UH chair: Legislature should force UH to BigXII

[SMU Smitty]

I repeat: IT'S A DAMN PUBLICITY STUNT.

When he becomes governor then we'll talk.

Governor Abbott is as enthusiastic about getting UH into the Big 12 as Fertitta. He doesn't need to be Governor.

What the hell is SMU doing to get in the Big 12? Everyone agrees rather frequently on this site that President Turner hates the athletics program (I'm not personally saying that by the way), so why would he be aggressively seeking to advance the cause? Meanwhile, UH's Board Chair is telling anyone who will listen that they want to be in the Big 12 and making a case as to why it makes sense. You may not agree that it's the best way to go about it, or even that UH has a chance, but it is better than doing nothing, apparently.

There are a lot of people, important people, in Austin talking about UH getting in and there is nobody talking about SMU. NOBODY. And why is that important? We all know that some members of the Big 12 are more powerful than others - particularly UT. Who controls UT? Governor Abbott and the legislature through the appointment of Regents and the appropriation process. They also control Tech. There isn't anyone who supports SMU's entry that effectively controls 2 votes right now. I will remind you that the reason Baylor is in the Big 12 over UH, SMU, and TCU is because Baylor had well placed supporters at the time (Governor Richards, Lt. Gov Bullock). It was a political decision back then and it could end up the same way if the Big 12 decides to expand.

I love SMU. I am writing these words in all sincerity because, sadly, I do not think SMU athletics will survive in earnest if left out of another major conference realignment.

I'm also not saying all of these things to brag that UH is somehow better than SMU. I have connections to both schools and the people who know me know how strong they are to both. Ideally, both SMU and UH would gain entry into the Big 12. I think it's a great rivalry. I can tell by the hatred that oozes from this site on anything UH related. When SMU and UH both have great football teams at the same time, there are going to be some great games. Same for basketball.

Rather than waxing poetic about why UH is in LaLa land and SMU is better placed, the people on this board should be questioning SMU's administration about what they are doing to raise SMU above its peers. SMU will not get the golden ticket based solely on the potential of a young, unproven HCCM and a basketball team that's won a couple of games for the first time since the Clinton Administration. There has to be a much more strategic plan. Maybe I'm wrong but I haven't seen any evidence of it. All of us should be concerned.

[RGV Pony]

Is there a digest version available?

[sbsmith]

Is there a digest version available?

"I'm scared Houston will get invited to the Big 12 instead of SMU."

[RGV Pony]

Grazie

[03Mustang]

Big things aren't always accomplished out in public...sometimes that's even more of a sign of desperation. Look at how ridiculous our "SMU2BCS" thing was a few years ago.

The Orsini/bull in a China shop approach failed....we have a better program now and the political angle is better managed. Just because people aren't chirping about it on message boards and in the media doesn't mean it isn't happening.

[SMU1523]

Big things aren't always accomplished out in public...sometimes that's even more of a sign of desperation. Look at how ridiculous our "SMU2BCS" thing was a few years ago.

The Orsini/bull in a China shop approach failed....we have a better program now and the political angle is better managed. Just because people aren't chirping about it on message boards and in the media doesn't mean it isn't happening.

+1

[ericdickerson4life]

This is pretty funny. Outside of UH and SMU everyone realizes that these two schools do nothing for the B12. It has nothing to do with size of school, quality of school, etc. The B12 already has both markets. Neither schools add additional eyes to the TV screens come Saturday afternoons. Both locations already host B12 games (Reliant and Jerry's World).

The B12 would benefit going outside their current geography much like the B10 with Rutgers and Maryland. Adding Cincy, Memphis, UCF, USF, etc. would do more for the B12 than SMU or the great commuter school UH. Both schools need to be angling for another conference or some how miraculously, getting the AAC to P5 status.

In fact, if I was TCU, Baylor or anyone else not named UT or OU in the B12 I wouldn't want UH or SMU. That could force those two to move and create a mess for the remaining schools. The B12 is a [deleted] football conference once those two walk.

[Treadway21]

Thanks for the ongoing comedy routine. I love how you never break character, Cargo. You are always good for a laugh.

[leopold]

I repeat: IT'S A DAMN PUBLICITY STUNT.

When he becomes governor then we'll talk.

Governor Abbott is as enthusiastic about getting UH into the Big 12 as Fertitta. He doesn't need to be Governor.

What the hell is SMU doing to get in the Big 12? Everyone agrees rather frequently on this site that President Turner hates the athletics program (I'm not personally saying that by the way), so why would he be aggressively seeking to advance the cause? Meanwhile, UH's Board Chair is telling anyone who will listen that they want to be in the Big 12 and making a case as to why it makes sense. You may not agree that it's the best way to go about it, or even that UH has a chance, but it is better than doing nothing, apparently.

There are a lot of people, important people, in Austin talking about UH getting in and there is nobody talking about SMU. NOBODY. And why is that important? We all know that some members of the Big 12 are more powerful than others - particularly UT. Who controls UT? Governor Abbott and the legislature through the appointment of Regents and the appropriation process. They also control Tech. There isn't anyone who supports SMU's entry that effectively controls 2 votes right now. I will remind you that the reason Baylor is in the Big 12 over UH, SMU, and TCU is because Baylor had well placed supporters at the time (Governor Richards, Lt. Gov Bullock). It was a political decision back then and it could end up the same way if the Big 12 decides to expand.

I love SMU. I am writing these words in all sincerity because, sadly, I do not think SMU athletics will survive in earnest if left out of another major conference realignment.

I'm also not saying all of these things to brag that UH is somehow better than SMU. I have connections to both schools and the people who know me know how strong they are to both. Ideally, both SMU and UH would gain entry into the Big 12. I think it's a great rivalry. I can tell by the hatred that oozes from this site on anything UH related. When SMU and UH both have great football teams at the same time, there are going to be some great games. Same for basketball.

Rather than waxing poetic about why UH is in LaLa land and SMU is better placed, the people on this board should be questioning SMU's administration about what they are doing to raise SMU above its peers. SMU will not get the golden ticket based solely on the potential of a young, unproven HCCM and a basketball team that's won a couple of games for the first time since the Clinton Administration. There has to be a much more strategic plan. Maybe I'm wrong but I haven't seen any evidence of it. All of us should be concerned.

I agree with you on the idea that SMU hasn't done enough to get in to a major conference. No issues there. But that's not the question here.

Look, let's be realistic. Houston isn't going to bulldoze it's way into the Big XII the same way A&M was able to go to the SEC and say "Hey, we'd like to join, can you find us a spot?" The only way that Houston (or SMU, or Rice) has a chance to join is if the Big XII decides to add a school for it's own purposes, and that is going to hinge on two things:

1) A Texas school in the Big XII leaves the conference, or

2) The conference decides to expand to at least 12 teams.

Well,

1) Baylor, TCU, and Tech aren't leaving the Big XII. Only UT has that option, and if they leave the foundation of the conference is seriously threatened. If somebody joins after that it's not the same conference.

2) If at some point the Big XII decides to go to 12 or 14 schools then Houston may have a shot at the 'other' spot. The Big XII will look to add someone outside the existing TV footprint, in, say, BYU, or Cincy, or Memphis. I still say they are keeping an eye on the ACC to see if that conference can keep it together or if the football schools decide they are done playing second fiddle to the basketball schools and want another option. But in any case, UH is going to find itself in direct competition with schools that instantly bring more to the table in terms of TV markets and fan support, and in many cases as good or better on-the-field performance, name recognition, and upside potential. If they find three schools to fill that need and are looking for one more, then Houston has a shot. Of course, I'd point out T. Boone Pickens has said he's interested in SMU if we ever became competitive, so we'll see how it pans out over the next few years.

But also, keep in mind that there are exactly two schools within the existing conference that can be threatened with funding being cut, and another 8 who can openly laugh at Abbott - even if he IS truly on board. Baylor and Tech were able to leverage the circumstances surround UT and A&M in order to get into the Big XII, where those two schools went to the Big 8 and said "Look, if you want us you gotta take the other two." Planets aligned for that deal to get done. The same dynamics aren't at play here.

I'm not telling you it doesn't happen. But I'm not hitting the panic button just yet, either.

[sbsmith]

This is pretty funny. Outside of UH and SMU everyone realizes that these two schools do nothing for the B12. It has nothing to do with size of school, quality of school, etc. The B12 already has both markets. Neither schools add additional eyes to the TV screens come Saturday afternoons. Both locations already host B12 games (Reliant and Jerry's World).

True, some are a little slower in understanding the motivations for realignment than others.

[Digetydog]

According to Rivals, SMU signed a better class.

Let's compare SMU vs UH...

Location- SMU
Academics- SMU
Facilities- SMU
Players in the NFL- SMU
Campus- SMU
Girls- SMU

Bottom line: if you want to go to a school located in a ghetto with a mediocre reputation with less chance of making the NFL and surround yourself with girls that aren't that hot, go to Houston.

Slurpees: Cougar High

[CalallenStang]

Here's the thing: if the Big 12 were smart, they would have added Houston when A&M left to shore up their place in that market (which has a ton of Aggies in it) rather than deciding instead to take TCU (in a market where Texas, OU, Baylor, and Texas Tech already played annually and in a market where Aggies per capita is less than that of Houston).

But despite the smart play being UH, the Big 12 decided against taking them.

[sbsmith]

TV told them to take TCU. It was the smart play at the time and obviously it has turned out well on the field.

[East Coast Mustang]

The Big 12 doesn't need UH to shore up the Houston market. Texas does that for them. Houston would add nothing to the Big 12 (and neither would we)

CK is right that UH has had more football success in the past ten years than SMU- and look where it's gotten you- in the AAC with us. The AAC is Houston's ceiling, and This publicity stunt is laughable- remember when TCU got into the Big 12? You heard nothing about it until it was virtually a done deal. I'm sure Texas and the other powers that be in the Big 12 will love little old Houston trying to boss them around.

Also for all of the attendance smack- the least attended games I've seen in any sport all season on national TV have been UH bball games.

[blackoutpony]

Big things aren't always accomplished out in public...sometimes that's even more of a sign of desperation. Look at how ridiculous our "SMU2BCS" thing was a few years ago.

The Orsini/bull in a China shop approach failed....we have a better program now and the political angle is better managed. Just because people aren't chirping about it on message boards and in the media doesn't mean it isn't happening.

cough, cough pay boards, cough cough