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Ranking rumored teams on AAC football’s realignment wish list

By Jacob Ellerbee

Sep 18, 2021; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos linebacker DJ Schramm (52) leads the team out prior to the first half of play versus the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos linebacker DJ Schramm (52) leads the team out prior to the first half of play versus the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports /
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Colorado State University’s Brian Polendey hits the field with his team before taking on South Dakota State University, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 at Canvas Stadium.Ftc 0903 Ja Csu Sd Fb 014
Colorado State University’s Brian Polendey hits the field with his team before taking on South Dakota State University, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 at Canvas Stadium.Ftc 0903 Ja Csu Sd Fb 014 /

5. Colorado State Rams

Media Market Size: 16 (Denver, Colo.)
Record since 2016: 22-32
School Enrollment: 34,000

Colorado State may be the least enticing name on the list, but it comes with a huge media market, an important metric when negotiating television contracts. The Rams, a founding member of the Mountain West Conference, are an attractive prospect for the AAC because they have a huge media footprint in the Denver area. They would also help bridge the gap between the southern schools of the AAC and the teams out further west that appear on this list.

The Rams have a shaky record in the last five seasons but showed some fight in earning wins over Power Five schools Arkansas and Oregon State during that time frame. Additionally, Colorado State has been to two bowl games in the last five seasons.

Head coach Steve Addazio brings a Power Five pedigree to the Colorado State football program, having served on the Florida coaching staff that won two national titles with Urban Meyer. Addazio also coached in the ACC as the head coach of Boston College.

Utah State or Wyoming makes more sense to me in this spot, as a team from Colorado appears later in this list.

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