A Jersey Guy: AAC Wants Seat at Main CFB Table
Mike Aresco knows how to work a room and a sport as well everyone. The current American Athletic Conference commissioner and former TV marketing executive is
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A Jersey Guy: AAC Wants Seat at Main CFB Table
The American Athletic Conference is willing to do big things to become a Power 6 conference.MARK BLAUDSCHUN 5 HOURS AGO
Mike Aresco knows how to work a room and a sport as well everyone.
The current American Athletic Conference commissioner and former TV marketing executive is spending most of his time lobbying the Power 5 conferences to include the ACC as a sixth member with a guaranteed CFB playoff spot when the next round of expansion happens.
That time is rapidly approaching, but Aresco knows he needs something more to close the deal, which is why sources throughout the AAC say that Aresco has come up with an ambition, if not audacious expansion plan.
Here's the deal:
The current ACC would expand from 11 to 14 teams, with a Western based expansion which would include Colorado State, San Diego State and Boise State.
The new 14 team, two division AAC would look like this:
East
1. Navy
2. Temple
3. UCF
4. USF
5. East Carolina
6. Cincinnati
7. Tulane
West
1. Memphis
2. Houston
3. SMU
4. Tulsa
5. San Diego State
6. Colorado State
7. Boise State
The selling point would be a truly "American'' from coast to coast conference, with representatives from all time zones, stretching from East Carolina to San Diego.
Currently, the AAC is part of the Group of 5 conferences, which must compile the highest ranking among four other conferences to get a slot for a New Year's Six bowls, but offers no guaranteed slot.
Aresco feels the AAC, which has produced some contending teams such as UCF and Cincinnati in the past few years and has been highly competitive, deserves more.
A conference expansion plan, coupled with a playoff expansion plan would be a strong legacy for Aresco's career which is winding down.
