Don't laugh too hard but I had a completely improbable thought regarding realignment. It's no secret that the divide in our nation is growing. Some states are boycotting other states over all kinds of different issues. Even right now, some Texas politicians have flown out of the state to avoid debating legislation in Austin. Without getting into personal politics.... What if the political divide forced realignment. Say the Texas legislature were to mandate that all of its FBS state funded universities conference together. It is highly improbable, but at this point who knows what is possible. If it were to happen, what private Texas FBS programs or even programs outside of Texas might consider a spot in this conference?

State Mandated Texas Conference
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Houston
North Texas
UTEP
UTSA
Texas State

If there was a political hand forcing conference affiliation, I doubt Texas A&M would be kept from the SEC. Too many political similarities. In fact, all the Texas schools are in generally “geographically conservative” conferences.

Most of the political pressure in the state of Texas is coming from the university systems and not the state government... at least in the 'era' since the end of the Southwest Conference and formation of the Big 12 when the politicos were able to keep Baylor lumped with the Big 12 schools.

Depending who you ask, the folks in the Texas A&M System are antsy to get a few more of the schools within their system to the NCAA Division I level and could very well play into effect with some of the upcoming WAC and/or Southland expansion plans. The head of the TAMU system John Sharp is also the biggest proponent out there of the A&M - Corpus / A&M - Kingsville merger which would likely net a NCAA Division I football program for the combined school.

And while you referenced public schools in your initial post, again - think Baylor/Big 12 - there are people in play in Texas politics who have very huge interests in what happens at a school like Baylor or SMU & TCU.

(07-14-2021 11:57 AM)BePcr07 Wrote:  If there was a political hand forcing conference affiliation, I doubt Texas A&M would be kept from the SEC. Too many political similarities. In fact, all the Texas schools are in generally “geographically conservative” conferences.

This is currently true, but things change and aligning the Texas FBS public universities together into one Texas centric conference could help prevent future issues. While I don't think it is anywhere close to the Governor's or legislature's agenda, I could see where it could be something they look at.

The fact is the state legislature holds the purse strings for all Texas public universities. Texas athletics may bring in $200 million a year, but the Texas legislature awards UT an annual operating budget of over $3 billion and appoints all of the members to their board of regents that governs over the university. The same is true at all the other state universities in Texas.

The Big 12 doesn't have a team in it from a blue state (from the 2020 presidential election).

The SEC has just one team from a blue state (Georgia). Same with CUSA (Virginia).

I'm not sure of the Sun Belt current affiliation but Georgia might be the only state there too considered a blue state for now.

I doubt political divide would ever create a scenario like the one you suggest. But I suppose it might be a reason UT never joins the Pac 12?

(07-14-2021 07:01 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  The Big 12 doesn't have a team in it from a blue state (from the 2020 presidential election).

The SEC has just one team from a blue state (Georgia). Same with CUSA (Virginia).

I'm not sure of the Sun Belt current affiliation but Georgia might be the only state there too considered a blue state for now.

I doubt political divide would ever create a scenario like the one you suggest. But I suppose it might be a reason UT never joins the Pac 12?

The topic was just a crazy idea I had after reading about the political issues in Austin. In my opinion, Texas, Texas A&M, and Tech Texas would hate it, while all the other public universities in Texas would be quite happy. Would Rice want in if a comparable scenario were to occur?

To you last point, I have always felt that the Texas legislature would never approve Texas moving to the PAC.

(07-14-2021 11:54 AM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  State Mandated Texas Conference
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Houston
North Texas
UTEP
UTSA
Texas State

Each of TCU, Baylor, SMU and Rice would get selected over North texas, UTep UTsa and Texas State.

I don't know why you stopped at 8 when there are so many other schools in FBS in Texas.

North
-----
Texas
Texas Tech
UTep
SMU
TCU
North Texas

South
-----
Texas A&M
Baylor
Houston
Rice
UTsa
Texas State

(07-15-2021 12:04 AM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(07-14-2021 11:54 AM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  Don't laugh too hard but I had a completely improbable thought regarding realignment. It's no secret that the divide in our nation is growing. Some states are boycotting other states over all kinds of different issues. Even right now, some Texas politicians have flown out of the state to avoid debating legislation in Austin. Without getting into personal politics.... What if the political divide forced realignment. Say the Texas legislature were to mandate that all of its FBS state funded universities conference together. It is highly improbable, but at this point who knows what is possible. If it were to happen, what private Texas FBS programs or even programs outside of Texas might consider a spot in this conference?

State Mandated Texas Conference
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Houston
North Texas
UTEP
UTSA
Texas State

Each of TCU, Baylor, SMU and Rice would get selected over North texas, UTep UTsa and Texas State.

I don't know why you stopped at 8 when there are so many other schools in FBS in Texas.

North
-----
Texas
Texas Tech
UTep
SMU
TCU
North Texas

South
-----
Texas A&M
Baylor
Houston
Rice
UTsa
Texas State

This topic had nothing to do with selection. The Texas legislature can't force private FBS programs in Texas to join anything. The 8 I listed are all of the public state funded FBS universities in Texas. If you read the paragraph you omitted at the beginning of my original post you would have known this.

I’ll bite.

Big 12 is decimated. I just can’t see Oklahoma rebuilding or moving to the Texas conference. For simplicity’s sake, then and maybe 1 other split to Big Ten or SEC (doesn’t really matter which).

The next question is what do the AAC teams do? Likely the 6-team Big 12 asks for the 6 best teams to join and this cascades and we get Conference USA 4.0.

That Texas conference? Not strong enough to pull an SEC team in and I dare say too big already for Texas to suffer another non-Power team. They stand pat at 8 and maybe even go do divisions and 6 games just to stick it to the legislature and give teams more OOC opportunities.

(07-15-2021 05:30 AM)Crayton Wrote:  I’ll bite.

Big 12 is decimated. I just can’t see Oklahoma rebuilding or moving to the Texas conference. For simplicity’s sake, then and maybe 1 other split to Big Ten or SEC (doesn’t really matter which).

The next question is what do the AAC teams do? Likely the 6-team Big 12 asks for the 6 best teams to join and this cascades and we get Conference USA 4.0.

That Texas conference? Not strong enough to pull an SEC team in and I dare say too big already for Texas to suffer another non-Power team. They stand pat at 8 and maybe even go do divisions and 6 games just to stick it to the legislature and give teams more OOC opportunities.

I don't think the Big12 would be decimated. The Texas legislature could only force Texas and Texas Tech to leave. All the others would still be together. If anything, Texas being gone might make it easier for Oklahoma to lure Missouri and Nebraska back. So, TCU and Baylor, would probably pass on a invitation to the Texas conference, and stay with the Big12.

Houston would almost certainly jump at the chance to conference with Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech. They would hold their nose and tolerate the inclusion of UNT, UTEP, UTSA, and Texas State.

Eight teams would be enough for this Texas conference.

(07-14-2021 07:01 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  The Big 12 doesn't have a team in it from a blue state (from the 2020 presidential election).

The SEC has just one team from a blue state (Georgia). Same with CUSA (Virginia).

I'm not sure of the Sun Belt current affiliation but Georgia might be the only state there too considered a blue state for now.

I doubt political divide would ever create a scenario like the one you suggest. But I suppose it might be a reason UT never joins the Pac 12?

B1G is the most politically "diverse" P5

Blue States (Clinton/Biden)
Illinois
Northwestern
Minnesota
Rutgers
Maryland

Purple States (Trump/Biden)
Wisconsin
Michigan
Michigan State
Penn State

Red States (Trump/Trump)
Nebraska
Iowa
Ohio State
Indiana
Purdue



So 5 Blue States Schools, 5 Red State Schools, and 4 Purple State Schools

Can't get more even than that.

ACC is next

4 Blue State Schools, 2 Purple State Schools, 9 Red State Schools




Pac-12 has 9 Blue State Schools, 2 Purple State Schools and 1 Red State School

(07-15-2021 03:27 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(07-14-2021 07:01 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  The Big 12 doesn't have a team in it from a blue state (from the 2020 presidential election).

The SEC has just one team from a blue state (Georgia). Same with CUSA (Virginia).

I'm not sure of the Sun Belt current affiliation but Georgia might be the only state there too considered a blue state for now.

I doubt political divide would ever create a scenario like the one you suggest. But I suppose it might be a reason UT never joins the Pac 12?

B1G is the most politically "diverse" P5

Blue States (Clinton/Biden)
Illinois
Northwestern
Minnesota
Rutgers
Maryland

Purple States (Trump/Biden)
Wisconsin
Michigan
Michigan State
Penn State

Red States (Trump/Trump)
Nebraska
Iowa
Ohio State
Indiana
Purdue



So 5 Blue States Schools, 5 Red State Schools, and 4 Purple State Schools

Can't get more even than that.

ACC is next

4 Blue State Schools, 2 Purple State Schools, 9 Red State Schools




Pac-12 has 9 Blue State Schools, 2 Purple State Schools and 1 Red State School

Thanks for the analysis, that is interesting! I don't see a Clinton-Trump list under the Purple, but I imagine that none of the states in questions went that direction.

(07-16-2021 11:12 AM)Soobahk40050 Wrote:  Thanks for the analysis, that is interesting! I don't see a Clinton-Trump list under the Purple, but I imagine that none of the states in questions went that direction.

No state in the nation went that direction.

I get it

You want some highly implausible scenario where UNT is elevated to equal athletic status with A&M and UT and get to sell students and recruits on playing them annually. Hell, TT would be about as well known as West Texas A&M is if they hadn’t lucked into exactly that situation so it’s not like I can’t understand your desire for it for your school.

But there’s implausible and then there’s “The Legislature demands that A&M leave the most conservative conference in the country to be in a league full of schools from deep, deep blue cities that were all about lockdowns, censorship, voter fraud and mask mandates because somehow that will make a better political match”

(07-18-2021 04:38 PM)10thMountain Wrote:  I get it

You want some highly implausible scenario where UNT is elevated to equal athletic status with A&M and UT and get to sell students and recruits on playing them annually. Hell, TT would be about as well known as West Texas A&M is if they hadn’t lucked into exactly that situation so it’s not like I can’t understand your desire for it for your school.

But there’s implausible and then there’s “The Legislature demands that A&M leave the most conservative conference in the country to be in a league full of schools from deep, deep blue cities that were all about lockdowns, censorship, voter fraud and mask mandates because somehow that will make a better political match”

No, the idea is that it allows the state to gain more control over these state funded universities. Reeling in state funded educational institutions from liberal leadership and faculty is actually a big issue within the conservative movement. So I could see where the Texas legislature would see the benefit from a political perspective. Gaining more control at the state universities would be the major motivating factor behind such a move by the Governor and legislature. But, there are other benefits to the state. By forcing the state FBS programs to conference together, Texas can somewhat insulate its 8 state programs' seasons from a possible reemergence of COVID. Last season schedules were all over the place because different states had different criteria for playing games in their state. This would eliminate some of those possibilities. Also, the state can claim they are saving the Texas tax payers money, by lower travel costs for these FBS programs. I understand your dislike of this scenario, but there is a lot of division in America right now, and Texas doesn't play well with some of those more liberal states. So at some point, this may be an option Texas takes a look at.

The powers that be in Austin would never, ever, ever, ever, mandate that UT hook up with Texas State or UNT.

(07-19-2021 04:12 PM)OscarWildeCat Wrote:  The powers that be in Austin would never, ever, ever, ever, mandate that UT hook up with Texas State or UNT.

Have you been to Austin lately? There are homeless people everywhere. People strung out on drugs wandering aimlessly. As the problems mount, I don't know what the legislators might consider mandating. I'm not saying it will happen, just that at some point if the divide continues, they may look at an option like this.

(07-19-2021 04:49 PM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  

(07-19-2021 04:12 PM)OscarWildeCat Wrote:  The powers that be in Austin would never, ever, ever, ever, mandate that UT hook up with Texas State or UNT.

Have you been to Austin lately? There are homeless people everywhere. People strung out on drugs wandering aimlessly. As the problems mount, I don't know what the legislators might consider mandating. I'm not saying it will happen, just that at some point if the divide continues, they may look at an option like this.

This non sequitur is ridiculous. "There are homeless people in Austin so the Texas legislature might require UT to play North Texas." What the hell?

(07-16-2021 11:12 AM)Soobahk40050 Wrote:  

(07-15-2021 03:27 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(07-14-2021 07:01 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  The Big 12 doesn't have a team in it from a blue state (from the 2020 presidential election).

The SEC has just one team from a blue state (Georgia). Same with CUSA (Virginia).

I'm not sure of the Sun Belt current affiliation but Georgia might be the only state there too considered a blue state for now.

I doubt political divide would ever create a scenario like the one you suggest. But I suppose it might be a reason UT never joins the Pac 12?

B1G is the most politically "diverse" P5

Blue States (Clinton/Biden)
Illinois
Northwestern
Minnesota
Rutgers
Maryland

Purple States (Trump/Biden)
Wisconsin
Michigan
Michigan State
Penn State

Red States (Trump/Trump)
Nebraska
Iowa
Ohio State
Indiana
Purdue



So 5 Blue States Schools, 5 Red State Schools, and 4 Purple State Schools

Can't get more even than that.

ACC is next

4 Blue State Schools, 2 Purple State Schools, 9 Red State Schools




Pac-12 has 9 Blue State Schools, 2 Purple State Schools and 1 Red State School

Thanks for the analysis, that is interesting! I don't see a Clinton-Trump list under the Purple, but I imagine that none of the states in questions went that direction.

There were no states won by Clinton in 2016 that Trump won in 2020

Your scenario makes no sense. “We have to protect A&M from the liberals that run South Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi by forcing them to play schools in deep, deep blue Texas cities completely run by Marxists!”?

I’d be all for purging our universities of Leftys and their Marxist curriculum but that has ZERO to do with athletics

Look, I get it, but this is all hypothetical so just say “What if Martians landed in Austin and forced A&M to play UNT every year or they blow up the earth”