(12-08-2018 09:44 AM)GE and MTS Wrote:  If the Big Ten wants Texas, I think the conference will have to go to 18. Oklahoma would have to be one of the schools, leaving two vacancies for Texas to choose tagalongs. Who do you think would be acceptable partners?

In no particular order:
- Texas Tech
- TCU
- Baylor
- Houston
- Rice

UT likes playing games in the state of Texas. Assuming 9 conference games, they would have 5 annual conference games (4 home, 1 in Dallas against OU) in the state plus at least 2 non-conference for 7 total. Could the Big Ten swallow some pride and accept some small fish in order to land the biggest of them all?

Well, I believe you can take TCU and Baylor off that list. I’m not sure that the Big10 would take two small, private, religious schools into the fold. Rice would struggle mightily athletically, but could hold its own academically with the Big10. TTU is in the middle of nowhere, but already has a current history with UT. Houston is in a great media market, but how well do they register there and does Texas really want them in a league with them?

I think Texas has backed themselves in corner, here. They don’t want the PAC travel issues, they don’t want to follow TA&M into the SEC and the ACC just doesn’t make any sense. That leaves staying in the Big12 and risk being lowballed in the next media contract, going independent and trying to find a home for its other sports or joining the Big10 with Oklahoma. I’m not sure they are in a position of strength.