(06-21-2022 02:59 PM)Yosef181 Wrote: (06-21-2022 11:43 AM)CoastalJuan Wrote: It was still the best move either way. 3 of the 4 teams called up came from the AAC, and the other was independent. The move put us in the best position possible, we just didn't capitalize on it. Based on Memphis(who did everything right) being snubbed, I'm not convinced that our market wouldn't have held us back anyway even if we had won a few conference titles. We surely could have done more either way.
The alternative would have been to stay in CUSA. We would probably have had better records, but we'd also probably just now be moving up to the AAC. It's pretty clear how those teams are being viewed publicly vs. the existing teams, just like how we were viewed when we all joined. So, in hindsight, I like that we've been able to keep up with autonomy benchmarks and have been able to do facility improvements. So not much different than joining the AAC now other than the head start on cash.
And hell, with Scottie Mo we might have been bad in CUSA, and could be Western Tucky'd right now.
I don't think they were picked because they were in the AAC, but because they are the best options for what the Big 12 and media partners want. I know ECU fans feel like they missed a shot to skyrocket into the P5, but I don't think that was ever going to happen. ECU could've just won 60 straight games and still would've been passed over in favor of Cincinnati, Houston, UCF, and BYU.
ECU is more of a Marshall/Southern Miss: a small market program that the P5 won't add. In their pursuit of something which isn't attainable, ECU lost real rivalries with Marshall and Southern Miss. ECU is still chasing the P5 dream. How long will it be before they realize it isn't possible? That's the real question.
The Belt teams know they aren't pursuing the P5. That's why the SBC marketing lately has been "Let's aim to be the best G5", instead of the AAC's "We're P6!" claims. If ECU ever decides to stop chasing, I'm sure the SBC would welcome the Pirates. Rivalries with Marshall, App, ODU, and Southern Miss probably mean more to their future fanbase than whoever they count as conference rivals now (UNCC? Temple? Memphis?).
I think Memphis and South Florida end up in the XII. I’d like to see the Sun Belt add East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, and UAB. The MWC would add Rice, SMU, Tulane, Tulsa, and Wichita St. Navy and Temple football go independent. The AAC swallows CUSA which adds Eastern Kentucky to get to 12.
Same: ACC, B1G, MAC, PAC, SEC
IND: Army, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Navy, Notre Dame, Temple
XIV
East: Central Florida, Cincinnati, Houston, Memphis, South Florida, TCU, West Virginia
West: Baylor, BYU, Iowa St, Kansas, Kansas St, Oklahoma St, Texas Tech
MWC
Central: Air Force, Colorado St, New Mexico, Rice, SMU, Tulane, Tulsa, Wyoming
West: Boise St, Fresno St, Hawaii*, Nevada, San Diego St, San Jose St, UNLV, Utah St
* Football-only
^ Non-football: Wichita St
SBC
East: Appalachian St, East Carolina, Georgia Southern, James Madison, Marshall, Old Dominion
South: Coastal Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Georgia St, South Alabama, Troy, UAB
West: Arkansas St, North Texas, Southern Miss, Texas St, UL Lafayette, UL Monroe
AAC
East: Charlotte, Eastern Kentucky, Florida International, Liberty, Middle Tennessee St, Western Kentucky
West: Jacksonville St, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico St, Sam Houston St, UTEP, UTSA