Again, how do we know based on 1 or 2 OOC? The B1G and P12 have looked awful in general. The SEC didn't play any tough OOC games. The ACC didn't play many OOC games. It is just too hard to say whether the AAC is up or down compared to the ACC or any other P5 conference.

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(12-09-2020 10:38 AM)mlb Wrote:  Again, how do we know based on 1 or 2 OOC? The B1G and P12 have looked awful in general. The SEC didn't play any tough OOC games. The ACC didn't play many OOC games. It is just too hard to say whether the AAC is up or down compared to the ACC or any other P5 conference.

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Exactly. You would think that from an objective point of view.

(12-09-2020 10:38 AM)mlb Wrote:  Again, how do we know based on 1 or 2 OOC? The B1G and P12 have looked awful in general. The SEC didn't play any tough OOC games. The ACC didn't play many OOC games. It is just too hard to say whether the AAC is up or down compared to the ACC or any other P5 conference.

Again, the information is limited, but it is suggestive. For example, last year, during the regular season, the AAC was 16-1 versus non-P5 (G5 and independents not counting ND). This year, the AAC is 7-4 in such games.

And it was the record vs the G5 last year that made the AAC close to ACC-level, not record vs P5. The AAC was 6-13 vs P5 during the regular season last year, 1-2 this season.

The American in football seems a bit down this year compared to the previous few seasons. It's not a dramatic dip but it is a noticeable.

I would say perhaps AAC men's basketball will be better this season than in the past — so as to counterbalance the drop in football. But that would be an overly sunny approach to take as the American is not off to a great start in hoops (though there is reason for hope).

I'm not inclined to compare any conference's performance in 2020 with any prior years. 2020 is unique in our experience (except for those among us who are old enough to remember the impact of World War II on college sports).

The reality is that virtually every school is dealing with disruptions to their normal practice routines. Many have played their games with seriously depleted rosters and have had key players opt out for all or part of their schedules. None of these things can completely overcome the talent gap between the Alabama of the world and the Cincinnatis. But below that elite level, they can affect the outcome of specific games for most of the FBS teams.

So, for me, any teams in any sports that seem to be underperforming this year get a pass.

To the OP, the answer is flat out NO.

They have all top 15 athletic budgets among G5. Only Colorado State, San Diego State and BYU are up with them, Rice and Boise State nipping at the heels of the bottom schools. Geography defines things, since they can only take Football only that far out West. Army is always out there as target.

They have the best 11 schools available, and there is no point in diluting it.

In the "important threads" above, it shows how much the AAC and MWC are above the others.

8 of the AAC schools are above 50 million, Tulsa is 43 and Tulane is 37. Navy in N/A, but has as much in resources as it needs.
2 of the MWC schools are above 50, 7 are in the 40s, USU is 35, SJSU is 31 and Air Force is N/A.
UConn is 79 and BYU 73. Those are the top 2 non-P5s.

Rest of FBS
Liberty 51
ODU 44
Rice 42
UNT 41
UMass 40

Everyone else is 38 or below.

Budget is probably more important than revenue. Tulane's never made real money from athletics and the mission of that team was never to generate any profit. We'd be in the FCS if that were the case. Our budget is well north of 50m per year last time I checked.

(12-10-2020 12:37 PM)ken d Wrote:  I'm not inclined to compare any conference's performance in 2020 with any prior years. 2020 is unique in our experience (except for those among us who are old enough to remember the impact of World War II on college sports).

The reality is that virtually every school is dealing with disruptions to their normal practice routines. Many have played their games with seriously depleted rosters and have had key players opt out for all or part of their schedules. None of these things can completely overcome the talent gap between the Alabama of the world and the Cincinnatis. But below that elite level, they can affect the outcome of specific games for most of the FBS teams.

So, for me, any teams in any sports that seem to be underperforming this year get a pass.

Thats what Im thinking. Speaking from a personal fan prospective---we lost HALF our games foir this season. This year was a mess for most everyone.