(06-24-2019 09:37 AM)FAU Connoisseur! Wrote:  Grouping teams based on similar reasons as to why they won't or will be selected for the call up. Certainly no the only reason for each team but a big one in my opinion:

Left behind for the same reason they were left behind the last time. What has changed other than revenue is even less than before:

Marshall, USM

Not selected due to USF and UCF do not want to advance FIU or FAU's progress in the state of FL. Although allowing both in would create some amazing rivalries and great attendance for all schools involved, but USF and UCF want to defend their turf. Similar to USF keeping UCF out of BE until it was absolutely necessary to allow them to join (AAC formerly BE).

FAU, FIU

Endowment is meaningless to a conference. AAC would want to see you use the endowment now and be a power in CUSA. I don't see it.

Rice

I think the TX members of AAC are not overly excited about giving them a call up for similar reasons as FAU and FIU in Florida. I actually think that the TX schools will be going west.

UNT, UTEP, UTSA

To small (enrollment), why would they want multiple teams from Louisiana?

La Tech

Not sure what to say about the rest:

UAB - maybe desirable for the call up; just shows we should have immediately expelled them when they dropped football; they could be in play.
ODU - huge budget; micro-stadium; haven't proven they can win at football which lets be honest AAC is a football conference and they want to improve their premier product.
Charlotte - great facilities, the football stadium could be expanded instantly, I love their stadium been their twice. Like ODU haven't proven they can win yet.

MTSU - WKU - apathetic fanbase in the main sport the AAC is interested in. A problem almost all of have in relation to fan interest

I didn't write this to poop on your school, there are probably a 1,000 reasons for each to get the call, but it only takes one reason not to get the call. I don't see the AAC fill their gap with a call to CUSA. They hold at 11 or go BYU (mistake and I don't think they accept to far away) or Army.

But still something to get worked up over during the summer doldrums.

Good post, a lot to chew on without being completely disrespectful. I wish others had that same tone.

I don't know what the American will value this time. It's obvious they valued academics and market size in their initial configuration. But let's say Houston and UCF decide to leave, or are selected elsewhere. Then everything changes. And I think at that point they're going to need to backfill with some actual competitive brands.

That's when teams like Southern Miss and Marshall will hold value.