Do we have a shot at the AAC if the Big 12 expands?

[TYLERTECHSAS]

I have a cap bet with parialex that circumstances will compel the AAC to re-unite w CUSA before the decade is out.

I still think that the AAC is largely a marriage of convenience for its members. With the Big10 & Big12 always mulling potential expansion, and Navy's paper-thin FBO membership, I don't think its impossible for the American to be left with only 7 members in the near future.

At that point, if current CUSA members will only hold the line ....

I agree and think it will be sooner rather than later. It really gets more complicated if UT/TexTech/OU/OST head west to the PAC 10 or if UT tries the Indy route with it's TV. It's really just a matter of time.

[KSDAWG]

Longhorn Network is a dismal failure. It will be Big12 Network soon. Both conferences will merge but one will be east and one will be west. We actually could end up in either.

[champion110]

Every G5 conference member wants the same thing, and that is to move up into the promised land as a member of a P5 conference. For the vast majority of us, it simply will never happen. The P5 schools will slam the door shut once and for all just as soon as they figure out exactly who it is that they're going to allow into their exclusive club. The Big 12 will likely add either 2 or 4 new members. After that, the P5 will be finished with expansion and the doors to the promised land will be closed to the rest of us forever. Maybe then those of us left in G5 conferences will play nice.

I disagree. I don't see an end to the constant changes. Every year or so will bring about conference shuffling. It has been going on since the beginning - just sped up over the last 10 years. It may calm down a bit after the B12 makes it's next move and what that changes for others, but it will continue. It is part of college football.

[brtransplant]

I disagree. I don't see an end to the constant changes. Every year or so will bring about conference shuffling. It has been going on since the beginning - just sped up over the last 10 years. It may calm down a bit after the B12 makes it's next move and what that changes for others, but it will continue. It is part of college football.

The P5 will stop expanding at some point. When they do, a final shuffle may take place where G5 conferences adjust geographically, and realignment will be finished. We'll be fine in CUSA. UL-L is in a very bad predicament in that there will probably be only one or two more SBC members that move up. If they don't make ithe cut this time, they'll be stuck in UL-X'ville forever.

[champion110]

The P5 will stop expanding at some point. When they do, a final shuffle may take place where G5 conferences adjust geographically, and realignment will be finished. We'll be fine in CUSA. UL-L is in a very bad predicament in that there will probably be only one or two more SBC members that move up. If they don't make ithe cut this time, they'll be stuck in UL-X'ville forever.

Not trying to be obstinate..... I just think that all things are forever in flux. I don't have a clue what the landscape will look like in 5 years or 10 years from now, but I don't know much of anything that stays fixed. There will be variables that influence movement that just can't be predicted right now.

[HogDawg]

Our budget will never get to the ACC level. We need another $5 to $10M just to be considered for the AAC. Yes winning is important, but look to the SW for evidence that consistent winning is not the end all.

Never say never. LA Tech has a very solid plan to grow our university enrollment to over 15K by the year 2020 (?). If successful, this will cause a very positive "ripple" effect on such things as our home game attendance and an increase to our athletic budgets.

That said, I honestly don't care if we ever join the AAC. CUSA is a damn fine and exciting conference, and I want to continue to make it better. There's no way the AAC is worth the entry fee to join. I honestly can't even tell you who played in the AAC's conference championship football game this year. Because it's inconsequential. It just doesn't matter. All I know about AAC football this year is that SMU was awful, and that they beat UCONN in their only win. Exciting, huh!!

[HogDawg]

I don't think I mentioned ACC if I did it was a mistake. ULL has academic issues, along with other things. They also haven't won a conference title outright. Going to the same bowl four years in a row does nothing for your profile across the country. We play in Dallas, then maybe Miami, or New Mexico and our brand is pushed out there for all to see. Also, its those coveted 10 win seasons that put you in the conversation for that Access Bowl slot. Just imagine for a second, we continue to win our division on a consistant basis, Tech will be talked about with Boise, Marshall, Central Florida, Northern Illinois, Cincy, and ECU. Being in that elite G5 consistantly for the next 5 years will build whatever bridge we need to walk across to get to where ever we want to be.

Good post. Say what you will about our days in the WAC, but LA Tech built a solid brand from playing all those teams out west year in and year out. Because we were consistently playing Boise St, Fresno St, Hawaii, etc....Tech' brand became much more recognizable than it was when we were members of conferences only in the deep South.

[KSDAWG]

There isn't a single WAC team save Fresno for different reasons that will speak ill of Tech's competitiveness. Our time in the WAC was a foundation by which we will build a football mansion.

[PawDawg]

Never say never. LA Tech has a very solid plan to grow our university enrollment to over 15K by the year 2020 (?). If successful, this will cause a very positive "ripple" effect on such things as our home game attendance and an increase to our athletic budgets.

That said, I honestly don't care if we ever join the AAC. CUSA is a damn fine and exciting conference, and I want to continue to make it better. There's no way the AAC is worth the entry fee to join. I honestly can't even tell you who played in the AAC's conference championship football game this year. Because it's inconsequential. It just doesn't matter. All I know about AAC football this year is that SMU was awful, and that they beat UCONN in their only win. Exciting, huh!!

Yes, I'm familiar with the plan to grow enrollment. It can certainly help grow our athletics budget if we continue to win football games and our AD does a good job of scheduling. The jury hasn't even convened on that one yet.

I'm not sure I see the AAC as a big step up either even though they are way ahead in some crucial areas.

Most important to me is to continue out running our state peers.

[KSDAWG]

We have to treat every season from here on out as a job interview for the AAC. Rice and UTSA are also applying.

[DogsWin]

There isn't a single WAC team save Fresno for different reasons that will speak ill of Tech's competitiveness. Our time in the WAC was a foundation by which we will build a football mansion.

Things have certainly started looking pretty decent in terms of wins and losses over the past 4 seasons for Louisiana Tech.

2011 8-5
2012 9-3
2013 4-8
2014 9-5

[KSDAWG]

Trends must continue and we must also claim titles and bowl victories to finish strong. Those are the things that keep up on tv and in the press.

[RGTech98]

The P5 will stop expanding at some point. When they do, a final shuffle may take place where G5 conferences adjust geographically, and realignment will be finished. We'll be fine in CUSA. UL-L is in a very bad predicament in that there will probably be only one or two more SBC members that move up. If they don't make ithe cut this time, they'll be stuck in UL-X'ville forever.

Not trying to be obstinate..... I just think that all things are forever in flux. I don't have a clue what the landscape will look like in 5 years or 10 years from now, but I don't know much of anything that stays fixed. There will be variables that influence movement that just can't be predicted right now.

IMO The more things have changed the more they have basically stayed the same. From the original Big East - pre 2005, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think only Temple didn't get picked up by a P5 conference. Then with all of the other conference realignments, I think only Louisville, TCU, and Utah improved their standings from their previous conference to a P5 conference - BTW all 3 are in the top 25 this year. Unless I have overlooked a team, that results in only a net movement of 2 teams up!?!

I think we need to analyze what these 3 teams did and attempt to replicate it if we hope to make ourselves a future candidate for a move to a P5 conference. I know on the surface that TCU and Louisville were willing to change conferences to better themselves. I'm not aware of what they have accomplished financially.

[champion110]

IMO The more things have changed the more they have basically stayed the same. From the original Big East - pre 2005, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think only Temple didn't get picked up by a P5 conference. Then with all of the other conference realignments, I think only Louisville, TCU, and Utah improved their standings from their previous conference to a P5 conference - BTW all 3 are in the top 25 this year. Unless I have overlooked a team, that results in only a net movement of 2 teams up!?!

I think we need to analyze what these 3 teams did and attempt to replicate it if we hope to make ourselves a future candidate for a move to a P5 conference. I know on the surface that TCU and Louisville were willing to change conferences to better themselves. I'm not aware of what they have accomplished financially.

I agree with what you are stating, but I think Tech has to think outside the box on this. It is difficult to replicate TCU - mostly due to market size. We need to be creative and change the way the conferences think about us. Winning is key, marketing and increasing attendance is another. The BIG key, though, is to show a HUGE plan of facility upgrades planned and how we intend to increase our market size. We have academics under control. We need to show what we are planning now and what we are planning once we DO get accepted to a P5 conference.

This is a case of invest in our programs, even if it feels like we are spending too much. The old saying "you have to spend money to make money" comes to mind. Everything needs to be upgraded - band, stadium (close in the underbelly and renovate the underside, then build a columned walkway on the other side that blends with the new addition), billboards in all major cities in Texas. Then, win win win......... Show our tv market and our traveling fan base.

At least the days of buying a fruit basket are over.

[champion110]

The HOD TV numbers are a tool we need to use. We can grab tv viewers and that is good for any conference!