Statement by Baylor President

[MustangIcon]

I want to play Baylor every year, TCU every year, UH every year.

I said this exact same thing in another thread. These are the 3 teams I get most excited about playing against in both football and basketball. I actually enjoy the Rice games too, although I am far less concerned about being in a conference with them.

[Big Hoss]

I'd love to end up in a conference with Baylor and TCU. Not sure it works out that way, but who knows. All depends on what happens with the conference formerly known as the Big 12, I guess.

Whatever happens, I don't want to end up in a conference like we were with the WAC, where all our away games were too far away. I want a regional conference. CUSA is fine since our division is regional, but I don't really get that excited about playing UCF, Marshall, ECU, etc. Nothing against those schools, but I could really care less about them because they aren't really good rivalry type of games.

[ponyscott]

I'd love to end up in a conference with Baylor and TCU. Not sure it works out that way, but who knows. All depends on what happens with the conference formerly known as the Big 12, I guess.

Whatever happens, I don't want to end up in a conference like we were with the WAC, where all our away games were too far away. I want a regional conference. CUSA is fine since our division is regional, but I don't really get that excited about playing UCF, Marshall, ECU, etc. Nothing against those schools, but I could really care less about them because they aren't really good rivalry type of games.

These conferences have rules not unlike a fraternity and one black ball not voting your way, means you are out. I understand from a high insider at TCU that said if Baylor were to be brought up for membership in the MWC that they would most definitely vote no. Obviously some bad blood remains from 16 years ago when Baylor thumbed their noses at TCU on the way out of the SWC.

The conference realigments will have divisions formed with teams from the same geographical area as they all grow, as the regional matchups have always proved to be the best way to go financially.

[Charleston Pony]

If A&M and Baylor stay behind in the Big XII South and ISU, Missou, KU & KSU stay from the north, I would expect a dogfight between the Big XII and MWC for survival. Each conference would have their "core" of 6 teams required to preserve their auto bid to "March Madness" and hoops would take on more importance.

If the PAC 16 invites Utah to round out their group, the MWC becomes more vulnerable and Big XII could probably lure TCU to all but kill the MWC. Only question then becomes who else gets invited to round out their 12 member group...or do they even go to 12? They could always "sell" the Big XII name to Big 10 and return to Big 8 or become the Midwest Conference. Would love to hook up with that group. Add SMU and Houston to go to 9?