"One has to also factor in the increased competition and parity nationwide and within Texas that emerged immediately following that 13-year period. Baylor slipped a notch, but DBU, SHS, Texas State, TCU, the Aggies and, more recently, Texas Tech, all elevated their programs."

This is a key point to me which is the first time I have seen it brought out in this discussion. Baylor looks like it may have recovered from their Steve Smith dark period and might be on a true upward trend. UH is finally better year in and year out but still not national caliber. But right now you have TCU as the class of Texas, followed by Tech, Texas (with a huge upward arrow), A&M (hard not to be good year and year out but still chasing true national stature), DBU (how do they do it with their tuition costs with room, board, and other fees combined, total cost of attendance is $36,374 USD), Sam (who seems to have a really good replacement for Pierce...Bobby Williams does make great hires in all sports after his coaches are poached), and UH. I don't consider Texas State a real contender for best in class for Texas. The point is that it isn't just our decline in national stature that hurts it is that our in state competition has been improving.