ESPN lists UH and SMU as top candidates for power 5

[Cougar King]

It's an excerpt in ESPN insider, so if this isn't supposed to be up, the mods can take it down.

The author, Ryan McGee, listed BYU at #1, noting their unique national following.

Surprisingly, #2 on the list is UH. Excerpt:

"When they win, the city really gets behind them," said an SEC administrator, directly referencing Houston's Southwest Conference membership from 1971 through its disbanding in '95. "They've always been caught in between the Texas and Texas A&M crowds, but if they were ever to get back to a top-level conference, where they really have a shot at competing for big championships, the potential there is through the roof."


#3 is Cincy, #4 Boise and #5 Temple.

The next five (in no particular order): SMU, San Diego State, Navy, USF, UConn

Take it FWIW, the author is a former ESPN and Fox Sports television producer. It's no wonder why all of CUSA wants us to fail.

[OR-See-Nee]

Wow. Surprisingly refreshing and impressive. SMU and BYU are the only private schools listed...shows the power of the state schools.

[Comet]

This is even more important when you bring into account the fact that both SMU and UH are working together and selling themselves as a bundle. Hopefully the PAC comes calling for us before it's all said and done, one can hope!

[CalallenStang]

This is even more important when you bring into account the fact that both SMU and UH are working together and selling themselves as a bundle. Hopefully the PAC comes calling for us before it's all said and done, one can hope!

And SMU and UH have good relations with SDSU and Boise, so if there is a need to bundle with them, it can be done.

[malonish]

This is even more important when you bring into account the fact that both SMU and UH are working together and selling themselves as a bundle. Hopefully the PAC comes calling for us before it's all said and done, one can hope!

You mean we're stuck with Cougar King?

I kid. I love having Kenny around.

[leopold]

No joke we're among the best - there's practically no heavy hitters left.

[lwjr]

No joke we're among the best - there's practically no heavy hitters left.

PAC 12, HERE WE COME!!!!

[couch 'em]

If they expand they have few other options

[covok48]

i never thought in a million years UH and SMU would be tied to the hip like this. I'm not complaining as we're better as a package than separate( al la Pert Plus) but 15 years ago you would have thought SMU- TCU and Rice-Houston would have been the only option as packaged deals. My how times (and commitments) change.

[SoCal_Pony]

no way #3 is Cincy, #4 Boise and #5 Temple, they are all below SMU and UConn.

[gostangs]

temple as number 5? i dont get that at all.

[Digetydog]

no way #3 is Cincy, #4 Boise and #5 Temple, they are all below SMU and UConn.

I live in Ct and Uconn has very little to offer. Although the Flagship state school, it is more like UNT than UT in size and reach. In terms of fans, Hartford is their only base as Southern CT ignores them. To be honest Yale is the state's most popular school.

They are in serious trouble if their bb program doesn't get them in the ACC soon. Every Uconn fan I know really only cares about hoops. Frankly, women's hoops is probably more popular than football.

[Digetydog]

temple as number 5? i dont get that at all.

It is all about TV markets and potential fans. Their TV area includes Philly, Delaware and Southern NJ.

[mustangxc]

It's an excerpt in ESPN insider, so if this isn't supposed to be up, the mods can take it down.

The author, Ryan McGee, listed BYU at #1, noting their unique national following.

Surprisingly, #2 on the list is UH. Excerpt:

"When they win, the city really gets behind them," said an SEC administrator, directly referencing Houston's Southwest Conference membership from 1971 through its disbanding in '95. "They've always been caught in between the Texas and Texas A&M crowds, but if they were ever to get back to a top-level conference, where they really have a shot at competing for big championships, the potential there is through the roof."


#3 is Cincy, #4 Boise and #5 Temple.

The next five (in no particular order): SMU, San Diego State, Navy, USF, UConn

Take it FWIW, the author is a former ESPN and Fox Sports television producer. It's no wonder why all of CUSA wants us to fail.

If Rutgers can land an invite to the Big Ten, then SMU and Houston most certainly deserve an invite to the SEC, Big XII, PAC 12, or ACC.

[westexSMU]

Dallas and Houston TV markets are important. The Big 12 has them already, but a lot of conferences don't and would like to have them. So if we can ever get more SMU fans to attend games, we have a good chance of making it to a bigger conference. Attendance issues are our biggest enemy.