We are sitting on something that many around the country wish they had.... a bowl game available to us in a great venue/city within easy travel distance. Even at 10:00 a.m. I think we do ok but I also think it might be less than previous years. Mobile....not happening. Sorry but I guarantee you that people aren't making that trip in the same numbers as N.O. for the numerous reasons mentioned already.
As for conference realignment you have got to be kidding me if you think the "lack" of proving we can travel to a bowl game outside of New Orleans shows up on the radar of the University president's who make that decision. They could care less than less on that statistic.