(06-01-2021 07:51 AM)BraveKnight Wrote:  

Wow, this one's pretty fascinating...

For anybody who doesn't know, "A Jersey Guy" is Mark Blaudschun, a sports reporter who not only wrote for the Boston Globe, but has some serious connections. He's the one who broke the story that the Catholic 7 were about to break away from the football members of the Big East.

USFFan

(06-01-2021 08:59 AM)usffan Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 07:51 AM)BraveKnight Wrote:  

Wow, this one's pretty fascinating...

For anybody who doesn't know, "A Jersey Guy" is Mark Blaudschun, a sports reporter who not only wrote for the Boston Globe, but has some serious connections. He's the one who broke the story that the Catholic 7 were about to break away from the football members of the Big East.

USFFan

Oh wow, I wasn’t aware of that. This rumor might actually have some legs...

(06-01-2021 09:29 AM)BraveKnight Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 08:59 AM)usffan Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 07:51 AM)BraveKnight Wrote:  

Wow, this one's pretty fascinating...

For anybody who doesn't know, "A Jersey Guy" is Mark Blaudschun, a sports reporter who not only wrote for the Boston Globe, but has some serious connections. He's the one who broke the story that the Catholic 7 were about to break away from the football members of the Big East.

USFFan

Oh wow, I wasn’t aware of that. This rumor might actually have some legs...

No UNLV...my dreams of watching ECU play in Vegas every year followed by blackjack, hookers and scotch.....

(06-01-2021 10:24 AM)8BitPirate Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 09:29 AM)BraveKnight Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 08:59 AM)usffan Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 07:51 AM)BraveKnight Wrote:  

Wow, this one's pretty fascinating...

For anybody who doesn't know, "A Jersey Guy" is Mark Blaudschun, a sports reporter who not only wrote for the Boston Globe, but has some serious connections. He's the one who broke the story that the Catholic 7 were about to break away from the football members of the Big East.

USFFan

Oh wow, I wasn’t aware of that. This rumor might actually have some legs...

No UNLV...my dreams of watching ECU play in Vegas every year followed by blackjack, hookers and scotch.....

I’m with you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(06-01-2021 10:31 AM)Pony94 Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 10:24 AM)8BitPirate Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 09:29 AM)BraveKnight Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 08:59 AM)usffan Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 07:51 AM)BraveKnight Wrote:  

Wow, this one's pretty fascinating...

For anybody who doesn't know, "A Jersey Guy" is Mark Blaudschun, a sports reporter who not only wrote for the Boston Globe, but has some serious connections. He's the one who broke the story that the Catholic 7 were about to break away from the football members of the Big East.

USFFan

Oh wow, I wasn’t aware of that. This rumor might actually have some legs...

No UNLV...my dreams of watching ECU play in Vegas every year followed by blackjack, hookers and scotch.....

I’m with you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What part of









don't you understand?

(not to mention probably 20 Vegas/SD non-stops)

USFFan

(05-31-2021 04:15 PM)vick mike Wrote:  I leave for two days and the “Boise Thread is Dead” thread is a g0dd&mm Boise thread! Have you no shame?!?

Your sense of "outrage" is palpable, sir!

(06-01-2021 08:59 AM)usffan Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 07:51 AM)BraveKnight Wrote:  

Wow, this one's pretty fascinating...

For anybody who doesn't know, "A Jersey Guy" is Mark Blaudschun, a sports reporter who not only wrote for the Boston Globe, but has some serious connections. He's the one who broke the story that the Catholic 7 were about to break away from the football members of the Big East.

USFFan

Back when proofreading was a thing.

(06-01-2021 04:12 PM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 08:59 AM)usffan Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 07:51 AM)BraveKnight Wrote:  

Wow, this one's pretty fascinating...

For anybody who doesn't know, "A Jersey Guy" is Mark Blaudschun, a sports reporter who not only wrote for the Boston Globe, but has some serious connections. He's the one who broke the story that the Catholic 7 were about to break away from the football members of the Big East.

USFFan

Back when proofreading was a thing.

Yeah, what actually ended up getting posted was rough. Like a freshman year essay you realized you had to write at midnight the night before it was due, so you bought yourself a couple of Monster energy drinks and started working. Only you still fell asleep at 2:30 and only woke up 20 minutes before class so you just grabbed what you had and handed it in.

...not that I'm speaking from experience or anything...

USFFan

(05-31-2021 05:04 PM)usffan Wrote:  With apologies to vick mike, I just wasted a good 30 minutes looking at the composite Massey rankings for a bunch of teams...

FWIW, here are the mean and median end of year composite Massey rankings from 2013-2020 for each football team that spent more than 1 year in the AAC (w/ high and low rankings included)

Central Florida = Mean 43.12, Median 26, High 7, Low 127
Memphis = Mean 46.38, Median 43.5, High 13, Low 102
Cincinnati = Mean 53.5, Median 52.5, High 5, Low 101
Navy = Mean 55.62, Median 48.5, High 20, Low 103
Houston = Mean 56.38, Median 57, High 12, Low 86
.
.
.

Here are some of the schools that come up in posts by (a supporter of
AAC expansion):

Boise State = Mean 31.38, Median 28, High 17, Low 53
App. State = Mean 43, Median 35, High 19, Low 88
BYU = Mean 48.88, Median 46, High 9, Low 103
SDSU = Mean 55.62, Median 51.5, High 37, Low 81
Marshall = Mean 61.38, Median 58.5, High 21, Low 123
Air Force = Mean 66.88, Median 62.5, High 24, Low 114
Army = Mean 79.25, Median 88, High 28, Low 118
Liberty = Mean 77, Median 89, High 41, Low 101
UAB = Mean 78.33, Median 82, High 43, Low 115
Buffalo = Mean 81.12, Median 81, High 35, Low 127
Colorado State = Mean 83.5, Median 84, High 37, Low 113
Coastal Carolina = Mean 86.25, Median 106, High 13, Low 120
Georgia State = Mean 106, Median 107, High 75, Low 128

These are the schools that I have suggested might be among the conference's better expansion candidates:

Boise State = Mean 31.38, Median 28, High 17, Low 53
App. State = Mean 43, Median 35, High 19, Low 88
BYU = Mean 48.88, Median 46, High 9, Low 103
SDSU = Mean 55.62, Median 51.5, High 37, Low 81
Air Force = Mean 66.88, Median 62.5, High 24, Low 114
Army = Mean 79.25, Median 88, High 28, Low 118

App. State's rankings suggest that they would be one of the most competitive expansion teams. Their viewership numbers haven't yet matched those of the top AAC teams, but might improve if they were to join the conference.

.

These were mentioned as schools that the AAC might consider adding, but I haven't described them as leading contenders:

Colorado State = Mean 83.5, Median 84, High 37, Low 113
Marshall = Mean 61.38, Median 58.5, High 21, Low 123
Buffalo = Mean 81.12, Median 81, High 35, Low 127............No longer seems to be a contender.

I've never been strongly in favor of adding CSU, but mentioned them as a school that might be part of a Western expansion. Marshall was listed as a potential Eastern candidate that might be considered, and I once suggested that Buffalo might be considered as a northeastern replacement for UConn.

(05-31-2021 05:04 PM)usffan Wrote:  "Here are some of the schools that come up in posts by a certain..."

Liberty = Mean 77, Median 89, High 41, Low 101...NO
UAB = Mean 78.33, Median 82, High 43, Low 115...NO
Coastal Carolina = Mean 86.25, Median 106, High 13, Low 120...NO
Georgia State = Mean 106, Median 107, High 75, Low 128...NO

Some readers have suggested adding three of these schools, but I have never done so. I have written in opposition to the idea of adding Liberty, UAB, Georgia State, or any other school (Coastal Carolina, SJSU) that has only had intermittent or occasional FB success.

(05-31-2021 05:04 PM)usffan Wrote:  As you look at that data, Boise is CLEARLY the best football program, and any attempt to downplay their football program isn't being honest - they average nearly 12 positions higher than every team in the AAC over the life of the conference.

Agree.

(05-31-2021 05:04 PM)usffan Wrote:  A better case than I anticipated can be made for Appalachian State...

True. Appalachian State's mean and median rankings have been higher than those of the top football programs in the AAC.

In addition, they have maintained a higher winning percentage than any AAC team, winning 10.0 games per year, including all 6 of their bowl games between 2014 and 2020.

If national rankings and winning percentages were the only considerations, Appalachian State would be a strong expansion candidate. However, their television viewership hasn't yet approached that of the top AAC teams.

(05-31-2021 05:04 PM)usffan Wrote:  If the "14 team" thing happens, it also seems really clear that Boise, BYU and SDSU are the best football options... SDSU finishes an average of 11+ spots higher than Air Force, and Colorado State would be pretty much at the bottom of the AAC.

They probably are the top three football options, and they're probably the top three all-sports options, as well, since they've all had basketball teams in recent NCAA tournaments.

(05-31-2021 05:04 PM)usffan Wrote:  ...None of the (football) schools in the eastern or central time zones would move the needle at all.

If you're referring to the viewership "needle," you have a point, although the top SBC teams played some high viewership games in 2019 and 2020. When it comes to competitiveness on the field and national rankings, Appalachian State may be a program to watch.

.

App St is probably the logical choice of adding one school to replace UConn or App St/VCU for all sports. But that direction probably doesn't do much for the AAC status. So if the goal is 14 members, it will likely means all 3 from the MWC (if BYU won't come).

(06-02-2021 09:58 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  App St is probably the logical choice of adding one school to replace UConn or App St/VCU for all sports. But that direction probably doesn't do much for the AAC status. So if the goal is 14 members, it will likely means all 3 from the MWC (if BYU won't come).

Agree.

There is strong sentiment to add western teams, and I myself would prefer adding 3 good western schools and expanding to 14, rather than simply replacing UConn with App. State and a good basketball school.

It doesn't seem likely that Appalachian State would receive serious consideration as long as there is any possibility of adding three western teams.

(06-02-2021 10:23 AM)jedclampett Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 09:58 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  App St is probably the logical choice of adding one school to replace UConn or App St/VCU for all sports. But that direction probably doesn't do much for the AAC status. So if the goal is 14 members, it will likely means all 3 from the MWC (if BYU won't come).

Agree.

There is strong sentiment to add western teams, and I myself would prefer adding 3 good western schools and expanding to 14, rather than simply replacing UConn with App. State and a good basketball school.

It doesn't seem likely that Appalachian State would receive serious consideration as long as there is any possibility of adding three western teams.

I agree with this, Jed.

(06-02-2021 09:58 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  App St is probably the logical choice of adding one school to replace UConn or App St/VCU for all sports. But that direction probably doesn't do much for the AAC status. So if the goal is 14 members, it will likely means all 3 from the MWC (if BYU won't come).

I dont think the "goal" is 14 members. Its more "what the leadership is willing to do to avoid adding whats available in the east". Think about that. It says something that the AAC leadership would rather go to 14 adding western schools than add one of the so called "logical" available eastern options. Clearly---the AAC leadership finds the east to be completely bereft of any realistic "value adding" option.

(06-02-2021 01:59 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 09:58 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  App St is probably the logical choice of adding one school to replace UConn or App St/VCU for all sports. But that direction probably doesn't do much for the AAC status. So if the goal is 14 members, it will likely means all 3 from the MWC (if BYU won't come).

I dont think the "goal" is 14 members. Its more "what the leadership is willing to do to avoid adding whats available in the east". Think about that. It says something that the AAC leadership would rather go to 14 adding western schools than add one of the so called "logical" available eastern options. Clearly---the AAC leadership finds the east to be completely bereft of any realistic "value adding" option.

As I read what he wrote, it was that it would make logical sense to replace UConn, with the best available eastern teams, if that's all the conference was interested in doing.

The AAC may be intent on adding a western football team, and that may cause it to not add any eastern basketball schools, but that doesn't mean that it is "avoiding what's available in the east" when it comes to basketball schools.

In fact, as you yourself have said, there's no reason why the conference couldn't add three western all-sports schools and also add VCU as a 15th basketball school. After all, the AAC has been more or less of a hybrid conference since its inception, and it was built on the foundation of a hybrid conference - - a point that you have also made.

.

(06-02-2021 04:50 PM)jedclampett Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 01:59 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 09:58 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  App St is probably the logical choice of adding one school to replace UConn or App St/VCU for all sports. But that direction probably doesn't do much for the AAC status. So if the goal is 14 members, it will likely means all 3 from the MWC (if BYU won't come).

I dont think the "goal" is 14 members. Its more "what the leadership is willing to do to avoid adding whats available in the east". Think about that. It says something that the AAC leadership would rather go to 14 adding western schools than add one of the so called "logical" available eastern options. Clearly---the AAC leadership finds the east to be completely bereft of any realistic "value adding" option.

As I read what he wrote, it was that it would make logical sense to replace UConn, with the best available eastern teams, if that's all the conference was interested in doing.

The AAC may be intent on adding a western football team, and that may cause it to not add any eastern basketball schools, but that doesn't mean that it is "avoiding what's available in the east" when it comes to basketball schools.

In fact, as you yourself have said, there's no reason why the conference couldn't add three western all-sports schools and also add VCU as a 15th basketball school. After all, the AAC has been more or less of a hybrid conference since its inception, and it was built on the foundation of a hybrid conference - - a point that you have also made.

.

Agree—but that has nothing to do with AppSt.

(06-02-2021 05:00 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 04:50 PM)jedclampett Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 01:59 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 09:58 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  App St is probably the logical choice of adding one school to replace UConn or App St/VCU for all sports. But that direction probably doesn't do much for the AAC status. So if the goal is 14 members, it will likely means all 3 from the MWC (if BYU won't come).

I dont think the "goal" is 14 members. Its more "what the leadership is willing to do to avoid adding whats available in the east". Think about that. It says something that the AAC leadership would rather go to 14 adding western schools than add one of the so called "logical" available eastern options. Clearly---the AAC leadership finds the east to be completely bereft of any realistic "value adding" option.

As I read what he wrote, it was that it would make logical sense to replace UConn, with the best available eastern teams, if that's all the conference was interested in doing.

The AAC may be intent on adding a western football team, and that may cause it to not add any eastern basketball schools, but that doesn't mean that it is "avoiding what's available in the east" when it comes to basketball schools.

In fact, as you yourself have said, there's no reason why the conference couldn't add three western all-sports schools and also add VCU as a 15th basketball school. After all, the AAC has been more or less of a hybrid conference since its inception, and it was built on the foundation of a hybrid conference - - a point that you have also made.

.

Agree—but that has nothing to do with AppSt.

I'm in favor of the three-western-team concept and think it makes more sense than adding App. State, if it's an either/or, which it almost certainly is.

But I were to meet an ESPN executive, and if he were to tell me that adding Appalachian State and VCU would turn the AAC into a power conference, I wouldn't hesitate to take his advice and add them.

.

(06-02-2021 06:50 PM)jedclampett Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 05:00 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 04:50 PM)jedclampett Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 01:59 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 09:58 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  App St is probably the logical choice of adding one school to replace UConn or App St/VCU for all sports. But that direction probably doesn't do much for the AAC status. So if the goal is 14 members, it will likely means all 3 from the MWC (if BYU won't come).

I dont think the "goal" is 14 members. Its more "what the leadership is willing to do to avoid adding whats available in the east". Think about that. It says something that the AAC leadership would rather go to 14 adding western schools than add one of the so called "logical" available eastern options. Clearly---the AAC leadership finds the east to be completely bereft of any realistic "value adding" option.

As I read what he wrote, it was that it would make logical sense to replace UConn, with the best available eastern teams, if that's all the conference was interested in doing.

The AAC may be intent on adding a western football team, and that may cause it to not add any eastern basketball schools, but that doesn't mean that it is "avoiding what's available in the east" when it comes to basketball schools.

In fact, as you yourself have said, there's no reason why the conference couldn't add three western all-sports schools and also add VCU as a 15th basketball school. After all, the AAC has been more or less of a hybrid conference since its inception, and it was built on the foundation of a hybrid conference - - a point that you have also made.

.

Agree—but that has nothing to do with AppSt.

I'm in favor of the three-western-team concept and think it makes more sense than adding App. State, if it's an either/or, which it almost certainly is.

But I were to meet an ESPN executive, and if he were to tell me that adding Appalachian State and VCU would turn the AAC into a power conference, I wouldn't hesitate to take his advice and add them.

.

If that were the case, it would have already happened. There’s no G5 team in the East that would turn down an AAC invite. Heck, with the smoke coming from the West, I have no doubt those schools would have been added had the geography worked. After years of listening to conferee interviews, the presidents must have come full circle on westward expansion. Soon after 2013/2014 realignment, Aresco said on Memphis radio he felt that a west wing could have worked, but the presidents were gun-shy after the Boise deal and didn’t want to pursue it. It’s the only time I recall him publicly differing with school admins.

(06-03-2021 07:37 AM)gulfcoastgal Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 06:50 PM)jedclampett Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 05:00 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 04:50 PM)jedclampett Wrote:  

(06-02-2021 01:59 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  I dont think the "goal" is 14 members. Its more "what the leadership is willing to do to avoid adding whats available in the east". Think about that. It says something that the AAC leadership would rather go to 14 adding western schools than add one of the so called "logical" available eastern options. Clearly---the AAC leadership finds the east to be completely bereft of any realistic "value adding" option.

As I read what he wrote, it was that it would make logical sense to replace UConn, with the best available eastern teams, if that's all the conference was interested in doing.

The AAC may be intent on adding a western football team, and that may cause it to not add any eastern basketball schools, but that doesn't mean that it is "avoiding what's available in the east" when it comes to basketball schools.

In fact, as you yourself have said, there's no reason why the conference couldn't add three western all-sports schools and also add VCU as a 15th basketball school. After all, the AAC has been more or less of a hybrid conference since its inception, and it was built on the foundation of a hybrid conference - - a point that you have also made.

.

Agree—but that has nothing to do with AppSt.

I'm in favor of the three-western-team concept and think it makes more sense than adding App. State, if it's an either/or, which it almost certainly is.

But I were to meet an ESPN executive, and if he were to tell me that adding Appalachian State and VCU would turn the AAC into a power conference, I wouldn't hesitate to take his advice and add them.

.

If that were the case, it would have already happened. There’s no G5 team in the East that would turn down an AAC invite. Heck, with the smoke coming from the West, I have no doubt those schools would have been added had the geography worked. After years of listening to conferee interviews, the presidents must have come full circle on westward expansion. Soon after 2013/2014 realignment, Aresco said on Memphis radio he felt that a west wing could have worked, but the presidents were gun-shy after the Boise deal and didn’t want to pursue it. It’s the only time I recall him publicly differing with school admins.

all sports invite, no doubt. Football only invite-probably still, but if i were an AD i would pause.

Theres a lot of opportunity for sure, but there is a lot of risk with a football only invite. That can pause a lot of momentum in a football and overall AD program. Some combination of football only with a bball scheduling agreement would probably seal the deal.

(06-01-2021 08:59 AM)usffan Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 07:51 AM)BraveKnight Wrote:  

Wow, this one's pretty fascinating...

For anybody who doesn't know, "A Jersey Guy" is Mark Blaudschun, a sports reporter who not only wrote for the Boston Globe, but has some serious connections. He's the one who broke the story that the Catholic 7 were about to break away from the football members of the Big East.

Interestingly, Blaudschun has put up a new post, in which he still identifies Colorado State, San Diego State and Boise State as possible AAC expansion schools, but he doesn't provide any reason for listing those three schools, in particular.

https://www.si.com/college/tmg/mark-blau...-expansion

Given the fact that he has often had the inside scoop on internal AAC developments, it's interesting that he has continued to list CSU, SDSU, and BSU as the three most likely expansion schools.

.

(06-06-2021 06:58 PM)JamesTKirk Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 08:59 AM)usffan Wrote:  

(06-01-2021 07:51 AM)BraveKnight Wrote:  

Wow, this one's pretty fascinating...

For anybody who doesn't know, "A Jersey Guy" is Mark Blaudschun, a sports reporter who not only wrote for the Boston Globe, but has some serious connections. He's the one who broke the story that the Catholic 7 were about to break away from the football members of the Big East.

Interestingly, Blaudschun has put up a new post, in which he still identifies Colorado State, San Diego State and Boise State as possible AAC expansion schools, but he doesn't provide any reason for listing those three schools, in particular.

https://www.si.com/college/tmg/mark-blau...-expansion

Given the fact that he has often had the inside scoop on internal AAC developments, it's interesting that he has continued to list CSU, SDSU, and BSU as the three most likely expansion schools.

.

If by "new" you mean we've been talking about for five days, mainly in another thread you just posted in, then OK