I think one of two things will happen over the next five years. Either the AAC will become a "P" conference with some sort of expanded playoff or Cincy and one other team (Memphis, BYU, or maybe Boise) will move to the B12. I think Cincy's future depends on when (not if) Fickell leaves and how they replace him. He's going to be a tough recruiting act to follow.
Fickell is about 25th in the country in salary, it’s not going to be east to lure him away. The University is spending real cash.
Fickell has lost his defensive coordinator, Marcus Freeman, and, as a result, two nice recruits (a three and a four star), as well as his recruitment coordinator, to Notre Dame, recently. I expect this to just be a slight bump in the road for him but a bump nonetheless.