http://www.espn929.com/pages/22249014.php?
The Big 12 is hoping to be able to stage a conference championship game with only 10 members, but would have to get an NCAA bylaw changed to make that happen. If they're unsuccessful amending the bylaw the commissioner recently indicated they'd look at expansion.
If they expand now, I think that would be terrible timing from UAB's perspective. We have the potential to be an attractive candidate, but I think we need another 3-4 years to get football back up and running with a couple of successful seasons, new stadium finished, further basketball success, etc.
If the Big 12 expands soon, I fear we'll be permanently left behind...
I would love to join the AAU academically and the ACC for athletics. Neither can happen until the Watzis and the BOT are defeated.
That being said, I would love to join the Big XII. It will be interesting to see if there are any teams worthy of moving up. Houston may get a shot at it.
(12-06-2015 10:03 PM)FNblazer Wrote: [ -> ]That being said, I would love to join the Big XII. It will be interesting to see if there are any teams worthy of moving up. Houston may get a shot at it.
Right now, I'd say Houston, Memphis, and Cinci are the front runners. Houston may face resistance though since there is already three teams from the state of Texas in the league.
(12-06-2015 09:41 PM)hooverblazer Wrote: [ -> ]http://www.espn929.com/pages/22249014.php?
The Big 12 is hoping to be able to stage a conference championship game with only 10 members, but would have to get an NCAA bylaw changed to make that happen. If they're unsuccessful amending the bylaw the commissioner recently indicated they'd look at expansion.
If they expand now, I think that would be terrible timing from UAB's perspective. We have the potential to be an attractive candidate, but I think we need another 3-4 years to get football back up and running with a couple of successful seasons, new stadium finished, further basketball success, etc.
If the Big 12 expands soon, I fear we'll be permanently left behind...
I agree the timing is bad for us. I have been pulling for the B12 to make the playoff this season to decrease the odds of them adding teams at this time. We do need several years for facilities and some success in order to be a more attractive candidate. While the B12 (in its current configuration) is a pipe dream for us at this time, we definitely need to be in the next round of call-ups to the AAC. I am not crazy about the AAC, but no team is going to the B12 from CUSA just like no team is going to the AAC from the Sunbelt. You have to take incremental steps. I think ultimately that Tex, Tex Tech and the Oklahoma teams will leave the B12 leaving just 4 'power' conferences. If we are in the AAC at that point we would be a strong candidate for a call-up for the new B12 which would be the 'best of the rest' conference ahead of the remains of the MWC and AAC.
One advantage we have over Houston is that Birmingham is an entirely new market that is Football crazy. It is a shot at the SEC to get back at them for Texas A&M and Mizzou and gives Texas a stronger recruiting position in the state of Alabama, as well as Georgia and West Tennessee.
Memphis and Tulane also provide some of that "heart of the SEC" striking ability as well, but not as much. That said, we can still prove ourselves profitable independent of a Championship Game and it gives the Big 12 a reason to go to 14.
Houston IMO is maybe more unlikely than even UAB to get invited. Too much pressure to look outside the state of Texas and expand their recruiting and marketing reach.
We have no advantage over Houston or anyone else. This thread is fantasy land.
Wasn't Houston conference mates with Texas and Texas A&M once before?
We have an outside shot of filling an AAC slot if one of their teams is poached. Big12 won't happen unless there's an oil baron they plan on lending us as a sugar daddy booster.
(12-07-2015 12:05 AM)BandGrad Wrote: [ -> ]Wasn't Houston conference mates with Texas and Texas A&M once before?
Google "The SWC" then go wash your hands,; then say "Thank you Clean Gene" 3 times.
(12-07-2015 12:02 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]We have no advantage over Houston or anyone else. This thread is fantasy land.
+1
(12-07-2015 12:02 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]We have no advantage over Houston or anyone else. This thread is fantasy land.
I have to agree with this. We're so far down the totem pole that what the Big XII does only matters since it could cause a shift where some of our peers leave us behind again.
UAB is so far behind that it'd take more than just a couple of years. We had a chance to replicate some successful models, but obvious reasons prevented as much. As a direct result, we're probably about a decade away from even warranting a glance much less moving to a better conference.
On a lighter note, I don't believe that the Big XII expanding would relegate us to non power conferences forever. Birmingham is a major college football market, and, after this fiasco, I also believe we'd do whatever we have to do to stay at a FBS level no matter how much cost escalate. As far as making the jump goes, it really boils down to straight up dominating your conference for a good stretch, a heavy commitment from the administration, and luck.
I don't think being in Texas hurts Houston that much. Yeah, it's no doubt that the Big XII wants to expand their footprint, but there's nothing wrong with pulling in a quality program. I still think Memphis and Cincinnati are more likely, though. I think UConn is making really great strides, too. As far as replacements for any teams in the AAC go, we probably wouldn't even be in the top five.
With Memphis playing Auburn in the B'ham Bowl in a few weeks, they have an opportunity to show off / audition for an advancement in conference alignment. The Memphis paper over the holidays had details of a substantial upgrade to the Liberty Bowl stadium that will cost many millions, so they are in a good spot to advance in that regard. I believe Houston (and Tulane) just got a new stadium as well, and they have a history with many Big 12 teams. Both are geographically close to the existing Big 12 footprint.
If expanding their footprint is a priority, there are at least two Florida AAC schools they might consider as well.
(12-07-2015 01:04 AM)Hopeful Wrote: [ -> ] (12-07-2015 12:02 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]We have no advantage over Houston or anyone else. This thread is fantasy land.
I have to agree with this. We're so far down the totem pole that what the Big XII does only matters since it could cause a shift where some of our peers leave us behind again.
UAB is so far behind that it'd take more than just a couple of years. We had a chance to replicate some successful models, but obvious reasons prevented as much. As a direct result, we're probably about a decade away from even warranting a glance much less moving to a better conference.
"
Vastatio"
Ed Grimely, sorry I meant the BOT, mission accomplished.. "
I must say".
(12-06-2015 09:41 PM)hooverblazer Wrote: [ -> ]http://www.espn929.com/pages/22249014.php?
The Big 12 is hoping to be able to stage a conference championship game with only 10 members, but would have to get an NCAA bylaw changed to make that happen. If they're unsuccessful amending the bylaw the commissioner recently indicated they'd look at expansion.
If they expand now, I think that would be terrible timing from UAB's perspective. We have the potential to be an attractive candidate, but I think we need another 3-4 years to get football back up and running with a couple of successful seasons, new stadium finished, further basketball success, etc.
If the Big 12 expands soon, I fear we'll be permanently left behind...
Honestly any hopes at us being apart of another conference is slim to none now thanks to our genius president. UAB would be a huge risk for any conference to take us on. Our best hope is to come back and dominate in Football and Basketball and might get a chance at the AAC once the stadium and facilities are built.
Our best bet is Big 12 expansion waits till 2018-19. We need strong runs in basketball and two bowls under our belts, new stadium and facilities on line and we will move to the head of the line to take someone's spot in the AAC.
Had Watts not killed the program for two years Clark would have won the day on building facilities any way and we would be head of the pack now.
Ray Watts, the gift that keeps on giving.
(12-07-2015 01:04 AM)Hopeful Wrote: [ -> ] (12-07-2015 12:02 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]We have no advantage over Houston or anyone else. This thread is fantasy land.
As far as replacements for any teams in the AAC go, we probably wouldn't even be in the top five.
The Big 12 and the ACC are pipe dreams for now. Maybe things change down the line, but those are not likely anytime soon.
However, I can't believe we wouldn't be a major consideration for the AAC. With new facilities, a new stadium, and a new commitment to football, plus our market and basketball history, we would be an attractive candidate. I DO think we need the Big 12 to hold off a few years until we are up and running again, because the AAC will expand when the Big 12 does. So, if we can have a couple of strong years in football with great attendance in a shiny new stadium, our stock will rise fast. If the timing is right, we'll likely rejoin some old friends.
(12-07-2015 10:39 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote: [ -> ]Our best bet is Big 12 expansion waits till 2018-19. We need strong runs in basketball and two bowls under our belts, new stadium and facilities on line and we will move to the head of the line to take someone's spot in the AAC.
Had Watts not killed the program for two years Clark would have won the day on building facilities any way and we would be head of the pack now.
Ray Watts, the gift that keeps on giving.
Wuck Fatts!
(12-07-2015 12:05 AM)BandGrad Wrote: [ -> ]Wasn't Houston conference mates with Texas and Texas A&M once before?
Yes, in the old Southwest Conference. UT, aTm, Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech, SMU, UH, Rice, and Arkansas. Only Arkansas was outside of Texas, which was a big part of the death of the conference. The TV networks wanted more markets covered.