(01-25-2018 05:54 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  Because that would be a significant step back.

Not to get all high and mighty or anything but you don't see Pac-12 members clamoring to join the MWC.

Understood. But, the AAC is not a P5 conference any more than the MWC or other G5 conference are. I don't see a new SWC conference being formed in the immediate future, but when TV contracts expire and the money is reduced, a move to a more regional conference may take place. If it does, this is a strong realignment. It has half of the AAC in it. The 2 Florida schools are missing who happen to have had a great year this year. But, these come and go along with their coaches who are poached by the P5. Who's to say a member of this new SWC couldn't step up and do what UCF did this year? What kind of rivalry does UH have with ECU or Navy or USF/UCF? Do they travel well to away games? Do UH fans travel well to a game in Greenville, North Carolina? The MWC covers the far west. The MAC covers the mid-west. The other 3 G5 conferences, AAC, CUSA and SBC are all over the country. CUSA is from El Paso to Miami to Huntington, WV. The SBC is from San Marcos to Boone, NC. The AAC is from Houston to Cincy to Annapolis to Tampa. G5 schools don't have $90M + athletic budgets. Travel is ridiculous, especially for spring sports, attendance is down because teams don't travel well, and revenue is down as a result. We all want to be a member of a P5 conference. If the invites aren't there, when TV contracts expire, finances may really get ugly. Just think about an effective realignment when they do.