Conference realignment 3.0

[Crank]

The scariest part of all of this is that the AAC could realistically end up losing 3 schools making it a much less desirable landing spot. Current speculation seems to be Houston, Memphis and Cincinnati leaving which leaves quite a hole to fill on both the football and basketball sides of the fence. While I think the AAC is the most likely and realistic landing spot for UMass, the league might not look so hot at that point.

[UMass02]

It is the AAC or bust at this point, regardless of the conference membership. Independence/A10 isn't doable for the long haul. A Power 5 invite is a pipe dream in the short-to-medium term. Sun Belt and C-USA look like no-gos. They NEED to be in the AAC.

[KahunaK]

Update from the AAC-

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/aac-c ... 20159.html

[njumass08]

Going to be an interesting month of August for us.

[mdogt12]

http://www.cbssports.com/college-footba ... 16-season/

Big 12 wants to decide before 2016 season begins if possible.

[stevemaz]

I think we will see the current Div 1 in NCAA break into two groups. Umass needs to make sure they are in that top group which what I can see will be the P5's and a few others. I think the P5s will pull along with them both the Mountain West and the AAC (both of which will expand to 14-16 schools). For other sports (especially hoops obviously) the Big East and probably A10 survives along with maybe a few others.

That said, I would be stunned if Umass is not invited to AAC this Fall assuming Big 12 goes through with it). If that happens the goal by 2020ish is to become the top sports program outside of the P5 and I believe this can happen.

[m626t]

Hoping we get an invite, and Ct stays.

[Berkman]

I think that this is a make or break time for the FB program. If we don't get into the AAC now who knows if/when we will get another chance to get into a conference.

[stevemaz]

Is Tulane a wild card in the Big 12 derby? I could see Big 12 sticking with full time members and keeping a realistic footprint. So with that in mind I could see Cincy, Memphis, Tulane, and Houston going to Big 12.

From there here some thoughts on expanded AAC
East: UConn, Temple, Navy, East Carolina, South Fla, Central Fla, Umass, ODU
West: Tulsa, SMU, San Diego State, Boise St, UNLV, Colorado St, Air Force, BYU

[Berkman]

Do you think that they would want a western division with all those schools that far west? Sure would make for expensive traveling.

[stevemaz]

I think It would be one trip for football..

[stevemaz]

i think if Big 12 does to 14 for all sports and BYU is invited it would be Cincy, Houston, BYU, and Colorado St.

[njumass08]

^ Memphis > Colorado St

IMHO

[Big10Land]

^ Agreed, and what Mountain West teams would want to join a raided AAC? It would be a wash for improvement then add time zone problems and broken rivalries.

[stevemaz]

it may not be called AAC anymore.. just trying to group the best of the rest together. this will never include Hawaii, fresno state, san jose st, Nevada, Utah st and Wyoming..