Rick Hart & Mizzou

[SMUstangs22]

In the world of AD jobs, an SEC job is better than a job at SMU, it is (today). If Hart wants to go to Meth U, it's not a "signal".

SMU is making a bold move and everyone keeps talking B12, but my money would be ACC first, PAC second, and UT-less B12 third (in order of something actually happening).

Is there really ever enough reason for ACC or P12 to add us?

[max the wonder dog]

In the world of AD jobs, an SEC job is better than a job at SMU, it is (today). If Hart wants to go to Meth U, it's not a "signal".

SMU is making a bold move and everyone keeps talking B12, but my money would be ACC first, PAC second, and UT-less B12 third (in order of something actually happening).

Is there really ever enough reason for ACC or P12 to add us?

The reason is giving the conference a mayor market presence in TX. Is that enough reason?

[max the wonder dog]

I was in Columbia and Jefferson City this spring. Mizzou is a dumpster fire right now. They are closing four dorms for the fall semester because of declining enrollment.

Major donors aren't writing checks. Tough environment for an AD concerned with fundraising.

[SMUstangs22]

In the world of AD jobs, an SEC job is better than a job at SMU, it is (today). If Hart wants to go to Meth U, it's not a "signal".

SMU is making a bold move and everyone keeps talking B12, but my money would be ACC first, PAC second, and UT-less B12 third (in order of something actually happening).

Is there really ever enough reason for ACC or P12 to add us?

The reason is giving the conference a mayor market presence in TX. Is that enough reason?

I don't know, I haven't studied it too much. I wasn't being smart. Just asking a legit question. We may be located in a great market but we dont deliver it at this point.

[JasonB]

P12 only happens if it is a SMU-UH package.

Our hope there is that the PAC recognizes that UH is getting hosed on TV revenue from the Big 12 and offers equal share. But I think the UH reach out was probably a bluff more than anything. Even 20M extra annually from TV might not make up the difference in attendance revenue.

I haven't ever heard of us being in an ACC conversation.

I'm trying to find out why Baylor is so dead set against us being part of the Big 12. I was under the impression that the competitive aspect of it would die down after Starr was booted and the Alumni association had more influence.

[SMUstangs22]

So what I gather from that is no Pac12, ACC, or Big12. Great...

[CoxMustangFan]

It's a fair question 22. IMO, SMU's greatest chance at P5 was the ACC getting a conference network. I haven't read the ACC network agreement, but typically there's a requirement for local networks to carry it IF there's a local school (which is why Rutgers got into the B10). There may be different language in the ACC agreement, but I doubt it. It makes picking up a school in Dallas very valuable. Plus, SMU fits in well among Duke, BC, Miami, et al.

I get the desire for B12 inclusion as they're mostly local schools and people many of us work with attended B12 schools (giving relevance around the office). Plus, there's the issue of lower travel costs. That said, B12 is likely dead as a P5 conference. It will likely take some time to play out.

PAC is the other realistic option given how they're very limited on expansion options. If the PAC goes after B12 schools, that will open more spots in the B12 (so either way SMU has a spot beyond AAC).

SEC is a no go; TCU is a much better fit (if they're looking for small private schools in DFW).

B10 is a no go. We're not AAU and will likely not be any time within the next 30 years. Again, AAU isn't about academic ranking it's about research dollars. ND is the only non-AAU school that would ever get into the conference.

[SMUstangs22]

If the Big 12 gets raided would we want in? Wouldnt they become the next AAC. Outside power status looking in? If they raid then TCU could also deliver DFW. Seems like regardless its a stretch at best.

[CoxMustangFan]

If the Big 12 gets raided would we want in?

I say yes because they (the B12) likely take the top of the AAC to backfill. Would you want to be in a conference with K-State, Baylor, Cincy, et al. or Tulane, Tulsa and La Tech?

[SMUstangs22]

If the Big 12 gets raided would we want in?

I say yes because they (the B12) likely take the top of the AAC to backfill. Would you want to be in a conference with K-State, Baylor, Cincy, et al. or Tulane, Tulsa and La Tech?

Yes. Good point

[PonySnob]

If the Big 12 gets raided would we want in?

I say yes because they (the B12) likely take the top of the AAC to backfill. Would you want to be in a conference with K-State, Baylor, Cincy, et al. or Tulane, Tulsa and La Tech?

RGT likes Tulane!

[mustangxc]

I think one important factor in PAC-12 expansion is academics. Along with athletics, we really need to elevate our academic standing. I can realistically see the PAC-12 going after Texas and Rice or Texas and SMU if we improve our academic and athletic stock enough.

[SMUstangs22]

Are we too low for Pac12 at this point? Always want to improve though. How is the ACC on academics?

[Charleston Pony]

Are we too low for Pac12 at this point? Always want to improve though. How is the ACC on academics?

solid

[JasonB]

If the Big 12 gets raided would we want in? Wouldnt they become the next AAC. Outside power status looking in? If they raid then TCU could also deliver DFW. Seems like regardless its a stretch at best.

Yes, we would want in. And it will happen at some point because of the revenue imbalance with the schools.

The biggest question is what is the number of top level schools when the merry-go-round stops. Right now the count is at 64. If all 5 stop at 14, then you get to 70. 80 is also a possibility because 16 team conferences make a lot of sense for certain reasons. I think 4 and 16 won't happen because some big names would get excluded when the Big 12 falls apart. 4 and 16 would have been a possibility if the ACC fell apart, but it is clear that won't happen now.

Our situation gets elevated right now with the Big 12 because we combo with Houston on a state infusion package. But when you look at the expansion candidates this is how they would line up right now outside in normal circumstances:

ND
BYU
Cincy
Houston
Memphis
Temple
UConn
Colo St
UCF
USF
Boise
SDSU
ECU

Hard to figure out where we lie in that list. History, airport, facilities, city, money are plusses. Size and last 20 years are killers. BYU and ND really only become part of the conversation if they expand to 80 because neither school is part of the Pac 12 conversation or Big 12 conversation right now. If the number goes to 80, we are a lock.

Worst case situation: Big 12 takes Houston, Cincy, Memphis, Temple. Pac stays local and takes SDSU and Colo St. I don't think the AAC leftovers will take from CUSA, so you will see some merger between the AAC and the better teams in the MWC.

I don't think that will happen, however. I think it is much more likely that the Pac 10, when they want to expand, gets sick of the west coast schools ignored in basketball and football and want to find a strong presence in the central US. It is a ranking and attention play as much as anything financial. They will try and steal UT and OU or go major market with SMU and Houston. The PAC won't go anywhere without a major airport because they will want to reduce travel expenses and student wear and tear. Getting to WSU is a pain as it stands. if they steal UT and OU, of course, that is when everything really blows up. But I think we are 6 years away from that happening.