"We left a conference that was stronger than the AAC is now."

"And it proved a mistake. We tried to do something to save face about Utah's P5 status. It hasn't worked. Valiant try, but nope didn't pan out. Basketball really got screwed in the process too. Really sad deal for the hoopsters."

First, I'm not sure the MWC was stronger than the AAC when we left the MWC. I'd say it wasn't. TCU had left. Utah had left. San Diego State basketball had peaked and hasn't returned to its form since we left.

And our basketball troubles have to do with a lot more than what conference we play in.

"AAC is a conference of NO IMPORTANCE?"

"Isn't that the conference with CFU? A team in the Natty discussion 2 out of 3 years and getting all sorts of fun NY6 games and coverage? I've heard more about CFU in the last 3 years than Alabama."

While I disagree that the AAC is of no importance, you and I are living on difference planets when it comes to Central Florida. I've heard talk about national championship consideration for Central Florida. And the talk has almost exclusively been, "They don't really belong in this picture."

And you've heard more about CF than Alabama? That has to be selective hearing.

"We've been saying "we belong?" the last 9 years?"

"How? Have you been watching the games? Losses to UMASS, N. Illinois, USU, all at home. 3-7 against P5 teams at home the past two seasons? A coach with a worse home winning percentage than Gary Crowton. 8-9 straight losses to our rivals? I can't even keep track anymore. Is it 8 or 9?

We went Indy and laid a big FAT EGG!

It doesn't matter what we say it's what we do. And the facts ain't pretty. AT ALL. Not in football, and certainly not in the WCC.

We actually belong right in the middle of the MWC in both sports. That's what we have shown, despite all of our collective bravado smack talk towards that league, our performance puts us dab smack middle tier MWC.

But let's keep pretending we spent a decade proving we are P5. That'll show 'em. Meanwhile lets keep those awesome home and homes with Pacific, LMU, Portland and San Diego. just so we can get 2 more crappy Pac 12 teams to LES each September, while loading up on SUU and Weber in November."

Your arguments here are as bad as those saying the USWNT should be paid the same as the men. Coincidence is mistaken for cause and effect. Our October/November schedules are improving along with everything else in the football schedules.

Have there been growing pains? Absolutely. But we're now starting to build the kind of depth we need for football. And, the energy that Dave Rose's teams lacked the last three years is returning to the basketball team. Don't get me wrong. I love Dave Rose. And he did a tremendous amount of good for the program. But it was the right time for him to move on.

I see no need to disrespect the AAC. But I also see no need to view affiliation with them as any kind of necessity.