Should the AAC move to a 20-game conference schedule?

[WuShock Reaper]

Right now, 7 of 32 conferences (a little over 20%; Atlantic Coast, Big Sky, Big Ten, PAC-12, Metro Atlantic, Southland, and Sun Belt) have 20-game conference schedules. In addition, recently the Atlantic-10 said they are strongly considering moving to a 20-game schedule for the 2020-21 season.

So, should the American Athletic move to a 20-game conference schedule? What are the pluses and minuses?

[WuShock Reaper]

I voted yes, i think the conference would do better by eliminating the potential of some teams to schedule soft and therefore decreasing our overall conference profile. Might also need it to decrease costs for teams, i.e, Buy Games, as the NCAA is significantly reducing payouts for this upcoming year.

[Shock Top]

Yes.

I'd rather our lower buy-games be replaced with conference games of the bottom teams. Better competition and challenge.

Hopefully, with two less non-con games to worry about, they can get all good opponents. I'd rather lose and be challenged, than win in a blowout.

[NCAABound]

Any move toward a balanced league schedule is a plus.

[rjl]

I can reasonably predict that there's a 50/50 shot at 20-21 season even happening, and on the 50% chance there is one, it will be shortened.

I've read many articles where bigger conferences are looking at less buy games and trying to schedule more 1 and 1s, simply because of budget in a shortened season. Obviously helps teams like us, but screws low-major schools who rely on buy games to operate.

So I'm not sure if a recommendation to have a 20-game schedule this upcoming season is a product of the current crisis, or if it's just a general business decision.

[Shock Top]

The idea was proposed back when it was accounced that UConn was leaving.

Stay at 11 teams and go to a 20 game, round robin, conference schedule.

Also, God help us, if we are still social distancing in November...

[shock]

The more conference games you play, the less likely it is that a team like 2020 Tulsa to win the conference.

[WuShock Reaper]

Yes.

I'd rather our lower buy-games be replaced with conference games of the bottom teams. Better competition and challenge.

Hopefully, with two less non-con games to worry about, they can get all good opponents. I'd rather lose and be challenged, than win in a blowout.

Exactly, I would rather see two more games against NET: #168 Tulane or #208 East Carolina, then against #234 Omaha, #276 Texas Southern or #315 Central Arkansas.

[JVShocker]

The more conference games you play, the less likely it is that a team like 2020 Tulsa to win the conference.

[rjl]

The idea was proposed back when it was accounced that UConn was leaving.

Stay at 11 teams and go to a 20 game, round robin, conference schedule.

Also, God help us, if we are still social distancing in November...

If COVID-19 proves seasonal like most respiratory diseases, it's likely that it will fade over the summer (and social distancing will be relaxed) and then have a second wave the Fall (when social distancing will have to be re-initiated). This is the reality until a vaccine (probably still a year out, at the very least) or an antiviral medication (assuming one is found that works) is discovered.

[ShockerDropOut]

I want to change my vote to a 20 game conference schedule. Total brain fart on my part.

[StunningSteve]

I voted yes.

I don't like how the unbalanced schedule allowed Tulsa to claim a share of the conference crown.

I also think Dooley and Hunter are making solid gains at their schools. The bottom was very competitive this year. Now is a good time, IMO.

[TrackSuitAndTie]

I like the idea of a 20 game schedule because it helps build familiarity and rivalries within the league. Not many of the teams in the AAC have history and playing a H&H every year will definitely help in this regard.

[abdullah_sharif]

this virus may be what provides the catalyst for a drastic change in division one athletics. my uneducated guess would be that the continued move to 20-game schedules by the conferences would leave only a few non-conference games and the home and home with higher majors would only make sense. i feel bad for the smaller schools, but their budgets are about to dry up. wouldn't surprise me to see the lower 2/3 of conferences forming their own sub-division sooner than later.

have a feeling that the virus is going to have long term implications for smaller member schools.

[Shock Top]

I am more of the opinion things will go mostly back to normal after all this. Maybe I am to hopeful.