(08-28-2019 09:54 AM)CliftonAve Wrote: (08-28-2019 09:26 AM)OKIcat Wrote: (08-28-2019 08:52 AM)Bearcat2012 Wrote: Looks like they are headed to the model where we have 2 permanent opponents every year and rotate our other 6 conference games.
I saw a site that projected everyone's permanent opponents (which I cant find again unfortunately) that had UC's 2 permanents as USF and Temple (yuck) . I would hope they hook us up with Memphis but I do see that logic in Temple (closest school for them ) and USF (conference mates since C-USA).
UC actually has a much longer rivalry with Memphis and I would think driving distances are pretty similar. But Temple and Navy are now alone out near the coast so UC has to fill the bill. It's not ideal, but it's life in the American until realignment occurs again.
I like Navy as a permanent opponent due to their name brand value, location and military service, but I'd hate to face all that chop blocking every season (see Perry Young last year). Another positive note we had a full house at Nippert last year when they came to town and put on a good show.
If Navy's permanent opponents aren't ECU and Temple, then they clearly aren't doing it geographically. And personally, I like my defensive linemen and linebackers without multiple collateral ligament injuries, so I'd prefer not playing Navy every year.
IMO it would be as follows:
UCF: USF and ECU
USF: UCF and Tulane
Tulane: USF and Houston
Houston: Tulane and SMU
SMU: Houston and Tulsa
Tulsa: SMU and Memphis
Memphis: Tulsa and Cincinnati
Cincinnati: Memphis and Temple
Temple: Cincinnati and Navy
Navy: Temple and ECU
ECU: Navy and UCF
Gives everyone a regional opponent or traditional rival and a decent game (many times that's the same thing).
Either that or they go with pods as follows:
ECU, UCF, USF each plays the other two
Cincinnat, Navy, Temple each plays the other two
Then determine two-fer opponents for the remaining 5.