Apparently now that the Pac-12 has decided not to expand, the B12-4 is looking to add teams. They have an expansion committee that includes our old friend Kirby Hocutt and former WVAD Oliver Luck, plus some others. The Athletic claims that 15 schools, mostly from the American and Mountain West Conferences, have expressed an interest in joining them. Hocutt didn't mention a number of teams or a timeline, only to say it might be a slow process. According to USAT, the B12-4 isn't necessarily obligated to add schools and must consider how offering revenue shares to other schools could reduce the cut for existing members.

I'll call my shot right now.

The no-brainers:
Cincinnati
Boise State
BYU

The Wild Card:
UNLV

Other Possibilities:
Houston, UCF, Memphis, SMU, Colorado State, San Diego State

Fight me!

I think Houston and Memphis BYU and Boise state are your first targets, then maybe cincinnatti. I dont think they really like wvu in conference not sure they want to add even more eastern travel if they dont care then who knows.

It's not like their current conferences are not already in the Abyss

Looking at it from the American Conf teams' perspective, do you stick with a conference that, try as it might to brand itself as a "P", it's likely never to actually get there; or do you go with a conference that, technically, is already a "P" but is simply trying to tread water and might easily drop out of that club? A bit of a lose-lose unless there's a monetary and/or recruiting benefit.

From the B12-4's perspective, you want teams that have shown they can compete at the highest levels year in and year out, no matter who their coach is, and can bring instant recognition as an upper echelon team. Among the G5 schools that's probably Houston, Memphis and Boise. They're all in the top 25/top 20 conversation just about every year. Cincy's a big question mark. Fickell has them up there now, but what happens when (not if) he leaves? They were only so-so before he came and could easily slip back to mediocre after he's gone. Unless they're looking for TV markets with a San Diego St or a Temple, or some sort of national following with Navy or maybe BYU (the Cougars have been inconsistent the last four years), there's not much out there to help them.

There may be some surprises along the way such as SMU getting an invite when they generally aren't thought of as top Big 12 candidate.

My bet is this realignment wave will help the MAC in some way when its over, likely less competition for the G5 slot if the AAC and MWC lose members.

Pete, surely you are not comparing the Currey, Murphy & Minter eras of UC footbal to where they find themselves today, a Top 10 team with Five Star recruits?

I'll be interested to see if they all accept (which i'm sure they would), would Toledo and/or Buffalo try to bounce for the AAC?

Buffalo's possible -- big TV market and they have a pro stadium available, especially if the Bills can't work out a new living arrangement.

Toledo -- meh. Glass Bowl is only 26,000 which would be about the smallest in the league, although they have stretched fire codes around the turn of this century with 30,000+ games.

I think they'll go after some CUSA schools first -- T'erd is one; UAB is becoming a very respectable program and they have a 71,000 seat stadium; so is Charlotte and they have a pro stadium available; La Tech has long been respectable but their 30,000-seat stadium would be about the smallest in the league; Rice would get them back into the Houston market with a 47,000-seat stadium.

Sounds like this is moving very fast…

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/universit... /

Assuming the current other teams stay in the AAC when UC, UCF and Houston leave, this would be an ideal opportunity to move on from the MAC. We could still play our rivals like Miami and even Marshall, but what a move, not only in football but basketball as well. For all of the people on this Board wanting something more for OUr basketball program this would be the move. I would love to see both Wichita State and Memphis in the Convo each year.

Well, for one thing you have to be asked. It's probably okay from our end but I don't think we have a stadium, a TV market and a fan base that would get a helluva lot of votes from AAC schools for admission, compared to some other D1A schools.

I don't see how the AAC stays relevant with the roster they have remaining. Outside of Memphis, what really is there? And nothing they bring in is going to move the needle poaching from other conferences. Boise won't go to the AAC now. Whomever they grab from the other conferences all it really is a new C-USA.

Memphis
Tulane
USF
East Carolina

If I'm the Sun Belt and you're looking to make a big splash, I'd be on the horn today with those 4 schools. The Sun Belt Commissioner already came out and said they're looking at expanding. They're all within your relative footprint and they all bring an instant boost to your conference. Memphis doesn't need explanation. Tulane fits right in with Louisiana and ULM and I'm pretty sure they all work together with LSU to keep talent in-state...it makes sense. USF just announced they want to build their own on campus stadium and broke ground on a practice facility, about 10 years too late. East Carolina has been trash lately but they're a relatively strong program that cares a lot about football (enough to fire a winning coach) and a natural rival for App State.

SMU
Tulsa

Could probably just slide these guys right back into C-USA where they fit best anyway. Or if you wanna be the big dog in a new conference, the new WAC.

Temple
Navy

I have no idea what to do with these two. Navy never felt right in the AAC partly because they were in the West Division, which made no sense. Take them back to being an Independent. I imagine Temple is feeling "no one wants to play with me" right about now and I for one couldn't give a crap. Good luck losers.

And I'm sure the MVC would welcome Wichita State back with open arms for basketball.