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While being interviewed on the Finebaum show (big SEC thing) about the A&M move to the SEC when asked about what teams the conference is looking at to replace Texas A&M he stated the following:

"The lack of leadership and direction in the Big 12 is what is driving A&M to look elsewhere. After A&M leaves look for the Big 12 to turn to Houston, SMU, or TCU."

I guess we aren't totally out of the conversation but certainly on the outside looking in. Almost everyone considers Houston the clear frontrunner to replace A&M if the Big 12 wants to stay at 10.

CoxMustangFan wrote:Still don't understand why Houston is the "clear frontrunner." It's essentially a four-year Juco with a meager overall sports program. As of late, SMU and Tulsa are as good--if not better--than them in CUSA football.

Directors Cup Finishes

2011
SMU - #62
Houston - #104

2010
SMU - #74
Houston - #111

2009
SMU - #87
Houston - #128

We don't even want to get into academic rankings. That will be just embarrassing for Houston.

Big 12 games in Houston to try to counter the SEC games is College Station and try to hold on to that part of the state.

Will they expand to 12 and take us, TCU to keep out other conferences?

Director's cup is nearly irrelevant. But we were better last year in football and basketball.

Its as simple as this: They averaged 31K a game last year and we averaged 21K a game last year. They have a much larger alumni base, a huge TV market, and a respectable product. This will be their rallying cry.

If you are SMU you sell the future. We have finally committed to athletics in the last three years and look at the short-term results. We have top-notch facilities located in a major media market, and a highly visible and reputable head coach. Orsini has to sell that SMU is still trending up while Houston has already maximized its potential. This is how we should be attempting to position ourselves for realignment.

I hope all the people in power on the Hilltop are ready for this. It's not like this is a huge surprise - we went through all the conference realignment stuff last year.

StallionsModelT wrote:Its as simple as this: They averaged 31K a game last year and we averaged 21K a game last year. They have a much larger alumni base, a huge TV market, and a respectable product. This will be their rallying cry.

If you are SMU you sell the future. We have finally committed to athletics in the last three years and look at the short-term results. We have top-notch facilities located in a major media market, and a highly visible and reputable head coach. Orsini has to sell that SMU is still trending up while Houston has already maximized its potential. This is how we should be attempting to position ourselves for realignment.

Once again I do not buy into the attendance argument. We can show very easily that we draw a good crowd when we host Big 12 teams. I do agree that we sell the upward momentum to whomever we are trying to pimp ourselves.

(1) TCU (2)Houston (3)SMU (4)UT-San-Antonio. Do you think TCU cares about ruffling feathers in a conference they haven't even joined yet? Who cares about a multi-million dollar buyout what with the riches they will share in the Big 12. SMU has not positioned itself as an attractive choice due to poor fan support and axing programs such as baseball, track etc. UT-San Antonio without even playing a football game yet is probably a more attractive long-term pick due to population base, alamodome, no pro football team and potential. SMU and Houston have had a shot and blew it while TCU seized the opportunity of trying to be the best they could be. There is still time to change in this ever-changing college enviroment.

mrydel wrote:

StallionsModelT wrote:Its as simple as this: They averaged 31K a game last year and we averaged 21K a game last year. They have a much larger alumni base, a huge TV market, and a respectable product. This will be their rallying cry.

If you are SMU you sell the future. We have finally committed to athletics in the last three years and look at the short-term results. We have top-notch facilities located in a major media market, and a highly visible and reputable head coach. Orsini has to sell that SMU is still trending up while Houston has already maximized its potential. This is how we should be attempting to position ourselves for realignment.

Once again I do not buy into the attendance argument. We can show very easily that we draw a good crowd when we host Big 12 teams. I do agree that we sell the upward momentum to whomever we are trying to pimp ourselves.

Can't Houston or any other non-Big12 team in Texas make this same argument?

If A$M leaves, I would expect Big XII to hold at 9 members. Makes for better scheduling and no advantage to go from 9 to 10 members

reddevil wrote:

mrydel wrote:

StallionsModelT wrote:Its as simple as this: They averaged 31K a game last year and we averaged 21K a game last year. They have a much larger alumni base, a huge TV market, and a respectable product. This will be their rallying cry.

If you are SMU you sell the future. We have finally committed to athletics in the last three years and look at the short-term results. We have top-notch facilities located in a major media market, and a highly visible and reputable head coach. Orsini has to sell that SMU is still trending up while Houston has already maximized its potential. This is how we should be attempting to position ourselves for realignment.

Once again I do not buy into the attendance argument. We can show very easily that we draw a good crowd when we host Big 12 teams. I do agree that we sell the upward momentum to whomever we are trying to pimp ourselves.

Can't Houston or any other non-Big12 team in Texas make this same argument?

Of course. That is why I discount attendance as an arguable point.

Now if SMU somehow upsets Aggies and Frogs this year and beat UH and win CUSA west again, suddenly we're at the top of the conversation.

EastStang wrote:Now if SMU somehow upsets Aggies and Frogs this year and beat UH and win CUSA west again, suddenly we're at the top of the conversation.

Exactly!..until then,...... we ain't sh^&

ponyscott wrote:

EastStang wrote:Now if SMU somehow upsets Aggies and Frogs this year and beat UH and win CUSA west again, suddenly we're at the top of the conversation.

Exactly!..until then,...... we ain't sh^&

Realization.

ponyboy wrote:Director's cup is nearly irrelevant. But we were better last year in football and basketball.

LOL Really?

http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302962567

I guess you forgot about this game.

EastStang wrote:Now if SMU somehow upsets Aggies and Frogs this year and beat UH and win CUSA west again, suddenly we're at the top of the conversation.

When have you guys ever won the West? Just curious.

Also, you play us in Houston this year