AAC football: 5 programs that should replace UConn as newest member
By John Scimeca
2. UTSA Roadrunners
The Roadrunners of Conference USA make the list for a potential new AAC member for several important reasons: new media market, fresh recruiting territory, and some decent success as a start-up football program.
The University of Texas-San Antonio started playing football in 2011 and played its home opener at the Alamodome in front of an announced crowd of 56,743, by far the largest of any brand-new football program. According to the NCAA, UTSA’s average home attendance of 24,710 is higher than several current AAC members like Tulane (18,015) and SMU (19,383).
In seven seasons of FBS play, the Roadrunners have compiled a 37-47 mark, including three winning records and one bowl appearance. These are impressive numbers for a program in its infancy.
Geographically, UTSA is a strong fit: a natural “Texas Triangle” in-conference rivalry could emerge with SMU and Houston as an AAC West Division member to replace Navy. San Antonio, too, is growing media market with 2.4 million people, providing a chance to grow in south-central Texas. Texas, of course, is a recruiting hotspot nationally, and this addition would only cement the AAC’s foothold in the state.
One serious con is the Roadrunners’ “newcomer” status in FBS; how will the school be able to guarantee the AAC of its long-term stability? Its other athletic programs do not provide a bright allure, either.