Aresco Says AAC Will Expand

[Dukie]

I really believe no one will court us until we make a couple of NY6 bowl games and create a t-shirt fan base. We don't move the needle much otherwise. Our time in the AAC, where we have a realistic shot at conference championships, is the best way to get noticed and promoted.

Obtaining AAU status or Top 50 status would also help, but this has been discussed before at length. At least it wouldn't give the BIG or PAC an excuse not to invite us.

Plus, University Presidents do look at a school's endowment. As of June 2020, our endowment was an estimated $2bm. Our newest fund raising campaign targets an additional $1.5bn. That's some serious cash and places us well within the Top Hundred School endowments.

SMU Ignited / Boldly Shaping Tomorrow

https://www.smu.edu/ignited

Might have been part of turner's strategy in those past years was to build up the endowment, now that we are raising our profile, it will help accelerate that plan and get us attention from the other P5s, to Jason's point, get the Dallas market. Sadly though, it's going to be hard to imagine a PAC12, Big 10 or ACC offer because of proximity. None of those conferences have schools in the nearby area. The only conference that I could see is the Big12 but maybe needing schools nearby isn't a big deal?

BYU isn't near anyone in the reconstituted "Big" XII. SMU is closer to Atlanta (Georgia Tech) and slightly closer to Boulder (CU) than BYU is to its closest new conference mate (Lubbock/Texas Tech).

[Specktaker]

The ACC is a real option. Embedding in Dallas with the expanded TV market, fertile recruiting grounds and a like minded academic institution makes absolute sense. We are be best of the G5 and clearly a P5 university. Who else checks as many boxes for them? WV? UCF? We are a great option in every way. Financial incentives are clear with the expanded TV / marketing area. We need a partner however to expand the conference to 16.

[peruna81]

Welcome, Specktaker...

There are options, but the merry-go-round could stop at any moment regarding options for SMU. As was mentioned in another thread, winning right now while media is looking for the next piece to fall in place puts us in the conversation. heard some ESPN pundits mention SMU as a viable candidate for current P-5, but I'm not so sure that "P-5" is going to survive this shuffle. It may be that there are only 4 mega conferences after the dust settles.

Win...it always helps the current situation, and makes the other team's coach go nuts.

[Water Pony]

In looking at Colorado State Fan Forum, there doesn't seem to be a lot of enthusiasm for a move to the AAC. They consider it a lateral move at best without a better understanding the AAC will remain the best of the Group of Five / must less P6.

This writer agrees unless the MWC's future is at risk, e.g. Boise State, San Diego State, or others also breakaway from the MWC in the near future.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb ... NewsSearch

[Mustangs35SMU]

In looking at Colorado State Fan Forum, there doesn't seem to be a lot of enthusiasm for a move to the AAC. They consider it a lateral move at best without a better understanding the AAC will remain the best of the Group of Five / must less P6.

Was reading their board yesterday, and got the same impression.

While the conference is less than what it was with the four departing schools, still feel like we're in the best conferences outside of the G5.

[Water Pony]

Article suggests Aresco's assumed interest in AFA and Colo. State is less about restoring value with the lost of three good schools; than weakening the MWC. That leaves AAC as the de-facto 'best of the rest'. If Boise State and SDSU remain uninterested, then UAB and UT-SA would be candidates.

Personally, I would love to add the Black Knights of Army. The three service academies bring a unique brand, national interest and fans near bases and retired military for every AAC school and campus.

https://www.si.com/college/tmg/mark-bla ... ansion-mwc

[SMU_Alum11]

Article suggests Aresco's assumed interest in AFA and Colo. State is less about restoring value with the lost of three good schools; than weakening the MWC. That leaves AAC as the de-facto 'best of the rest'. If Boise State and SDSU remain uninterested, then UAB and UT-SA would be candidates.

Personally, I would love to add the Black Knights of Army. The three service academies bring a unique brand, national interest and fans near bases and retired military for every AAC school and campus.

https://www.si.com/college/tmg/mark-bla ... ansion-mwc

Yes the service academies in one conference would give a boost in TV ratings. I still holding hope that we can get mainly MWC rather than poaching the lower conferences. Would Utah St., CSU, AFA and Army (FB only) make sense if SDSU and Boise don't move? I have to believe Aresco is pushing hard for those two middlings to show MWC decreasing in value and thus getting the top 2 to leave.

[SMUstang]

A conference with the additions of CSU, AFA, UAB, and UTSA would likely reduce the $7M/school the American is getting now. But it would actually reduce travel expenses for both AFA and CSU from what they are currently experiencing, plus it would likely be a boost in revenue for both schools with TV revenue from ESPN. Also the American's basketball and other olympic sports would still be good. And Navy and AFA would be in the same division and would play each other every year, freeing up a non-conference game for both schools. Also the viewership may actually be better than what the American has now. And playing in Texas, it would be good for recruiting for both AFA and CSU.

[TidePony]

I’m really only interested in Army. As the PAC, B1G, and maybe the ACC raid the the top players in the Big 12, other opportunities could quickly arise for the AAC and ESPN.

[SMU_Alum11]

I’m really only interested in Army. As the PAC, B1G, and maybe the ACC raid the the top players in the Big 12, other opportunities could quickly arise for the AAC and ESPN.

I would love for that top happen like the remaining legacy Big 8 schools departing for the Big10 but how realistic is it when there's nothing being mentioned?

[Nedward]

The best stuff happens when nothing is mentioned until after it's a done deal.

[shadowman]

The word now is that Air Force and Colorado St. have decided to stay in the Mountain West since Boise St. and San Diego St. have no interest in moving.

Now, the rumors being thrown around is that SMU and Tulsa will join the Mountain West as full members and Wichita State and Gonzaga would join for Basketball.

Technically, would be a good move for SMU, but would not be excited about the lack of exposure the Mountain West gets, although, if they pull off all those adds, you figure it would get better.

[Water Pony]

The word now is that Air Force and Colorado St. have decided to stay in the Mountain West since Boise St. and San Diego St. have no interest in moving.

Now, the rumors being thrown around is that SMU and Tulsa will join the Mountain West as full members and Wichita State and Gonzaga would join for Basketball.

Technically, would be a good move for SMU, but would not be excited about the lack of exposure the Mountain West gets, although, if they pull off all those adds, you figure it would get better.

Yahoo Sports:

https://sports.yahoo.com/sorry-aac-air- ... 04417.html

[Dukie]

The word now is that Air Force and Colorado St. have decided to stay in the Mountain West since Boise St. and San Diego St. have no interest in moving.

Now, the rumors being thrown around is that SMU and Tulsa will join the Mountain West as full members and Wichita State and Gonzaga would join for Basketball.

Technically, would be a good move for SMU, but would not be excited about the lack of exposure the Mountain West gets, although, if they pull off all those adds, you figure it would get better.

Would it be good? I can see SMU and Memphis going together as good. But not SMU and Tulsa.

The real problem here is that the top halves of both the MWC and AAC would be better off together, without the Wyomings and ECUs. But there are big hurdles to that.

[redpony]

Obviously Aresco has failed. Now we are left with no top level teams to add. IMO that leaves us comparable to CUSA and Sunbelt with MWC becoming the leader. Sad. I think we should approach the ACC and beg to become a member. Perhaps we could get Memphis to come with us.