(04-05-2022 09:46 AM)monarx Wrote:  Its very simple, the AAC added UAB and markets. Dallas, Miami, Charlotte, San Antonio, Houston. All big cities. The Sun Belt got three teams who have historically been pretty good and have some of the strongest support, budgets and brands in CUSA. Problem is they are getting all three at historically down moments. And they add the second best fcs out there. Its a pretty good gamble by both. Both conferences continue with their typical expansion strategies. AAC adds for potential TV and sponsor revenue, and with Aresco it works. SB adds for regional rivalries, quality programs and potential. In this case they added some comparably or more prestigious names as well, that will bolster their brand. The remaining AAC folks arent happy because they are adding lesser known programs than what they had (in their opinion) that will harm the AAC brand.

If they wanted the Miami market, FIU would have been added instead of FAU.

We are in west Palm Beach market which is 38 I believe. Odu is 42 so very similar. In fact Odu fits the market teams you are blasting more than a Marshall type you tried to group them with.

The so called market teams all have high budgets and are among the best academic schools that were in cusa 3 as well. And they've all done something in some sports despite the sb3 trying to minimize them after they were passed over

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(04-03-2022 10:37 PM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 09:57 PM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 09:09 PM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 04:38 PM)Eagle in the gym Wrote:  As a USM fan, since day one the SBC and their fans have made us feel nothing less than welcome. It's been cool. Go to the Sun Belt board and it's a love-fest for the new kids coming in.
On this very board, I have seen love for the new C-USA adds, and even some "move along now" toward us SB3 as C-USA seems excited for their next chapter as well.
But go to the AAC board, and it's like they are angry about everyone (except UAB) coming in. There's a current thread by a UNT poster that's rough. It has to feel nice for UAB, but not nice for the others.
Hopefully everyone will be happy with their new conference homes and all have made decisions to further their university once the dust settles. But for the AAC6, save UAB who is getting all the love, does that mix the emotion for the move? Or is perception simply skewed by the ramblings on a message board?

I created the thread to gain insight into what current AAC fans perceive to be our weaknesses. I know I want UNT addressing relevant issues as soon as possible. Some fans have taken it as an opportunity to vent their frustrations with how AAC expansion played out. I choose to focus on the posts that actually address the topic.

As to you comments...

Marshall, USM, & ODU are moving to the Sun Belt, and those fans are very welcoming. Is that a sign that the SB3 are moving up?

C-USA is excited about what their new members could bring to their basketball.... and they're happy the conference will survive.

Some fans on the AAC board are not welcoming. Whether it is out of snobbery or fear is irrelevant. The AAC6 are joining either way.

I wouldn't say moving up, but the Sun Belt is now the best G5 conference without a doubt or the tallest midget.

No the SBC is not the best of the G5 football conferences. Give it a few more years and it will be even lower.

Clueless.

This is part of why I think CUSA might actually work if some teams step up. Everyone, with the exception of WKU, seems fairly happy with the current situation. If we start having Liberty in the top 25 for football and a bunch of other quality teams we should be in really good shape. Lean is the way to go on the G5. I think we should give this some time to see what we have. Travel is an issue but there was no way around that with what was left.

(04-05-2022 10:21 AM)JoeJag Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 10:37 PM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 09:57 PM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 09:09 PM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 04:38 PM)Eagle in the gym Wrote:  As a USM fan, since day one the SBC and their fans have made us feel nothing less than welcome. It's been cool. Go to the Sun Belt board and it's a love-fest for the new kids coming in.
On this very board, I have seen love for the new C-USA adds, and even some "move along now" toward us SB3 as C-USA seems excited for their next chapter as well.
But go to the AAC board, and it's like they are angry about everyone (except UAB) coming in. There's a current thread by a UNT poster that's rough. It has to feel nice for UAB, but not nice for the others.
Hopefully everyone will be happy with their new conference homes and all have made decisions to further their university once the dust settles. But for the AAC6, save UAB who is getting all the love, does that mix the emotion for the move? Or is perception simply skewed by the ramblings on a message board?

I created the thread to gain insight into what current AAC fans perceive to be our weaknesses. I know I want UNT addressing relevant issues as soon as possible. Some fans have taken it as an opportunity to vent their frustrations with how AAC expansion played out. I choose to focus on the posts that actually address the topic.

As to you comments...

Marshall, USM, & ODU are moving to the Sun Belt, and those fans are very welcoming. Is that a sign that the SB3 are moving up?

C-USA is excited about what their new members could bring to their basketball.... and they're happy the conference will survive.

Some fans on the AAC board are not welcoming. Whether it is out of snobbery or fear is irrelevant. The AAC6 are joining either way.

I wouldn't say moving up, but the Sun Belt is now the best G5 conference without a doubt or the tallest midget.

No the SBC is not the best of the G5 football conferences. Give it a few more years and it will be even lower.

You don't have a clue.

I think the SBC is solidly in second right now (could argue first). MWC is still better because of Boise imo. The SBC has their version of Boise with App (to a lesser extent CCU/ULL). That’s what CUSA should be hoping Liberty can become. That’s really what has gotten the SBC in a position of power.

(04-05-2022 10:00 AM)Ragu Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 09:46 AM)monarx Wrote:  Its very simple, the AAC added UAB and markets. Dallas, Miami, Charlotte, San Antonio, Houston. All big cities. The Sun Belt got three teams who have historically been pretty good and have some of the strongest support, budgets and brands in CUSA. Problem is they are getting all three at historically down moments. And they add the second best fcs out there. Its a pretty good gamble by both. Both conferences continue with their typical expansion strategies. AAC adds for potential TV and sponsor revenue, and with Aresco it works. SB adds for regional rivalries, quality programs and potential. In this case they added some comparably or more prestigious names as well, that will bolster their brand. The remaining AAC folks arent happy because they are adding lesser known programs than what they had (in their opinion) that will harm the AAC brand.

If they wanted the Miami market, FIU would have been added instead of FAU.

We are in west Palm Beach market which is 38 I believe. Odu is 42 so very similar. In fact Odu fits the market teams you are blasting more than a Marshall type you tried to group them with.

The so called market teams all have high budgets and are among the best academic schools that were in cusa 3 as well. And they've all done something in some sports despite the sb3 trying to minimize them after they were passed over

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I dont disagree at all except I think that FAU does carry as much of the Miami market as FIU, and has had more success and has more upside than the Panthers. I also agree with you that ODU is very similar to the AAC schools and would probably fit better culturally with the AAC than the SBC other than geography. For whatever reason, thats not how it worked out. Im not blasting "market' schools at all. Its a legit strategy that Aresco seems to be good with. Frankly, ODU and GSU would both be a better fit in the AAC than ECU in my opinion. ECU has much more in common culture wise with the SB schools. Many of my fellow Monarch fans would disagree though. In the end, I dont think its going to matter too much. The MW has definitely become the best G5. Close behind, the SB and AAC are pretty much equal (in football), followed by the MAC and then CUSA. The differences between the two are going to be in basketball, where the AAC will definitely have an advantage as long as Memphis, Temple, Wichita, SMU and Tulsa are there. CUSA will be better than the SB and probably the MAC in basketball for at least the near future.

clt says dont forget airports. AAC6 all have (except for uab) major airports nearby for ease of travel.

(04-05-2022 10:51 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 10:00 AM)Ragu Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 09:46 AM)monarx Wrote:  Its very simple, the AAC added UAB and markets. Dallas, Miami, Charlotte, San Antonio, Houston. All big cities. The Sun Belt got three teams who have historically been pretty good and have some of the strongest support, budgets and brands in CUSA. Problem is they are getting all three at historically down moments. And they add the second best fcs out there. Its a pretty good gamble by both. Both conferences continue with their typical expansion strategies. AAC adds for potential TV and sponsor revenue, and with Aresco it works. SB adds for regional rivalries, quality programs and potential. In this case they added some comparably or more prestigious names as well, that will bolster their brand. The remaining AAC folks arent happy because they are adding lesser known programs than what they had (in their opinion) that will harm the AAC brand.

If they wanted the Miami market, FIU would have been added instead of FAU.

We are in west Palm Beach market which is 38 I believe. Odu is 42 so very similar. In fact Odu fits the market teams you are blasting more than a Marshall type you tried to group them with.

The so called market teams all have high budgets and are among the best academic schools that were in cusa 3 as well. And they've all done something in some sports despite the sb3 trying to minimize them after they were passed over

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

I dont disagree at all except I think that FAU does carry as much of the Miami market as FIU, and has had more success and has more upside than the Panthers. I also agree with you that ODU is very similar to the AAC schools and would probably fit better culturally with the AAC than the SBC other than geography. For whatever reason, thats not how it worked out. Im not blasting "market' schools at all. Its a legit strategy that Aresco seems to be good with. Frankly, ODU and GSU would both be a better fit in the AAC than ECU in my opinion. ECU has much more in common culture wise with the SB schools. Many of my fellow Monarch fans would disagree though. In the end, I dont think its going to matter too much. The MW has definitely become the best G5. Close behind, the SB and AAC are pretty much equal (in football), followed by the MAC and then CUSA. The differences between the two are going to be in basketball, where the AAC will definitely have an advantage as long as Memphis, Temple, Wichita, SMU and Tulsa are there. CUSA will be better than the SB and probably the MAC in basketball for at least the near future.

You clearly have no idea about anything South Florida related.

FAU has done better than us, especially recently but that does not equal "carry as much as" FIU in Miami. Every pro team has a FIU night, Cane fans will ***** about FIU not at their level but they will also tell you FIU is the little brother of universities in Miami. We have the biggest food festival in the state, ooh and ~60k students and 250k alumni in the area. So no, FAU does not have the same name recognition in Miami.

Just like we do not have the same name recognition in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach is huge, factor in Boca and FAU does not need to carry Miami to see fan growth. South Florida, Florida for that matter is different from the other states, we have the numbers to support all 7 FBS programs, if we just win regularly.

(04-05-2022 10:33 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 10:21 AM)JoeJag Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 10:37 PM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 09:57 PM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 09:09 PM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  I created the thread to gain insight into what current AAC fans perceive to be our weaknesses. I know I want UNT addressing relevant issues as soon as possible. Some fans have taken it as an opportunity to vent their frustrations with how AAC expansion played out. I choose to focus on the posts that actually address the topic.

As to you comments...

Marshall, USM, & ODU are moving to the Sun Belt, and those fans are very welcoming. Is that a sign that the SB3 are moving up?

C-USA is excited about what their new members could bring to their basketball.... and they're happy the conference will survive.

Some fans on the AAC board are not welcoming. Whether it is out of snobbery or fear is irrelevant. The AAC6 are joining either way.

I wouldn't say moving up, but the Sun Belt is now the best G5 conference without a doubt or the tallest midget.

No the SBC is not the best of the G5 football conferences. Give it a few more years and it will be even lower.

You don't have a clue.

I think the SBC is solidly in second right now (could argue first). MWC is still better because of Boise imo. The SBC has their version of Boise with App (to a lesser extent CCU/ULL). That’s what CUSA should be hoping Liberty can become. That’s really what has gotten the SBC in a position of power.

Boise was a conference mate of ours. Boise and Tech joined the WAC the same year, and we played them every year until they were invited to the MWC. Tech knows Boise very well. In the 10 seasons from 2001-2010, Boise State recorded 114 wins and only 16 losses. Believe me, App/ULL/CCU are no "Boise".

(04-05-2022 11:19 AM)chuckk3 Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 10:33 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 10:21 AM)JoeJag Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 10:37 PM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 09:57 PM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:  I wouldn't say moving up, but the Sun Belt is now the best G5 conference without a doubt or the tallest midget.

No the SBC is not the best of the G5 football conferences. Give it a few more years and it will be even lower.

You don't have a clue.

I think the SBC is solidly in second right now (could argue first). MWC is still better because of Boise imo. The SBC has their version of Boise with App (to a lesser extent CCU/ULL). That’s what CUSA should be hoping Liberty can become. That’s really what has gotten the SBC in a position of power.

Boise was a conference mate of ours. Boise and Tech joined the WAC the same year, and we played them every year until they were invited to the MWC. Tech knows Boise very well. In the 10 seasons from 2001-2010, Boise State recorded 114 wins and only 16 losses. Believe me, App/ULL/CCU are no "Boise".

And what has App done that Tech hasn’t. We went 6-1 in bowls and actually beat better opponents doing so. I applaud what App has done but they are not any stronger than WKU or Tech. And ULL had a strong coach. But it remains to be seen if they will keep that momentum or drop back down. CUSA has some strong programs left and some great potential coming in. And basketball? Forget about it. They are wayyyy above the belt in that.

(04-05-2022 10:33 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 10:21 AM)JoeJag Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 10:37 PM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 09:57 PM)SouthernMiss3613 Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 09:09 PM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  I created the thread to gain insight into what current AAC fans perceive to be our weaknesses. I know I want UNT addressing relevant issues as soon as possible. Some fans have taken it as an opportunity to vent their frustrations with how AAC expansion played out. I choose to focus on the posts that actually address the topic.

As to you comments...

Marshall, USM, & ODU are moving to the Sun Belt, and those fans are very welcoming. Is that a sign that the SB3 are moving up?

C-USA is excited about what their new members could bring to their basketball.... and they're happy the conference will survive.

Some fans on the AAC board are not welcoming. Whether it is out of snobbery or fear is irrelevant. The AAC6 are joining either way.

I wouldn't say moving up, but the Sun Belt is now the best G5 conference without a doubt or the tallest midget.

No the SBC is not the best of the G5 football conferences. Give it a few more years and it will be even lower.

You don't have a clue.

I think the SBC is solidly in second right now (could argue first). MWC is still better because of Boise imo. The SBC has their version of Boise with App (to a lesser extent CCU/ULL). That’s what CUSA should be hoping Liberty can become. That’s really what has gotten the SBC in a position of power.

Agreed.

(04-05-2022 11:27 AM)BlazinBham Wrote:  Initially when I heard about realignment, and I had no clue that UCF, Houston, and Cincy were getting poached from AAC. I was for UAB and USM going to the AAC together with a 3rd or whatever got them to 14.

Then after I learned that UCF, Houston, Cincy were leaving, I wanted to go to AAC with Marshall, La Tech, and Liberty.

But, AAC did the worst possible thing they could do from a quality standpoint. They got the worst of the hoops programs and didnt really get the best of the football programs.

So, I’m not really excited about UABs future alignment whether we stay or we go, but at least the money gets a little better.

I’d be ecstatic if I was a USM Football/baseball fan or a Marshall Football fan.

You are right. They could have hand picked the strongest programs and really made quite a tough football conference. I don’t know what Aresco was thinking. He should have seen how poorly the last market grab went. The Belts potential all lies in the East. But the West is still going to be a weak sub conference unless they can start playing the kind of ball the East does.

(04-05-2022 11:03 AM)ghostofclt! Wrote:  clt says dont forget airports. AAC6 all have (except for uab) major airports nearby for ease of travel.

based on my last year of travel, anybody that is near an AA hub/focus city should be DINGED for ease of travel.

UNCC, FAU, UNT all have tough travel. Well FAU doesn't really since they probably use FLL, but whatever.

(04-04-2022 10:27 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  I understand the reasons the AAC decided to go with the teams they did. However I feel like they made the same mistakes CUSA made. I like the UTSA and UAB adds. I can understand FAU (travel partner), Rice (academics) and UNT (facilities). Charlotte is based solely on potential and to add with ECU.

Personally I think they should have added UAB, UTSA, App, GaSt and WKU/MTSU (homer). USF is likely to get called up to pair with UCF then they have an island with FAU. I bet Temple is looking for a way out. With the adds I suggest, they would have solidified their huge gaps in the middle, added markets/rivalries/potential and also gotten a proven winner. Then they could condense into a 12 team league when USF/Memphis leave. If SMU bolts then add UNT and call it a day.

Several of those were probably due to relationships with AAC schools in the past.

AAC should just split as well. Stay Texas centered. Bring in Tech. With Tulsa Memphis and Tulane and UTEP. They could make a smaller strong SWC. It’s very big and disjointed like oh say the current Cusa.

(04-05-2022 11:39 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 11:27 AM)BlazinBham Wrote:  Initially when I heard about realignment, and I had no clue that UCF, Houston, and Cincy were getting poached from AAC. I was for UAB and USM going to the AAC together with a 3rd or whatever got them to 14.

Then after I learned that UCF, Houston, Cincy were leaving, I wanted to go to AAC with Marshall, La Tech, and Liberty.

But, AAC did the worst possible thing they could do from a quality standpoint. They got the worst of the hoops programs and didnt really get the best of the football programs.

So, I’m not really excited about UABs future alignment whether we stay or we go, but at least the money gets a little better.

I’d be ecstatic if I was a USM Football/baseball fan or a Marshall Football fan.

You are right. They could have hand picked the strongest programs and really made quite a tough football conference. I don’t know what Aresco was thinking. He should have seen how poorly the last market grab went. The Belts potential all lies in the East. But the West is still going to be a weak sub conference unless they can start playing the kind of ball the East does.

I believe Commissioner Aresco had his list, and a certain TV content provider had theirs. And the $$ won.

(04-05-2022 11:56 AM)chuckk3 Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 11:39 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 11:27 AM)BlazinBham Wrote:  Initially when I heard about realignment, and I had no clue that UCF, Houston, and Cincy were getting poached from AAC. I was for UAB and USM going to the AAC together with a 3rd or whatever got them to 14.

Then after I learned that UCF, Houston, Cincy were leaving, I wanted to go to AAC with Marshall, La Tech, and Liberty.

But, AAC did the worst possible thing they could do from a quality standpoint. They got the worst of the hoops programs and didnt really get the best of the football programs.

So, I’m not really excited about UABs future alignment whether we stay or we go, but at least the money gets a little better.

I’d be ecstatic if I was a USM Football/baseball fan or a Marshall Football fan.

You are right. They could have hand picked the strongest programs and really made quite a tough football conference. I don’t know what Aresco was thinking. He should have seen how poorly the last market grab went. The Belts potential all lies in the East. But the West is still going to be a weak sub conference unless they can start playing the kind of ball the East does.

I believe Commissioner Aresco had his list, and a certain TV content provider had theirs. And the $$ won.

Well if you can’t generate any fan excitement or rivalries no one on TV will tune it to watch it. Can’t see that big UTSA Charlotte game getting any TV ratings but UTSA Tech would have. ESPN has been ruining football for years

(04-04-2022 02:35 PM)ghostofclt! Wrote:  clt recommends the lowly sun belt folks simply avoid the AAC chat page. you don't have to worry about us.

I'm going to recommend the AAC6 also avoid the AAC chat page. You aren't being well received by the locals over there.

Wait till they find out UNCC has ~100 dedicated fans and the smallest stadium in FBS.

(04-03-2022 11:27 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 08:51 PM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 05:56 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 03:57 PM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  

(04-03-2022 01:15 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  As I suspected, the true intent of the thread is polishing the image of the incoming CUSA schools and not a sober evaluation of impending dissolution.

I have news for the CUSA schools. None (save perhaps UAB) offer value anywhere close to the departing schools. For existing members, the cold reality is things are as bad as it appears.

I clearly stated that all of the C-USA6 have issues, and the intent of this thread is to identify the perceived weakness of each program. This isn't a conspiracy.

LOL, you state “This is a thread meant to gain insight from the current AAC fan bases, not so much the thoughts of C-USA6 fans” and then proceed to comment and then zing SMU. Your actions betray you. You are no humble supplicant seeking information.

Please go away until your school officially joins.

I'm enjoying the constructive comments by the current AAC fans, but you choose not to address the topic. You'd rather bash the new additions, which has no relevance to this thread.

UNT's coach was SMU's top choice to replace Jank, but he choose to stay at UNT. That's just a fact. If you view my stating "UNT successfully fended off SMU to keep our coach" as "zinging SMU", than you have thin skin.

Forgive me, but I'll be staying.

You are a guest. It is not your place to boast superiority over any AAC member in any aspect. It is not your place to lecture any existing AAC fan.

You fool no one with the “perceived weakness” canard.

Look, the plain truth is North Texas St adds nothing to the AAC. They should have never been invited. It was an unfathomable and bewildering lapse of judgement.

Please leave. Your presence brings only a reminder of the coming decline.

I actually think UNT offers a lot of positives. They certainly became the team Tech looked forward to playing. That school has a huge Dallas presence. It’s Charlotte I am a little curious about.

(04-05-2022 11:03 AM)ghostofclt! Wrote:  clt says dont forget airports. AAC6 all have (except for uab) major airports nearby for ease of travel.

We have two.

Markets or actual sports power is a slippery slope. UNT was ranked UTSA was ranked. They are a good get. But Rice Charlotte. Do they bring the excitement to the eyes. Believe it or not people don’t tune in to watch the Vanderbilts and Rutgers of the football world either. Give the people what they want good football and fan support. Show a fired up rivalry on TV not a market team that doesn’t bring much else