(10-26-2019 01:35 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(10-26-2019 12:53 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(10-26-2019 12:36 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  UAB has the potential to put 40,000 in the stands and that is something you are not going to get with ODU or Georgia State.

Plus they've had a FB program since 1991 (30 years in 2021) which makes it less of an upstart situation.

I wouldnt say that at all. At least two of the three probably have the potential to do that---especially Georgia St.

UAB has 21K students in a metro area of 1.1 million. Georgia St has 52K students and is located in a metro area of nearly 6 million. Plenty of "potential" for either---but I'd argue Georgia St likely has a much higher ceiling. Extracting that "potential" over the long term is really going to be about budgets and who is best at marshaling resources. Right now, the Georgia St athletic budget is about 5 million higher than UAB's. That would be something to keep and eye on over the next few years to see how that comparison develops.

I would say ODU has the highest ceiling and Georgia St. has the lowest.

ODU is the furthest from pro competition and instate P5 competition. Also the instate P5 competition has no MNCs and have rarely come close. They aren't competing with Auburn, Alabama, Georgia and Georgia Tech for interest. Its a much bigger metro than Birmingham.

Georgia State has the lowest because of the 1) the pros; 2) Georgia Tech is next door and UGA is within an hour. All 3 of the schools have a big commuter component and the competition makes it tougher to get those commuter student's interest.

Negatives for sure---but the same negatives exist for Houston, Temple, Cinci, SDSU, SMU, etc.. The ingredients of large student body and large population are there. They just need to add success to get those ingredients fermenting. That said, I certainly would not say ODU or UAB dont have potential. Frankly, as Ive said before---virtually any school (especially at the G5 level) can play the "potential" card. Nothing unique in that claim by any UConn replacement candidate.

(10-26-2019 01:35 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(10-26-2019 12:53 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(10-26-2019 12:36 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  UAB has the potential to put 40,000 in the stands and that is something you are not going to get with ODU or Georgia State.

Plus they've had a FB program since 1991 (30 years in 2021) which makes it less of an upstart situation.

I wouldnt say that at all. At least two of the three probably have the potential to do that---especially Georgia St.

UAB has 21K students in a metro area of 1.1 million. Georgia St has 52K students and is located in a metro area of nearly 6 million. Plenty of "potential" for either---but I'd argue Georgia St likely has a much higher ceiling. Extracting that "potential" over the long term is really going to be about budgets and who is best at marshaling resources. Right now, the Georgia St athletic budget is about 5 million higher than UAB's. That would be something to keep and eye on over the next few years to see how that comparison develops.

I would say ODU has the highest ceiling and Georgia St. has the lowest.

ODU is the furthest from pro competition and instate P5 competition. Also the instate P5 competition has no MNCs and have rarely come close. They aren't competing with Auburn, Alabama, Georgia and Georgia Tech for interest. Its a much bigger metro than Birmingham.

Georgia State has the lowest because of the 1) the pros; 2) Georgia Tech is next door and UGA is within an hour. All 3 of the schools have a big commuter component and the competition makes it tougher to get those commuter student's interest.

Agree on Georgia State.

ODU has hemmed itself in with 25k seater. They cut into ECU's turf somewhat and haven't been around that long.

UAB is less about potential than bringing a nice facility into the AAC and centrally located within the conference which is one of the AAC's problems the big geographic gaps.

(10-26-2019 10:27 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(10-26-2019 08:35 AM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(10-25-2019 10:18 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(10-25-2019 11:48 AM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  

(10-22-2019 09:49 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  One thing to consider when considering UAB ... (and I respect that university):

Does the AAC want an athletic program whose football program would play third fiddle (and maybe fourth) in its state to Bama, Auburn and (maybe) Troy?

Does the AAC want an athletic program whose basketball program would play third fiddle in its state to Bama and Auburn?

UAB does have excellent men's/women's soccer, is spending money on its sports facilities and coaches, has a quality hoops tradition/fan base, has a strong medical school and is located in the heart of a good-sized city. It would be a very solid choice. But I just have to wonder if there are not better choices.

Now it will be easy to argue (to counter this argument) that existing AAC programs take a back seat to various programs in their respective states. True, but it would be nice to "expand the American brand" into an area that is not so saturated with other league affiliations. And this is one reason Buffalo is intriguing. Likewise for Colorado State and VCU. Obviously, those three have flaws. All candidates do, just like every AAC school has negatives. We're not talking about massive state universities with huge fan bases, robust athletic department budgets, etc. We have to be realistic.

Third in Alabama is much better than 1st in most states. People are seriously just being haters. UAB is a great fit for the AAC.

I would make it between them and Georgia State.

Your quote: "Third in Alabama is much better than 1st in most states."

Good point. I agree.

I have been a long-time fan/follower/supporter of Memphis and Cincinnati. I admit that both schools/athletic programs have their flaws and, in many respects, are no better (or worse) than UAB. I have noted UAB's many positives. If the American invites UAB ... I'll get on board.

But just like the Big 12 would not prefer Memphis or Cincy ... I would not prefer UAB. Nothing personal. I love the city. Love Five Points. Love Good People beer. Love the Sloss Factory and Rickwood. Just not my first choice for an addition to the AAC.

And Bill, I can respect your opinion about this. There are clearly better choices than UAB for the AAC to go after. But to nitpick UAB's attendance when there are AAC programs struggling worse than us just seems to me to be the pot calling the kettle black. And honestly, UAB attendance has gotten better over the last 5 years, not worse.

FYI, it's Sloss Furnace...lol. And you need to get back to Birmingham soon. There is so much more stuff going on here than 5 years ago.

May the record show, HDragon, that I have not opposed UAB for attendance reasons. With your new stadium — and if a member of the American — attendance would be more than fine. Bill Clark has done a stellar job. I wanted him to get national coach of the year last year.

Good catch on Sloss. I've been twice. Strong.

I've yet to visit the Peanut Depot (on my "to-do" list for Ham visits). The UAB campus — with its building density and height, and its pedestrian vibe ... big time. Pepper Place is great, as is Cahaba and Avondale beer.

Side note: My father did some "casual recruiting" for Gene Bartow back in the day (when Clean Gene was at Memphis State).

UAB — the university and its athletics — has my full respect.

And Bill I should have prefaced my comment by saying "others" have nitpicks our attendance, not you. My bad!

(10-26-2019 02:54 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(10-26-2019 10:27 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(10-26-2019 08:35 AM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(10-25-2019 10:18 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(10-25-2019 11:48 AM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  Third in Alabama is much better than 1st in most states. People are seriously just being haters. UAB is a great fit for the AAC.

I would make it between them and Georgia State.

Your quote: "Third in Alabama is much better than 1st in most states."

Good point. I agree.

I have been a long-time fan/follower/supporter of Memphis and Cincinnati. I admit that both schools/athletic programs have their flaws and, in many respects, are no better (or worse) than UAB. I have noted UAB's many positives. If the American invites UAB ... I'll get on board.

But just like the Big 12 would not prefer Memphis or Cincy ... I would not prefer UAB. Nothing personal. I love the city. Love Five Points. Love Good People beer. Love the Sloss Factory and Rickwood. Just not my first choice for an addition to the AAC.

And Bill, I can respect your opinion about this. There are clearly better choices than UAB for the AAC to go after. But to nitpick UAB's attendance when there are AAC programs struggling worse than us just seems to me to be the pot calling the kettle black. And honestly, UAB attendance has gotten better over the last 5 years, not worse.

FYI, it's Sloss Furnace...lol. And you need to get back to Birmingham soon. There is so much more stuff going on here than 5 years ago.

May the record show, HDragon, that I have not opposed UAB for attendance reasons. With your new stadium — and if a member of the American — attendance would be more than fine. Bill Clark has done a stellar job. I wanted him to get national coach of the year last year.

Good catch on Sloss. I've been twice. Strong.

I've yet to visit the Peanut Depot (on my "to-do" list for Ham visits). The UAB campus — with its building density and height, and its pedestrian vibe ... big time. Pepper Place is great, as is Cahaba and Avondale beer.

Side note: My father did some "casual recruiting" for Gene Bartow back in the day (when Clean Gene was at Memphis State).

UAB — the university and its athletics — has my full respect.

And Bill I should have prefaced my comment by saying "others" have nitpicks our attendance, not you. My bad!

No worries at all, HDragon. Keep Birmingham charging forward. I like that city.

No, they wont.

Will...

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

UAB, USM, Marshall or La Tech would all be good candidates for the AAC but personally I'm pulling for AFA or Colorado St to get the nod if any nod is forthcoming and hopefully the MWC will take another look at UTEP.

Took notice in this thread of some G5 schools with the "potential" to attract crowds of 40k, and I'm sure they do have that potential but there is one school out there with a bad football history and currently as well, that has realized that potential already. The current horrid losing ways have brought attendance way down but UTEP has averaged over 40k in attendance in 5 different years, had 24 games with over 40k plus another 9 games over 50k. If a good coach can come in a create a competitive team that the fans feel has at least a chance at winning, UTEP would again have very good attendance. There were over 34k for the opener this season vs an fcs opponent.

MBB can and has had years of attendance averaging over 10k and even though recent years the team has been down, this year will see a rebirth of sorts for this program. Now we just need football to do the same.

(10-26-2019 10:26 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-25-2019 10:02 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(10-25-2019 06:55 PM)BlazinBham Wrote:  i don’t want to hear questions about what Value does UAB bring when the AAC was willing to take Tulsa, ECU, Tulane, and SMU. SMU is the only one that’s truly flourished in these moves. Tulane turning the corner? I think so. Just swap ECU and Tulsa for UAB and USM. Just stirring the pot.

Since you are the one wanting admission, you are not in a position to decide what you don't want to hear, lol.

I have fond Belt, but righr now you would just be a mouth to feed in the AAC.

The UAB situation to me has parallels to the Temple situation.

Remember how Temple was about to drop their program and a lease in Philadelphia was in question? They got an invite to the MAC and most MAC fans were upset at the time with the addition of a terrible FB program. Temple of course stabilized their program in the MAC and with their own recruiting territory in PA-NJ had an advantage.

UAB brought the FB program back, put 45,000 in the stands and won a CUSA FB championship. New level of investment including a new FB stadium that will be ready for 2022 the year the AAC has to fill it. Perfect timing for getting back into a conference with Memphis and USF.

Momentum is so important in conference realignment. That is how Temple was able to get back into the Big East in 2012.

I'm very familiar with GSU, ODU, and GSU.

What a lot of people here may not understand is the cultural love for football in Alabama and the emerging city pride. Alabama as a state was stuck in the past a long time. Now Birmingham and Huntsville are rapidly growing and people want to support (local).

UAB can get more TV viewers in a smaller state than most other programs if the games are accessible and quality. Many people in Alabama pretty much do nothing but watch football on Saturday.

(10-28-2019 01:08 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  

(10-26-2019 10:26 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-25-2019 10:02 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(10-25-2019 06:55 PM)BlazinBham Wrote:  i don’t want to hear questions about what Value does UAB bring when the AAC was willing to take Tulsa, ECU, Tulane, and SMU. SMU is the only one that’s truly flourished in these moves. Tulane turning the corner? I think so. Just swap ECU and Tulsa for UAB and USM. Just stirring the pot.

Since you are the one wanting admission, you are not in a position to decide what you don't want to hear, lol.

I have fond Belt, but righr now you would just be a mouth to feed in the AAC.

The UAB situation to me has parallels to the Temple situation.

Remember how Temple was about to drop their program and a lease in Philadelphia was in question? They got an invite to the MAC and most MAC fans were upset at the time with the addition of a terrible FB program. Temple of course stabilized their program in the MAC and with their own recruiting territory in PA-NJ had an advantage.

UAB brought the FB program back, put 45,000 in the stands and won a CUSA FB championship. New level of investment including a new FB stadium that will be ready for 2022 the year the AAC has to fill it. Perfect timing for getting back into a conference with Memphis and USF.

Momentum is so important in conference realignment. That is how Temple was able to get back into the Big East in 2012.

I'm very familiar with GSU, ODU, and GSU.

What a lot of people here may not understand is the cultural love for football in Alabama and the emerging city pride. Alabama as a state was stuck in the past a long time. Now Birmingham and Huntsville are rapidly growing and people want to support (local).

UAB can get more TV viewers in a smaller state than most other programs if the games are accessible and quality. Many people in Alabama pretty much do nothing but watch football on Saturday.

There are other ways to look at that information. A couple of things to consider.

Two percent of a TV market of 6 million is 120K. Ten percent of of a tv market of 1.2 million is 120K. Sheer size has value. You'd have to get 5 times the viewership percentage in order to offset the differing size of the two markets. I doubt thats going to happen.


Secondly, from ESPN's prospective---it sounds like they have a strangle hold on the Birmingham market right now. From their prospective---what do they gain by adding a team in that market if ESPN already does incredibly well there? It might make more sense to try to increase the viewership in a massive market like Atlanta.

As for some being upset about attendance nitpicking---those are just facts. The attendance has been steadily declining despite the win total rising. Thats a fact and it would be a concern for anyone targeting UAB as an expansion candidate. That said, there are still two more home games left. If those come in around the 27K attendance average--then we can chalk up the Rice/ODU games as anomalies due to some other issue (uninteresting opponent, weather, etc) and the issue vanishes.

To be clear---Im not "anti--UAB". Just because they are not among my top preferences for #12 doesnt mean I think UAB has no potential or couldnt work out as #12.

(10-28-2019 01:50 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  As for some being upset about attendance nitpicking---those are just facts.

(10-28-2019 01:50 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  To be clear---Im not "ant--UAB". Just because they are not among my top preferences for #12 doesnt mean I think UAB has no potential or couldnt work out as #12.

1. Facts can be nitpicked.
2. Did you mean "ain't" or "anti"? Because if you meant "ain't" like "Hell knaw UAB ain't getting into the AAC that would make you "anti-UAB" to the AAC type of poster.

It's past time for this thread to die or be locked.

Just sayin'.....

We know most AAC posters aren't interested in UAB being invited. We got attendance issues. Our BOT shut us down. We can't be trusted and blah blah blah.

I think we get it....lol.

(10-28-2019 02:45 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(10-28-2019 01:50 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  As for some being upset about attendance nitpicking---those are just facts.

(10-28-2019 01:50 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  To be clear---Im not "ant--UAB". Just because they are not among my top preferences for #12 doesnt mean I think UAB has no potential or couldnt work out as #12.

1. Facts can be nitpicked. (Code for I dont like the facts you highlighted)
2. Did you mean "ain't" or "anti"? Because if you meant "ain't" like "Hell knaw UAB ain't getting into the AAC that would make you "anti-UAB" to the AAC type of poster. (I meant I am not "anti-UAB")

It's past time for this thread to die or be locked.

Just sayin'.....

We know most AAC posters aren't interested in UAB being invited. We got attendance issues. Our BOT shut us down. We can't be trusted and blah blah blah.

I think we get it....lol.

I responded in bold above. Its interesting you seem to believe this thread is bad for UAB. FWIW---while they arent my at the top of my list, I actually see UAB as a better option now than I did before the thread started. To a degree my perceptions are a legacy of 20 years during which UAB was bad and poorly supported while we shared time in CUSA. What we are seeing in Birmingham over the last few years is light years better than those days---The real concern is ---"Will it last."

(10-28-2019 03:35 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(10-28-2019 02:45 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(10-28-2019 01:50 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  As for some being upset about attendance nitpicking---those are just facts.

(10-28-2019 01:50 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  To be clear---Im not "ant--UAB". Just because they are not among my top preferences for #12 doesnt mean I think UAB has no potential or couldnt work out as #12.

1. Facts can be nitpicked. (Code for I dont like the facts you highlighted)
2. Did you mean "ain't" or "anti"? Because if you meant "ain't" like "Hell knaw UAB ain't getting into the AAC that would make you "anti-UAB" to the AAC type of poster. (I meant I am not "anti-UAB")

It's past time for this thread to die or be locked.

Just sayin'.....

We know most AAC posters aren't interested in UAB being invited. We got attendance issues. Our BOT shut us down. We can't be trusted and blah blah blah.

I think we get it....lol.

I responded in bold above. Its interesting you seem to believe this thread is bad for UAB. FWIW---while they arent my at the top of my list, I actually see UAB as a better option now than I did before the thread started. To a degree my perceptions are a legacy of 20 years during which UAB was bad and poorly supported while we shared time in CUSA. What we are seeing in Birmingham over the last few years is light years better than those days---The real concern is ---"Will it last."

What could go wrong?

Deconstruct the new stadium and reconstruct aging legion field?

Have their Final Four and Sweet 16's vacated?

(10-28-2019 03:35 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(10-28-2019 02:45 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(10-28-2019 01:50 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  As for some being upset about attendance nitpicking---those are just facts.

(10-28-2019 01:50 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  To be clear---Im not "ant--UAB". Just because they are not among my top preferences for #12 doesnt mean I think UAB has no potential or couldnt work out as #12.

1. Facts can be nitpicked. (Code for I dont like the facts you highlighted)
2. Did you mean "ain't" or "anti"? Because if you meant "ain't" like "Hell knaw UAB ain't getting into the AAC that would make you "anti-UAB" to the AAC type of poster. (I meant I am not "anti-UAB")

It's past time for this thread to die or be locked.

Just sayin'.....

We know most AAC posters aren't interested in UAB being invited. We got attendance issues. Our BOT shut us down. We can't be trusted and blah blah blah.

I think we get it....lol.

I responded in bold above. Its interesting you seem to believe this thread is bad for UAB. FWIW---while they arent my at the top of my list, I actually see UAB as a better option now than I did before the thread started. To a degree my perceptions are a legacy of 20 years during which UAB was bad and poorly supported while we shared time in CUSA. What we are seeing in Birmingham over the last few years is light years better than those days---The real concern is ---"Will it last."

I never said or felt this thread was bad for UAB. The thread has now gotten to the point to where we are simply beaten this poor horse to death.

While you have a genuine concern for our attendance, we UAB fans don't share that dire view of yours. UH once good attendance didn't last either but I'm sure you still believe UH is still worthy of a P5 invite.

It's all good.

Okay, people talk about ESPN locked certain tv markets. ESPN already have the Birmingham tv market locked with Alabama. They are looking for new markets they do not have.

Alabama:
Huntsville and Montgomery they do not have yet.
Alaska where there are no football teams, but could use for basketball.
Arizona the whole state.
Arkansas The Hogs don't own the whole state, but State is kinda close to Memphis.
California as the whole state.
Colorado as the whole state.
Connecticut as the whole state when they leave.
Delaware which ESPN do not have a presence, but Delaware is within range of Temple.
Florida is locked down except for the town Florida Tech is in.
Georgia you still have Albany, Columbus, Savannah and Valdosta with a large population.
Hawaii as the whole state.
Idaho they already locked down with Boise State.
Illinois they only got Northern Illinois. Illinois State is another they could tapped into.
Indiana which they got Ball State, but Indiana State is another market.
Iowa they could get Northern Iowa.
Kansas which they got Wichita State, but D2 Washburn in Topeka is one they could turned to.
Kentucky they locked the state up.
Louisiana they got the state locked up.
And so on.

ESPN could move pieces where they want them to go. They could offer the same amount per school for the MWC for the tv deal like they did with AAC and add Gonzaga for the other sports to offset Hawaii. BYU could join as number 13 for all sport if they want it.
But, they need Northern Arizona and Montana with UTEP to join the MWC to be in those states.

But for AAC? UTSA, Southern Miss., ODU are the only schools that ESPN may allow into AAC without cutting into their other schools. They might move Toledo to AAC and get Youngstown State, Northern Iowa, Indiana State, Illinois State and Missouri State to join the MAC. Missouri State could be a future AAC member. That leaves FCS and D2 schools that could go higher like Angelo State, Valdosta State, Central Oklahoma, James Madison, Delaware, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Indianapolis, and other schools that ESPN are not in that market. I think ESPN will only have Texas left while Fox gets all rights for the rest of the Big 12 games. ESPN need to groom all these schools to be as big to recover their loss.

(10-28-2019 05:16 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Okay, people talk about ESPN locked certain tv markets. ESPN already have the Birmingham tv market locked with Alabama. They are looking for new markets they do not have.

Alabama:
Huntsville and Montgomery they do not have yet.
Alaska where there are no football teams, but could use for basketball.
Arizona the whole state.
Arkansas The Hogs don't own the whole state, but State is kinda close to Memphis.
California as the whole state.
Colorado as the whole state.
Connecticut as the whole state when they leave.
Delaware which ESPN do not have a presence, but Delaware is within range of Temple.
Florida is locked down except for the town Florida Tech is in.
Georgia you still have Albany, Columbus, Savannah and Valdosta with a large population.
Hawaii as the whole state.
Idaho they already locked down with Boise State.
Illinois they only got Northern Illinois. Illinois State is another they could tapped into.
Indiana which they got Ball State, but Indiana State is another market.
Iowa they could get Northern Iowa.
Kansas which they got Wichita State, but D2 Washburn in Topeka is one they could turned to.
Kentucky they locked the state up.
Louisiana they got the state locked up.
And so on.

ESPN could move pieces where they want them to go. They could offer the same amount per school for the MWC for the tv deal like they did with AAC and add Gonzaga for the other sports to offset Hawaii. BYU could join as number 13 for all sport if they want it.
But, they need Northern Arizona and Montana with UTEP to join the MWC to be in those states.

But for AAC? UTSA, Southern Miss., ODU are the only schools that ESPN may allow into AAC without cutting into their other schools. They might move Toledo to AAC and get Youngstown State, Northern Iowa, Indiana State, Illinois State and Missouri State to join the MAC. Missouri State could be a future AAC member. That leaves FCS and D2 schools that could go higher like Angelo State, Valdosta State, Central Oklahoma, James Madison, Delaware, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Indianapolis, and other schools that ESPN are not in that market. I think ESPN will only have Texas left while Fox gets all rights for the rest of the Big 12 games. ESPN need to groom all these schools to be as big to recover their loss.

I have no words for how ridiculous this is.

(10-28-2019 03:58 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-28-2019 03:35 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(10-28-2019 02:45 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(10-28-2019 01:50 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  As for some being upset about attendance nitpicking---those are just facts.

(10-28-2019 01:50 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  To be clear---Im not "ant--UAB". Just because they are not among my top preferences for #12 doesnt mean I think UAB has no potential or couldnt work out as #12.

1. Facts can be nitpicked. (Code for I dont like the facts you highlighted)
2. Did you mean "ain't" or "anti"? Because if you meant "ain't" like "Hell knaw UAB ain't getting into the AAC that would make you "anti-UAB" to the AAC type of poster. (I meant I am not "anti-UAB")

It's past time for this thread to die or be locked.

Just sayin'.....

We know most AAC posters aren't interested in UAB being invited. We got attendance issues. Our BOT shut us down. We can't be trusted and blah blah blah.

I think we get it....lol.

I responded in bold above. Its interesting you seem to believe this thread is bad for UAB. FWIW---while they arent my at the top of my list, I actually see UAB as a better option now than I did before the thread started. To a degree my perceptions are a legacy of 20 years during which UAB was bad and poorly supported while we shared time in CUSA. What we are seeing in Birmingham over the last few years is light years better than those days---The real concern is ---"Will it last."

What could go wrong?

Deconstruct the new stadium and reconstruct aging legion field?

Have their Final Four and Sweet 16's vacated?

Ridiculous. Congratulations on the "Straw Man Of the Day Award".

UAB is certainly an option but Aresco has better exhaust every other better option first. I’ve said my peace about 3 western all sports members they need to make a statement; I won’t keep beating that drum.

My concern about UAB in the AAC is that they are going to be the low man on the totem pole. They will probably lose a lot in their first decade in the conference and that can be a real attendance killer, especially for a program with a history of attendance trouble.

Don’t get me wrong. The revived Blazer program has been amazing and they are built to be contenders in C-USA West each year, I just don’t think the AAC East will be the same experience.

(10-28-2019 08:07 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  My concern about UAB in the AAC is that they are going to be the low man on the totem pole. They will probably lose a lot in their first decade in the conference and that can be a real attendance killer, especially for a program with a history of attendance trouble.

Don’t get me wrong. The revived Blazer program has been amazing and they are built to be contenders in C-USA West each year, I just don’t think the AAC East will be the same experience.

Your 1st paragraph is a severe exaggeration. Coming from the MWC do you know how long it took TCU to have a winning record in the Big 12? One season, they went 7-6 in their inaugural season. Year 3 & 4 they went 12-1 and 11-2 respectively.

TCU Historical Records

The AAC is not the Big 12. Is the AAC a step up from CUSA? Yes it is. But it's not so huge of a step that it would take UAB a decade to compete.

UAB is not TCU