American and Mountain West should merge.

[noeynox]

I normally hate fantasy realignment threads, but they should divide by pods, and quite possibly play non conference games against one another. We've already seen p5 schools do the former and play non conf games against conference foes.

It's a lot of inventory, and you can get some quality match ups. Perhaps add a couple other G5 schools they think would be decent adds.

 

[Bezzz]

And that epic battle UConn vs Air Force at a half empty XL Center. Basketball is screwed.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Don't think that makes sense at all.

Most of the AAC schools don't belong in the same league as us, let alone most of the Mountain West.

AAC already takes home more than the MW, why further dilute our pay?

 

[HartbeatHusky]

We should make a run at Boise St. and BYU again.

 

[NYUConn]

A lot of people are going to be throwing this merger scenario as well as the "add BYU and Boise" scenario out here over the next few days so here are some things to consider:

1) The American and Mountain West TV deals currently expire in 2020 and 2021 respectively. If the two conferences merge, one or both conferences will need to be formally dissolved and a new deal will likely need to be negotiated.

1A) Boise State currently has a sweetheart TV deal with the MWC. Gets them paid at a much higher rate than the rest of their conference mates. There is absolutely zero reason to rock the boat on their end.

2) In the current NY6 configuration the MWC has taken the G5 spot once and so has The American. Even though top-to-bottom The American is a better conference, there is no reason for Boise State or anyone else in the MWC to panic about being locked out of that NY6 G5 bid. So while a merger would create an unquestionably stronger G5 conference, it's not necessary to ensure access.

3) The only REAL wild card here in all of this is BYU. I have said this over and over again, but life as an independent is unsustainable from a football perspective for the Cougars. BYU as an independent does not have access to the G5 at large bowl bid in the NY6 lineup, which means that in order to play in a NY6 bowl they would have to finish in the Top 4 and make the playoff. How many years can BYU go 10-2 and play in the Miami Beach Bowl before their fans revolt? For this reason alone, BYU may consider joining a conference.

So ultimately, there is little incentive for much of anything outside of a potential BYU move to occur in the aftermath of today's Big 12 news.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

If Aresco hasn't already called BYU at this point, he should be fired.

 

[King Jonathan]

AAC should definitely jump on the expansion train now that the Big XII dropped the ball -
BYU, Boise, Army, Air Force.
In 8 years, we might be picking up the pieces of the Big XII as well.

 

[junglehusky]

Think like a university president, not a sports fan.

 

[Husky25]

Quantity does not improve quality. It's just more mediocrity in the form of programs (Whether they are Football or Basketball) that fans don't care about.

The more I think about it, While it may have started out this way, ESPN's current stance to "lock out" UConn from a P5 conference has less to do with any vendetta against the school per se, and more to do with having a monstrous and unforeseen ROI on their AAC contract. They don't want any AAC school to get selected. At this point, ESPN isn't screwing the AAC, The old Big East, NBC, and FOX did. NBC and Fox didn't foresee the value of the conference and underbid and the old Big East media contract had a matching provision, which actually calls into question why did that provision even exist? All but 4 football programs (at the time) were gone. Be that as it may, ESPN can legitimately hide behind a claim they are making sound business decisions.

 

[Yawkey Way]

If Aresco hasn't already called BYU at this point, he should be fired.

Are you saying that the LGBT Community won't be sabotaging BYU 's chances in the AAC, as they did for the B12 ?

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

I wish there was a way we could jettison Tulane, Tulsa, and SMU. The AAC's biggest problem is that the bottom of the conference from a branding, TV $ generation, and overall success standpoint is at Sun Belt level. These schools, and to a lesser extent ECU, bring absolutely zilch to the table. If somehow we could reconfigure the conference to:

UConn
UH
UC
UCF
USF
Memphis
Temple
ECU
Navy - FB only
BYU - FB only
Boise - FB only
Army - FB only
Air Force - FB only
Colorado State - FB only

This would be a formidable football conference. Eight basketball teams would be a bit difficult, though at least there'd be far less dead weight, and UConn, UC, Temple, and Memphis would be regular tournament participants. Perhaps a scheduling agreement with the Big East could be reached in some capacity.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Are you saying that the LGBT Community won't be sabotaging BYU 's chances in the AAC, as they did for the B12 ?

You're right, there's an element of a deal with the devil concept here, but at the same time we have no idea what actually torpedoed BYU's chances. The Big 12 is such a dumpster sire that any number of reasons, the LGBT issues included, could've been the nail in BYU's coffin.

 

[UConnDan97]

The Big12 announcement happens, and then we go into "crazy" mode. Here's a couple of things:

1) BYU has already said no to the AAC. Does this announcement change anything? It would mean BYU giving up their independence and tv channel for what....1.8 million? That's why they said no in the first place.
2) Six "football only" schools are going to join the AAC, whereby 3 of the 6 are already on record of saying no to the AAC? And where would their other teams go, pray tell?
3) Army is going to save us? Army is the plan that happens when 2 - 4 of our teams leave.

Guys, I love the energy...but the crazy level is increasing...

 

[Yawkey Way]

Think like a university president, not a sports fan.

Think like a liberal University President from liberal Universities too. As such, BYU is screwed. No way BYU's going anywhere, imo. They are an island now unto themselves... from now, until forever, imo. Its just the nature of the times.

 

[amory]

Nah. The American just has to keep building, I guess.

We'd better just get comfy. We'll be here a while.

 

[NYUConn]

The Big12 announcement happens, and then we go into "crazy" mode. Here's a couple of things:

1) BYU has already said no to the AAC. Does this announcement change anything? It would mean BYU giving up their independence and tv channel for what....1.8 million? That's why they said no in the first place.
2) Six "football only" schools are going to join the AAC, whereby 3 of the 6 are already on record of saying no to the AAC? And where would their other teams go, pray tell?
3) Army is going to save us? Army is the plan that happens when 2 - 4 of our teams leave.

Guys, I love the energy...but the crazy level is increasing...

As I said above, the BYU thing is intriguing cause they are at a competitive disadvantage being an Independent at the moment.

The money thing doesn't matter as much to a school that is privately funded by an entire religion. What matters is prestige and victories for a program that has a national title to their name.

I don't know that this makes BYU more likely to join a conference, but of all the crazy scenarios being thrown out there, I think it's the most plausible.

 

[Fishy]

We don't need to throw a life line to the MW or to BYU at this point.

The schools that were interviewed by the Big 12 were largely in this conference.

 

[UConnDan97]

As I said above, the BYU thing is intriguing cause they are at a competitive disadvantage being an Independent at the moment.

The money thing doesn't matter as much to a school that is privately funded by an entire religion. What matters is prestige and victories for a program that has a national title to their name.

I don't know that this makes BYU more likely to join a conference, but of all the crazy scenarios being thrown out there, I think it's the most plausible.

It's the most plausible of the other scenarios, and it's at "1 out of 10" plausibility.

They do not have an issue scheduling quality opponents in football, so they wouldn't be doing it for that.
They were interested when we were talking about the possibility of ~ 10 million / year for our tv contract, but that was clearly not the case and that was even with SDSU / Boise on board.
They will not run to a conference to schedule LESS P5 games than they currently play, in order to cash in on 1.8 million dollars per year.

In the immortal words of Judge Judith Scheindlin, "If it doesn't smell right, it ain't true!!!"

 

[ConnHuskBask]

And where would Colorado State and others park hoops?

It just doesn't work. The MWC teams if they are being honest know they are currently in the best position for themselves outside of a P5.

Think they break all that up for what, to play UConn, Temple ECU in football only instead of their geographic rivals?

 

[UConnDan97]

Just to further drive home the "BYU ain't comin' for 1.8 mil" nail in the coffin, here is the BYU football schedule this year:

Arizona, Utah, UCLA, West Virginia, Toledo, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Boise State, Cincinnati, Southern Utah, UMass, Utah State.

Why would they be joining us again???

 

[NYUConn]

FWIW, guys:

 

[NYUConn]

Just to further drive home the "BYU ain't comin' for 1.8 mil" nail in the coffin, here is the BYU football schedule this year:

Arizona, Utah, UCLA, West Virginia, Toledo, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Boise State, Cincinnati, Southern Utah, UMass, Utah State.

Why would they be joining us again???

Postseason access, Dan. What does it matter if you get 4-6 P5 opponents on your schedule every year if you're stuck playing Tulsa or some other mid-level AAC school in your bowl game?

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Aresco could have used his close association with the B12 as an opportunity to
Reach some scheduling agreement.
Before you think this is a one way deal it's a chance for the B12 to ease the way in case of further expansion needs.
Giving some elevation to AAC schools reduces opposition if needed in the future.
If UConn ever gets its football act together it will make substantial profit from that sport.
even as a AAC member.
By the addition of Wichita State and VCU as BB onlies we become the 4th best basketball conference in the country
UConn
Memphis
Temple
Cinn
SMU
VCU/Dayton
WSU/
Tulsa
Houston
Is not to shabby a BB conference

 

[UConnDan97]

Postseason access, Dan. What does it matter if you get 4-6 P5 opponents on your schedule every year if you're stuck playing Tulsa or some other mid-level AAC school in your bowl game?

You think their postseason access is IMPROVED by joining the AAC???

If they go 6-6 with that schedule, they are guaranteed to go to a better bowl than we will if we go 7-5.
If they go 11-1 with that schedule, they still might have a chance at the playoffs. Our 11-1 teams have no chance (Houston, etc.).

That's just the way it is. If you beat Miss St., Mich. St., Arizona, Utah, Boise, Cincy, West Virginia, etc., you will be guaranteed to have a better chance period...

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Just to further drive home the "BYU ain't comin' for 1.8 mil" nail in the coffin, here is the BYU football schedule this year:

Arizona, Utah, UCLA, West Virginia, Toledo, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Boise State, Cincinnati, Southern Utah, UMass, Utah State.

Why would they be joining us again???

Because their NY6 bowl access is virtually zero, their CFP access is also virtually zero, and their bowl tie-ins are also subpar.