I want to throw a wild-card out there: New Mexico

We haven't discussed them really in these threads. It's not a huge market - 47th. But they have a strong basketball history, and they're an institutional fit. So far as football, it has struggled for the most part, but joining the AAC would give New Mexico a leg-up on their regional competition and much better access to Texas recruiting. It's a state flagship school, which has merit unto itself, especially if the AAC is going to want to call on political muscle down the road.