The sports world was struck with some huge news on Friday, as the ACC would be bringing in three new schools. One team joining the ACC, the SMU Mustangs, will be departing from the American Athletic Conference. And it seems like the AAC is wasting no time in figuring out who will be replacing them.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke the news on Friday that the AAC held a call on Friday following SMU’s departure. This call consisted of AAC presidents and athletic directors of teams still in the conference.
In this call, Thamel detailed that Army had emerged as the league’s top expansion target and that AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco has already begun exploring Army as an expansion candidate.
Sources: After a call with AAC presidents and ADs this morning, it was clear that Army is the league’s top expansion target. Commissioner Mike Aresco has begun informally exploring Army as an expansion candidate.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 1, 2023
Thamel added that if Army does indeed join the AAC, it would be only for college football, which is similar to what Navy has done.
The addition of Army would be football only, which is similar to Navy’s membership.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 1, 2023
Fans took notice of this announcement and largely believe that it makes a ton of sense for Army to be an expansion candidate for the AAC.
What we think of this??
I like it, a well known national program, a new footprint in NY, and arguably the biggest CFB rivalry in the country (yes, I know it’s debatable with Michigan/ Ohio State and the iron bowl).
I would be happy with Army, it’s better than SMU lol https://t.co/Meu3j09x75
— #9 State of the Pirates (@makedowdyrowdy) September 1, 2023
This makes a lot of sense https://t.co/2wVksBcEf1
— Sporty (@SportyMcSports) September 1, 2023
I’ll take it… https://t.co/kF0He5ZOvC
— Trey Smith (@imtreysmith) September 1, 2023
Might be the best realignment news of the day https://t.co/8zOWs1ldZP
— BuffalOKstate (@BuffalOKstate) September 1, 2023
There it is. Not gonna claim any great accolade for saying as much. It's a pretty obvious choice. That Army vs Navy game is money for the AAC. https://t.co/3HFD5IxfQc
— Immaculate (@ImmaculateView) September 1, 2023
For the AAC, they would have both teams in the annual Army-Navy game, which is undoubtedly one of the most storied rivalries in all of college football.
Thamel added that Army’s move to the AAC is not imminent and that details need to be worked out on both sides if they are going to go through with the move.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.