Has anyone else hear anything about this?

Could just be a crazy rumor, but I read a lot of boards on realignment and this isn't the first time I have seen Rice mentioned. This time it was from a reputable SEC fan on the realignment board here.

Basically saying that if Texas doesn't want to go with Oklahoma to Big 10, then Rice comes into play because Oklahoma wants the recruiting grounds and obviously you guys have great academics.


Just wanted to say that if any of the G5 deserves the call up then I think its you guys.


Here is the link to the thread, the post in reference is by "JRsec" its on the second page and next to last post on the page (post #19.)


http://csnbbs.com/thread-743712-page-2.html

Thanks for the link and for the nice note. I personally am not a fan of this version of CUSA but I enjoy sharing a conference with you guys.

Here's to a CUSA Title Game rematch this year!

And state law prohibits Oklahoma going anywhere without Oklahoma State as a partner.

I am not disputing the rumor - what do I know anyway - but I find it difficult to believe that OU needs Rice for the recruiting in Texas. OU has been feasting on Texas recruits for at least 50 years. Does anybody think recruits down here in Texas don't have televisions and computers? Besides, if they move to the SEC they will play Aggie in College Station every other year. They could move their home games to Jerry World any time they want. Not buying it myself.

Rice is not mentioned in the context of joining the SEC. The poster stated that Jim Delany (who is the commissioner of the Big 10) would look at Rice if Texas/Oklahoma said no to Big 10 membership; the implication being that the Big 10 wants a stronger recruiting foothold in Texas. Perhaps we will finally get the chance to see Jim Harbaugh coach in Rice Stadium, once he moves his satellite football camps there!


"When the ACC goals looked off limits Delany started his westward offensive. Oklahoma is just the step to Texas. No Texas, likely no Oklahoma. There is a rumor that Rice could get a look if Texas says no. Delany needs southern recruiting beds, and representatives in large southern states that will help him stay dialed in on the Hill. They are not only bleeding population, but representation as well."

Here's an expanded view ...

(07-28-2015 05:25 PM)NestaKnight1 Wrote:  

(07-28-2015 03:55 PM)BIgCatonProwl Wrote:  

(07-28-2015 03:38 PM)JRsec Wrote:  When the ACC goals looked off limits Delany started his westward offensive. Oklahoma is just the step to Texas. No Texas, likely no Oklahoma. There is a rumor that Rice could get a look if Texas says no. Delany needs southern recruiting beds, and representatives in large southern states that will help him stay dialed in on the Hill. They are not only bleeding population, but representation as well.

Rice is in play, interesting. Stuff is better than a marvel comic movie, I have my popcorn, enjoying the show.

You don't need popcorn, you need hip waders.

Our party line over the last year from our top notch athletics administration, when asked about the realignment landscape, will gently remind us eager fans that our program is not on par (yet) with P5 programs and that our goals as a program revolve first around providing better resources (funding, facilities, support) before such P5 dreams could be taken seriously.

Yet, our stated goals of where we want to grow our program sure do look like what a P5 candidate might look like: including ranking consistently top 25 in all 16 sports, significantly growing our season ticket base, and increasing donations to athletics by orders of magnitude. (Not to mention, winning CUSA championships). Our continued commitment as a program to student-athlete success in the classroom is also of key import.

I am so convinced that we will reach these athletic goals that I will NOT be surprised if we someday do receive a P5 invitation. I don't expect it anytime soon, as realignment is ever-elusive to predict.

I do think the B1G conjecture involving Rice is plausible (I wouldn't even call it a rumor). I think it would be understandable that the B1G wants into the state and I think that UT (while certainly willing to discuss the matter) is unlikely to go that route.

There are quite a few P5 and G5 schools in the state that would get a look from a P5 league looking to enter or expand in Texas. But for B1G in particular, Rice could very well be somewhere near the top of that list.

Someday.

But until that day, I'm happy taking good care of our own business and competing in CUSA - and cheering for CUSA to become the top G5 football league.

If we had a better conference affiliation, jumping to a P5 wouldn't be a huge priority for me right now. We have things to work on, and those things can be worked on no matter what league we are in.

The problem is, our affiliation is so detrimental (and yes folks, it is) that getting anywhere more suitable than CUSA has to be one of our immediate goals. If that means leapfrogging the rest of the G5, so much the better. But the bottom line is that we need to be actively seeking to get out of CUSA period. The conference just doesn't mesh with who we are as an institution.

That being said, I put no stock in any rumor that has Rice going to a P5 conference. Such an eventuality is just not realistic at this point. If it happens, great, but I'm not holding my breath. I will continue to extol the virtues of going to the MWC as long as our destiny remains unclear, because that move would be both realistic and beneficial.

And just FTR, something is going to happen with the Big XII. There's just been too much smoke recently, and the rancor between OU and UT is reaching critical mass. I can't see those two cohabitating for much longer. The real pity would be if the demise of the Big XII also spelled the end of the Texas-OU series; that would be a much bigger loss for the Longhorns than the aTm game.

(07-29-2015 11:41 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  Our party line over the last year from our top notch athletics administration, when asked about the realignment landscape, will gently remind us eager fans that our program is not on par (yet) with P5 programs and that our goals as a program revolve first around providing better resources (funding, facilities, support) before such P5 dreams could be taken seriously.

Yet, our stated goals of where we want to grow our program sure do look like what a P5 candidate might look like: including ranking consistently top 25 in all 16 sports, significantly growing our season ticket base, and increasing donations to athletics by orders of magnitude. (Not to mention, winning CUSA championships). Our continued commitment as a program to student-athlete success in the classroom is also of key import.

I am so convinced that we will reach these athletic goals that I will NOT be surprised if we someday do receive a P5 invitation. I don't expect it anytime soon, as realignment is ever-elusive to predict.

I do think the B1G conjecture involving Rice is plausible (I wouldn't even call it a rumor). I think it would be understandable that the B1G wants into the state and I think that UT (while certainly willing to discuss the matter) is unlikely to go that route.

There are quite a few P5 and G5 schools in the state that would get a look from a P5 league looking to enter or expand in Texas. But for B1G in particular, Rice could very well be somewhere near the top of that list.

Someday.

But until that day, I'm happy taking good care of our own business and competing in CUSA - and cheering for CUSA to become the top G5 football league.

Per your opening statement in bold above, I have never heard Dr. K or anyone else in the athletic department make such a long-term realignment comment such that you suggest (either to me personally in a 1-on-1 conversation, or in a group setting). In particular, Dr. K has never used the lack of resources issue/complaint as a hindrance to being a viable P5 candidate. Rather, he's oft-stated that increasing attendance and, in particular, revenues, was the key factor and our #1 priority. Second, I have never heard him give an expected time frame-- whether short term or long term; only that we are doing everything in our powers to position us for the next round of realignment. Third, contrary to your suggestion, I have never, ever heard even an iota of a mention of a possible Big 10 candidacy. NEVER; whereas I have heard serious thoughts on not only the Big 12 (who's current commissioner is Dr. K's mentor), but also the Pac-12 and SEC.

And, FTR, I don't think our Athletic Department or university administration has any intention whatsoever of leaving CUSA for another G5 conference. Unless there is a merger with CUSA and another conference, or we expand due to the implosion of the AAC or MWC, I think those of you who are pining to join the MWC or AAC are going to be greatly disappointed. It's nowhere on anybody's radar. Dr. K's singular focus in this regard is on getting us in the best position possible for the next P5 realignment (through on-the-field/court performance, increased revenues and attendance, and continued facility upgrades).

(07-28-2015 07:19 PM)FlyHawk98 Wrote:  Has anyone else hear anything about this?

Could just be a crazy rumor, but I read a lot of boards on realignment and this isn't the first time I have seen Rice mentioned. This time it was from a reputable SEC fan on the realignment board here.

Basically saying that if Texas doesn't want to go with Oklahoma to Big 10, then Rice comes into play because Oklahoma wants the recruiting grounds and obviously you guys have great academics.

Coog fans think they are in bed with the Sooners on this because Oklahoma agreed to play UH in the nrg Stadium kick-off game in 2016.

(07-28-2015 08:26 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  And state law prohibits Oklahoma going anywhere without Oklahoma State as a partner.

That law does not actually exist. The Governor does have approval over both school's boards though. http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/20...ckage-deal

(07-30-2015 05:42 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  And, FTR, I don't think our Athletic Department or university administration has any intention whatsoever of leaving CUSA for another G5 conference. Unless there is a merger with CUSA and another conference, or we expand due to the implosion of the AAC or MWC, I think those of you who are pining to join the MWC or AAC are going to be greatly disappointed. It's nowhere on anybody's radar. Dr. K's singular focus in this regard is on getting us in the best position possible for the next P5 realignment (through on-the-field/court performance, increased revenues and attendance, and continued facility upgrades).

I don't doubt that's literally the case, as any invite from the AAC or MWC would not be "hey, let's add Rice!" in isolation. It would probably be in the context of a raid of CUSA by one or both conferences, perhaps in reaction to being raided themselves. In that context, I'm pretty sure JK is not going to say no thanks, take our conference mates, we'll stay put and just backfill with more Sunbelt teams.

Rice could possibly thought about in a B1G expansion because it is the American Association of Universities school available in Texas. The B1G has wanted only to be an all AAU conference even though they got stung when the AAU kicked out Nebraska after the B1G had already decided to take them. A&M is not available because they are happy with the SEC. Texas is not going to find another P5 conference that would let them hang on to their Longhorn Network money. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are not AAU members. I would have Rice take any P5 invite even though we would have to step up to do it. The additional TV money and attendance would be worth it.

The Mountain West and AAU are slightly better than CUSA, but the big difference is from P5 to G5.

(07-30-2015 05:42 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(07-29-2015 11:41 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  Our party line over the last year from our top notch athletics administration, when asked about the realignment landscape, will gently remind us eager fans that our program is not on par (yet) with P5 programs and that our goals as a program revolve first around providing better resources (funding, facilities, support) before such P5 dreams could be taken seriously.

Yet, our stated goals of where we want to grow our program sure do look like what a P5 candidate might look like: including ranking consistently top 25 in all 16 sports, significantly growing our season ticket base, and increasing donations to athletics by orders of magnitude. (Not to mention, winning CUSA championships). Our continued commitment as a program to student-athlete success in the classroom is also of key import.

I am so convinced that we will reach these athletic goals that I will NOT be surprised if we someday do receive a P5 invitation. I don't expect it anytime soon, as realignment is ever-elusive to predict.

I do think the B1G conjecture involving Rice is plausible (I wouldn't even call it a rumor). I think it would be understandable that the B1G wants into the state and I think that UT (while certainly willing to discuss the matter) is unlikely to go that route.

There are quite a few P5 and G5 schools in the state that would get a look from a P5 league looking to enter or expand in Texas. But for B1G in particular, Rice could very well be somewhere near the top of that list.

Someday.

But until that day, I'm happy taking good care of our own business and competing in CUSA - and cheering for CUSA to become the top G5 football league.

Per your opening statement in bold above, I have never heard Dr. K or anyone else in the athletic department make such a long-term realignment comment such that you suggest (either to me personally in a 1-on-1 conversation, or in a group setting). In particular, Dr. K has never used the lack of resources issue/complaint as a hindrance to being a viable P5 candidate. Rather, he's oft-stated that increasing attendance and, in particular, revenues, was the key factor and our #1 priority. Second, I have never heard him give an expected time frame-- whether short term or long term; only that we are doing everything in our powers to position us for the next round of realignment. Third, contrary to your suggestion, I have never, ever heard even an iota of a mention of a possible Big 10 candidacy. NEVER; whereas I have heard serious thoughts on not only the Big 12 (who's current commissioner is Dr. K's mentor), but also the Pac-12 and SEC.

And, FTR, I don't think our Athletic Department or university administration has any intention whatsoever of leaving CUSA for another G5 conference. Unless there is a merger with CUSA and another conference, or we expand due to the implosion of the AAC or MWC, I think those of you who are pining to join the MWC or AAC are going to be greatly disappointed. It's nowhere on anybody's radar. Dr. K's singular focus in this regard is on getting us in the best position possible for the next P5 realignment (through on-the-field/court performance, increased revenues and attendance, and continued facility upgrades).

I agree with everything you detailed in this post.
Clarifications:
1.The "P5 Dreams" I mentioned are simply those of (some) of the fan base. (NOT actual institutional goals).
2. My sources for what I called the Rice B1G Conjecture are no more than posters on the conference realignment forum here at the CSNBBS board. As far as I can tell, none of those posters are tied to Rice in any sense. But for the zillions of realignment theories that get posted each day - this one is in a small subset (dozens and dozens and dozens) that I'd consider "plausible".
3. Glad to hear that a "parallel" G5 move is unlikely.

(07-30-2015 11:33 AM)JustAnotherAustinOwl Wrote:  I don't doubt that's literally the case, as any invite from the AAC or MWC would not be "hey, let's add Rice!" in isolation. It would probably be in the context of a raid of CUSA by one or both conferences, perhaps in reaction to being raided themselves. In that context, I'm pretty sure JK is not going to say no thanks, take our conference mates, we'll stay put and just backfill with more Sunbelt teams.

Exactly.

If p5 takes (just pulling names, don't nit-pick them) Boise and BYU or someone from the MWC, then the MWC is likely to look to Rice, UH, Tulsa or someone like that to replace them.

If due to a realignment, we lost (again, pulling names) Marshall and La Tech (either to p5 or to a g5 back-filling, we are once again back-filling ourselves and being pushed further down the food chain.

We need to make sure that if ANY conference is looking at g5 CUSA or the city of Houston or the State of Texas that Rice is on their radar. Not that this means that we would or should go... but that it means that we are considered among the best available.

Rather than relying solely on our location and academic reputation, we need to continue to make sure that we are also bringing athletic value.

I suspect that most people here are season ticket holders, so maybe I'm one of the few who has gotten a call recently asking if I'd like to get season tickets (I play in the MOB and have no use for season tickets). Had a nice chat with the guy, who strongly implied that our athletic department considers the AAC and MWC as leagues that would help our institutional perception to jump to (although not nearly as much as a P5 invite, obviously). The goal, as others have said, is to make Rice an appealing, competitive brand that would be an asset to any conference.

In my experience, there are no lateral moves when you're playing musical chairs. You're either willing to jump to the chair that's available, or you're hoping that your chair doesn't get taken away. Conference realignment is musical chairs, and Rice will take care of itself when the music stops. That might involve the MWC or AAC.

It's not like we have any rivals or history with the current C-USA teams anyway.

(07-31-2015 10:14 AM)Klobasnek Wrote:  I suspect that most people here are season ticket holders, so maybe I'm one of the few who has gotten a call recently asking if I'd like to get season tickets (I play in the MOB and have no use for season tickets). Had a nice chat with the guy, who strongly implied that our athletic department considers the AAC and MWC as leagues that would help our institutional perception to jump to (although not nearly as much as a P5 invite, obviously). The goal, as others have said, is to make Rice an appealing, competitive brand that would be an asset to any conference.

In my experience, there are no lateral moves when you're playing musical chairs. You're either willing to jump to the chair that's available, or you're hoping that your chair doesn't get taken away. Conference realignment is musical chairs, and Rice will take care of itself when the music stops. That might involve the MWC or AAC.

It's not like we have any rivals or history with the current C-USA teams anyway.

I completely agree and that has been my impression from the Rice admin. Rice needs to be ready for G5 movement, it worked well for TCU.