(10-06-2021 10:43 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-06-2021 08:39 AM)esayem Wrote:  

(10-05-2021 09:59 PM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  

(10-05-2021 06:38 PM)esayem Wrote:  App State and Louisiana would be on my shortlist. I said this in another thread but UL has the facilities to play in the AAC. I came up with a few mock alignments with them:

UMass
Temple
East Carolina
South Florida
UAB
Memphis

Louisiana
Tulane
Rice
SMU
Tulsa
Navy (Wichita State)

I like this because you’re adding two state-named schools with nice basketball venues.

Still don't get the Rice appeal. I get that Presidents make the final decision, and that academics certainly mater. That said, when the SEC brought the Texas and Oklahoma proposal to the presidents for approval, was there a brief coup where all the presidents tore up the proposal and demanded that Northwestern be invited?

I’m banking that Rice is making commitments to be competitive at the AAC level. This has to be their last shot to join a league with SMU (trophy game), Tulsa (trophy game), and Tulane (long-standing series). Plus, the Navy game has a lot of appeal as well.

Hey, they get a week off and play UTSA in the Expansion Candidate Bowl!

I'm banking on them being willing to make the financial commitments but not the admissions commitments that would be require to actually be competitive at the AAC level. The presidents of Tulane/Tulsa/and especially SMU will probably be able to fairly judge that though as they know the admissions standards they have to have to be competitive and if Rice is serious enough about having standards for athletes that are in line with the reality of being last choice on the list of smarty pants top 25 USNWR schools.

That’s a good point. We’ll just have to wait and see how it shakes out.

(10-06-2021 10:32 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(10-06-2021 10:21 AM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote:  I continue to read about all of these various alignments and to the AAC is going to take now that they’ve been shunned by the four western schools. However, I’m trying to figure out why the AAC would expand beyond the bare minimum for the time being?

There continue to be rumblings coming from inside the Big 12 that they are not yet finished adding members and that they are likely to expand further in another year or two. On a very obvious level, that is not good news for the AAC as at least one of those teams is likely to come from that league. On another level, however, that could be great news because it could give them some real clarity on the long range outlook for that league.

From where I sit, the B12’s continued instability really neutralizes the American on a lot of levels. Until the Big 12 completes its expansion process, it doesn’t make any sense for the AAC to settle for the likes of Rice, Old Dominion, Charlotte, etc., when if they just wait another two or three years, they could end up with much more attractive candidates.

If there are any slam dunk, no-brainer choices out there, then by all means take them now. Maybe UAB is one such program? However, if I were Aresco, I think I would hold off on adding more than one or two schools — at least for the time being.

The longer this goes, the less likely anything major is going to happen. However, I think it might be start to make sense, depending on the future losses incurred by each conference to the Big 12, for the AAC and the MWC to begin discussing a partnership or a merger of some sort. That would basically consolidate the number six spot and I think there’s going to be a tremendous value in that – even after they re-constitute the playoff.

I agree. The only reason to go for more is it its required as a compromise to get enough support for anyone---or if more than 2 schools are required in order to rebuild a viable league for several key olympic sports the league sponsors.

Yes, the AAC will definitely have to think about Olympic sports despite the cliche “football drives the bus.”

Well, the bus won’t be moving unless it has passengers aboard and those are Olympics sports.