Tulane being considered for the Big 12?

[anEngineer]

I read about the Fresno thing too and it makes no sense the Big 12 would talk to them and not the Wave.

It’s been reported that Tulane is talking to both. Tulane just isn’t going to be very public about it.

Athlon lists us in their expansion watch as a target for PAC, but when you look at their entire scenario, there are not many others left there.

https://athlonsports.com/college-footba ... sion-watch

[greenie78]

I read about the Fresno thing too and it makes no sense the Big 12 would talk to them and not the Wave.

It’s been reported that Tulane is talking to both. Tulane just isn’t going to be very public about it.

Athlon lists us in their expansion watch as a target for PAC, but when you look at their entire scenario, there are not many others left there.

https://athlonsports.com/college-footba ... sion-watch

Basically we would be joining a league of SDSU, SMU, Cal, Stanford, Oregon State, Washington State and maybe Fresno/UNLV. Not great but still better than CUSAAAC.

[Greeniegb]

It’s been reported that Tulane is talking to both. Tulane just isn’t going to be very public about it.

Athlon lists us in their expansion watch as a target for PAC, but when you look at their entire scenario, there are not many others left there.

https://athlonsports.com/college-footba ... sion-watch

Basically we would be joining a league of SDSU, SMU, Cal, Stanford, Oregon State, Washington State and maybe Fresno/UNLV. Not great but still better than CUSAAAC.

Would be a dumber move than leaving the SEC. No natural rivalries, traveling cost would be outrageous, fan base would not travel, bowl tie ins out west, really!!! Would be our death eventually because of cost. Our local prayers would not like along with their families.

[tpstulane]

Athlon lists us in their expansion watch as a target for PAC, but when you look at their entire scenario, there are not many others left there.

https://athlonsports.com/college-footba ... sion-watch

Basically we would be joining a league of SDSU, SMU, Cal, Stanford, Oregon State, Washington State and maybe Fresno/UNLV. Not great but still better than CUSAAAC.

Would be a dumber move than leaving the SEC. No natural rivalries, traveling cost would be outrageous, fan base would not travel, bowl tie ins out west, really!!! Would be our death eventually because of cost. Our local prayers would not like along with their families.

I remember laughing and saying similar things about TCU when they left CUSA for the Mountain West Conference. They did well there and got an invite to the Big East two years later they got an invite to the Big-12 and the rest is history. And by the way we owned them when they were in CUSA.

[HoustonWave]

It’s been reported that Tulane is talking to both. Tulane just isn’t going to be very public about it.

Athlon lists us in their expansion watch as a target for PAC, but when you look at their entire scenario, there are not many others left there.

https://athlonsports.com/college-footba ... sion-watch

Basically we would be joining a league of SDSU, SMU, Cal, Stanford, Oregon State, Washington State and maybe Fresno/UNLV. Not great but still better than CUSAAAC.

In that scenario, the PAC would have to expand further with CSU. Boise St., Air Force, Memphis. Rice and maybe others. Eight teams won’t cut it any more for any conference.

[RobertM320]

Basically we would be joining a league of SDSU, SMU, Cal, Stanford, Oregon State, Washington State and maybe Fresno/UNLV. Not great but still better than CUSAAAC.

Would be a dumber move than leaving the SEC. No natural rivalries, traveling cost would be outrageous, fan base would not travel, bowl tie ins out west, really!!! Would be our death eventually because of cost. Our local prayers would not like along with their families.

I remember laughing and saying similar things about TCU when they left CUSA for the Mountain West Conference. They did well there and got an invite to the Big East two years later they got an invite to the Big-12 and the rest is history. And by the way we owned them when they were in CUSA.

Louisiana Tech and SMU both spent time in the WAC. Back in the 1990s ULL was in the Big West along with La Tech and Arkansas State. Its not like its never been done, and on smaller budgets.

[golfnut69]

from Fresno
https://www.fresnobee.com/sports/colleg ... stage_card

[Wave755]

Another coach thinks PAC 12 could implode. https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cf ... d-collapse

[tpstulane]

Another coach thinks PAC 12 could implode. https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cf ... d-collapse

Exactly. If the other P5’s continue to raid them and they have no TV deal they could vaporize for all practical purposes. Going there may be the last seat on the Titanic Cowen was talking about years ago

[wave97]

Not sure I understand the conference relocation speculation. What's the point?
Our focus of attention as a University & Athletic Department needs to be Football & Men's Basketball player acquisition, development & retention.
We can survive a relatively measly payout from the AAC over the next two to three years as long as we dominate.

[tpstulane]

Definitely looking West. The 4 corners in play.
If they get poached should we accept an invite to the PAC-12?
Pac-12 looking for a TV deal can’t find one.
https://theathletic.com/4271149/2023/03 ... ed_article

Sources briefed on the discussions say the conference has been in recent contact with the so-called Four Corners schools — Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah — which has renewed optimism that convincing them to join is possible.

[HoustonWave]

Definitely looking West. The 4 corners in play.
If they get poached should we accept an invite to the PAC-12?
Pac-12 looking for a TV deal can’t find one.
https://theathletic.com/4271149/2023/03 ... ed_article

Sources briefed on the discussions say the conference has been in recent contact with the so-called Four Corners schools — Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah — which has renewed optimism that convincing them to join is possible.

Kliavkoff should have put together a significant expansion plan before trying to find a TV deal with the PAC 10. Now he's about to lose anywhere from 4 to 6 of the remaining 10. The MWC should be in a position to pick up any leftovers and strengthen the MWC--who should also look to poach Tulane, SMU and Memphis from the CUSAAC. The PAC won't last long enough for either SMU, Tulane, or anyone else joining it. But they could join a PAC/MWC combined conference. By bringing in the six teams that he did, Aresco has set the table for the top three or four CUSAAC teams to bail on the first opportunity.

[Aberzombie1892]

Definitely looking West. The 4 corners in play.
If they get poached should we accept an invite to the PAC-12?
Pac-12 looking for a TV deal can’t find one.
https://theathletic.com/4271149/2023/03 ... ed_article

Sources briefed on the discussions say the conference has been in recent contact with the so-called Four Corners schools — Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah — which has renewed optimism that convincing them to join is possible.

The PAC12 should add SDSU, Boise State, UNLV, SMU, Rice and Tulane. It wouldn’t be sexy and wouldn’t make as much per team as the Big 12, but that conference could survive the next round of realignment.

[tpstulane]

Definitely looking West. The 4 corners in play.
If they get poached should we accept an invite to the PAC-12?
Pac-12 looking for a TV deal can’t find one.
https://theathletic.com/4271149/2023/03 ... ed_article

Sources briefed on the discussions say the conference has been in recent contact with the so-called Four Corners schools — Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah — which has renewed optimism that convincing them to join is possible.

The PAC12 should add SDSU, Boise State, UNLV, SMU, Rice and Tulane. It wouldn’t be sexy and wouldn’t make as much per team as the Big 12, but that conference could survive the next round of realignment.

Going to be interesting

[DfromCT]

Why Rice? Do they really bring the Houston market?

[RobertM320]

Why Rice? Do they really bring the Houston market?

Probably as much as we bring the New Orleans market.

[anEngineer]

Why Rice? Do they really bring the Houston market?

Probably as much as we bring the New Orleans market.

I don't get the Rice thing either. While we are the only NCAA program in NOLA, there is a Big12 team now competing in Houston. We have also recently shown that we can capture major interest in NOLA. I'm not sure Rice can do that in Houston.

[DfromCT]

Why Rice? Do they really bring the Houston market?

Probably as much as we bring the New Orleans market.

Except they have the Houston Cougars and we have...a much smaller market. The parallels are obvious with Rice and Tulane, but unfortunately the biggest thing we have in common is a history of being lousy. No way a conference aspiring to maintain "P" status adds both Rice and Tulane at the same time. Despite the Cotton Bowl, we will still draw mostly negative criticism to any P conference that boldly invites us.

[RobertM320]

Why Rice? Do they really bring the Houston market?

Probably as much as we bring the New Orleans market.

I don't get the Rice thing either. While we are the only NCAA program in NOLA, there is a Big12 team now competing in Houston. We have also recently shown that we can capture major interest in NOLA. I'm not sure Rice can do that in Houston.

Major interest in a city of 400K is very different from major interest in a city of 4 million. My guess is, a Rice team going 10-2 in a conference other than CUSA would draw some interest, even if just from those that hate the Coogs. Especially if they're playing Washington, Arizona, Oregon St and Colorado instead of Marshall and La Tech.

[Bigschtick]

Pundits say that Fresno State, UNLV ruled out of any Pac? because of academics.

[Aberzombie1892]

Why Rice? Do they really bring the Houston market?

Getting conference teams in the Houston market in terms of exposure and recruiting. The true value of Rice is (1) getting bigger brands exposure in the Houston market (Washington, Oregon, Stanford, CAL, etc.) and (2) building regional relevance through rivalries (Tulane, SMU, TCU, UH, etc.).

[RobertM320]

Why Rice? Do they really bring the Houston market?

Getting conference teams in the Houston market in terms of exposure and recruiting. The true value of Rice is (1) getting bigger brands exposure in the Houston market (Washington, Oregon, Stanford, CAL, etc.) and (2) building regional relevance through rivalries (Tulane, SMU, TCU, UH, etc.).

Which would also apply to Tulane and New Orleans to a lesser extent.

[greenie78]

Rice is not being considered. That's been confirmed already. SDSU and SMU are the first two choices. If they want more, Tulane is probably next and Gonzaga for basketball only though the B12 has a better chance if they want. CSU has the academics and facilities though they've stunk the last few years on the football field. Fresno, Boise, UNLV and any other MWC team or AAC are not being considered.

[Aberzombie1892]

Rice is not being considered. That's been confirmed already. SDSU and SMU are the first two choices. If they want more, Tulane is probably next and Gonzaga for basketball only though the B12 has a better chance if they want. CSU has the academics and facilities though they've stunk the last few years on the football field. Fresno, Boise, UNLV and any other MWC team or AAC are not being considered.

I agree in that UNLV and Boise are likely off the table, but that doesn’t mean that omitting them is the right choice. CSU is a non-starter due to the presence of Colorado.

[Bigschtick]

What about if the Pac12 implodes which some feel is likely, does SMU stays in the AAC or move into a merged Pac? / Mountain West? Implosion, if it happens, is likely to happen in the very near future with talk of the Big 12 communicating with AZ, AZ State, Colorado and Utah?