(10-10-2019 12:30 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(10-10-2019 09:56 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(10-10-2019 07:53 AM)Bogg Wrote:  

(10-10-2019 07:07 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  Well, from the outside, UConn football is in a position where they need to be desperate to do SOMETHING.

Or what? Absolute worst-case scenario is something like they go out and get some FCS buy games against, like, NEC and Pioneer league teams to round out a home schedule, play like 9 games with 6 of them being FCS opponents. I don't mean "worst reasonable outcome", I mean they literally don't get any additional FBS opponents for next year. That happens and the NCAA tells them not to do it again, and you move on to the next season.

Thats what I suspect will happen. They have 4 games. They will pay to have a couple of currently scheduled games cancelled so those teams can schedule UConn instead.

We say this, but we're pretty deep in the weeds on UConn scheduling, etc. We say this, because we've gotten used to that idea. But I have a reality check question.

When's the last time a school did that? Bought out both ends of a scheduled game, and played both teams?

(10-10-2019 12:48 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-10-2019 12:30 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  When's the last time a school did that? Bought out both ends of a scheduled game, and played both teams?

Liberty did that, IIRC.

(10-11-2019 10:13 AM)megadrone Wrote:  They could have just stayed in the American for the 27 months and had scheduled covered through the 2021 season.

Their admin doesn't give a rat's ass about football. Good luck recruiting against that.

(10-11-2019 11:29 AM)Stugray2 Wrote:  

(10-11-2019 10:13 AM)megadrone Wrote:  They could have just stayed in the American for the 27 months and had scheduled covered through the 2021 season.

Their admin doesn't give a rat's ass about football. Good luck recruiting against that.

No they could not have. The American wanted them to leave immediately. And that sentiment was mutual. There were contractual issues that would have been very messy for both sides, starting with ESPN exclusivity for the AAC and UConn's relationship with SNY.The American didn't want a protracted lame duck situation, and UConn didn't want to be in a protracted lame duck situation. The settlement reflects that, more than a 27 month exit fee, but far less than the punitive early exit fee.

As for recruiting, well it's in the tank right now, and was last year and the year before, which had nothing to do with this exit from the American. UConn is 1-4, 0-4 against FBS opponents, and on pace fro probably a 1-11 or 2-10 season (don;t know if they have a chance against UMass). In 2018 they were 1-11, again only beating an FCS school. 2017 better at 3-9. Many of their losses to AAC schools are lopsided blowouts. They look similar to Rutgers futility in the B1G. And this is on an American recruiting program. So to say recruiting will suck ... well it's more like saying recruiting will be "suckier". Who would notice? UConn has fielded what amounts to a strong FCS team for the last few years with all the "benefits" of recruiting in the American.

The schedule may suck in terms of quality opponents, but that could work in UConn's favor, allowing them to win a couple more games. Besides their attendance has actually been better for opponents like Rhode Island and Maine than many AAC schools.

Now all you say about the Administration not caring about Football may well be true. But staying in the American as a lame duck for two more years would not have helped either attendance or recruiting. The evidence is there in the figures for the last three years.

(10-11-2019 11:29 AM)Stugray2 Wrote:  

(10-11-2019 10:13 AM)megadrone Wrote:  They could have just stayed in the American for the 27 months and had scheduled covered through the 2021 season.

Their admin doesn't give a rat's ass about football. Good luck recruiting against that.

No they could not have. The American wanted them to leave immediately. And that sentiment was mutual. There were contractual issues that would have been very messy for both sides, starting with ESPN exclusivity for the AAC and UConn's relationship with SNY.The American didn't want a protracted lame duck situation, and UConn didn't want to be in a protracted lame duck situation. The settlement reflects that, more than a 27 month exit fee, but far less than the punitive early exit fee.

As for recruiting, well it's in the tank right now, and was last year and the year before, which had nothing to do with this exit from the American. UConn is 1-4, 0-4 against FBS opponents, and on pace fro probably a 1-11 or 2-10 season (don;t know if they have a chance against UMass). In 2018 they were 1-11, again only beating an FCS school. 2017 better at 3-9. Many of their losses to AAC schools are lopsided blowouts. They look similar to Rutgers futility in the B1G. And this is on an American recruiting program. So to say recruiting will suck ... well it's more like saying recruiting will be "suckier". Who would notice? UConn has fielded what amounts to a strong FCS team for the last few years with all the "benefits" of recruiting in the American.

The schedule may suck in terms of quality opponents, but that could work in UConn's favor, allowing them to win a couple more games. Besides their attendance has actually been better for opponents like Rhode Island and Maine than many AAC schools.

Now all you say about the Administration not caring about Football may well be true. But staying in the American as a lame duck for two more years would not have helped either attendance or recruiting. The evidence is there in the figures for the last three years.

(10-11-2019 01:01 PM)panite Wrote:  I think the UConn admins actually believed that the AAC would let their FB program stay in the AAC so as to not upset the applecart and keep the conference divisions balanced. They at the very least thought that the FB program would remain there for a transition year giving them time to build a future independent schedule and giving the AAC time to find a replacement. They have no back up plan schedule wise to prove anything different. The clean break with the AAC bouncing UConn FB when the rest of the sports leave is best for the AAC as they can still play 8 conference games without UConn, without divisions while slowly making its way through the replacement process if they replace UConn FB at all. Aresco earned his money on this one by knowing the NCAA regulations and by having back up plans going forward allowing for the UConn FB boot and moving on without UConn altogether. With the way the NCAA has handled waivers in the past and then moving to no divisions with the B-12 the AAC will get one of the waivers its seeks or will play on with unbalanced divisions until a replacement for UConn can be found.

(10-11-2019 11:29 AM)Stugray2 Wrote:  

(10-11-2019 10:13 AM)megadrone Wrote:  They could have just stayed in the American for the 27 months and had scheduled covered through the 2021 season.

Their admin doesn't give a rat's ass about football. Good luck recruiting against that.

No they could not have. The American wanted them to leave immediately. And that sentiment was mutual. There were contractual issues that would have been very messy for both sides, starting with ESPN exclusivity for the AAC and UConn's relationship with SNY.The American didn't want a protracted lame duck situation, and UConn didn't want to be in a protracted lame duck situation. The settlement reflects that, more than a 27 month exit fee, but far less than the punitive early exit fee.

As for recruiting, well it's in the tank right now, and was last year and the year before, which had nothing to do with this exit from the American. UConn is 1-4, 0-4 against FBS opponents, and on pace fro probably a 1-11 or 2-10 season (don;t know if they have a chance against UMass). In 2018 they were 1-11, again only beating an FCS school. 2017 better at 3-9. Many of their losses to AAC schools are lopsided blowouts. They look similar to Rutgers futility in the B1G. And this is on an American recruiting program. So to say recruiting will suck ... well it's more like saying recruiting will be "suckier". Who would notice? UConn has fielded what amounts to a strong FCS team for the last few years with all the "benefits" of recruiting in the American.

The schedule may suck in terms of quality opponents, but that could work in UConn's favor, allowing them to win a couple more games. Besides their attendance has actually been better for opponents like Rhode Island and Maine than many AAC schools.

Now all you say about the Administration not caring about Football may well be true. But staying in the American as a lame duck for two more years would not have helped either attendance or recruiting. The evidence is there in the figures for the last three years.

(10-11-2019 02:55 PM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  

(10-11-2019 11:29 AM)Stugray2 Wrote:  

(10-11-2019 10:13 AM)megadrone Wrote:  They could have just stayed in the American for the 27 months and had scheduled covered through the 2021 season.

Their admin doesn't give a rat's ass about football. Good luck recruiting against that.

No they could not have. The American wanted them to leave immediately. And that sentiment was mutual. There were contractual issues that would have been very messy for both sides, starting with ESPN exclusivity for the AAC and UConn's relationship with SNY.The American didn't want a protracted lame duck situation, and UConn didn't want to be in a protracted lame duck situation. The settlement reflects that, more than a 27 month exit fee, but far less than the punitive early exit fee.

As for recruiting, well it's in the tank right now, and was last year and the year before, which had nothing to do with this exit from the American. UConn is 1-4, 0-4 against FBS opponents, and on pace fro probably a 1-11 or 2-10 season (don;t know if they have a chance against UMass). In 2018 they were 1-11, again only beating an FCS school. 2017 better at 3-9. Many of their losses to AAC schools are lopsided blowouts. They look similar to Rutgers futility in the B1G. And this is on an American recruiting program. So to say recruiting will suck ... well it's more like saying recruiting will be "suckier". Who would notice? UConn has fielded what amounts to a strong FCS team for the last few years with all the "benefits" of recruiting in the American.

The schedule may suck in terms of quality opponents, but that could work in UConn's favor, allowing them to win a couple more games. Besides their attendance has actually been better for opponents like Rhode Island and Maine than many AAC schools.

Now all you say about the Administration not caring about Football may well be true. But staying in the American as a lame duck for two more years would not have helped either attendance or recruiting. The evidence is there in the figures for the last three years.

No it wasn't. UConn made it very clear they wanted to stay in AAC for football only. The AAC squashed that idea immediately.

At this point, I don't really care. At first I wanted UConn out if they were taking basketball out. But, if the AAC wants to keep them as a football only, that's fine by me also. I've actually enjoyed the 17 or 18 times USF has played UConn. I doubt the AAC reconsiders UConn as a football only, though.

(10-11-2019 03:03 PM)gulfcoastgal Wrote:  

(10-11-2019 02:55 PM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  

(10-11-2019 11:29 AM)Stugray2 Wrote:  

(10-11-2019 10:13 AM)megadrone Wrote:  They could have just stayed in the American for the 27 months and had scheduled covered through the 2021 season.

Their admin doesn't give a rat's ass about football. Good luck recruiting against that.

No they could not have. The American wanted them to leave immediately. And that sentiment was mutual. There were contractual issues that would have been very messy for both sides, starting with ESPN exclusivity for the AAC and UConn's relationship with SNY.The American didn't want a protracted lame duck situation, and UConn didn't want to be in a protracted lame duck situation. The settlement reflects that, more than a 27 month exit fee, but far less than the punitive early exit fee.

As for recruiting, well it's in the tank right now, and was last year and the year before, which had nothing to do with this exit from the American. UConn is 1-4, 0-4 against FBS opponents, and on pace fro probably a 1-11 or 2-10 season (don;t know if they have a chance against UMass). In 2018 they were 1-11, again only beating an FCS school. 2017 better at 3-9. Many of their losses to AAC schools are lopsided blowouts. They look similar to Rutgers futility in the B1G. And this is on an American recruiting program. So to say recruiting will suck ... well it's more like saying recruiting will be "suckier". Who would notice? UConn has fielded what amounts to a strong FCS team for the last few years with all the "benefits" of recruiting in the American.

The schedule may suck in terms of quality opponents, but that could work in UConn's favor, allowing them to win a couple more games. Besides their attendance has actually been better for opponents like Rhode Island and Maine than many AAC schools.

Now all you say about the Administration not caring about Football may well be true. But staying in the American as a lame duck for two more years would not have helped either attendance or recruiting. The evidence is there in the figures for the last three years.

No it wasn't. UConn made it very clear they wanted to stay in AAC for football only. The AAC squashed that idea immediately.

At this point, I don't really care. At first I wanted UConn out if they were taking basketball out. But, if the AAC wants to keep them as a football only, that's fine by me also. I've actually enjoyed the 17 or 18 times USF has played UConn. I doubt the AAC reconsiders UConn as a football only, though.

I don’t think reconsideration is in the cards either as there’s a good chance the other AAC teams come out ahead financially w/o UCONN as the $10M plus performance pay from the CFP will be split less ways.

(10-11-2019 11:29 AM)Stugray2 Wrote:  UConn is 1-4, 0-4 against FBS opponents, and on pace for probably a 1-11 or 2-10 season (don’t know if they have a chance against UMass).

Quote:Besides their attendance has actually been better for opponents like Rhode Island and Maine than many AAC schools.

Quote:all you say about the Administration not caring about Football may well be true.

(10-11-2019 02:50 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  It should be a win-win in the waiver department, too. As you say, Aresco will get his waiver for the unbalanced divisions. Also, as the AAC essentially forced UConn football out, UConn will get some sort of temporary scheduling waiver if they can't meet the usual scheduling requirements. In the end, everyone is a winner.

(10-11-2019 03:13 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  ESPN will most likely adjust the next AAC TV deal to account for the loss of UConn men's and women's basketball. That $10M performance bonus for the CFP split among AAC schools with one less mouth to feed (UConn's) could help the other AAC schools recoup some of the lost TV contract money.

(10-11-2019 02:50 PM)UConnHusky Wrote:  

(10-11-2019 01:01 PM)panite Wrote:  I think the UConn admins actually believed that the AAC would let their FB program stay in the AAC so as to not upset the applecart and keep the conference divisions balanced. They at the very least thought that the FB program would remain there for a transition year giving them time to build a future independent schedule and giving the AAC time to find a replacement. They have no back up plan schedule wise to prove anything different. The clean break with the AAC bouncing UConn FB when the rest of the sports leave is best for the AAC as they can still play 8 conference games without UConn, without divisions while slowly making its way through the replacement process if they replace UConn FB at all. Aresco earned his money on this one by knowing the NCAA regulations and by having back up plans going forward allowing for the UConn FB boot and moving on without UConn altogether. With the way the NCAA has handled waivers in the past and then moving to no divisions with the B-12 the AAC will get one of the waivers its seeks or will play on with unbalanced divisions until a replacement for UConn can be found.

I don't think that UConn thought that the AAC would keep their football program nor did they care. Other than having an extra year for scheduling, UConn football was withering on the vine in the AAC and would continue to do so. Will it continue to wither on the vine as an independent? The odds are high that it will, but the administration is betting that it at least won't get worse (as you really can't get any worse). If they improve somewhat and put together a schedule with more local schools of interest and more P5's, then the fan base will be more engaged. The AAC schools (other than Temple and Cincy) were far flung from UConn and really had no historical or emotional attachment to our fan base.

It should be a win-win in the waiver department, too. As you say, Aresco will get his waiver for the unbalanced divisions. Also, as the AAC essentially forced UConn football out, UConn will get some sort of temporary scheduling waiver if they can't meet the usual scheduling requirements. In the end, everyone is a winner.

(10-11-2019 11:03 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Which would be better for UConn football:

A new FBS football-only conference:
UConn
UMass
Boston College
Syracuse
Buffalo
Rutgers
Penn State
Pittsburgh
Maryland
Miami/FL

Or, if that’s impossible to throw together, either drop to FCS or just disband the program altogether.

(10-12-2019 08:45 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(10-11-2019 11:03 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Which would be better for UConn football:

A new FBS football-only conference:
UConn
UMass
Boston College
Syracuse
Buffalo
Rutgers
Penn State
Pittsburgh
Maryland
Miami/FL

Or, if that’s impossible to throw together, either drop to FCS or just disband the program altogether.

Fixed

(10-12-2019 08:48 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  

(10-12-2019 08:45 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(10-11-2019 11:03 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Which would be better for UConn football:

A new FBS football-only conference:
UConn
UMass
Boston College
Syracuse
Buffalo
Rutgers
Penn State
Pittsburgh
Maryland
Miami/FL

Or, if that’s impossible to throw together, either drop to FCS or just disband the program altogether.

Fixed

Never going to happen. Let’s stick to actual realistic possibilities.

(10-08-2019 06:21 PM)SMUfan Wrote:  First posted about a month ago. Still works.
------------------------
They will probably announce it all at once. Make it a big media announcement. My guess it will be an acceptable heavy G5 schedule. My prediction.

There are a limited amount of schools that still have an opening that would play an away game at UConn. Most leftover openings at this point are held for a home game against an FCS school. The only schools that I found that have an opening and would play an away game are: ODU, Nevada and UNLV.
Nevada, UNLV, NMSU and Boise State are still allowed to schedule a 13th game since they play at Hawaii. Therefore:

Wk 0:..... @ Boise State..... (playing UConn is better than FCS)
Wk 1:..... UMass ........ (since playing week 0, move the game from Thursday back to Friday or Sat)
9/12:..... @Illinois
9/19:..... ODU............ (works for ODU, move Maine back 4 weeks)
9/26:..... Indiana
10/03:... Bye
10/10:... @UAB ............
10/17:... Maine.............. (instead of 9/19)
10/24:... @ Virginia Tech .... (could be VT's homecoming game)
10/31:... Bye
11/07:... Nevada or UNLV.... (both get a 13th game)
11/14:... @ Liberty.............. (Liberty would like this and move Western Carolina to 2023)
11/21:... Nevada or UNLV .... (both get a 13th game)
11/28:... @NMSU................ (NMSU is allowed a 13th game)

6 Home and 6 Away. Not bad.

Schools that might take a home game with UConn: Air Force, Southern Miss. But the dates don't work as well as with Boise St, UAB, VT, Liberty and NMSU.

(10-12-2019 08:48 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Never going to happen. Let’s stick to actual realistic possibilities.