Interesting that Rice and Tulane made the cut and Memphis and Boise did not. Academics could hold much higher weighting in all of this than we expected which I believe would be an advantage for us. Our endowment is 2nd only to BYU and I don't think their chances are hinged on academics...and ours is much higher than the rest of the usual suspects.
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Red_N_Black_Attack
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We are a top notch university with higher academic admission standards than when I attended twenty some odd years (.plus) ago. In addition to having top rated undergrad schools like CCM, DAAP, and Engineering, we have several specialty grad schools like law, medical and many others. With respect to research, not only do we have very high endowments, we also receive an above high average amount of grants (private and govt) for advanced research. We have a long history in these areas.
Many of these changes began trickle nag down to the undergraduate levels under Joseph Steiger and his efforts were continued to where we are today. I believe you're very much correct, the presidents voting on expansion take academics very seriously.
jacobkdoyle
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I wonder if academics are more of a factor for team #2 bc Houston is already in as team #1.
2bearcatdad
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I believe that, if the Big 12 expands, it will be UH and UC. however, I don't think UH is a lock and I think we're the first choice between the two. UH has some political support in TX and is obviously the hot football team for the moment, but there may be a lot of opposition to UH from schools outside of TX. As I said, I think they'll get the nod, but there's more politics (positive & negative) involved in their candidacy than exists in ours.
At least, that's how I read the tea leaves - which really just means I'm guessing like everyone else!
#BearcatNation
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I really don't think Houston is as high as the media portrays. When asked about Houston's win over Oklahoma, Bob Bowlsby said that one game or season will not have an effect on expansion candidates. Looking for big picture and a school that can handle long-term success.
WAITE HOYT 2
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Heard the same thing. This game will have no effect on expansion. This is all about future dollars. Which school provides the most revenue potential and how it fits into their footprint. The teams that are voting need to be assured that the members they bring in will expand their revenue stream long term. That means TV market!
#BearcatNation
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Agreed. Importance on tomorrow's game in regards to Big 12, in order:
1. TV viewership
2. Stadium attendance/energy of crowd on TV
3. Who wins
We can control the first two.
jacobkdoyle
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Yeah I hear you. But at the end of the day, Texas gets what Texas wants. And it sounds like they want Houston in.
#BearcatNation
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To an extent. I believe 8 votes out of 10 are needed for membership. Texas, Texas Tech, and maybe TCU vote for Houston. Who else does...?
GarradJ21
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I am surprised these Texas schools would want another Texas school coming into their conference and possibly owning them. Kind of like OSU would never allow UC to enter in the Big 10. The possibility of losing each year to a lessor program is never fulfilling to the boosters
jacobkdoyle
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Anyone who is interested in self-preservation. The KStates of the eorld are smart enough to know they don't want Texas to have a reason to leave as soon as they get the chance.
UCalum08
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A lot of talk on twitter about comments from Boren. Sounds like BYU's honor code is holding things up and potentially keeping the expansion from happening. I think clearly the Big 12 wants BYU and UC.
JasonS
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It's going to be 4 or none. BYU has to publicly comment about their honor code or, IMO, this expansion thing gets tabled until this issue calms down considerably.
UCalum08
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That is really frustrating. I don't see BYU doing any such thing.
Red_N_Black_Attack
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Agreed, very frustrating. We know where BYU stands in the pecking order - definitely they are top two. It also makes sense if we think that the next media contract will be some sort of streaming service.
I disagree that BYU won't do something. A. Their written policy doesn't match what they actually do in practice and B. this is a huge payday, stability, for BYU
UCalum08
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I hope they do something, that is for sure. It's never easy for something good to happen for Cincinnati.
JasonS
Football Moderator
I don't have a clue what BYU will or won't do but here is why I think it's 4 or nothing (and probably a coin flip at this point).
- UC and UCONN have the widest support among presidents but both do not have 8 votes so expansion can't happen with those two. (UC is around 7 or 8 positive votes and UCONN is slightly less from what I am hearing/reading).
- Houston cannot get in to the Big 12 unless it expands by 4. Non-Texas based schools will only allow Houston as part of a compromise to get to 14.
- Texas refuses to vote in favor of expansion for any combination of schools unless it includes Houston. Therefore, no expansion by 2. Must be 4 or none.
- Big 12 schools are in favor of expansion but can't agree on the number of schools. UC/UCONN/BYU have the most support. Texas has enough support in conference to block expansion without Houston.
- Big 12 is ready to move on expansion if BYU would make a public statement regarding their honor code. BYU seems hesitant to do this. Without that, the Big 12 presidents are deathly afraid of the backlash that no doubt would be coming their way.
Was watching some College Football Live today and found myself alternately enraged/amused by the likes of Paul Finebaum, who sees everything through the prism of Alabama football, basically saying Houston is the best and really only viable expansion candidate.
Yes, football is driving the bus to some extent. Yes, Texas has a lot of sway. No, I don't think for a second that Houston is the best and only viable candidate. Logically, Cincinnati is the best overall choice. BYU second, Houston third...if you want to factor in all the criteria.
The Texas thing makes me smile a little bit. I think Texas wants to move on to greener pastures in the next 10 years regardless of how much the other schools kiss their ass. So why pander to them? They will do what they want to do regardless of whether they get their way today or not.
Yes, football is driving the bus to some extent. Yes, Texas has a lot of sway. No, I don't think for a second that Houston is the best and only viable candidate. Logically, Cincinnati is the best overall choice. BYU second, Houston third...if you want to factor in all the criteria.
The Texas thing makes me smile a little bit. I think Texas wants to move on to greener pastures in the next 10 years regardless of how much the other schools kiss their ass. So why pander to them? They will do what they want to do regardless of whether they get their way today or not.
JasonS
Football Moderator
I think 70% of the conference isn't pandering to Texas. The problem is, they only need 2 other votes to squash expansion and they have 2 other schools in the state of Texas in their back pocket. As a result, either they get what they want, or nobody does. Texas is the equivalent of my 3 year old. If it's not on his terms, he is going to try to make it miserable for everyone.
Thanks for the info. All of this makes a lot of sense. I would add that there is still posturing being done.
It's like when you go to the car dealer and wheel and deal for an hour and then get up and tell them you are walking out the door. They don't want you to leave and you still want to buy the car...but you have to let them know you are willing to walk to gain some power.
Nobody wants to give in at this point...but eventually someone will if they want it bad enough. Texas probably doesn't care too much so they have a lot of power. They can walk away no problem. Need to break the other Texas schools away from UT corner...at least one.