17:15 mark
Not sure how I feel about Aresco’s comments here.
That interview definitely made it sound like we were their last choice and a choice they consider a gamble, which runs contrary to what some of the insiders have said here about us being their second choice behind UAB.
Sounds like texas schools were their absolute first priority, then UAB, then FAU.
Yup that makes it sound like we got in by the skin of our teeth. Don’t blame them for that, despite all we have going for us we’ve failed miserably on the court and football field for over a decade. Still now we have an opportunity in a conference with a high ceiling in basketball and football, let’s go get it.
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I love Aresco, he’s a salesman first and foremost. I don’t think there is much to take away from him naming schools in that order. I love that he goes to bat for his schools and is consistantly looking for a seat a the big table.
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He is giving this interview in Texas, at UTSA. You play to your audience.
Also, there is zero doubt in my mind that he went after the Texas schools because he lost Houston, and could see SMU possibly leaving. He basically talks it about it about a few times. He wants to keep a foothold in the state. He knows the league has to have a presence in Texas and Florida.
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Also, his repeated discussion of the meaning and impact of the new playoff structure is absolutely on point even if he gets teased about it.
CFP expansion is going to do more to equalize the playing field than anything else we have seen. Especially the fact that the 6 auto bids, unlike basketball, are not expressly tied to any leagues. Yes, the SEC and B1G will get theirs for probably ever. But the rest? Well, there’s some wiggle room. As he pointed out, 2 years ago if we had the 6 auto bids, the AAC would have gotten one and the PAC wouldn’t have. That is huge. I don’t think people realize it though, because it takes time to sink in and move the conversation.
Like he says, it is now just 10 leagues fighting for 6 auto bids. It’s open season.
The best part about the AAC is that when we win they will promote the heck out of us. This league understands hype and relationships with the media. They’re all about producing a good product and winners.
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You’re getting in the playoff but you’re not being served up to UGA or Ohio St in the first round. You’ll be playing a PAC X champ (see how Tulane did against the top of the PAC) or a runner up from the SEC/Big X (see UCF vs Auburn in the Peach).
There’s a decent shot of winning a playoff game and even hosting one if you’re the AAC champ.
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Tulane would have been an autobid CFP invite last season and likely hosted a 1st round game… So when they beat USC this past season, it would have put them into a 2nd round game against maybe the B1G or SEC.
Can you imagine, hosting and defeating USC in a playoff game? Program altering. That’s why I’m so excited about the move here, now there’s a chance.
clt says he was in texas, we’ll see what he says when is in Charlotte. it is AMAZING to be in the AAC with a small stadium and only playing FB since 13
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