AAC football: 5 programs that should replace UConn as newest member

6. Nobody

Maybe the AAC will stand pat at 11 teams instead of risking dilution of its football quality. If adding a top-notch non-Power Five school like BYU or Army isn’t realistic, then the league might be better off not expanding (to copy the Big 12’s move).

Sources, though, have indicated that the league’s new media rights deal with ESPN, which is set to begin in 2020, will be in jeopardy with UConn’s imminent departure. The current deal is slated to pay each member $6.94 million annually, and its ESPN reserved the right to renegotiate if the league’s membership changes.

The league has said publicly that they are leaning toward remaining at 11 teams. It’s the right public stance to take at a sensitive time, but that doesn’t mean the right deal wouldn’t happen.

The schedule would be a tad lopsided — it’s possible the AAC would copy the Penn State-to-Big Ten move of 11 teams by designating two permanent conference opponents and six rotating ones. The AAC, with fewer than 12 teams, would also need to petition the NCAA in order to keep its conference title game, and it’s unlikely this would be an issue.

The league will remain at 11 for now, but the AAC would be wise to consider one of these previous options for longevity’s sake.