GrayEagle

I think that confining realignment to the Conference Realignment thread is the way to go.

Are Cal and Stanford tied at the hip? Would Oregon State and Washington State break away from those two if offered? Personally, I don't care if Stanford comes along; especially if they are going to call the shots. I don't think that Mike Aresco would tear down what he has put together to please Stanford. I also assume that he would not become their commissioner by taking ten or twelve AAC members to fill out the Pac 12. Stanford can't make decisions now with an interim president. If it were up to me I'd offer Cal, Oregon State and Washington State. If any, or all of those three accepted I'd take them. In 2025 I'd try to take some of the Mountain West (especially the eastern schools and Boise State). I'd also feel out some of the larger western schools to see if they had interest in case Stanford and possibly Cal decided to fill in with MWC members. I'd also ask Stanford again in 2025. I don't object to their becoming part of the AAC but I don't like them dictating our future.

Obviously, someone's a little behind in their work.

How much TV money is Stadium or Apple TV paying? Does Stanford and/or SMU pay the exit fees of the Mountain West universities? Who will be the commissioner? Will those in the Pac 4 receive more than they could have made with the AAC and ESPN? Will the Pac ? Conference make enough money to exceed the exit cost of any AAC members who go to the new conference? Will chess be one of the sports? So many questions; no answers.

If we were able to secure the four remaining Pac12 teams and were able to add San Diego State and Boise State, I believe that the conference would receive an A5 rating; which just guarantees a seat in the playoffs.

No thanks. Twenty is plenty. Besides, did you have Stanford's permission to display the map?

Somehow I get the feeling that if the Pac 4 should come through that Aresco might then go after SDSU and Boise State when the exit fee drops. If successful, I move the nomination cease.

Who was the Master of Ceremony at the Kickoff?

As Wardly says, "I could be wrong" but I'm just pumped enough to believe that maybe the reason Aresco wants to take the Pac 4 teams is that he believes that would move us to A5. In addition it might allow basketball to have to have more than one team in the Big Dance. Those four teams could be the open door because there is now one less formerly 12 team conference. There has to be a reason why Mike is pushing hard to include the west.

I had enough of it when I attended North Texas State Teachers College (when I first started in 1948.) We became North Texas State College in 1950. I came back to finish (BBA57) after the Korean War. I believe that it was sometime in the 60s that we became known as North Texas State University. We became the University of North Texas (I believe) shortly after Hayden Fry left to go to the University of Iowa. Unless you're more than fifty, you weren't born when we were North Texas State. It's almost enough to make me accept UNT...which I will. I never was a true fan of the Flying Worm although my friend, Rick Spears, was the creator and my favorite coach, Hayden Fry, had him design it. But I do enjoy the good memories of having a throwback year to honor that period of time. But please, no more North Texas STATE.

They won't move anywhere until the end of the Spring Semester next year. When at least the exit fee returns to normal. Let's say that it returns to the normal $17M; which is still a ridiculous fee for teams that only pull $4M from TV rights. If the AAC were able to promise them $8-$10M (not everyone; large markets) then it might make it worthwhile to exit if they would recover the exit fee in the second year. I don't know how many would be willing to do that. However, if they raised the payout to meet the competition, it's likely that most, if not all, of the Mountain West might stay.

Change Mickey to Scrappy and the hornet (or whatever the creature is supposed to represent) to an eagle and then decide if you want to keep the malt liquor or change to lager beer. (I like the taste of malt liquor but it's fattening).

My opinion. Partially on 247 grade or composite; partially of JDs analysis; and partially on videos.

Who DAT say that last who DAT? The DAT.

Update: I changed my tune. I believe now that the top six linebackers are Jordan Brown, Kevin Wood, Ethan Wesloski, C J Garnett, Chavez Brown, and Blake Fann. Should they decide to redshirt Fann then, though Matthew Moore is also a Freshman, would be the next in line. I believe that Kropp, Van Zandt, and/or Leota will be on the special teams; possibly Brewer. I believe that Kevin Wood is the only Senior so we should be in decent shape for the next few years.

If Cal and Stanford don't want to come to the AAC, this would be my second choice. If one of them (Boise State or SDSU) doesn't want to leave the Mountain West I'd try UNLV. If both won't leave I'd try to get Colorado State. I'd bet that Aresco comes up with a good solution.

I thought that the AAC payout was in the $10-$11 million area. I know that we don't get that much but we will eventually. Until we start getting the three teams that left's full share we will get less. I believe that it will be split 14 ways in 2025?

I would think that Wyoming would also fit the AAC.

The odd thing about this post is that it was done by ESPN. They have the fourteen current AAC members; why would they add the Pac 4 if they are not going to be AAC? Or...can the ESPN logo be copied by anyone? I thought that it was proprietary. Edit: I was in error in saying the Pac 4. I assume that the two MWC members can withdraw but could be subject to a penalty.

Anyone see a cripple in the whole tournament? Me neither.

Great job, JD! You are really getting accomplished at interviewing as each one gets more organized with the questions that we would all want to ask. Hopefully, you can make this a monthly affair.

I was reading where one of the football podsters said that there was no more P5. It's A5 according to him. I believe that the A stood for Approved. What he implied was that the AAC would be one of the five approved qualifiers for the playoff.

One of the podcast talking heads reported that the AAC payout was more than double that of the MWC so, if true, Cal and Stanford would be much better off in the American Athletic Conference. One talking head said that Stanford was headed for the ACC. Talk about cross country. If they did that their closest conference rival would be Louisville and their farthest Boston. It has also been rumored that Clemson and Florida State are being courted by both the SEC and the B1G.