One concern about adding Air Force

[JT Hammons]

That would give the AAC all 3 service academies.  They could all three dominate the league for years to come.  Look at right now, Navy and Army are the only undefeated teams left in conference!

 

[ColoradoEagle]

Beefing up the top of the league? Don't threaten me with a good time.

[NT80]

Air Force is only a 3 point favorite against Wyoming this week.  
I think we can handle them. 

[VideoEagle]

First of all, this is week 4! Let's see an average of week 12 standings over a 3 or 5 year period before we start talking "years of dominance." 

Secondly, @ColoradoEagle is right - there's nothing wrong with having a stronger top of the league. Look at the SEC, that helps everyone including those at the bottom of the league. 

[UNTLifer]

Sorry, but the service academies are great to have in our conference, but I would guesstimate that the average rank of each of the teams over the past ten years is 60 or higher.  They aren't world beaters, they recruit a different type of ball player than we do, etc.  I see them as great members of the conference, but dominance?  That might be a little hyperbolic. 

[97and03]

They bring fans to the stands and eyes to the TV. 

[meangreen11]

I also see them adding some unique protection to a conference meaning it will be harder for the TV networks or other conferences to do them dirty in the public eye.  They are well established with lots of history and admiration.

[DeepGreen]

I’m glad to have the service academies in the AAC.

Hoo-rah!

[GoGreenBeans]

We are the “American” Athletic Conference. What’s more American than having all 3 service academies? 

[Rudy]

3 hours ago, UNTLifer said:

Sorry, but the service academies are great to have in our conference, but I would guesstimate that the average rank of each of the teams over the past ten years is 60 or higher.  They aren't world beaters, they recruit a different type of ball player than we do, etc.  I see them as great members of the conference, but dominance?  That might be a little hyperbolic. 

Plus the annual Army/Navy game is now a conference game. 

[golfingomez]

4 hours ago, JT Hammons said:

That would give the AAC all 3 service academies.  They could all three dominate the league for years to come.  Look at right now, Navy and Army are the only undefeated teams left in conference!

 

so... what is the concern?

[El Paso Eagle]

30 minutes ago, Rudy said:

Plus the annual Army/Navy game is now a conference game. 

No, I do not believe it is. That was one of the agreements when Army joined. It will still be played after the conference championship game.

https://www.si.com/college/group-five/aac/why-army-navy-will-be-a-non-conference-game-in-2024-and-beyond-service-academy-football-tv

 

Edited September 24 by El Paso Eagle

[97and03]

51 minutes ago, El Paso Eagle said:

No, I do not believe it is. That was one of the agreements when Army joined. It will still be played after the conference championship game.

https://www.si.com/college/group-five/aac/why-army-navy-will-be-a-non-conference-game-in-2024-and-beyond-service-academy-football-tv

 

Correct. I believe someone recently pointed out that one of them could win the AAC and get selected for the playoff as the G5 rep and then lose the Army-Navy game and still go bc it’s after the selection…dumb. 

[El Paso Eagle]

2 minutes ago, 97and03 said:

Correct. I believe someone recently pointed out that one of them could win the AAC and get selected for the playoff as the G5 rep and then lose the Army-Navy game and still go bc it’s after the selection…dumb. 

If they both had the best conference record, they could play each other in the Championship Game and then turn around and play again.

[97and03]

5 minutes ago, El Paso Eagle said:

If they both had the best conference record, they could play each other in the Championship Game and then turn around and play again.

Also dumb. But I get it. That game is magic. I have been twice. Highly recommended. 

[DeepGreen]

5 hours ago, UNTLifer said:

they recruit a different type of ball player than we do, etc.

Yes, they do.  They recruit young men who serve their country first.  And can possibly play a sport at the same time.

[Glory to the Green]

We shouldn’t be afraid of competition.    

I do feel weird rooting against the troops, but I root for them the other 364 days of the year. 

[MDH]

As a Denverite, I would love AFA in conference. 

[UNTcrazy727]

7 hours ago, 97and03 said:

Correct. I believe someone recently pointed out that one of them could win the AAC and get selected for the playoff as the G5 rep and then lose the Army-Navy game and still go bc it’s after the selection…dumb. 

 Very dumb. It needs to be made a conference game and moved to a different date. It’d be awesome if it was moved to the Friday after Thanksgiving and given the noon slate all to itself. 

[Hookset]

On 9/24/2024 at 11:08 AM, 97and03 said:

They bring fans to the stands and eyes to the TV. 

Absolutely! That should also bring a better TV contract in the future. There will be more viewers of UNT vs Army/Navy/Air Force than UNT vs Rice/Temple/FAU. Same goes for every other conference school.

[meaniegreenie]

22 hours ago, DeepGreen said:

Yes, they do.  They recruit young men who serve their country first.  And can possibly play a sport at the same time.

Agree, but something changed (maybe just for a while and maybe due to the specific coach), but Army became one of the dirtiest teams we played.  It was disgusting to see.

[NM Green]

I love the mass of fans that show up at an Academy game. When Air Force played Army in Globe Life a couple of years ago, the American spirit was awesome! Get AFA in the American! 🇺🇸 

GMG

[meaniegreenie]

10 minutes ago, NM Green said:

I love the mass of fans that show up at an Academy game. When Air Force played Army in Globe Life a couple of years ago, the American spirit was awesome! Get AFA in the American! 🇺🇸 

GMG

Yeah, I remember the 2017 Army game in the new stadium.  It was a great atmosphere and game.

[MeanGreenTeeth]

Can we add the Coast Guard Academy?  Maybe Space Force will get their own soon.  🤔  

[Stix]

25 minutes ago, MeanGreenTeeth said:

Can we add the Coast Guard Academy?  Maybe Space Force will get their own soon.  🤔

Don't forget the Merchant Marine Academy.