(12-24-2021 05:07 PM)shizzle787 Wrote: This would mean going independent in football and no Big 12 invite is on the horizon (I don't think there is tbh).
While my answer is no, there is a scenario where I would not be opposed to joining the BE & going independent in FB temporarily……until the ACC is raided and UM moves there with UCONN & maybe a couple more when their GOR is over & top 4 teams leave.
If the UM partnered with ESPN who helped influenced a scheduled that was 1/4 SEC, 1/4 ACC, & 1/2 AAC/SBC/other independents, 11 with home & home series & the 1 annual buy game (guaranteeing ESPN had rights to all UM games during this timeframe). The market value of having 6 games a year vs SEC/ACC would likely pay UM more than AAC contract currently does. The drawback of being independent likely is the limited access to CFP, but realistically a schedule with 6 SEC &ACC games likely eliminates that anyway, or if we run the table are probably high enough rated for an at large bid so maybe limited harm, other than winning AAC likely easier path.
The key is preparing yourself to compete in the ACC when you join.
IMHO the ACC is our best chance to move up, but we have to wait on their dominoes to fall…….which might take longer than we want.
Although reality is, we need to try to consistently be the Big fish in our small pond AAC in both FB & BB & in that scenario moving to ACC is equally as likely it would be by joining BE & going independent.
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Would Memphis join the Big East if offered?
