Topic: If Army to AAC doesn't work, Appy?

[herdhall]

While Army is the target for AAC to replace SMU next year, there is a mention of Appy being considered as well.

I wonder if Army were to not work out if Appy would consider moving?  I personally would not want that to happen.


https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/army-engaged-in-positive-talks-with-american-about-joining-conference-as-replacement-for-smu/

[svherd]

The App fans on the SB Baird don't seem interested in the AAC. I wouldn't be. Glad where we are. Jmho

[herdfan129]

I think there are only two SBC teams who would consider it.

Texas State so they could be in a conference with more Texas teams is the most likely. The other is possibly Georgia State just because they are more of a metro school.

Having said that, I don?t think any SBC team will leave for the AAC.

[Flat Tire 2]

The says the following in the opening paragraph.
"The American Athletic Conference has been engaged in "positive" talks with Army West Point about joining the league as a football-only member, sources tell CBS Sports. A deal could be finalized in a manner of weeks."

I wonder if the source is the AAC commissioner? LOL

Since the article says Army recruits Texas heavily, then TSU might be a good fit? I wouldn't mind seeing them leave to make the SBC a little more compact.

[MUonium]

i'd hate to see App leave, more specifically, i'd hate to see ANY subtractions or additions that might weaken the SBC.  from a newcomers POV and maybe a selfish POV, i'd like the SBC to remain stable for a few years all while MU grows in as many ways as possible.

[elginherd]

I think there are only two SBC teams who would consider it.

Texas State so they could be in a conference with more Texas teams is the most likely. The other is possibly Georgia State just because they are more of a metro school.

Having said that, I don?t think any SBC team will leave for the AAC.

I do agree.
The only thing that might make sense for ASU to jump is that historically the AAC has been a path for jumping into the P(used to be)-5. The SBC hasn't.

[NewfieHerdFan]

There is also the outside chance that Oregon State and Washington State attempt to "rebuild" the PAC-12 with members from both the MWC and AAC.

[gochneaur645]

Losing App State to the AAC would be devastating. It feels like that conference only has one interest in mind and it's making life worse for Marshall fans.

[Johnnyherd]

I don't think we seriously consider a switch to AAC based on how in love our athletic department is with the Sunbelt.  Plus they Prorate the payout to new schools over several years and it would take several years to realize any significant money gains.

We are in a strong spot in the belt, we are at worst the 2nd best league in the G5.

[HerdEcon]

If it is to App State's financial advantage to join the AAC then it will.  It is just that simple.  Money is driving modern college athletics more than anything.  If the Sun Belt wants to remain a stable conference it needs to negotiate a media rights deal that puts the Sun Belt on the same level as the highest paid G5 conference which is currently the AAC.

I don't see the AAC inviting App State.  Ga State, Texas State, or several other schools fit the AAC footprint and profile much better than App State.  Why add another NC school when there are other alternatives?  Does the AAC really need a 3rd NC school?  Wouldn't it fit the AAC's gameplan more to add a school from a larger city in a new media market?  The App State football program may have a good track record recently but that has never fit into the AAC expansion equation. 

[whf]

If the it is to App State's financial advantage to join the AAC then it will.  It is just that simple.  Money is driving modern college athletics more than anything.  If the Sun Belt wants to remain a stable conference it needs to negotiate a media rights deal that puts the Sun Belt on the same level as the highest paid G5 conference which is currently the AAC.

I don't see the AAC inviting App State.  Ga State, Texas State, or several other schools fit the AAC footprint and profile much better than App State.  Why add another NC school when there are other alternatives?  Does the AAC really need a 3rd NC school?  Wouldn't it fit the AAC's gameplan more to add a school from a larger city in a new media market?  The App State football program may have a good track record recently but that has never fit into the AAC expansion equation.

They'd go in a half second, and so should we if we were to ever be offered.  Appy isn't the right choice for the AAC, if they were, they would have been invited last go round. Just like MU, small town, no legit air travel, and believe me, no tourist destination for following fans.  (We like the mountains, but traveling to AppState is a nightmare unless you come from central North Carolina.

[coalherd]

They'd go in a half second, and so should we if we were to ever be offered.  Appy isn't the right choice for the AAC, if they were, they would have been invited last go round. Just like MU, small town, no legit air travel, and believe me, no tourist destination for following fans.  (We like the mountains, but traveling to AppState is a nightmare unless you come from central North Carolina.

Now whf, don't forget about the Tri-State's legendary and venerable playground, Camden Park!  Not to mention all the exciting and dazzling riverfront development that has occurred under the current administration in Huntington in the last decade or so!!!  Oh, wait . . .

[Johns1124]

Memories.....


from another forum:

"That's my concern. We go Belt. 1-2 years App St bolts and then we are back to square one.

Louisiana is having issues this year. Granted was not a bad loss against Texas. Last week's squeak-by of Nicholls St would be a little concerning. CC, granted beat Kansas, but let that offensive juggernaut put 20 on them. I have a feeling the first real D cc sees they may have problems. Either Buffalo or App St. later on in the season."

[puma]

I think it's pretty clear through two rounds of realignment that the AAC is going after markets and endowments and App State doesn't fit this profile at all. Texas State, Georgia State, Old Dominion, Middle Tennessee, and Buffalo do.

Of course, anything is possible and the AAC could do a 180 and start going after more established programs with a history of successful athletics located in small markets but outside of ECU and the service academies, it's never gone this direction in its entire (albeit short) history.

And considering new programs only get partial media revenue and half the conference is desperately trying to get out, I'm not sure why anyone would want to be a part of that mess in the making.

[svherd]

I think it's pretty clear through two rounds of realignment that the AAC is going after markets and endowments and App State doesn't fit this profile at all. Texas State, Georgia State, Old Dominion, Middle Tennessee, and Buffalo do.

Of course, anything is possible and the AAC could do a 180 and start going after more established programs with a history of successful athletics located in small markets but outside of ECU and the service academies, it's never gone this direction in its entire (albeit short) history.

And considering new programs only get partial media revenue and half the conference is desperately trying to get out, I'm not sure why anyone would want to be a part of that mess in the making.

To quote the great KO Marcum, these schools are going for the fast nickel, not the slow dime. The AAC is the most unstable league at this point, now that the PAC 12 is basically gone. Teams moving in and out. Take the big markets, that won't help them. Agree, I wouldn't want to be a part of that mess and take on additional thousands in travel costs. You can be assured their media package will shrink in time. jmho

[Flat Tire 2]

I think it's pretty clear through two rounds of realignment that the AAC is going after markets and endowments and App State doesn't fit this profile at all. Texas State, Georgia State, Old Dominion, Middle Tennessee, and Buffalo do.

Of course, anything is possible and the AAC could do a 180 and start going after more established programs with a history of successful athletics located in small markets but outside of ECU and the service academies, it's never gone this direction in its entire (albeit short) history.

And considering new programs only get partial media revenue and half the conference is desperately trying to get out, I'm not sure why anyone would want to be a part of that mess in the making.

Appy is a decent college, but it basically a liberal arts college with no engineering programs and just a few PhD programs (think MU 30 years ago). Nothing wrong with that and Appy  is more selective than MU. Appy isn't a research university like MU which is a R2. Most college presidents like to be associated with peer institutions (the ACC presidents made the decision to add Cal; UC Berkley and SMU).  Don't be surprised if MU becomes R1 with Brad Smith leading the way, but MU will not become the Harvard on the Ohio River.

Also, losing appy wouldn't be devastating.

[herdloyal]

Here?s one for ya?.Marshall is a research Unversity..how many of the top P5 conferences are within a 500 mile radius of Marshall? Who better suited than us to join any of those sooner than late.

[marshallmark]

Here?s one for ya?.Marshall is a research Unversity..how many of the top P5 conferences are within a 500 mile radius of Marshall? Who better suited than us to join any of those sooner than late.

There are 20 G5 schools better suited to join a P5 before us.  C'mon, man. 

[saherdfan]

The SBC is the the best mid major Football conference in the country!  Why would they jump ship for the AAC.  Loosing Cinci, UCF, and Houston really hurt the AAC.  The SBC should be pillaging the AAC.  I believe Keith Gill is a really good leader.  We should go after ECU, USF, Tulsa, & Tulane. 

[wasbarryb]

The SBC is the the best mid major Football conference in the country!  Why would they jump ship for the AAC.  Loosing Cinci, UCF, and Houston really hurt the AAC.  The SBC should be pillaging the AAC.  I believe Keith Gill is a really good leader.  We should go after ECU, USF, Tulsa, & Tulane.

I agree with you on ECU, but no to Tulsa and Tulane.

Tulsa is a private religious affiliated school, when most SBC schools are state supported institutions.  Tulsa student body is around three thousand, while most SBC schools are the size of Marshall or larger.  Tulsa is in Oklahoma, which is another way of saying as far out of the footprint as Texas.  Just no way Tulsa belongs in the SBC.

Tulane is another private school.  Their sports programs are occasionally good, but poor far more often than not.  They are also a bunch of arrogant (@/:;, who think they are better than the likes of Marshall and other schools in the conference.  They just don't fit.

USF maybe but not the best fit.

[elginherd]

The SBC is the the best mid major Football conference in the country!  Why would they jump ship for the AAC.  Loosing Cinci, UCF, and Houston really hurt the AAC.  The SBC should be pillaging the AAC.  I believe Keith Gill is a really good leader.  We should go after ECU, USF, Tulsa, & Tulane.

The dollar/member ratio would of course be a consideration.

That said I'd be shocked if App State jumped.

[whf]

I think they go in a gnat's asx moment, we would too.

[herdinphilly]

It?s all about the Benjamins.

[Thundering In MD]

AAC will dry up; it?s a weak C-USA 2.-3.0.  MWC may get a little stronger by reverse merger with remaining PAC-12, but it will be a joke.  SBC will be positioned for a better contract if the top teams stay together (and a fire gets lit under Huff so that we remain one of those top teams).  I?m not 100% sold on Spears yet, but I fully trust Brad to guide us through the mess that is before us.