[Pac-12 Expansion: Big-12 Teams for the Taking?]

The issue with Houston is that they have a very small fan base. 

 

[Pac-12 Expansion: Big-12 Teams for the Taking?]

Great point HipHopfroggy. Just want to point out TECH has been historically bad during 2015-2019. But with Joey McGuire I believe things are looking up. 

[Pac-12 Expansion: Big-12 Teams for the Taking?]

I would have guessed 6 & 7th would be acceptable. That plus it opens up recruiting in the state of Texas. Also it expands the PAC12 TV network.  

 

[Pac-12 Expansion: Big-12 Teams for the Taking?]

Not that stadium size matters all that much but it is a strong indicator of fan support. 

 

Football stadium size. 

TECH: 60,454

OSU: 55,509

Kansas: 50,250

Baylor: 45,140

TCU: 45,000

Houston: 40,000

 

Basketball arenas

Kansas: 16,300

TECH: 15,030

OSU: 13,611

Baylor: 10,347

TCU: 8,500

Houston: 7,100 

 

Yes I will concede that geography matters, but it doesn't necessary correlate to fan support. TCU, SMU, RICE, for just a few schools who cant even fill their stadiums or arenas.  This is why I hope the PAC12 would consider TECH, OSU & Kansas. These three schools have great fan support and are growing. Houston is a gamble, but I'm sure with P5 access they will rise to the occasion. If not Houston, BYU or Baylor would be great pick ups. 

 

Also it does bring back a few old rivalries, not big ones but rivalries nonetheless.

OSU vs Colorado (Old BIG8) 

KU vs Colorado  (Old BIG8)

TECH vs Arizona (Border Conference)

TECH vs Arizona St (Border Conference)

[Pac-12 Expansion: Big-12 Teams for the Taking?]

PAC12 should kill the BIG12 now by adding Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Kansas & Houston. 

 

If Kliavkoff could convince the PAC12 presidents to invite these programs is would kill the BIG12 and solidify the P4. By adding these schools the conference could expand the PAC12 footprint all the way to Kansas City & Houston.  Why these 4 programs. Simply put they are by far the 3 most popular fans bases in the BIG12. Yes they are not TEXAS or Oklahoma. But at the same time they are not Boise St, Fresno St, Hawaii, Wyoming, either.

 

Kansas basketball is must watch TV, with a national following. Texas Tech is by far the 3rd most popular university in Texas, and the 2nd largest alumni base in DFW.  University of Houston is the fastest growing university in Texas but also the fastest growing city in Texas with over 2.5 million people. By adding Kansas, Tech & Houston along with Arizona & UCLA pac12 basketball would be must watch TV. Football would improve as well. Obviously Kansas would be the outlier. Below are just a few random facts.

 

All are Tier 1 universities

Kansas is Tier 1 & AAU

 

State Population

Texas: over 30 Million

Oklahoma: 4 Million

Kanas (Kansas City): 3 Million/Missouri: 6 Million. As you know Lawrence is within 20 Miles of Kansas City. And the vast majority of College sports fans in Kansas City are University of Kansas fans not Missouri fans.

 

Student Size

Oklahoma St: 26,000

Texas Tech: 41,000. 

Kansas: 29,000

Houston: 45,000

 

Endowments:

Kansas: 1.8Billion

Texas Tech: 1.6Billion

OSU: 1.3 Billion

Houston: 1.0billion 

 

Potential year rivalry games vs SEC. Big TV money for the Pac12.

OSU vs Oklahoma

Kansas vs Missouri

Tech vs Texas