(10-08-2021 10:37 PM)JoeJag Wrote:  For those that haven't seen it.

Matt Brown saying UAB, Charlotte, UTSA and Marshall to AAC.

https://csnbbs.com/thread-931555.html

Works for me.

Wager money that ECU led them into a CUSA 3.0 expansion re do.

They built a coalition to block a small CUSA add to shift the center of gravity further east. This time it’s AAC getting two speculative additions.

(10-09-2021 09:33 AM)Oldyeller Wrote:  The upside return on the current Sun Belt is greater than any potential advantage a jump to what’s left of the AAC would offer.

Sun Belt leaves Florida on an island. This is good for a host of reasons.

The state of Georgia and Atlanta and it’s millions of eyeballs and ballers.

Multiple Sun Belt members making significant progress in rankings and facilities.

Middle of the conference are all recent conf champs.

Tight foot print = less travel.

ESPN.

Outstanding travel destinations.

Add USM and either Marshall or FAU or both and one more and what’s not to like? The train is firmly on the tracks.

Devil's advocate:

Navy is very attractive. ECU is appealing to Marshall d/t region and history. Temple isn't too, too far. Memphis is the best basketball program in AAC, C-USA, and SB. SMU has history, I suppose.

Not saying the AAC is better. Just listing its credentials.

Now, the problem is that Memphis, SMU, Navy, and USF are flight risks. Heck if I know whether they actually leave anytime soon, but the doubt itself makes it much less stable than the SB. Also, joining the AAC flies in the face of MU fans' complaints about travel halfway across the country, and it's very doubtful MU can keep up budget wise with the existing 8 AAC programs if they do stay.

Schools have their choices to make...

(10-09-2021 05:04 AM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 10:37 PM)JoeJag Wrote:  For those that haven't seen it.

Matt Brown saying UAB, Charlotte, UTSA and Marshall to AAC.

https://csnbbs.com/thread-931555.html

Kinda like he predicted AFA & Colorado State to AAC were done deals?

There is a difference in humm that looks logical and OK after talking to people in the conference and at the schools involved I think they are going and then it blows up because there is a change of heart.

I don’t believe there is any doubt AFA and likely Colorado State leadership were all in on AAC until they boosters, rank and file fans, and maybe a sweetener from the MWC office changed their minds.

Life is not binary.

Reputable sourced stories change because situations change. If you had asked me last night my plans for 10:45 am I would have told you and you could have repeated it. My wife doesn’t feel great this morning. The plans changed. Doesn’t mean that at midnight last night a story on plans today was wrong. It was right until around 9:00 am today.

(10-09-2021 09:41 AM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 09:33 AM)Oldyeller Wrote:  The upside return on the current Sun Belt is greater than any potential advantage a jump to what’s left of the AAC would offer.

Sun Belt leaves Florida on an island. This is good for a host of reasons.

The state of Georgia and Atlanta and it’s millions of eyeballs and ballers.

Multiple Sun Belt members making significant progress in rankings and facilities.

Middle of the conference are all recent conf champs.

Tight foot print = less travel.

ESPN.

Outstanding travel destinations.

Add USM and either Marshall or FAU or both and one more and what’s not to like? The train is firmly on the tracks.

Devil's advocate:

Navy is very attractive. ECU is appealing to Marshall d/t region and history. Temple isn't too, too far. Memphis is the best basketball program in AAC, C-USA, and SB. SMU has history, I suppose.

Not saying the AAC is better. Just listing its credentials.

Now, the problem is that Memphis, SMU, Navy, and USF are flight risks. Heck if I know whether they actually leave anytime soon, but the doubt itself makes it much less stable than the SB. Also, joining the AAC flies in the face of MU fans' complaints about travel halfway across the country, and it's very doubtful MU can keep up budget wise with the existing 8 AAC programs if they do stay.

Schools have their choices to make...

If those teams leave then the AAC will just invite the best CUSA/SBC programs...or at least the ones they want.

(10-09-2021 07:58 AM)Usajags Wrote:  The positive of this post means we won’t have to deal with Marshall posters telling us what we should do with our conference. We add USM and welcome back WKU. Still feel a little bad for TxSt out on an island.

Of course if those 4 go, when Memphis ultimately heads to the Big XII, Marshall and ECU will be trying hard to direct the conference East with either JMU being added or App gets the AAC. Which App will go to be with Marshall and ECU.

Wrong. It means the ones class deficit who didn’t have mommas raise them up to be nice little boys and girls will be here sneering they’d never really considered the horrible Sun Belt and etc.

The ones raised right and their raising took, we won’t see again.

(10-09-2021 09:45 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 05:04 AM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(10-08-2021 10:37 PM)JoeJag Wrote:  For those that haven't seen it.

Matt Brown saying UAB, Charlotte, UTSA and Marshall to AAC.

https://csnbbs.com/thread-931555.html

Kinda like he predicted AFA & Colorado State to AAC were done deals?

There is a difference in humm that looks logical and OK after talking to people in the conference and at the schools involved I think they are going and then it blows up because there is a change of heart.

I don’t believe there is any doubt AFA and likely Colorado State leadership were all in on AAC until they boosters, rank and file fans, and maybe a sweetener from the MWC office changed their minds.

Life is not binary.

Reputable sourced stories change because situations change. If you had asked me last night my plans for 10:45 am I would have told you and you could have repeated it. My wife doesn’t feel great this morning. The plans changed. Doesn’t mean that at midnight last night a story on plans today was wrong. It was right until around 9:00 am today.

Agreed. The CSU and AFA athletic directors have both confirmed there were serious discussions with the AAC, so he wasn't wrong at that time.

Doesn't necessarily mean he is right in this instance either though. To be honest, I doubt the AAC even knows what they are going to do.

(10-09-2021 09:46 AM)herdfan129 Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 09:41 AM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 09:33 AM)Oldyeller Wrote:  The upside return on the current Sun Belt is greater than any potential advantage a jump to what’s left of the AAC would offer.

Sun Belt leaves Florida on an island. This is good for a host of reasons.

The state of Georgia and Atlanta and it’s millions of eyeballs and ballers.

Multiple Sun Belt members making significant progress in rankings and facilities.

Middle of the conference are all recent conf champs.

Tight foot print = less travel.

ESPN.

Outstanding travel destinations.

Add USM and either Marshall or FAU or both and one more and what’s not to like? The train is firmly on the tracks.

Devil's advocate:

Navy is very attractive. ECU is appealing to Marshall d/t region and history. Temple isn't too, too far. Memphis is the best basketball program in AAC, C-USA, and SB. SMU has history, I suppose.

Not saying the AAC is better. Just listing its credentials.

Now, the problem is that Memphis, SMU, Navy, and USF are flight risks. Heck if I know whether they actually leave anytime soon, but the doubt itself makes it much less stable than the SB. Also, joining the AAC flies in the face of MU fans' complaints about travel halfway across the country, and it's very doubtful MU can keep up budget wise with the existing 8 AAC programs if they do stay.

Schools have their choices to make...

If those teams leave then the AAC will just invite the best CUSA/SBC programs...or at least the ones they want.

They may do that but again the more watered down the AAC becomes the less attractive the invite. It's not a slam dunk particularly if it takes a few years for the opportunity to present itself and the Sun Belt can continue to make progress. With any additions to the current Sun Belt in this round of realignment will come rivalries and travel partners. The carrot will have to be more significant than it is currently and IMO it ain't worth eating.

(10-09-2021 06:46 AM)Saint3333 Wrote:  AAC is about to be a second version of the current CUSA once Memphis bolts.

Ranging from Temple to Texas, spending twice the cash with results not much different than other G5 programs.

Anyone have map if those schools join?

This. Couldn’t agree more. The AAC will not be a better league with those programs, their media package will suffer, and their travel expenses through the roof.

(10-09-2021 08:59 AM)herdfan129 Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 07:42 AM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 06:46 AM)Saint3333 Wrote:  AAC is about to be a second version of the current CUSA once Memphis bolts.

Ranging from Temple to Texas, spending twice the cash with results not much different than other G5 programs.

Anyone have map if those schools join?

If they do go AAC that seems a bit surprising to me after all of the posts indicating Marshall really wants an east coast league. Spending way more money to join an unstable league, little hope of recouping costs, and worse travel situation than what they have now - bold strategy for sure. But the AAC does sponsor mens soccer so they have that going for them.

I would prefer a new conference with CUSA East and SBC East teams over the AAC.

But the new AAC is definitely better than current CUSA or the SBC.

(10-09-2021 07:42 AM)rokamortis Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 06:46 AM)Saint3333 Wrote:  AAC is about to be a second version of the current CUSA once Memphis bolts.

Ranging from Temple to Texas, spending twice the cash with results not much different than other G5 programs.

Anyone have map if those schools join?

If they do go AAC that seems a bit surprising to me after all of the posts indicating Marshall really wants an east coast league. Spending way more money to join an unstable league, little hope of recouping costs, and worse travel situation than what they have now - bold strategy for sure. But the AAC does sponsor mens soccer so they have that going for them.

Maybe Marshall is willing to go to the AAC because they’ve been told the next steps, I.e. what happens if 2-4 more teams defect and who is coming in to take those spots. If we go to the AAC we may end up seeing that league become the East coast league in 3-5 seasons. Hope that Coastal, Ga Southern, App, are part of that future at a minimum.

I also would have more excitement over joining the current SBC so joining the AAC would be anticlimactic to me.

If true, add USM and JMU and leave CUSA with 9.

MW could still look to add UNT and Rice.

(10-09-2021 10:07 AM)slycat Wrote:  If true, add USM and JMU and leave CUSA with 9.

Add USM and WKU and leave them at 8. Let them take the risk on JMU.

JMU has upside, you guys have some me on that, but no reason for us to go FCS.

(10-09-2021 10:36 AM)Usajags Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 10:07 AM)slycat Wrote:  If true, add USM and JMU and leave CUSA with 9.

Add USM and WKU and leave them at 8. Let them take the risk on JMU.

JMU has upside, you guys have some me on that, but no reason for us to go FCS.

I'm fine with that or Rice. I just think cusa sits at 10 unless USM really do want out that badly. If USM leaves it may force wku to bolt.

(10-09-2021 10:40 AM)slycat Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 10:36 AM)Usajags Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 10:07 AM)slycat Wrote:  If true, add USM and JMU and leave CUSA with 9.

Add USM and WKU and leave them at 8. Let them take the risk on JMU.

JMU has upside, you guys have some me on that, but no reason for us to go FCS.

I'm fine with that or Rice. I just think cusa sits at 10 unless USM really do want out that badly. If USM leaves it may force wku to bolt.

I just don’t see Rice coming to The Belt, they’re a totally different animal than the rest of the Belt schools, with a totally different history. Rice will take what they perceive to be an upward move . . (AAC, MW).

(10-09-2021 11:00 AM)Bobcat87 Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 10:40 AM)slycat Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 10:36 AM)Usajags Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 10:07 AM)slycat Wrote:  If true, add USM and JMU and leave CUSA with 9.

Add USM and WKU and leave them at 8. Let them take the risk on JMU.

JMU has upside, you guys have some me on that, but no reason for us to go FCS.

I'm fine with that or Rice. I just think cusa sits at 10 unless USM really do want out that badly. If USM leaves it may force wku to bolt.

I just don’t see Rice coming to The Belt, they’re a totally different animal than the rest of the Belt schools, with a totally different history. Rice will take what they perceive to be an upward move . . (AAC, MW).

Rice isn’t shopping for best athletic fit. They aren’t crazy about CUSA, especially since Tulsa, SMU and Tulane left, they aren’t joining a league of even more grown up teacher and Aggie schools.

(10-09-2021 10:00 AM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 06:46 AM)Saint3333 Wrote:  AAC is about to be a second version of the current CUSA once Memphis bolts.

Ranging from Temple to Texas, spending twice the cash with results not much different than other G5 programs.

Anyone have map if those schools join?

This. Couldn’t agree more. The AAC will not be a better league with those programs, their media package will suffer, and their travel expenses through the roof.

Here's the thing. The AAC could take App alone and knock the brand of the Sunbelt with that one move. And if it keeps their position above the other conferences then that's exactly what they'll do. This scenario you guys keep imagining that you all get better while everyone else gets worse isn't a very realistic one.

(10-09-2021 11:07 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 11:00 AM)Bobcat87 Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 10:40 AM)slycat Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 10:36 AM)Usajags Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 10:07 AM)slycat Wrote:  If true, add USM and JMU and leave CUSA with 9.

Add USM and WKU and leave them at 8. Let them take the risk on JMU.

JMU has upside, you guys have some me on that, but no reason for us to go FCS.

I'm fine with that or Rice. I just think cusa sits at 10 unless USM really do want out that badly. If USM leaves it may force wku to bolt.

I just don’t see Rice coming to The Belt, they’re a totally different animal than the rest of the Belt schools, with a totally different history. Rice will take what they perceive to be an upward move . . (AAC, MW).

Rice isn’t shopping for best athletic fit. They aren’t crazy about CUSA, especially since Tulsa, SMU and Tulane left, they aren’t joining a league of even more grown up teacher and Aggie schools.

From what I hear, there are more than a few schools “unhappy” with the current CUSA configuration . . . don’t mean they’re coming here.

Now, I can see several current CUSA programs that would be a good fit for the Belt, but Rice ain’t one of them. If they are unhappy with CUSA, and are shopping themselves, it’ll be somewhere else.

(10-09-2021 11:15 AM)AlwaysSunny Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 10:00 AM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 06:46 AM)Saint3333 Wrote:  AAC is about to be a second version of the current CUSA once Memphis bolts.

Ranging from Temple to Texas, spending twice the cash with results not much different than other G5 programs.

Anyone have map if those schools join?

This. Couldn’t agree more. The AAC will not be a better league with those programs, their media package will suffer, and their travel expenses through the roof.

Here's the thing. The AAC could take App alone and knock the brand of the Sunbelt with that one move. And if it keeps their position above the other conferences then that's exactly what they'll do. This scenario you guys keep imagining that you all get better while everyone else gets worse isn't a very realistic one.

. . . . wait, . . . you sayin’ we can’t do that ? That’s just crazy talk . .

(10-09-2021 10:40 AM)slycat Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 10:36 AM)Usajags Wrote:  

(10-09-2021 10:07 AM)slycat Wrote:  If true, add USM and JMU and leave CUSA with 9.

B
Add USM and WKU and leave them at 8. Let them take the risk on JMU.

JMU has upside, you guys have some me on that, but no reason for us to go FCS.

I'm fine with that or Rice. I just think cusa sits at 10 unless USM really do want out that badly. If USM leaves it may force wku to bolt.

USM wants out that badly or worse. SBC is ideal for us. We have kicked the tires with AAC because that’s just due diligence, but SBC sure feels like home to me. I wish we’d announce it at halftime of homecoming today.