The football issue seems to have always been whether the program can distinguish itself better within and a part of the AAC or outside of it as an independent.

Independence is far more feasible now, given the pool of FBS independents, but it's not failsafe. UConn can't command/demand special favors the same way Notre Dame and the Service Academies can/could; UConn's phone lines won't be jammed by teams dying to get them on the books.

Ironically, I don't think television and bowl access is as big an issue as the logistics. I suspect UConn could find television money...it just won't be great. UConn could find bowl tie-in's; their name and brand may carry enough weight to curry some interest with select games. Additionally, get to .500, and it's possible they go somewhere regardless of any special arrangements.

Losing good AAC games will hurt. And it's there where the issue really lies. You can leave and fill up the slate with NMSU, Liberty, etc.., but, with exception of Army and BYU, and maybe some regional interest with UMass, that's a big hit losing the Houston's, UCF's, Navy's, Cincy's, and ECU's of your schedule. Those guys help bring in money the old-fashioned way when you host them...you won't see it as an independent, backfilling with SBC, CUSA, and FCS fare. They won't travel...neither will UConn fans to watch those games.