Question: Is UConn better off as a 1-A school in the projected NBE than had they remained a 1-AA school with football in the A-10 (or wherever they played)?

I was thinking the other night about how this could've played out had UConn never made the jump up. Would their absence from the BE all-sports makeup have prompted Syracuse to find the ACC more favorable? Would they have been allowed to venture with the all-sport schools in the event of a split, or would they be viewed as a "basketball" school and left with the Catholic institutions?

I ask this because IMO they're better off being 1-A, period. Even if the BE is regarded mid-major in football or loses its BCS status, whatever, UConn stands to maintain better affiliations, garner more media publicity and money by being a 1-A school than had they remained in AA. At the least it allows them that opportunity, which in a way dampens some of their arguments in their court cases against Miami and co. Well, it's a theory anyway.

I'm glad the school moved up and feel they're poised to become a major player in football, though they'll always remain a basketball oriented school. I simply think there needs to be greater recognition for what they still stand to receive and achieve because of their jump, regardless of what becomes of the BE. Could you imagine a scenario where they were left out of the 1-A realignments and instead become part of some refurbished A-10 with the likes of Charlotte and UMass?

Thoughts?

With the modest amount of success they've already had in DIa, I'd definately say this was a great move for them.