Austin AS: Houston billionaire pushing for UH to join B12

[gostangs]

gotta argue with that a bit Leopold. The PAC is controlled by california schools, and they are not adding any weak sister academic schools. Period. TT was never thought about with any seriousness and never will be, nor will OSU. OU is on the edge. UH is a non starter to the PAC. Also - UH cannot think about the BIG either for the same reason. SEC, Big 12 don't care, and ACC doesn't care much.

[leopold]

Well, the Dallas Morning News, Austin American Statesman, Kansas City Star, and multiple other publications reported differently:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleg ... s-tech.ece

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entr ... 8/32185420

The sticking point, as stated by Pac 12 Head Larry Scott, was the Longhorn Network - it was over TV and money. He specifically called a potential UT, TT, OU, OSU deal a 'blockbuster.' They were absolutely, unconditionally interested, but it didn't work without Texas, so the deal fell through.

Look, all I can go on is what is said publicly, and maybe he didn't want to hurt someone's feelings *cough*Texas Tech*cough* but there was absolutely no mention of academics. None. And that conference and those schools definitely talked inclusion.

So I'm going with my original statement - academics mean squat in conference realignment.

[Dwan]

These threads are kind of funny. They all start with some sort of "in a few years when football is winning and basket continues its upward trajectory....xyz will happen and we will be in a major conference." The past few weeks couples with the past 30 years really make it hard to believe this school will ever be able to win enough and at a high level to the point where it is even a discussion.

There is still some conference realignment coming. The Big 12 is the least stable of the bunch. Houston is in a good position. They have proven that they still can be a top 25 football program. That and being in Houston will help them if they continue to do what they are doing. I honestly think the SEC will go to 16 and will want another school in Texas to pair with A&M and further their brand in Texas. That conference will take a warm body in the state of Texas. And if the Big 12 is still alive then, they will reluctantly add another school from Texas as a defensive move to keep the Sec out of Texas. I had some hope this could be our path and that with top 25 basketball and a 9-10 win football program coupled with our academic rep we might have a chance but man, hard to see nothing more than the status quo of the past 30 years as a recipe for the next 30

[orguy]

Boise Junior college was most assuredly denied membership in the PAC for academic reasons. The TV market for BSU is actually quite large if one considers the school represents the whole state of Idaho in regards to sports viewership. Unfortunately for the little Junior College/Commuter school it was lack of student quality that doomed any hope of a future affiliation with the PAC. BSU is seen in the Northwest as a vocational and/or teachers college almost exclusively. Not in the same league as even the lower rung PAC schools like ASU/WSU/Oregon etc.

[orguy]

Well, the Dallas Morning News, Austin American Statesman, Kansas City Star, and multiple other publications reported differently:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleg ... s-tech.ece

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entr ... 8/32185420

The sticking point, as stated by Pac 12 Head Larry Scott, was the Longhorn Network - it was over TV and money. He specifically called a potential UT, TT, OU, OSU deal a 'blockbuster.' They were absolutely, unconditionally interested, but it didn't work without Texas, so the deal fell through.

Look, all I can go on is what is said publicly, and maybe he didn't want to hurt someone's feelings *cough*Texas Tech*cough* but there was absolutely no mention of academics. None. And that conference and those schools definitely talked inclusion.

So I'm going with my original statement - academics mean squat in conference realignment.

I'm of the view that academics in MOST conference realignment situations is of little importance (as you mentioned: the ACC took Louisville) with the PAC/BSU case being the only exception.

[orguy]

gotta argue with that a bit Leopold. The PAC is controlled by california schools, and they are not adding any weak sister academic schools. Period. TT was never thought about with any seriousness and never will be, nor will OSU. OU is on the edge. UH is a non starter to the PAC. Also - UH cannot think about the BIG either for the same reason. SEC, Big 12 don't care, and ACC doesn't care much.

OU has a tacit understanding with OSU that in any realignment scenario the 2 schools will make a move together. OU may be borderline but if thats the case then OSU is not far behind academically if at all. They are very similar schools academically speaking.

[Dwan]

Oh please, Boise State didn't get into the PAC 12 because the Idaho TV market is one they already have covered and if PAC 12 isn't going to let a School in that if doesn't bring a new TV market, they will have to bring more that athletically being good in football for 10 years. The excuse of academics is used to mask the reality that this is as always, is about what is best for the big business of college athletics. Anytime somebody in the billion dollar business of college athletics mentions academics as something guiding a business decision, which realignment is, roll your eyes.

[PerunasHoof]

Its amazing how many experts on realignment we have on PF that were included on these high level discussions. It's also nice that we don't even to have to visit the payboards to get the information.

[gostangs]

yes - everyone is an expert, and they are always good at pushing the story that makes them feel better about their chances....

I'm not saying that academics drives any decision, but I do think it plays a role and can be an eliminating factor.

I also think things have already changed enough so that those "side deals" (UT must move with TT, and OU must move with OSU) are now completely off the table. These conferences rightfully see their spots as very valuable, and they are not going to give a spot to the runt just because someone's state legislature wants to pull a power play. The pac does not need either TT or OSU to deliver any sort of market, and they are not going to be moving conferences.

[orguy]

Personally (since we all experts on Pony Fans) I think the BIG 12 should expand with Cougar High and BYU. Cougar high for visibility reasons in the Houston market and BYU for revenue and national TV audience.

SMU is so far from this discussion its disheartening. Reality bites

[StallionsModelT]

Personally (since we all experts on Pony Fans) I think the BIG 12 should expand with Cougar High and BYU. Cougar high for visibility reasons in the Houston market and BYU for revenue and national TV audience.

SMU is so far from this discussion its disheartening. Reality bites

Texas will never again be in a conference with either SMU or Houston.

If the Big 12 expands it'll be some combination of BYU, Memphis, Cincinnati, UCF, or USF.

New TV markets and no more Texas mouths to feed.

[gostangs]

If we have a future in P5 it is in a different conference than big 12. We get our act together and we are a good candidate to add a top 4 media market to someone's conference. I personally don't want to play these hay seeds every week anyway. Give me ACC or PAC.

[PonySnob]

AAC

[sbsmith]

Texas will never again be in a conference with either SMU or Houston.

/thread