(10-01-2021 10:09 AM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 09:11 AM)DCAbloob Wrote:  Craig Thompson 4 Mike Aresco 0.

A lot of effort was expended by the American to draw in Mountain West schools, all of it wasted.

I mean, so what? It's not like the AAC's backup candidates went anywhere while they were trying to attract the best candidates they had. Positively nothing lost from Aresco trying to raid the MWC.

The only loss was any remaining perception that the AAC was somehow superior to the MWC. But that was pretty much gone for anyone paying attention.

(10-01-2021 10:10 AM)loki_the_bubba Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:09 AM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 09:11 AM)DCAbloob Wrote:  Craig Thompson 4 Mike Aresco 0.

A lot of effort was expended by the American to draw in Mountain West schools, all of it wasted.

I mean, so what? It's not like the AAC's backup candidates went anywhere while they were trying to attract the best candidates they had. Positively nothing lost from Aresco trying to raid the MWC.

The only loss was any remaining perception that the AAC was somehow superior to the MWC. But that was pretty much gone for anyone paying attention.

I don't think that's even necessarily true. It's simply a recognition that the MWC is a low-risk fit for those schools. The AAC has more upside, but it also has more risk. If you're Colorado State, always bad at football and only a candidate for the Big 12 on this board, why take the risk of ending up in an eastern-focused conference long-term? The move didn't make sense for CSU from the beginning.

Looking at things now

AAC seems like the best Plan C would be to add two of Rice, N Texas and UTSA, plus Charlotte and UAB. If you don't grab the TX schools now the MWC may scoop up all of the CUSA TX 4

MWC would be wise to go to 14 and grab UTEP plus the 1 TX school that AAC does not add out of UTSA, N Texas and Rice.

Sunbelt adds the long rumored Marshall and USM.

This leaves CUSA with FIU, FAU, ODU, WKU, MTSU, LA Tech. Add JMU and Liberty to get to 8 plus UMass and UConn for football only. I would get ODU to make the call to VCU and other old CAA buddies in the A10 to see if they would consider the possibility of jumping too. Unlikely but worth a shot

(10-01-2021 10:09 AM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 09:11 AM)DCAbloob Wrote:  Craig Thompson 4 Mike Aresco 0.

A lot of effort was expended by the American to draw in Mountain West schools, all of it wasted.

I mean, so what? It's not like the AAC's backup candidates went anywhere while they were trying to attract the best candidates they had. Positively nothing lost from Aresco trying to raid the MWC.

I agree. And he almost pulled it off. We’ll get the whole story eventually but it looks like Aresco actually succeeded in convincing a few of the key administrators at both AFA and CSU to make the move. He couldn’t sell the AAC to the boosters or fans though, who’ve been supporting those schools and the MWC for decades. Then BSU’s and SDSU’s assurances provided more cover for staying put.

(10-01-2021 10:14 AM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:10 AM)loki_the_bubba Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:09 AM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 09:11 AM)DCAbloob Wrote:  Craig Thompson 4 Mike Aresco 0.

A lot of effort was expended by the American to draw in Mountain West schools, all of it wasted.

I mean, so what? It's not like the AAC's backup candidates went anywhere while they were trying to attract the best candidates they had. Positively nothing lost from Aresco trying to raid the MWC.

The only loss was any remaining perception that the AAC was somehow superior to the MWC. But that was pretty much gone for anyone paying attention.

I don't think that's even necessarily true. It's simply a recognition that the MWC is a low-risk fit for those schools. The AAC has more upside, but it also has more risk. If you're Colorado State, always bad at football and only a candidate for the Big 12 on this board, why take the risk of ending up in an eastern-focused conference long-term? The move didn't make sense for CSU from the beginning.

I disagree, this puts the MWC as the leader. The MWC is getting about 4 million per school, and we all know the AAC number is going to drop to about that amount. MWC now can go to SMU/Tulsa/Wichita and Gonzaga about joining their league. SMU brings Texas and Wichita/Gonzaga would be huge for basketball.

Once Memphis/Navy leave, the AAC will be a conglomerate of AAC/CUSA/SBC. Which will kill all 10 of the Tulane fans.

(10-01-2021 10:19 AM)Herd6993 Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:14 AM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:10 AM)loki_the_bubba Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:09 AM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 09:11 AM)DCAbloob Wrote:  Craig Thompson 4 Mike Aresco 0.

A lot of effort was expended by the American to draw in Mountain West schools, all of it wasted.

I mean, so what? It's not like the AAC's backup candidates went anywhere while they were trying to attract the best candidates they had. Positively nothing lost from Aresco trying to raid the MWC.

The only loss was any remaining perception that the AAC was somehow superior to the MWC. But that was pretty much gone for anyone paying attention.

I don't think that's even necessarily true. It's simply a recognition that the MWC is a low-risk fit for those schools. The AAC has more upside, but it also has more risk. If you're Colorado State, always bad at football and only a candidate for the Big 12 on this board, why take the risk of ending up in an eastern-focused conference long-term? The move didn't make sense for CSU from the beginning.

I disagree, this puts the MWC as the leader. The MWC is getting about 4 million per school, and we all know the AAC number is going to drop to about that amount. MWC now can go to SMU/Tulsa/Wichita and Gonzaga about joining their league. SMU brings Texas and Wichita/Gonzaga would be huge for basketball.

Once Memphis/Navy leave, the AAC will be a conglomerate of AAC/CUSA/SBC. Which will kill all 10 of the Tulane fans.

Just like it was a tough sell for Colorado St and Air Force, I think it will be an equally tough sell to get Tulsa, SMU, and Wichita to pay $10M in exit fees to go and make the same money plus start flying out to the west coast.

(10-01-2021 10:19 AM)Herd6993 Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:14 AM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:10 AM)loki_the_bubba Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:09 AM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 09:11 AM)DCAbloob Wrote:  Craig Thompson 4 Mike Aresco 0.

A lot of effort was expended by the American to draw in Mountain West schools, all of it wasted.

I mean, so what? It's not like the AAC's backup candidates went anywhere while they were trying to attract the best candidates they had. Positively nothing lost from Aresco trying to raid the MWC.

The only loss was any remaining perception that the AAC was somehow superior to the MWC. But that was pretty much gone for anyone paying attention.

I don't think that's even necessarily true. It's simply a recognition that the MWC is a low-risk fit for those schools. The AAC has more upside, but it also has more risk. If you're Colorado State, always bad at football and only a candidate for the Big 12 on this board, why take the risk of ending up in an eastern-focused conference long-term? The move didn't make sense for CSU from the beginning.

I disagree, this puts the MWC as the leader. The MWC is getting about 4 million per school, and we all know the AAC number is going to drop to about that amount. MWC now can go to SMU/Tulsa/Wichita and Gonzaga about joining their league. SMU brings Texas and Wichita/Gonzaga would be huge for basketball.

Once Memphis/Navy leave, the AAC will be a conglomerate of AAC/CUSA/SBC. Which will kill all 10 of the Tulane fans.

But are any of those programs willing to pay their exit fees just to join the MWC for the roughly the same money? I don't think so.

(10-01-2021 10:19 AM)solohawks Wrote:  Looking at things now

AAC seems like the best Plan C would be to add two of Rice, N Texas and UTSA, plus Charlotte and UAB. If you don't grab the TX schools now the MWC may scoop up all of the CUSA TX 4

MWC would be wise to go to 14 and grab UTEP plus the 1 TX school that AAC does not add out of UTSA, N Texas and Rice.

Sunbelt adds the long rumored Marshall and USM.

This leaves CUSA with FIU, FAU, ODU, WKU, MTSU, LA Tech. Add JMU and Liberty to get to 8 plus UMass and UConn for football only. I would get ODU to make the call to VCU and other old CAA buddies in the A10 to see if they would consider the possibility of jumping too. Unlikely but worth a shot

I would be surprised if Marshall would go to the Sun Belt based on your scenario, mainly because the Texas teams are gone. Remember exit fees will have to be paid, and CUSA is in much better financial shape than the Belt. If what you say occurs it is more than likely they (CUSA) will go after the Belt. People are enamored in what they read on these boards, plus the "new" ESPN agreement by the belt. However, NO one knows what the "real" financial details are, also many of you need to study these conferences latest 990's. No doubt, CUSA has lost a lot of money of the years, but they still have lots of cash and no debt, the Sun Belt can't say that.


I would love for Marshall to be in the same conference as App, Coastal, and the GA's, but at the end if the day, money talks.

Glad to see the MWC stay together, they surely have the upper hand over the AAC now as the best of the G5. No offense to the AAC schools but the Mountain West makes so much more sense as a cohesive conference, the AAC to me has always just appeared to be a collection of the best schools that don't have a more logical home in the MWC or haven't been called up to the P5 yet, hard to see anything else that really binds the group together.

(10-01-2021 10:23 AM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:19 AM)Herd6993 Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:14 AM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:10 AM)loki_the_bubba Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:09 AM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  I mean, so what? It's not like the AAC's backup candidates went anywhere while they were trying to attract the best candidates they had. Positively nothing lost from Aresco trying to raid the MWC.

The only loss was any remaining perception that the AAC was somehow superior to the MWC. But that was pretty much gone for anyone paying attention.

I don't think that's even necessarily true. It's simply a recognition that the MWC is a low-risk fit for those schools. The AAC has more upside, but it also has more risk. If you're Colorado State, always bad at football and only a candidate for the Big 12 on this board, why take the risk of ending up in an eastern-focused conference long-term? The move didn't make sense for CSU from the beginning.

I disagree, this puts the MWC as the leader. The MWC is getting about 4 million per school, and we all know the AAC number is going to drop to about that amount. MWC now can go to SMU/Tulsa/Wichita and Gonzaga about joining their league. SMU brings Texas and Wichita/Gonzaga would be huge for basketball.

Once Memphis/Navy leave, the AAC will be a conglomerate of AAC/CUSA/SBC. Which will kill all 10 of the Tulane fans.

But are any of those programs willing to pay their exit fees just to join the MWC for the roughly the same money? I don't think so.

Fair point, I think they will have to weigh out how their booster feel, will they continue to donate the same playing CUSA call ups, and what is left. Also, I would say bringing in SMU, Wichita, and Gonzaga would help increase the MWC TV revenue.

Navy could be gone if they get a football only invite to the ACC to give that conference another conference game with Notre Dame.

(10-01-2021 10:29 AM)Herd6993 Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:19 AM)solohawks Wrote:  Looking at things now

AAC seems like the best Plan C would be to add two of Rice, N Texas and UTSA, plus Charlotte and UAB. If you don't grab the TX schools now the MWC may scoop up all of the CUSA TX 4

MWC would be wise to go to 14 and grab UTEP plus the 1 TX school that AAC does not add out of UTSA, N Texas and Rice.

Sunbelt adds the long rumored Marshall and USM.

This leaves CUSA with FIU, FAU, ODU, WKU, MTSU, LA Tech. Add JMU and Liberty to get to 8 plus UMass and UConn for football only. I would get ODU to make the call to VCU and other old CAA buddies in the A10 to see if they would consider the possibility of jumping too. Unlikely but worth a shot

I would be surprised if Marshall would go to the Sun Belt based on your scenario, mainly because the Texas teams are gone. Remember exit fees will have to be paid, and CUSA is in much better financial shape than the Belt. If what you say occurs it is more than likely they (CUSA) will go after the Belt. People are enamored in what they read on these boards, plus the "new" ESPN agreement by the belt. However, NO one knows what the "real" financial details are, also many of you need to study these conferences latest 990's. No doubt, CUSA has lost a lot of money of the years, but they still have lots of cash and no debt, the Sun Belt can't say that.


I would love for Marshall to be in the same conference as App, Coastal, and the GA's, but at the end if the day, money talks.

Agreed, money will ultimately win out.

If CUSA can evolve into the eastern base conference you may be right. Losing Charlotte to me would loosen Marshall's commitment to CUSA as the Sunbelt would have a more stable, more attractive eastern division.

(10-01-2021 09:34 AM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  The American
@American_Conf
·
5m
Statement from Commissioner Mike Aresco:

"The American Athletic Conference has not offered membership to any institution. Our process for considering potential members remains deliberate, strategic and focused on the continued proven success of our conference."

LOL

Modern reporter/message board insider:

“This goes along with exactly what my sources have been saying.”

(10-01-2021 10:34 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  Navy could be gone if they get a football only invite to the ACC to give that conference another conference game with Notre Dame.

I like that idea, maybe cutting another special half-in, half-out deal will give some ammo to combat the GoR with and bring the whole burning house of cards down.

(10-01-2021 09:13 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 09:08 AM)Hokie4Skins Wrote:  So...DavidSt was correct?

Not that Thamel is necessarily definitive. But DavidSt is IMO correct a lot of the time.

I don't want to give him too much credit, like previous posters said sanity won out here. Plus, the money just isn't there IMO.

(10-01-2021 10:35 AM)solohawks Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:29 AM)Herd6993 Wrote:  

(10-01-2021 10:19 AM)solohawks Wrote:  Looking at things now

AAC seems like the best Plan C would be to add two of Rice, N Texas and UTSA, plus Charlotte and UAB. If you don't grab the TX schools now the MWC may scoop up all of the CUSA TX 4

MWC would be wise to go to 14 and grab UTEP plus the 1 TX school that AAC does not add out of UTSA, N Texas and Rice.

Sunbelt adds the long rumored Marshall and USM.

This leaves CUSA with FIU, FAU, ODU, WKU, MTSU, LA Tech. Add JMU and Liberty to get to 8 plus UMass and UConn for football only. I would get ODU to make the call to VCU and other old CAA buddies in the A10 to see if they would consider the possibility of jumping too. Unlikely but worth a shot

I would be surprised if Marshall would go to the Sun Belt based on your scenario, mainly because the Texas teams are gone. Remember exit fees will have to be paid, and CUSA is in much better financial shape than the Belt. If what you say occurs it is more than likely they (CUSA) will go after the Belt. People are enamored in what they read on these boards, plus the "new" ESPN agreement by the belt. However, NO one knows what the "real" financial details are, also many of you need to study these conferences latest 990's. No doubt, CUSA has lost a lot of money of the years, but they still have lots of cash and no debt, the Sun Belt can't say that.


I would love for Marshall to be in the same conference as App, Coastal, and the GA's, but at the end if the day, money talks.

Agreed, money will ultimately win out.

If CUSA can evolve into the eastern base conference you may be right. Losing Charlotte to me would loosen Marshall's commitment to CUSA as the Sunbelt would have a more stable, more attractive eastern division.

You may be right on UNCC, Marshall would like to be where most of their alums have been migrating too the last 15-20 years, that is KY, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, and lately TN. When Marshall originally joined CUSA, the sales pitch by the leaders was we could increase our enrollment by playing in Texas, La, and Miss. When in reality it hurt us in the areas where we got most of our out of state students.

Why the heck would Gonzaga move to the MWC for only a partial share, anyway? That's as fanciful as anything.

My takeaways from the no to AAC from MWC/ACC:

-I'm sure this also means the AAC wasn't able to land Army because if they were interested I'm sure AFA would have signed.

-The MWC by retaining CSU/AFA is going to be weaker top to bottom than if they have left. There is now a 5th P5 school in the mountain region to go with ASU, UA, Utah and Colorado and that is BYU.

-AAC isn't going to be hurt too much from UH, UC, UCF all going P5. What is hurting them more is they are picking traditionally terrible FB schools like UAB and Charlotte to replace them. UAB has done enough on facilities to deserve to get in though.

-There is a strategic war between the MWC/AAC over UTSA and UNT. If I were the AAC I would add UTSA and UNT just to keep them out of the hands of the MWC. I wouldn't want to be in a position where the MWC gets them and SMU leaves for the XII leaving the AAC with nothing in Texas.

-If I am the AAC the four I offer are UTSA, UNT, UAB and FAU. That will keep the AAC strong in Texas/Florida over the MWC and SBC by having the most schools in those states.

(10-01-2021 10:34 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  Navy could be gone if they get a football only invite to the ACC to give that conference another conference game with Notre Dame.

I'm not sure Navy would want that many games scheduled without a guaranteed Texas game. Texas sends a lot of kids into the military, playing a yearly game in the state is wonderful the acadamies. I remember A&M playing a "home and home" with Army a few years back, the Army home game being played in San Antonio. Army plays Air Force this year at the Texas Rangers ballpark.

If the ACC offered a Notre Dame type 5 conference games I could see that happening. Would give both Navy and Notre Dame 6 'conference' games with their yearly matchup included. Still think its more likely the AAC backfills with at least one Texas school and Navy stays put though.