it in 2018 and 2019. Why doesn't UConn?

By playing BYU, UMass, and Army (who all sometime struggle to fill out their schedules) twice, UConn kills two birds with one stone (they fill out their schedules and so do we).

A schedule like this is very possible:
Missouri (A)
Indiana (H)
Illinois (A)
NCSU (H)
BC (A)
FCS (H)
Army (H)
BYU (A)
UMass (A)
Army (A)
BYU (H)
UMass (H)

UConn can still play 5 power schools and four more games against well known opponents (BYU and Army). As far as TV, SNY would get the home BYU, UMass, and Army games. ESPN would get the BYU road game, SNY the road UMass game, and CBS Sports the road Army game. The FCS game would be on SNY, the road P5 on ESPN networks, and the home P5 games on FS1 (they would give UConn 2-3 games a year in exchange for getting their basketball to come on board to the BE). UConn would then just join the Big East for everything else and play a 20-game conference schedule.

Whatever crap gets thrown at UCONN on this thread is deserved, IMO. I hate, with the fire of a thousand suns, the delusional thinking of anyone who thinks Independence is even remotely viable for a school like UCONN.

Do your worst UCONN-haters!! I refuse to defend crap threads like the OP started.

(05-27-2017 04:43 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  I have no inside knowledge, but my guess is that UConn has a standing invitation from the Big East (regardless of what becomes of their football program).

It may be possible that such an invitation exists. But it would seem to run counter to all the reasons the NBE broke away to begin with. UConn doesn't come close to fitting the profile of all the other members. Personally, I would bet against it.

A UConn addition to the Big East would ...... actually create a separation in the college basketball landscape of the ACC, B1G, Big 12, Big East, PAC-12, and SEC, and everyone else. The AAC and A-10 would fall further behind. Their addition would also get the Big East more money (and more money for UConn).

Those six conferences already have separation from everyone else. They don't need UConn for that. I don't know that the Big East would get more money per school if UConn joined. And with the loss of both the AAC football media money and the CFP money they now get as a member of a G5 conference, it's hard to imagine that UConn could hope for more than a miniscule revenue gain, and they could actually see a loss of revenue.

(05-27-2017 05:14 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  Think this is way to early topic for UCONN. I think the next AAC TV Contract plays more into it than anything else. If I am not mistaken, Big East Basketball nearly doubles the AAC TV contract currently. Will that hold in the next contract. Some think the AAC will get paid big time and some think it may be a modest increase. If Big East still pays more than AAC, UCONN might consider a jump if they can get a BYU type TV deal for football. Think we are two years before knowing if that happens.

UConn won't get any BYU deal for football.

As much as I loathe BYU, this twice a year thing would never work out. They were ridiculed for even playing them once as critics felt U Conn was less than better teams in the MWC. U Conn was not wanted when the bigger conferences expanded last time and if another round happens the same thing could easily happen.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

(05-27-2017 04:15 PM)shizzle787 Wrote:  We all know that a P5 invite may or may not come in the near future. BE + football independence has been discussed but thrown out the window a few times for logistical reasons. I have a solution to a major logistical problem: scheduling. It was an idea I came up with a few months ago but didn't think it would be well received due to being so far outside the box. Well, times have changed. My idea is that UConn schedule 5 P5 home and home series the first five weeks of the seasons, and FCS game and then BYU, UMass, and Army 2x every year.

Yes, that is right, playing three opponents twice in the same year. Liberty and NMSU are going to do it in 2018 and 2019. Why doesn't UConn?

By playing BYU, UMass, and Army (who all sometime struggle to fill out their schedules) twice, UConn kills two birds with one stone (they fill out their schedules and so do we).

A schedule like this is very possible:
Missouri (A)
Indiana (H)
Illinois (A)
NCSU (H)
BC (A)
FCS (H)
Army (H)
BYU (A)
UMass (A)
Army (A)
BYU (H)
UMass (H)

UConn can still play 5 power schools and four more games against well known opponents (BYU and Army). As far as TV, SNY would get the home BYU, UMass, and Army games. ESPN would get the BYU road game, SNY the road UMass game, and CBS Sports the road Army game. The FCS game would be on SNY, the road P5 on ESPN networks, and the home P5 games on FS1 (they would give UConn 2-3 games a year in exchange for getting their basketball to come on board to the BE). UConn would then just join the Big East for everything else and play a 20-game conference schedule.

Where's Liberty on your schedule? You forgot Liberty.

Does Fox really need the inventory? MLB cuts into the OTA and FS1 inventory in September and October. By the time you throw in B1G, XII, and PAC games, there are only so many games that can be shown on television. That's before you even add in MLS and NASCAR obligations.

Football independence would be very difficult for a New England program like Connecticut. There is simply no incentive for those looking for road games to travel there. They have the same problem Louisville would have: not enough in state talent to entice programs to visit and not enough of a name to make it worth the effort.

Aside from a national program like Notre Dame, very few can succeed as an independents. BYU has a national following and they are struggling to put together an exciting, competitive home schedule every season.

UCONN could use their basketball success and trade basketball road games for home football games. Louisville did this in the 90's with Tennessee.

Bottom line is UCONN needs the American not The Big East.
CJ

(05-27-2017 05:56 PM)goodknightfl Wrote:  

(05-27-2017 05:14 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  Think this is way to early topic for UCONN. I think the next AAC TV Contract plays more into it than anything else. If I am not mistaken, Big East Basketball nearly doubles the AAC TV contract currently. Will that hold in the next contract. Some think the AAC will get paid big time and some think it may be a modest increase. If Big East still pays more than AAC, UCONN might consider a jump if they can get a BYU type TV deal for football. Think we are two years before knowing if that happens.

UConn won't get any BYU deal for football.

Did I say they get a deal? I said what UCONN would probably need to consider for such a jump.

I doubt it ever gets that far. However, it does seem UCONN fans don't enjoy being in the AAC. They remind of when MD was in the ACC, they always felt as the outpost for the conference prior to expansion.