AAC reportedly zeroes in on 2 Mountain West teams for conference expansion

There’s been some more news about a potential expansion in the American Athletic Conference.

The AAC recently announced UCF, Cincinnati and Houston will be joining the Big 12 conference, and now there’s evidence suggesting the AAC is targeting a couple of Mountain West teams to replace them.

Brett McMurphy reported that Colorado State and Air Force are looking to leave the Mountain West for the American Athletic Conference sometime in the next week, and CBS Sports reporter Matt Norlander confirmed there is mutual interest:

Can confirm @Brett_McMurphy reporting in that Colorado St + Air Force are heavily involved in talks to leave the MW, join the AAC. Brett reporting it’s “likely next week.”

Source tells CBS: “Getting closer, not across the line yet.” Clear desire for the AAC to add more than two.

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) September 28, 2021

While it may seem like a good move for both of the Colorado schools, there are some doubts about whether or not it’s worth it, as Boise State and San Diego State were in the same boat, but backed down.

Sources say there’s disagreement over whether those schools leaving for the AAC is ultimately a good move. Can also report that San Diego St + Boise St were heavily courted by the AAC—but balked. Understanding is Boise is waiting and hoping for an eventual invite from the Big 12.

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) September 28, 2021

A reason why teams are looking to leave the Mountain West could be because of a lack of faith in current commissioner Craig Thompson according to a Mountain West source.

Mountain West source to CBS: “The biggest problem right now is no one has any faith in Craig Thompson as commissioner and there is growing concern about the league.”

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) September 28, 2021

It’ll be interesting to see what the Rams and Falcons ultimately decide to do.