Memphis (and Cincinnati previously until the Big 12 invite) faces a conundrum of sorts. As Quo notes, Tiger football is not remotely within the same realm as USC, Notre Dame, Bama, etc. football. But Memphis basketball is a major program overall — and UofM basketball needs Memphis football (to an extent) due to "conference home factors." Non-FBS-football-sponsoring Gonzaga and the Big East schools "have it easy," in that they automatically benefit from NOT having football.

If Memphis dropped football to focus on hoops ... what non-FBS-football-sponsoring league would it join? None. Because there is not one any better than the future AAC that would invite Memphis. The Big East is private and Catholic. Maybe (a strong "maybe") Memphis could land an invite in the A10. The WCC and MVC are no better than the AAC, and the WCC makes no sense on multiple levels. I suppose the MVC might work. But again, the future AAC is much better suited for Memphis than the future MVC.

So Memphis almost HAS to have sponsor FBS football for the sake of its basketball program.

That is a burden that the Gonzagas and Novas of the college sports world don't have to deal with.