It's kind of amusing, living in Houston and catching their side of it. UT President says they'd support UH, Governor Abbott says expansion is a "non-starter" unless Houston is in. Suddenly, they're a lead pipe cinch. It's like nothing except the last 8 months matters down here. One very good football season and a semi decent basketball season, along with UT backing and a self-serving tweet by the Texas governor is apparently all it takes.
Having watched this like we all have for the past 5 years instead of just the last year, I'd be shocked if UC doesn't get in under either the 2 or 4 team expansion. They've been at the PR game the longest and have made the best long term impression. They check off every single box on the requirement list, not the least of which is the eastern expansion/travel partner that West Virginia sorely needs. And plenty of financial backing.
I've nothing against Houston and think they could get in under the right circumstances. But they're not looking at things logicially. Houston adds nothing to that conference other than proximity. The B12 already owns the Houston TV market. Academically, they're a dumpster fire. And so on.
My semi-educated guess would be UC number 1, BYU (if they concede certain points) and Memphis tied for 2, perhaps Houston after that.
