(12-04-2021 11:52 PM)Digi368 Wrote:  I can only speak to UTSA but I feel like the antagonists to the merger idea were following the proven path. UTSA has outright stated that they modeled their program after a UCF or Memphis and want to emulate them and their path in FBS advancement as much as possible. Nothing against the Sunbelt here but those schools in smallish markets dont have a major growth expectancy. Again that is not a knock on the quality of the product just the overall growth from a school in a rural area. There is likely a larger growth expectancy some of the detractors see being in Dallas, San Antonio, Birmingham, Charlotte etc.

I noted the shout-out to UTSA during the AAC championship game that supported this model. The AAC, with backing by ESPN that C-USA never had, is a platform for a big city school to catch fire like UCF, Cincinnati, and Houston did. The message seemed to be that the AAC platform was still stocked with plenty of schools who will be “next” including specifically naming UTSA and UAB.

(12-05-2021 07:10 AM)ESE84 Wrote:  Rice was able to land in a conference with like-minded schools Tulane, SMU, Tulsa and Navy and have divisional large market schools UTSA and North Texas plus pick up Wichita State basketball. This was an amazing outcome. The only better scenario would have been the “merge C-USA with the remaining AAC” which would have also kept UTEP, Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss in the fold.

Rice was always going to leap at any opportunity to join Tulane, SMU and Tulsa in a conference home.

Absolutely! Rice is a private university like those mentioned, shares high academic standards, etc... makes sense. Rice has a home in a conference with those schools. Perfect fit.

Congrats and best wishes to Rice!

I definitely do not speak for ODU, and I suspect that my views would be disavowed by most Monarchs.

So, speaking just for myself, I see ODU as the fat, lonely kid with lots of cool toys who lives all the way at the end of the cul-de-sac. He just wants to be invited to join in where he is at least somewhat appreciated.

The Sun Belt has proved to be a whole lot more hospitable than the former (or current) CUSA.

While I think ODU fits better culturally in the AAC, our fans and admin were concerned it was basically turning into what we just left. The sprawling island of teams held together by nothing but the desire to get off the island. The Sunbelt seems to have momentum, scrappy mojo, and teams our fans are familiar with and games we can attend. If the SB continues to rise and the AAC continues to fall, I think the leagues will basically be equal soon. Once Memphis, SMU leave. Personally, I’d rather be with ECU, Charlotte and Xemple, but I think that could still happen in the future. Possibly by having ECU join the SB one day. So it’s not perfect, but it’s a fine landing spot and an upgrade overall for everything but hoops.

(12-04-2021 11:44 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  

(12-04-2021 11:36 PM)TroyTBoy Wrote:  

(12-04-2021 11:33 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  

(12-04-2021 11:27 PM)TroyTBoy Wrote:  

(12-04-2021 11:23 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  The real winner in all of this is undoubtedly the MWC. There will be no question who the new P6 conference will be going forward

The MWC could go to the next 5 NY6 bowls and they still wouldn't equal the number of NY6 checks the AAC has cashed.

The MWC's Thompson was interviewed while Utah State was whipping San Diego and looked lost.

IMO, the AAC will continue to do what they have been doing. Their budget strategy has won the day.

Except all the NY6 winners and NCAA credits are leaving. Once Memphis and SMU leave the AAC DOA

The budgets of the new programs should play a big factor in what AAC teams step up to fill those shoes.

I just don't see what the MWC is going to do. The same MWC teams that fell short for the last few years are going to do better? Utah State has 3 losses.

Lol Budgets

Yeah man that really worked for CUSA

You can’t be serious? some people never learn, History repeats itself over and over again

Budgets and markets!

Get it right folks.

(12-05-2021 08:41 AM)monarx Wrote:  While I think ODU fits better culturally in the AAC, our fans and admin were concerned it was basically turning into what we just left. The sprawling island of teams held together by nothing but the desire to get off the island. The Sunbelt seems to have momentum, scrappy mojo, and teams our fans are familiar with and games we can attend. If the SB continues to rise and the AAC continues to fall, I think the leagues will basically be equal soon. Once Memphis, SMU leave. Personally, I’d rather be with ECU, Charlotte and Xemple, but I think that could still happen in the future. Possibly by having ECU join the SB one day. So it’s not perfect, but it’s a fine landing spot and an upgrade overall for everything but hoops.

I don't know if that scenario still applies. There isn't really anywhere for AAC programs to go. The P5's are mostly full. I think this round of realignment could stabilize the FBS for years to come, and most G5 programs will be in their new conferences for quite some time. Of course we won't really know until the new playoff system is adopted.

Also, with the exception of Navy, the American's western division is a nice compact group. Tulsa, SMU, UNT, UTSA, Rice, & Tulane are not far from each other, and all of those locations have a sizable number of each program's alums that will attend games.

(12-04-2021 11:42 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  The MWC will dominate Football and Basketball. The MWC has 6 teams in the Ken Pom top 100, the AAC will have 1 (UAB) when Memphis and SMU leave. The AAC is going to be a permanent 1 bid league

It is far from a sure thing that Either of Memphis and SMU are leaving, and much less that both are. Assuming the B12 does decide to add 2 more, how soon does that happen. The new AAC will still have $$ and exposure advantages over the MWC. My guess is just like last time AAC will fairly quickly refill its spot at #6 in the conference race.

On a side note, I am surprised how well CUSA weathered the onslaught thrown at them. I think it is in a good place to rebuild from.

(12-05-2021 08:58 AM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  

(12-05-2021 08:41 AM)monarx Wrote:  While I think ODU fits better culturally in the AAC, our fans and admin were concerned it was basically turning into what we just left. The sprawling island of teams held together by nothing but the desire to get off the island. The Sunbelt seems to have momentum, scrappy mojo, and teams our fans are familiar with and games we can attend. If the SB continues to rise and the AAC continues to fall, I think the leagues will basically be equal soon. Once Memphis, SMU leave. Personally, I’d rather be with ECU, Charlotte and Xemple, but I think that could still happen in the future. Possibly by having ECU join the SB one day. So it’s not perfect, but it’s a fine landing spot and an upgrade overall for everything but hoops.

I don't know if that scenario still applies. There isn't really anywhere for AAC programs to go. The P5's are mostly full. I think this round of realignment could stabilize the FBS for years to come, and most G5 programs will be in their new conferences for quite some time. Of course we won't really know until the new playoff system is adopted.

Also, with the exception of Navy, the American's western division is a nice compact group. Tulsa, SMU, UNT, UTSA, Rice, & Tulane are not far from each other, and all of those locations have a sizable number of each program's alums that will attend games.

Expansion isn’t over yet. The B1G is still going to add 2 as well as the ACC. That’s 3 more teams coming out of the Big 12, as well as Memphis and SMU leaving the AAC for the Big 12. That is probably the hold up on the agreement for playoff expansion. Half the “P5” want top 6 conference winners, the other want “P5” guaranteed in. Problem is half of the “P5” don’t see the Big 12 as a “P” conference anymore.

ESPN will be a much better media outlet for those that left for the AAC. ESPN is what helped make the original CUSA get better. The original CUSA was filled with what are now “P5” school. Schools like UAB getting on ESPN will only make their recruiting easier, and now that they are winning, I expect that to continue. Same can be said with UTSA.

Pretty simple. Most of those against a realignment with the SB were from the SB and LT who have their own history.

(12-05-2021 09:41 AM)mturn017 Wrote:  Pretty simple. Most of those against a realignment with the SB were from the SB and LT who have their own history.

Well, I read something on the Internet too.

Worse part of all this, certain institutions are left out simply because of the market. Certainly isn’t because of performance. La Tech and Western Kentucky have the credentials far exceeding many but like Southern Miss, ‘market’ sucks

(12-05-2021 10:28 AM)TheChosenOne Wrote:  Worse part of all this, certain institutions are left out simply because of the market. Certainly isn’t because of performance. La Tech and Western Kentucky have the credentials far exceeding many but like Southern Miss, ‘market’ sucks

WKU should be I’m the MAC now with MTSU, but MTSU screwed them. As for LaTech, they may have shot themselves in the foot to many times. They would have been a good add back to the SBC but talked themselves out of any chance.

(12-05-2021 11:05 AM)Usajags Wrote:  

(12-05-2021 10:28 AM)TheChosenOne Wrote:  Worse part of all this, certain institutions are left out simply because of the market. Certainly isn’t because of performance. La Tech and Western Kentucky have the credentials far exceeding many but like Southern Miss, ‘market’ sucks

WKU should be I’m the MAC now with MTSU, but MTSU screwed them. As for LaTech, they may have shot themselves in the foot to many times. They would have been a good add back to the SBC but talked themselves out of any chance.

The only way Tech "shot themselves in the foot" is that we never actively tried to leave C-USA.

It was a freak turn of events starting with the MWC schools telling the AAC "NO."

It was not personal.

clt would like to have odu in the aac, just for access to the tennis facility

(12-05-2021 09:27 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  

(12-04-2021 11:42 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  The MWC will dominate Football and Basketball. The MWC has 6 teams in the Ken Pom top 100, the AAC will have 1 (UAB) when Memphis and SMU leave. The AAC is going to be a permanent 1 bid league

It is far from a sure thing that Either of Memphis and SMU are leaving, and much less that both are. Assuming the B12 does decide to add 2 more, how soon does that happen. The new AAC will still have $$ and exposure advantages over the MWC. My guess is just like last time AAC will fairly quickly refill its spot at #6 in the conference race.

On a side note, I am surprised how well CUSA weathered the onslaught thrown at them. I think it is in a good place to rebuild from.

This is far from over. The B12 or whatever they will call it soon will be a shell of what it is/was in a few months. When its all said and done it most likely loses its atonomy and just like the BE loses its power status. I look for more B12 originals to leave plus maybe WVU. The B12 is going to look a lot like an urban CUSA2.0.

And my guess is the B12 will take both Memphis and SMU before Boise.

(12-05-2021 12:02 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(12-05-2021 09:27 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  

(12-04-2021 11:42 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  The MWC will dominate Football and Basketball. The MWC has 6 teams in the Ken Pom top 100, the AAC will have 1 (UAB) when Memphis and SMU leave. The AAC is going to be a permanent 1 bid league

It is far from a sure thing that Either of Memphis and SMU are leaving, and much less that both are. Assuming the B12 does decide to add 2 more, how soon does that happen. The new AAC will still have $$ and exposure advantages over the MWC. My guess is just like last time AAC will fairly quickly refill its spot at #6 in the conference race.

On a side note, I am surprised how well CUSA weathered the onslaught thrown at them. I think it is in a good place to rebuild from.

This is far from over. The B12 or whatever they will call it soon will be a shell of what it is/was in a few months. When its all said and done it most likely loses its atonomy and just like the BE loses its power status. I look for more B12 originals to leave plus maybe WVU. The B12 is going to look a lot like an urban CUSA2.0.

And my guess is the B12 will take both Memphis and SMU before Boise.

Leave and go exactly where? Texas and OU are the only brands worth expansion for the rest of the power conferences. None of the leftover teams increase the money for any conference.

(12-05-2021 12:08 PM)PicksUp Wrote:  

(12-05-2021 12:02 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(12-05-2021 09:27 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  

(12-04-2021 11:42 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  The MWC will dominate Football and Basketball. The MWC has 6 teams in the Ken Pom top 100, the AAC will have 1 (UAB) when Memphis and SMU leave. The AAC is going to be a permanent 1 bid league

It is far from a sure thing that Either of Memphis and SMU are leaving, and much less that both are. Assuming the B12 does decide to add 2 more, how soon does that happen. The new AAC will still have $$ and exposure advantages over the MWC. My guess is just like last time AAC will fairly quickly refill its spot at #6 in the conference race.

On a side note, I am surprised how well CUSA weathered the onslaught thrown at them. I think it is in a good place to rebuild from.

This is far from over. The B12 or whatever they will call it soon will be a shell of what it is/was in a few months. When its all said and done it most likely loses its atonomy and just like the BE loses its power status. I look for more B12 originals to leave plus maybe WVU. The B12 is going to look a lot like an urban CUSA2.0.

And my guess is the B12 will take both Memphis and SMU before Boise.

Leave and go exactly where? Texas and OU are the only brands worth expansion for the rest of the power conferences. None of the leftover teams increase the money for any conference.

WVU and ND to the ACC, and Kansas and Iowa St to the B1G, both are AAU schools and that is what the B1G wants.

(12-05-2021 12:02 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  The B12 or whatever they will call it soon will be a shell of what it is/was in a few months. When its all said and done it most likely loses its atonomy and just like the BE loses its power status. I look for more B12 originals to leave plus maybe WVU. The B12 is going to look a lot like an urban CUSA2.0.

Where will they go?

Post-mortem on the reshuffle:

Better off
Marshall
Southern Miss
Charlotte
UAB
Florida Atlantic
North Texas
Rice
UTSA
Jacksonville State
Liberty
New Mexico State
Sam Houston State

Worse off
Western Kentucky
Middle Tennessee
Louisiana Tech
FIU
UTEP

Wait and see
Old Dominion

(12-05-2021 12:14 PM)Usajags Wrote:  WVU and ND to the ACC, and Kansas and Iowa St to the B1G

Quote:both are AAU schools and that is what the B1G wants.

Tulane and Rice are AAU schools, too. So what?!

(12-05-2021 12:02 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(12-05-2021 09:27 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  

(12-04-2021 11:42 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  The MWC will dominate Football and Basketball. The MWC has 6 teams in the Ken Pom top 100, the AAC will have 1 (UAB) when Memphis and SMU leave. The AAC is going to be a permanent 1 bid league

It is far from a sure thing that Either of Memphis and SMU are leaving, and much less that both are. Assuming the B12 does decide to add 2 more, how soon does that happen. The new AAC will still have $$ and exposure advantages over the MWC. My guess is just like last time AAC will fairly quickly refill its spot at #6 in the conference race.

On a side note, I am surprised how well CUSA weathered the onslaught thrown at them. I think it is in a good place to rebuild from.

This is far from over. The B12 or whatever they will call it soon will be a shell of what it is/was in a few months. When its all said and done it most likely loses its atonomy and just like the BE loses its power status. I look for more B12 originals to leave plus maybe WVU. The B12 is going to look a lot like an urban CUSA2.0.

And my guess is the B12 will take both Memphis and SMU before Boise.

One could however argue otherwise....sure, losing marque programs like Oklahoma and Texas is tough for any league short term but the Big 12 is adding a high competitive and national (actually international) brand following of BYU, extremely strong, well funded and relevant programs like Cincinnati and Houston, plus a strong and oozing with Florida region potential UCF and you have 4 programs that are all in to make the Big 12 a more cohesive and functional league than it was when being constantly manipulated and hamstrung in self interests by Texas/Oklahoma.

All four new programs will be immediately competitive for the league title and will add new regions, relevance, population eyeballs, intra league interest and of course more potential for growth than the current status quo (10 teams). This is a short term hit (OK and Tx leaving) for long term growth translating to more $$ in the future. The Big 12 is in great long term shape and there will be lots of immediate and future interest in the new programs competing with the old. A high tide that rises all Big 12 ships (programs) as a result.