UConn is supposedly set to leave the AAC in 2020. Possible replacements: Marshall, Old Dominion, Appalachian State? Wild idea: Add Army or Airforce as FB-only and VCU or George Mason as a non-FB member.
No problem with this statement, but where? Big 12, has gone from not wanting UH to outright teasing us. Besides, they are starting to get a tinge of rotting flesh about them. Pac 12, murmurs a few years back, but can they even take a State that borders the Atlantic ocean? Big 10, seems too far away geographically. SEC, too far away metaphysically. They are rolling right now and other than adding Clemson they are not changing. ACC, maybe our best bet - but no rumors and seems a randomly long shot. Any other mid major is at best a lateral move. Start our own built around BYU, Boise, and raid the AAC (USF, Navy, Memphis, Cincy) maybe slightly better, but still number 6. I think our best bet is the next major Championship driven realignment, possibly combined with/driven by a Big 12 break up. But that is hypothetical, years out, and no guarantees we come out a winner.
Best case more than one P5 invites and you accept the one UT isn't in, but the reality we are where we are unless the PAC-12 wants us.
Pac 12 is overrated, but respected, and that's a perfect home for us. But we fit like the preverbial square peg in a round hole.
I don't know why everyone has got such an ass-itch to get out of the AAC. Yeah, I'd prefer a 4x payout. Yeah, I'd prefer to play larger (and more local!) schools. But 7M bucks a year and consistent games on ESPN/ABC? That is so lightyears ahead of what we had. The American has been quite good to us, and we've been quite good to them. I think a positive partnership can continue. I'm more concerned with improving our conference than I am leaving it (and that's the first time I can say that in a long time).
This is the first time in forever that UH has had its two major programs with quality head coaches that aren't going anywhere any time soon. Hopefully they can start dominating the conference soon with some strong postseasons and a P5 will come calling.
Interesting approach. Joining a P5 is a quick solution and a known outcome - though something we can't mandate. But you are saying grow your own. Thinking that thru, hire better coaches/staff, play better competition, consistently win our bowl games/inter-conference games. Be as good or better than P5 and eventually we will get their pay and respect. I can get behind that. But will the bulk of AAC teams make that investment. UH is running a huge deficit. I can't see that being tolerated indefinitely. UCONN just bailed.
Massoud is marketable, especially with that inner city accent, but in his video he throws behind a WR, lol. He can definitely bank on the Mahomes look too. But he probably needs some muscles.