The issue with the American was more basketball than football. We got downgraded from the #1 league to the #7 league in basketball. Football went from #5 (ahead of the ACC) to #6. Also, the issue was playing teams like Tulsa, Tulane, SMU, Memphis, and Houston that our fanbase has no interest in playing. Personally, our eyes should be on the ACC prize for 7/1/36.
With the exception of ECU and Memphis in my hypothetical league, the other five programs would absolutely drive attendance (Army, Navy, UMass, Temple, USF). Either way, I'm not holding my breath. Being independent for the next 13 season is fine with me as long as we don't go 12-0 one year and miss the playoff (don't think either would happen-but you never know).