I respectfully believe that a number of you guys are way off base with regards to the future of the AAC. While it's never going to be a P5/P6/P Whatever conference, it's not dying. They actually have a number of solid options to fill the open spots, to include:
1) Charlotte -- obvious choice IMO due to media market and rising program
2) UAB -- the program redux seems to be on an upward trajectory. A footprint in the state with the most HS talent per capita can't be a bad thing for the league. Also a school with solid basketball history.
3) Rice -- brand-name Ivy-level academic school. Relationships with SMU, Tulane, Navy and Tulsa. Obvious fit and keeps Houston presence.
4) Georgia State -- Not much there as far as football tradition, but adding the Atlanta school makes sense. Too much potential to ignore and GSU has gone from CAA laughingstock to a lower-level bowl team fairly quickly.
5) Air Force as a football affiliate only -- less likely but worth a thought. They could play their other sports in Summit or Big Sky.
6) Marshall -- Excellent tradition, rabidly supportive fan base, great football. Their audition in Annapolis yesterday went very well.
7) Old Dominion -- has stunk at football since moving up from FBS but Norfolk/Va Beach market could be strategic, especially for recruiting. Also a great hoops program to add on to the league.
8) Buffalo -- likely the biggest stretch, but if the league wanted another eastern team to supplement Temple and Navy, Buffalo has been strong in both football and basketball lately.
By my count, AAC has 4 spots open to get back to 12, replacing UCONN, Houston, UCF and Cincinnati. My picks for expansion would be the following: Charlotte, UAB, Rice, Marshall