(07-02-2019 11:43 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(07-02-2019 11:19 AM)freshtop Wrote:  I don't think F_U add any value when I already have U_F. I tried working out a deal for Colorado State and UCONN, but nothing materialized. In the end, I would will stretch my borders a bit vs. taking on extra mouths in a state I already dominate.

None of these G5 conferences are going to get a TV deal that moves the needle in any way even though they may have 3-4 AAC members or top MWC CUSA members.

So, I value compactness of the divisions to be an asset. Colorado state is a must drop because it's on the other side of the country from the rest of the conference. UConn is close enough where they don't need to be dropped. I liked 4 teams in Florida, 1 in Alabama and 1 in Georgia. A very close knit geographically compact conference with a lot of bus trips instead of flights. Louisiana Lafayette was on an Island like UConn, close enough to be kept but I thought UConn is currently a more valuable program.

Nothing about the F_U's is geographically compact though. They are still a rough drive for anyone other than a handful in the league. Colorado State wasn't drafted for their market, I like their programs. They have made the NCAA Tournament twice this decade. Have been ranked a couple times as well. In Football they have shown great potential (although Mike Bobo is looking like a dud). F_U's are beyond awful in basketball. FAU has had one winning season in football this decade. FIU has been better than that and Butch Davis has them trending up. I still don't think they are worth the add. I would be hurting two of my most powerful football programs (USF and UCF) by placing FIU and FAU on equal footing recruiting wise. If I didn't have U_F then it would make sense because it would give me access to Florida for recruiting.