(04-14-2018 02:33 PM)slhNavy91 Wrote:  

(04-14-2018 10:00 AM)panite Wrote:  

(04-14-2018 07:18 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  I'll never understand the love for UMass in some quarters of the AAC fanbase... They are a total mooch program; they want the $$$ and exposure that FBS and the AAC would bring but have historically invested next-to-nothing in their sports and bring next-to-nothing in return. New Hampshire or Delaware would be better additions and partners but you don't hear anyone pining over them.

UMass would be so far down my list of "expansion candidates" that if the American adds them, I'd say it's just time to close up shop because that means we're beyond desperate.

New Hampshire and Delaware do not want to move up though so they are out. The AAC can merely schedule games with UMASS especially for FB and BB without taking them into the conference while they make the improvements that need to be made. Close members like UCONN, Temple, an Navy could rotate them through their schedules for FB, and the schools of greater distance could rotate them regionally.

NE - Temple and UCONN - 1 game between them a year.
Mid Atlantic /Tide Region - Navy and ECU - 1 game a year.
Florida - UCF and USF - 1 game a year.
Midwest and SE - CINN, Memphis, Tulane - 1 game a year.
SW - SMU, Houston, and Tulsa - 1 game a year.

This gives UMASS the potential for 5 games a year without a scheduling agreement until the next realignment phase passes through. Gives the AAC a chance to see if UMASS is committed to improving their facilities and team at the D-1 level for possible future inclusion. I would think that Temple and UCONN would want another NE member to cut their travel costs.

I have no need for Navy to play UMass.
We have zero spots on our schedule -- if you assume we continue using a final home game, FCS game to share the wealth with our Patriot League friends. If we weren't doing that, better Delaware than UMass. If you tell me it can't be Patriot League or Delaware (maybe "FBS only")....then I would go for bigger matchups (in recent years Ohio State, Penn State, South Carolina) that we no longer get since giving up independence. If you tell me to think regionally, then Pitt and Rutgers are among those we've played a lot and who bring big crowds.
UMass? Nope.