(02-08-2023 10:30 PM)Once a Knight... Wrote:  If recent history is to be believed, wouldn't the ESPN properties of the SunBelt and MAC once again be off limits for the AAC? That would leave C-USA, MAC, or Independents.

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I believe that's accurate.

(02-08-2023 10:36 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  

(02-08-2023 09:16 PM)panicstricken Wrote:  Lots of delusion here.

but that's the fun of it!

I don't believe Army is delusional...I think they now see they could go 12-0 and end up in the Armed Forces or Independence Bowl simply because they aren't in a conference.

(02-08-2023 10:30 PM)Once a Knight... Wrote:  If recent history is to be believed, wouldn't the ESPN properties of the SunBelt and MAC once again be off limits for the AAC? That would leave C-USA, MAC, or Independents.

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I question the opinion that the Belt is off limits. I think that narrative was floated by Belt fans to mask the fact that their programs got passed over by the AAC. Let's face it, ESPN didn't prevent the SEC from swiping Texas and OU from the Big12, which they also have a media deal with.

But for what it's worth, just like the last round of realignment, I don't see anything in the Sun Belt that will do the AAC any good. Army, Air Force, and/or Boise State... those should be the targets, or just stay at 13.

(02-08-2023 10:30 PM)Once a Knight... Wrote:  If recent history is to be believed, wouldn't the ESPN properties of the SunBelt and MAC once again be off limits for the AAC? That would leave C-USA, MAC, or Independents.

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Correct, the MAC and SBC are both ESPN properties, so the AAC would likely replace SMU with a school from the MWC, such as AFA, C-USA, or an independent, namely Army West Point.

The MWC, OTOH, could target Texas State from the SBC, or any school from C-USA, such as UTEP, NMSU or La. Tech.

(02-08-2023 10:41 PM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  

(02-08-2023 10:30 PM)Once a Knight... Wrote:  If recent history is to be believed, wouldn't the ESPN properties of the SunBelt and MAC once again be off limits for the AAC? That would leave C-USA, MAC, or Independents.

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I question the opinion that the Belt is off limits. I think that narrative was floated by Belt fans to mask the fact that their programs got passed over by the AAC. Let's face it, ESPN didn't prevent the SEC from swiping Texas and OU from the Big12, which they also have a media deal with.

But for what it's worth, just like the last round of realignment, I don't see anything in the Sun Belt that will do the AAC any good. Army, Air Force, and/or Boise State... those should be the targets, or just stay at 13.

It's probably objectively better for AAC as a whole to stand pat at 13, but selfishly I'd want Texas State.

(02-08-2023 10:55 PM)MeepMeep Wrote:  

(02-08-2023 10:41 PM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  

(02-08-2023 10:30 PM)Once a Knight... Wrote:  If recent history is to be believed, wouldn't the ESPN properties of the SunBelt and MAC once again be off limits for the AAC? That would leave C-USA, MAC, or Independents.

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I question the opinion that the Belt is off limits. I think that narrative was floated by Belt fans to mask the fact that their programs got passed over by the AAC. Let's face it, ESPN didn't prevent the SEC from swiping Texas and OU from the Big12, which they also have a media deal with.

But for what it's worth, just like the last round of realignment, I don't see anything in the Sun Belt that will do the AAC any good. Army, Air Force, and/or Boise State... those should be the targets, or just stay at 13.

It's probably objectively better for AAC as a whole to stand pat at 13, but selfishly I'd want Texas State.

Why Texas State?

(02-09-2023 12:06 AM)Milwaukee Wrote:  

(02-08-2023 10:55 PM)MeepMeep Wrote:  

(02-08-2023 10:41 PM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  

(02-08-2023 10:30 PM)Once a Knight... Wrote:  If recent history is to be believed, wouldn't the ESPN properties of the SunBelt and MAC once again be off limits for the AAC? That would leave C-USA, MAC, or Independents.

Sent from my LM-G820 using CSNbbs mobile app

I question the opinion that the Belt is off limits. I think that narrative was floated by Belt fans to mask the fact that their programs got passed over by the AAC. Let's face it, ESPN didn't prevent the SEC from swiping Texas and OU from the Big12, which they also have a media deal with.

But for what it's worth, just like the last round of realignment, I don't see anything in the Sun Belt that will do the AAC any good. Army, Air Force, and/or Boise State... those should be the targets, or just stay at 13.

It's probably objectively better for AAC as a whole to stand pat at 13, but selfishly I'd want Texas State.

Why Texas State?

UTSA's main rival. We're only an hour apart.

Like I said, for selfish reasons. Though, they do have a legit baseball program.

The most realistic option is staying at 13 for a few years and see what the landscape is then. I don't think any schools will change their previous answers until more PAC teams leave.

Stay pat unless you can take from the MWC. I guess maybe Army might qualify but who knows if any of those will join.
The only Sun Belt (Which might be completely off the table because of ESPN) that fit the AAC model are Georgia State(They have to rebrand as Atlanta State to match Memphis) and maybe ODU.

Ultimately, the AAC will invite replacement schools with the highest payout offered by ESPN. As learned from the last AAC realignment, FB performance is a distant second consideration.

The best thing from a performance perspective for the AAC is to drop poorly accomplished CUSA6 schools and gather the "best of the rest" from CUSA, MWC, and the SBC and form the undisputed premium G5 conference with a stranglehold on the G5 playoff spot.

(02-08-2023 10:30 PM)Once a Knight... Wrote:  If recent history is to be believed, wouldn't the ESPN properties of the SunBelt and MAC once again be off limits for the AAC? That would leave C-USA, MAC, or Independents.

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I should correct myself, that was supposed to say MWC not MAC, since the MAC is an ESPN property. With that said others have mentioned that previously the goal was to weaken C-USA and not weaken the ESPN properties. Now that C-USA has been weakened I could see ESPN allowing a MAC or SunBelt program to move over to the AAC (to bolster the AAC as much as possible) and then the MAC/SunBelt backfilling from FCS (or C-USA). Assuming Army says no, I'm thinking Georgia St is THE choice for the AAC (they were near the top of my list of expansion candidates when they ultimately went for the C-USA6 instead. If they are again limited to C-USA I think Liberty is the only viable option that has the money and the recent success and doesn't double up any markets. ESPN also has the recently had a contract with an Independent Liberty so they could bring them back into the fold. Relatively good travel partner for ECU, Navy, and Temple. After Liberty in C-USA you'd probably have WKU but I'm not sure what kind of upside they really have or if they can claim any market outside of Bowling Green, KY.

If all realistic options were on the table for the AAC (I don't consider poaching the MWC as realistic) these would be my top choices in order:

1. Army
2. Georgia St
3. App St
4. Liberty
5. Buffalo
6. WKU

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Perhaps a pipe dream.....but:

Why keep patching holes in old boats?

If you can afford it - and have the balls to do it - just build a new boat: Memphis, Tulane, Navy, Army, ECU, Liberty + Tulsa Air Force, CSU, Boise, Fresno, UNLV.

That group has to be worth top dollar in the land of the underprivileged and would bring the eyeballs.

Problem solved.

Not gonna happen - but I really wish it would.

(02-09-2023 12:44 PM)RockyMTNTiger Wrote:  Perhaps a pipe dream.....but:

Why keep patching holes in old boats?

If you can afford it - and have the balls to do it - just build a new boat: Memphis, Tulane, Navy, Army, ECU, Liberty + Tulsa Air Force, CSU, Boise, Fresno, UNLV.

That group has to be worth top dollar in the land of the underprivileged and would bring the eyeballs.

Problem solved.

Not gonna happen - but I really wish it would.

You're right "not gonna happen" - - mainly because ESPN would be practically guaranteed to block it.

A full merger of the AAC and MWC might be more likely to occur. As outrageous as the idea might seem, it's a fun idea to contemplate.

I like the Pipe dream idea.

The Airport 8 did it.

I'm going to need some more choices. Dude's never heard of 6 sigma apparently.

(02-08-2023 09:53 PM)UofMemphis Wrote:  that's why Army has to be the first target...it gets a CBS contract team into the ESPN fold. Our ESPN overlords will be pleased! lol

You think Army wants to accept the $2M-3.5M that the CUSA6 are getting? Do you think the CUSA6 will be happy with Army getting more on day 1? The uneven revenue distribution is going to be a problem imo.

(02-09-2023 02:18 PM)b2b Wrote:  

(02-08-2023 09:53 PM)UofMemphis Wrote:  that's why Army has to be the first target...it gets a CBS contract team into the ESPN fold. Our ESPN overlords will be pleased! lol

You think Army wants to accept the $2M-3.5M that the CUSA6 are getting? Do you think the CUSA6 will be happy with Army getting more on day 1? The uneven revenue distribution is going to be a problem imo.

The uneven revenue won’t last,the CUSA6 are making more than they would elsewhere. If Army comes in and strengthens the AAC for future deals, everyone will be happy.
Also Army would joint for football only so they wouldn’t get a full share

Why would Army come in at anything less than Navy’s full share? SMU’s payout from be redistributed to Army and an Olympic sports member.

(02-09-2023 03:27 PM)Owls9878 Wrote:  Why would Army come in at anything less than Navy’s full share? SMU’s payout from be redistributed to Army and an Olympic sports member.

Exactly

(02-08-2023 07:11 PM)Bull Wrote:  You OFFER the usual suspects... AFA/Army/CSU/GSU... Boise, Marshall and App State are probably a couple of the best FB programs left.

If everyone were SMART, the best of the rest would rally for mutual benefit and increase their media payout. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone is smart enough, or bold enough, to pull the trigger. It's easier to stay more regionally separated, and try to fight it out to the biggest fish in the small pond. AFA and CSU really wanted to come, McM reported it was a done deal, but it was donors that killed it...

Still think the AAC is the best place to be... and to consolidate. I still really like our current lineup. We have the biggest TV contract, markets, and history. Tulane just showed we can STILL compete. No other G5 has won a BCS/NY6 recently that I'm aware of... except Boise?

But in the end... no one close enough to help us with gravitas is bold enough... so our only adds might be an ODU or USM type school... Texas state is just to recently up from FCS, and we already have UTSA. I think Liberty can be a beast in a few years... but they need to mature in cUSA a bit... and everyone just needs to get used to Liberty being a player.

Agreed, this is a really good point.