I'm a two-time UH alum who is employed by The UT System. So I have a pretty balanced perspective.

1. UH was never going to get into the Big XII. Whatever was publicly offered as support was only posturing for appearances. Too many schools recruit the Houston area. No sense elevating the competition unless their financial contribution to the conference is absurdly high. And UH's wouldn't be, in my opinion.

2. That said, I think there are some here who underestimate the political clout UH has in the state legislature. Of the six primary leadership positions in the state house and state senate, only one member has a degree from a major Texas university, and it's UH (Democratic Caucus Chair). Where it counts the most, the chair of the Texas House Committee on Higher Education and vice chair of the Texas Senate Committee on Higher Education are both Coogs. And outspoken ones. Those are two huge allies. Not to mention Senator John Whitmire who - love him or hate him - is a powerful figure. If those three decide to block or red tape UT's proposed Houston campus, it's going to be a nightmare.

3. I do think UT eventually builds a campus on that land. But I don't think it will be a traditional campus in any sense. I can imagine select graduate programs and an extension of some of the UT-owned research labs present in the Texas Medical Center (UTHealth and MD Anderson).