Conference Expansion ?
- Thread starter RU-Choppin-Ohio
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He's probably applying for a job in the conference office.
I can't see the Pac12 taking a school like Houston. It doesn't have the academic standing nor a fan base big enough to be attractive. If anything, Houston might lobby for the Pac12 to take Texas, to free up a space in the B12, which is really where it wants to be, I would imagine.
I can't see the Pac12 taking a school like Houston. It doesn't have the academic standing nor a fan base big enough to be attractive. If anything, Houston might lobby for the Pac12 to take Texas, to free up a space in the B12, which is really where it wants to be, I would imagine.
Probably finding out what Houston needs to do so if the PAC decides to expand, Houston will be qualified to be a candidate.
I believe the PAC has a narrow choice of non P-5 schools that would be worth inviting, so Houston might have a chance if the PAC can't poach a Big 12 school, if the PAC wants to expand.
I believe the PAC has a narrow choice of non P-5 schools that would be worth inviting, so Houston might have a chance if the PAC can't poach a Big 12 school, if the PAC wants to expand.
I LOVE conference expansion talk. But not if it affects the B1G. I'm greedy and happy with the 14 we have.
My recollection is that there's no need to lobby the Pac 12 to take Texas; they'd do so in a heartbeat. I agree that I can't see Houston in the Pac 12.
The Big 10 is the only conference that mandates that all schools are an academic fit. Even the ACC took Louisville.
It's about money these days. Houston brings a big market and access into the state of Texas.
It's about money these days. Houston brings a big market and access into the state of Texas.
The Pac 12 may not mandate great academics the way the B1G does, but the schools do care about that.
But....the ACC took Louisville. I'm sure the The PAC 10 would take Houston for the money and access. They would love to have PAC 10 games viewed on TV Sets in Texas.
The academics may be important, but it is not high on their list of requisite parameters. What is high is having two schools in close proximity to create a bond / rivalry within the conference and ability to corner TVs in that market. That has always been their blueprint for expansion.
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anon_ivydyf0amkzay
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I don't think Texas has to lobby anyone to join, the only roadblock for them is the LHN. Outside of that any conference would accept them with open arms. I doubt Houston is lobbying to get into the PAC12 on its own. I mean they rejected OU without Texas, so Houston has no chance alone.
If anything if ever the day comes down the line and that failed PAC12 play from years ago comes to fruition I could see this meeting as possibly a lobby attempt to be one of the little brothers that comes along rather than a Texas Tech, TCU, Baylor.
If anything if ever the day comes down the line and that failed PAC12 play from years ago comes to fruition I could see this meeting as possibly a lobby attempt to be one of the little brothers that comes along rather than a Texas Tech, TCU, Baylor.
Incorrect
The pac12, like the big ten, wants large state flagship university in its confrence
Houston is not that
Almost zero choice pac12 takes Houston
The population of Houston is 2.2 million and the 4th largest city in the US. I'm sure they would tune in if Houston plays USC or UCLA or Oregon and others on TV.....especially if Texas native Tom Herman remains as coach. With that population base they can focus on recruiting Houston and the rest of Texas and be very good.
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Its the most populated, affluent part of the state of Texas. The city of Houston produces more players in the NFL than any city in America. They'll do damn well both academically and athletically. The PAC could help with academics and Houston can bring an already struggling Network tons of money and winning. I want either The ACC or The Big Ten to take them but The PAC12 works.
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The Pac has some crappy academic schools. Doubt that will keep them out.
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For population density ~ yes. The west is geographically expansive but population wise dense in only a few areas with desirable college pairings.
Despite the impression the name may give, the University of Houston is a public institution. And it is a big one, with 43,000 students. It does not rank well in the USNWR ratings for what that is worth, but not every school in the Pac12 is an academic power house even though the conference does care about academics. Again, the question is whether another school from the same area would enter with Houston.
I can understand why Houston would want to talk to the Pac 12; as we all know, the American Athletic Conference is not a great place to be. And talking to the Pac 12 gives Houston some leverage over whatever negotiations it is having with other conferences.
Also Texas will probably fight to keep Houston out of B-12 expansion plans, so the PAC might be Houston's only P-5 hope .
If you read McMurphys poll of B12 coaches today, its Houston and BYU as the top two..by far..and I think Baylor has no juice to block Houston right now,and Texas is happy they still have the longhorn network..we shall see if they..Texas.. blocks Houston.
Does Houston draw any fans? I could be wrong but I thought I remember their stadium being pretty empty for games. I guess the assumption is they would draw well in the Big 12.
Agree regarding academics and PAC12. ASU, AU, OSU and WSU are not highly thought of in that regard.
OSU and WSU are charter members; I wonder if the conference agonized about academics before taking AU and ASU. I am so old that I always think of the conference as the Pac 8, with only schools from states that touch the Pacific.
Houston has always had attendance issues, at least with its own fans. I believe that it is mostly a commuter campus whose students have jobs and other aspects of their lives that require time. In that regard, it's a lot like Temple, Memphis, and to a lesser degree, Cincy. The article didn't mention seasons' tix sales but the implication was that a lot of people are rooting for Houston but don't attend games regularly. They seem to suffer from the malady of the part time fan base, just like those other schools, along with Miami, Pitt, Syracuse, and to a certain extent, Rutgers, though our % of "full-time fans" has increased dramatically since 2006. But it took a long time for Rutgers to achieve that, and it only happened after passing through generations (literally) of Princeton game only fans, then Army game only fans, then Homecoming game only fans, before Greg was finally able to deepen the already pretty wide fan base.
I doubt that Houston will be one of the choices by the B12 during this round of expansion since they don't add a TV market, which is what the B12 needs most of all. And the conference knows Houston well enough to realize that as soon as this coach is gone, their program will fall off some, and their fan base with it.
I doubt that Houston will be one of the choices by the B12 during this round of expansion since they don't add a TV market, which is what the B12 needs most of all. And the conference knows Houston well enough to realize that as soon as this coach is gone, their program will fall off some, and their fan base with it.
