.
To his credit, Commissioner Aresco is being straightforward with the community of AAC students, alumni, fans, and all concerned. He's made it clear that a CFP expansion doesn't seem to be in the works, and that as a result, the American has been put into the position of "trying to figure out what (the new) strategy is going to be" with respect to attempting to move closer toward "autonomous" status by replacing UConn - at a minimum - and possibly moving toward expanding the conference beyond 12 teams.
.
This post is in the form of a "thought experiment:"
Imagine that you're an AAC exec. or insider with some influence over what kinds of new strategies might be developed.
.
To keep it simple, let's start with the simplest and least innovative step the conference could take to move just a half a step toward autonomous status.
You have two options (and we'll just focus on the football side of things):
a) Attempt to add the best possible FB (and BB) programs, whether it's two different schools or one all-sports school, within the next two years.
or
b) Spend at least one year focusing exclusively on adding an all-sports school that has a good FB program and a decent BB program, even if it's not the best available.
Ok - the rest of the thought experiment is simple - you and your colleagues have to evaluate what you consider the top candidate schools.
To get you started, here's a short list of how some of the strongest FB candidates have measured up over the past 6 seasons on the football side of things (in alphabetical order):
Consider this scenario: You have can offer sizable financial incentive, such as a signing bonus, in addition to the standard annual broadcasting revenue, which ESPN has guaranteed to replace UConn, and you can invite the school to join for all-sports or for football only.
Also, consider yourself as being well connected with the business world and with important figures in the NCAA and broadcasting industries, so that you may be able to provide a range of additional incentives that you may or may not choose to offer.
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to contribute the names of three schools that you're going to recommend approaching with the strongest possible membership offer, listing them in your order of preference.
Feel free to add data - in the same format - on any other schools that you think should be considered by your colleagues.
....................................................................................................
.
....................................................................................................
Air Force:
.........W-L.........
2020 3-3..........3 bowl games (2-1 record)
2019 11-2
2018 5-7.........Nationally-ranked team in 2019
2017 5-7
2016 10-3..........Ended 2019 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 8-6
Appalachian State:
.........W-L.........
2020 9-3..........Six straight bowl games (6-0 record)
2019 13-1
2018 11-2.........Nationally-ranked in 2018, 2019, & 2020
2017 9-4
2016 10-3..........Ended 2019 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 11-2
Army:
.........W-L.........
2020 9-3..........Four bowl games (3-1 record)
2019 5-8
2018 11-2.........Nationally-ranked teams 2019 & 2021
2017 10-3
2016 8-5..........Ended 2018 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 2-10
Boise State:
.........W-L.........
2020 5-2..........Four bowl games (2-2 record)
2019 12-2
2018 10-3.........Nationally-ranked teams all six seasons
2017 11-3
2016 10-3..........Ended 2017, 2018, & 2019 seasons in Final AP Top 25
2015 9-4
BYU:
.........W-L.........
2020 11-1..........Five bowl games (3-2 record)
2019 7-6
2018 7-6.........Nationally-ranked teams 2015, 2018, 2020
2017 4-9
2016 9-4..........Ended 2020 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 9-4
San Diego State
.........W-L.........
2020 4-4..........Five bowl games (3-2 record)
2019 10-3
2018 7-6.........Nationally-ranked teams 2016, 2017, 2019
2017 10-3
2016 11-3..........Ended 2016 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 11-3
Buffalo (State University of New York at Buffalo - State Flagship):
.........W-L.........
2020 6-1..........Three bowl games (2-1 record)
2019 8-5
2018 10-4.........Nationally-ranked team, 2020
2017 6-6
2016 2-10..........Ended 2020 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 5-7
Utah State:
.........W-L.........
2020 1-5..........Four bowl games (1-3 record)
2019 7-6
2018 11-2.........Nationally-ranked teams 2018
2017 6-7
2016 3-9..........Ended 2018 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 6-7
....................................................................................................
Just based on that list I'd just go ahead and offer App State with no additional financial incentives and be done with it.
(03-28-2021 09:41 PM)jedclampett Wrote: [ -> ].
To his credit, Commissioner Aresco is being straightforward with the community of AAC students, alumni, fans, and all concerned. He's made it clear that a CFP expansion doesn't seem to be in the works, and that as a result, the American has been put into the position of "trying to figure out what (the new) strategy is going to be" with respect to attempting to move closer toward "autonomous" status by replacing UConn - at a minimum - and possibly moving toward expanding the conference beyond 12 teams.
.
This post is in the form of a "thought experiment:"
Imagine that you're an AAC exec. or insider with some influence over what kinds of new strategies might be developed.
.
To keep it simple, let's start with the simplest and least innovative step the conference could take to move just a half a step toward autonomous status.
You have two options (and we'll just focus on the football side of things):
a) Attempt to add the best possible FB (and BB) programs, whether it's two different schools or one all-sports school, within the next two years.
or
b) Spend at least one year focusing exclusively on adding an all-sports school that has a good FB program and a decent BB program, even if it's not the best available.
Ok - the rest of the thought experiment is simple - you and your colleagues have to evaluate what you consider the top candidate schools.
To get you started, here's a short list of how some of the strongest FB candidates have measured up over the past 6 seasons on the football side of things (in alphabetical order):
Consider this scenario: You have can offer sizable financial incentive, such as a signing bonus, in addition to the standard annual broadcasting revenue, which ESPN has guaranteed to replace UConn, and you can invite the school to join for all-sports or for football only.
Also, consider yourself as being well connected with the business world and with important figures in the NCAA and broadcasting industries, so that you may be able to provide a range of additional incentives that you may or may not choose to offer.
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to contribute the names of three schools that you're going to recommend approaching with the strongest possible membership offer, listing them in your order of preference.
Feel free to add data - in the same format - on any other schools that you think should be considered by your colleagues.
....................................................................................................
.
You bring up some good question to dig into. can I start with the list of schools you posted, why those schools? App St. is clearly not like the rest of those, what else are you considering? This leads to the process of evaluating top schools to add, that you mentioned above.
I have seen member fans say, budgets, academics, large school, ability to draw eyes on tv and attendance, good FB and BB. given that list im not sure even half of the current AAC members would be added today, which is why its so hard to find a good add to match those items.
I thought the wait and see approach was the correct move, however there might come a time where you may need to add someone that dont check all boxes. Im interested in what yall fans think are most important items for adding if all boxes cant be checked. can that be added when listing your 3 school choices?
I vote for Liberty University....good football, basketball and great location.
The AAC will add a school after Jed’s 933rd thread on this topic.
The way the AAC is currently perceived, adding ANY schools for FB &/or BB does nothing but add in-conference competition for the NY6 bowl in FB & the NCAA tourney in BB. So why would we want to add anyone?
I'm in the if we can't add value then kick someone out to increase the current value camp.
(03-29-2021 11:07 AM)Agust Wrote: [ -> ]I'm in the if we can't add value then kick someone out to increase the current value camp.
This won't be done but I'd like this as a strategy.
Start a promotion/relegation system:. Every year move the top C-USA/Sun Belt team up for one year in the American!
(03-29-2021 10:29 AM)Pony94 Wrote: [ -> ]The AAC will add a school after Jed’s 933rd thread on this topic.
So, soon?
(03-29-2021 11:00 AM)Atlanta Wrote: [ -> ]The way the AAC is currently perceived, adding ANY schools for FB &/or BB does nothing but add in-conference competition for the NY6 bowl in FB & the NCAA tourney in BB. So why would we want to add anyone?
This 100%.
(03-29-2021 01:43 PM)vick mike Wrote: [ -> ] (03-29-2021 11:00 AM)Atlanta Wrote: [ -> ]The way the AAC is currently perceived, adding ANY schools for FB &/or BB does nothing but add in-conference competition for the NY6 bowl in FB & the NCAA tourney in BB. So why would we want to add anyone?
This 100%.
Because there is far more room in the NCAA tourney than just two AAC teams and if we find the right team/school in football it means at least a higher conference ranking/perception and possibly even the team that breaks through into the CFP which would change everything for this conference.
Simply put, we have the chance to get better and need to seize it.
I would invest in basketball with VCU, Dayton and St. Louis. See if this conference can get to 4-6 bids a year with 2-3 more in the NIT. Old C-USA did that and there is reason to believe this conference could pull it off too.
My preference is to add BYU but I have no idea how they would work out their schedule because they are pretty locked up for the near future.
You guys always over inflate the win/loss record for expansion. Show me the tv number.
(03-29-2021 10:29 AM)Pony94 Wrote: [ -> ]The AAC will add a school after Jed’s 933rd thread on this topic.
Are you suggesting July 1st, 2021?
(03-29-2021 11:07 AM)Agust Wrote: [ -> ]I'm in the if we can't add value then kick someone out to increase the current value camp.
Can't be done... ESPiN needs inventory
(03-28-2021 10:04 PM)jedclampett Wrote: [ -> ]....................................................................................................
Air Force:
.........W-L.........
2020 3-3..........3 bowl games (2-1 record)
2019 11-2
2018 5-7.........Nationally-ranked team in 2019
2017 5-7
2016 10-3..........Ended 2019 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 8-6
Appalachian State:
.........W-L.........
2020 9-3..........Six straight bowl games (6-0 record)
2019 13-1
2018 11-2.........Nationally-ranked in 2018, 2019, & 2020
2017 9-4
2016 10-3..........Ended 2019 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 11-2
Army:
.........W-L.........
2020 9-3..........Four bowl games (3-1 record)
2019 5-8
2018 11-2.........Nationally-ranked teams 2019 & 2021
2017 10-3
2016 8-5..........Ended 2018 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 2-10
Boise State:
.........W-L.........
2020 5-2..........Four bowl games (2-2 record)
2019 12-2
2018 10-3.........Nationally-ranked teams all six seasons
2017 11-3
2016 10-3..........Ended 2017, 2018, & 2019 seasons in Final AP Top 25
2015 9-4
BYU:
.........W-L.........
2020 11-1..........Five bowl games (3-2 record)
2019 7-6
2018 7-6.........Nationally-ranked teams 2015, 2018, 2020
2017 4-9
2016 9-4..........Ended 2020 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 9-4
San Diego State
.........W-L.........
2020 4-4..........Five bowl games (3-2 record)
2019 10-3
2018 7-6.........Nationally-ranked teams 2016, 2017, 2019
2017 10-3
2016 11-3..........Ended 2016 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 11-3
Buffalo (State University of New York at Buffalo - State Flagship):
.........W-L.........
2020 6-1..........Three bowl games (2-1 record)
2019 8-5
2018 10-4.........Nationally-ranked team, 2020
2017 6-6
2016 2-10..........Ended 2020 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 5-7
Utah State:
.........W-L.........
2020 1-5..........Four bowl games (1-3 record)
2019 7-6
2018 11-2.........Nationally-ranked teams 2018
2017 6-7
2016 3-9..........Ended 2018 season in Final AP Top 25
2015 6-7
....................................................................................................
from this list...
BYU
SDSU
Buffalo are the only ones that check all the boxes for the decision makers
only BYU for us fans
(03-29-2021 03:12 PM)GoOwls111 Wrote: [ -> ] (03-29-2021 11:07 AM)Agust Wrote: [ -> ]I'm in the if we can't add value then kick someone out to increase the current value camp.
Can't be done... ESPiN needs inventory
Temple fans look around nervously.
(03-29-2021 01:58 PM)SMUleopold Wrote: [ -> ] (03-29-2021 01:43 PM)vick mike Wrote: [ -> ] (03-29-2021 11:00 AM)Atlanta Wrote: [ -> ]The way the AAC is currently perceived, adding ANY schools for FB &/or BB does nothing but add in-conference competition for the NY6 bowl in FB & the NCAA tourney in BB. So why would we want to add anyone?
This 100%.
Because there is far more room in the NCAA tourney than just two AAC teams and if we find the right team/school in football it means at least a higher conference ranking/perception and possibly even the team that breaks through into the CFP which would change everything for this conference.
Simply put, we have the chance to get better and need to seize it.
In order to break through to the CFP...
An AAC is going to have to beat a top 4 team and go undefeated during the year.
That likely aint happening unless an AAC team all of sudden has an unexpected great year...Because the big boys (Your Alabamas, Georgias, Texas, Oklahoma) aint scheduling anyone in the AAC if they feel it is going to be competitive...