(02-28-2018 09:30 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  Rice already was in a western based conference. They like playing regional rivals. C-USA when they entered it was the best case scenario for them short of joining the Patriot League or a dreamt up Southern equivalent, the SWC or any current traditional power conference (all have schools Rice can identify with).

Key phrase: "when they entered it". The C-USA Rice joined is a shadow of its former self. Their regional rivals and institutional peers, Houston, SMU, Tulane, and Tulsa, are all gone to the American with little or no hope for the Owls to join them. The Mountain West is interested in Rice because of their academic prowess, and the articles I've read indicate Rice is mutually interested. TCU had enormous success as the lone (star) Texas outpost in the Mountain West, and I believe separating themselves from North Texas and UTSA and joining flagships (New Mexico, Wyoming, Hawaii, Nevada) is a good thing for Rice and something they'd want. Plus, travel budget is a non-factor and academically it's a step-up.