G5 PLAYOFF MONEY (LINK)Sunday, July 20, 2014
Friday, July 18, 2014
G5 QUICK HIT: BOISE STATE AND THE AAC STILL NEED EACH OTHER
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AAC AND BOISE STATE
The philosopher Cicero was found of saying that if we are not ashamed to think it, we should not be ashamed to speak it. Okay Cicero here is what I am thinking, I am thinking that it is time for Boise State and the AAC to bury the hatchet and join forces...again. Yes, I said it, and it feels surprisingly good to write it. Boise State and the AAC need each other like John McEnroe needed Jimmy Connors. Here is the deal, until the two reunite the AAC will never achieve the status that it so desperately wants nor will Boise State have the East Coast platform and basketball competition it needs to continue to be relevant in College Sports. Yes, I know the two just broke up with each other. But like any great business deal, necessity is the mother of invention or in this case reunion. Besides ,some of the greatest relationship in history have been messy at times but very necessary. Think Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Not only does the AAC need Boise State and Boise the AAC, but Mike Aresco, the AAC Commissioner, should dust off the AAC blueprints for a Western Division and try it again. If I was Mike Aresco I would be using some serious phone plan minutes with calls to the West Coast. This time around however, the AAC should also add Fresno State in addition to San Diego State to the mix.(note: it was widely reported that Fresno and Mike Aresco talked about membership in 2012 when the AAC was still the Big East)
It's time for a Boise State reunion and a revised Western Division AAC blueprint because uncertain and difficult times call for bold action. The AAC should reach out to Boise State, Fresno State and San Diego State because the AAC is in a position of strength and strong organizations stay that way by acquiring other strong programs. Mr. Aresco should strike while the iron is hot and worry about flight logistics and game scheduling later. Heck, why stop with just Fresno and San Diego, Aresco should go on a buying spree and pick the best of the MWC. Think bold, think outside the box,think aggressively, but whatever you do, don't think status quo.
You know what would happen if Boise and few of the best MWC teams became part of the AAC? It would set off a wild scramble within the G5 system. A scramble with some major collateral fallout. Here are three of the most dynamic and sweeping changes such a move would trigger in the G5:
1. The AAC would have their most legit argument to date as to why they deserve P5 status and a piece of the P5 money pie. It would also create an insurmountable chasm between the AAC and the rest of the G5.
2. BYU would feel incredible pressure to thoroughly review the considerable risks it faces by remaining an Independent. If Boise State came back and the AAC created a nimble but strong Western Division it would very difficult for the BYU leadership to argue why Independence is better than joining the AAC.
3. If Mike Aresco and the AAC were able to pull off the creation of a new Western Division within the AAC, it would all but force a new " best of the rest" conference within the rest of the G5. Schools like Marshall, UL, Ark State , Southern MIss, Ohio, Northern Illinois and several in the MWC just to name a few, would have to decide if staying in their current conference configurations are worth getting left behind any further than what is currently happening in College Football. A best of the rest conference would be competitive and offer the schools in it a vehicle to thrive rather than just survive.
There are of course major road blocks in the way for Boise to return to the AAC. Money being the primary issue. It is widely believed that Boise State demanded a sweat heart financial deal from the AAC in order to remain in the conference. Mike Aresco and the AAC School Presidents balked at the offer and Boise went running back to the MWC. The AAC subsequently sued Boise State for breach of contract and the two parties recently settled their financial dispute for a reported 2.3 million dollars.
Some things , however, are worth exploring and trying again even if they failed the first time around. The AAC inviting Boise and reconstituting a Western Division make for good business and conference strategy. The question still remains though, if the AAC and Boise State understand how important they are to each other. Until and unless that happens, both will be weaker and less able to navigate the new landscape of College Sports. Stay tuned.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
NORTH TEXAS AND MARSHALL PICKED BY CONFERENCE USA COACHES TO WIN WEST AND EAST DIVISIONS
Original G5 Blog content:
CONFERENCE USA
The Conference USA Head Coaches have spoken. North Texas and Marshall have been given the nod to win the West and East Divisions in Conference USA this year. Last year the Coaches Poll chose ECU to win the East and Tulsa to win the West. Neither school won their respective divisions.
In a recent post, I picked Marshall to win the East and UTSA to win the West. For a more in depth look at the G5 Blog Conference USA 2014 picks click hereCONFERENCE USA 2014 PRESEASON PICKS.
In the post, I have North Texas finishing fourth in the West. There are too many question marks at the QB, Dline and Lb positions for the Mean Green to repeat last years very good season. Regardless of where they finish this year, North Texas fans have to be feeling good about their program at the moment. After a decade of poor play, North Texas is suddenly considered a player and real threat in their new conference, Conference USA.
The Mean Green turn around can be credited to one man, Head Coach Dan McCarney. The former Iowa State Head Coach has taken a Mean Green program in the depths of irrelevance and brought them to a place of respect and quality play. For my money, McCarney is the best motivator in Conference USA and one of the best in all of College Football. McCarney's brand of coaching and player philosophy have been just what the North Texas faithful have been waiting for.
I expect North Texas to go through a rebuilding year this year and target the 2015 Football Season to regain their 2013 form. North Texas down year , however, is good news for UTSA. The Roadrunners with their combination of experienced players, and excellent Head Coach in Larry Coker, are in the drivers seat to become the Conference USA West Division Champs this year. Look for their game against Rice on November 8th to solidify the Conference USA West Division race. Stay tuned.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Sunday, July 13, 2014
BYU PLAYERS CITE TRAVEL AS A POSITIVE OF BEING INDEPENDENT
Travel or no travel, BYU cannot remain an Independent for long if they want to continue to be competitive in the new landscape of College Football. I still believe they will find a home in the AAC, even if that home affords BYU special status. Stay tuned.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
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