The timing of realignment as it relates to USF's performance is always an interesting topic to me. USF's attendance will never meaningfully recover until those in Tampa see USF play in a Power 5 conference. After all, the Tampa area is accustomed to high power NHL club, the Bucs and the MLB. Proof that USF's attendance will follow suit when were in a relevant conference is that attendance was good in the BE. Its not as if USF plays in Norman, Tuscaloosa, South Bend, et al or other quiet town. USF fortunately has the unique perspective of having been in a relevant league before with fans showing up as proof of concept for any P5 conference giving consideration to picking up a team or teams. I like the USF:UCF play and think we rise together when it matters.
With the hot and cold performances each year by both teams, it poses to me the question whether a conference sees this and goes in for the long play, picking up both teams for both the TV exposure and the other great reasons to integrate them despite the hot and cold seasons. I believe they do. With Frost almost certainly leaving at the EOY and both teams in my mind being reliant on each others combined successes long terms, I hope that each has continued long term success. I believe they do.