If the power 5 were to leave

[Galway Eagle]

Who would then be considered the blue bloods? I mean obviously it's not like Duke and Kansas etc are just dropping their programs but in the NCAA tournament what programs do you think would suddenly be known as the top dogs, head honchos, big cheese?

[GGGG]

None of them.  It would basically become the equivalent of FCS...schools fighting to be the North Dakota State of college basketball.

[EnderWiggen]

None of them.  It would basically become the equivalent of FCS...schools fighting to be the North Dakota State of college basketball.

/thread

[Galway Eagle]

None of them.  It would basically become the equivalent of FCS...schools fighting to be the North Dakota State of college basketball.

But fcs never had any good programs I mean there's still be some pretty big powerhouses left for the NCAA tournament. 

[GGGG]

But fcs never had any good programs I mean there's still be some pretty big powerhouses left for the NCAA tournament. 

But, in a relative sense, no one is going to care.  Sure the first few years it will be interesting, but eventually the Power 5 will generate most of the money and attract almost all of the top prospects. 

[GooooMarquette]

Hard to be a blue blood without ever winning it all...so back to the original question...UConn (4 titles), Cinci (2), San Francisco (2), MU (1), GTown (1), Nova (1), UNLV (1), Loyola (1), LaSalle (1), CCNY (1) and Holy Cross (1) are the only non-"Power 5" teams to have won NCAA titles.  

When you combine this past history with recent success and consistent performance, I think you'd have to call UConn, Cinci, MU, GTown and Nova the "blue bloods."  I could also see an argument for Memphis, which has never won, but was runner up twice and has a long history of being a solid program.  Programs like Gonzaga, Xavier and Butler also come to mind, but would seem like a stretch.  Others I missed?

[JoeSmith1721]

Hard to be a blue blood without ever winning it all...so back to the original question...UConn (4 titles), Cinci (2), San Francisco (2), MU (1), GTown (1), Nova (1), UNLV (1), Loyola (1), LaSalle (1), CCNY (1) and Holy Cross (1) are the only non-"Power 5" teams to have won NCAA titles.  

When you combine this past history with recent success and consistent performance, I think you'd have to call UConn, Cinci, MU, GTown and Nova the "blue bloods."  I could also see an argument for Memphis, which has never won, but was runner up twice and has a long history of being a solid program.  Programs like Gonzaga, Xavier and Butler also come to mind, but would seem like a stretch.  Others I missed?

Dayton

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Haven't really been paying attention to any of this. I understand the power 5 frustration with the NCAA but this would honestly be the worst thing for all college athletics not named football. Really unfortunate amateur athletics has come to this.

[Galway Eagle]

Dayton

Fify

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

It wouldn't be us. We would go with the power 5.

[Galway Eagle]

It wouldn't be us. We would go with the power 5.

How would we manage that? Just say no to football money?

[GoldenWarrior11]

No one, not the P5, not the G5, not the networks, not leagues, will be changing the NCAA tournament.  There is way too much money going around for anyone to tamper with it.  The NCAA is currently in the beginning of a 14-year, $10.8 Billion contract, with over $740 million annually to colleges.

Marquette, as well as the Big East, will not be left behind.  The conference, via athletic directors, presidents and the commissioner, have all gone on record saying they will do whatever it takes to compete with the P5 with regards to benefits to athletes.  With the new Fox contact the schools have, and the huge amount of money each university is making as a result of it, this should cause no concern.

Frankly, my biggest concern regarding Marquette basketball is where the team will be playing after the Bradley Center, but that is a topic for another thread...

Rest easy with the P5 debate, fellas.  It doesn't concern or affect us in basketball.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

How would we manage that? Just say no to football money?

See GoldenWarrior's post. Whatever they offer in basketball we can match and even exceed. I have confidence that the Big East, Atlantic Ten, and WCC would get invites to come with the power 5 if they were to do a full split from the NCAA. I really don't think that the split is happening anyway. The power 5 will get the powers they are asking for and be placated, at least for the next 14 or so years.

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

Doesn't college football thrive on having as many eyeballs on the screen as possible? I'm just not sure that isolating themselves to the graduates of ~50-60 schools is the best marketing plan.

Look at the NFL. It seems to me that it thrives because every hick in the country associates himself with a team, even if he's 200 or 500 miles away from where they play.

Will an organization that has a fanbase of just the graduates of these schools work? I mean I understand that each of these taxpayer financed public universities has 40,000 students, but still.

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

Of course I say that knowing that every UW-Waukesha graduate thinks he went to Madison.

[GGGG]

Doesn't college football thrive on having as many eyeballs on the screen as possible? I'm just not sure that isolating themselves to the graduates of ~50-60 schools is the best marketing plan.

Look at the NFL. It seems to me that it thrives because every hick in the country associates himself with a team, even if he's 200 or 500 miles away from where they play.

Will an organization that has a fanbase of just the graduates of these schools work? I mean I understand that each of these taxpayer financed public universities has 40,000 students, but still.

Most major college football fanbases are much larger than its alumni base.  The Power 5 probably get 90% of the eyeballs that watch college football.

[Galway Eagle]

Most major college football fanbases are much larger than its alumni base.  The Power 5 probably get 90% of the eyeballs that watch college football.

Yes but before TCU went to the big twelve it was probably only 85%

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

Most major college football fanbases are much larger than its alumni base.  The Power 5 probably get 90% of the eyeballs that watch college football.

They do now, but would that continue? Are people who have no affiliation with the school going to resent that these schools have separated themselves from the unwashed masses?

Maybe it's a question of whether people are dumb enough to buy into being a fan of an elite organization that has set itself apart.

One of my non-MU roommates in college (fellow Wisconsin native) was a supposed UK fan, so I guess the answer is yes.

[GGGG]

They do now, but would that continue? Are people who have no affiliation with the school going to resent that these schools have separated themselves from the unwashed masses?

Of course.  Do you think most college football fans care that the likes of Middle Tennessee is getting left behind?

Maybe it's a question of whether people are dumb enough to buy into being a fan of an elite organization that has set itself apart.

I'm a fan of college football.  I enjoy watching the top teams playing in front of the big crowds on a Saturday afternoon and evening.  I will continue to watch that regardless of the fate of the Sun Belt, CUSA and MAC.

[Aughnanure]

Of course.  Do you think most college football fans care that the likes of Middle Tennessee is getting left behind?


I'm a fan of college football.  I enjoy watching the top teams playing in front of the big crowds on a Saturday afternoon and evening.  I will continue to watch that regardless of the fate of the Sun Belt, CUSA and MAC.

I agree in principle, but I think you're missing something. Yes, many people are graduates of schools that are in the P5, but there are many many many more that are not. If the Power 5 really do just say F- You and Go Home, there is going to widespread resentment and backlash directed at them. There's a lot of schools, particularly in the West that would be cut out of this, like Boise St, BYU, Wyoming, Memphis, Cinci, UAB, East Carolina, with large alumni bases that DO care about their team.

There's a point where cutting too much will prove to be too much, and actually damage the overall product and interest.

[GGGG]

I agree in principle, but I think you're missing something. Yes, many people are graduates of schools that are in the P5, but there are many many many more that are not. If the Power 5 really do just say F- You and Go Home, there is going to widespread resentment and backlash directed at them. There's a lot of schools, particularly in the West that would be cut out of this, like Boise St, BYU, Wyoming, Memphis, Cinci, UAB, East Carolina, with large alumni bases that DO care about their team.

I simply don't think the resentment and backlash would be all that widespread. 

[Groin_pull]

The Big East will probably survive this shakeout, but it will slide down in the pecking order. Get ready to hear a lot of "Big East is a mid-major" from the talking heads at ESPN, etc.

I'm sure it has already started on the recruiting trail. I would guess that coaches from the Big 5 conferences are constantly reminding our recruits that MU is now on a lower tier. The Big East is being lumped with the A-10, MWC, and AAC.

I thought the goal of every sports league—college and pro—was to draw as many fans to stadiums and TVs as possible. Hard to see how all of this is good for the long-term health of college sports.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'm sure it has already started on the recruiting trail. I would guess that coaches from the Big 5 conferences are constantly reminding our recruits that MU is now on a lower tier. The Big East is being lumped with the A-10, MWC, and AAC.

I'm sure it is, but it doesn't seem to be working, at least not yet. BEast came in second (behind the ACC) for most RSCI Top 100 recruits in 2014. And that's with only 10 teams. Recruits aren't fooled.

[Groin_pull]

I simply don't think the resentment and backlash would be all that widespread. 

If I was running college sports, I'd be worried less about resentment and backlash and more about a rising disinterest.

As more schools—and their fans—get squeezed out of the picture, those same fans will find something else to spend their time and money on.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I thought the goal of every sports league—college and pro—was to draw as many fans to stadiums and TVs as possible. Hard to see how all of this is good for the long-term health of college sports.

It's not about the league. It's about the conferences. Right now most college football fans watch the power 5 but millions more don't. They watch the MWCs, AACs, and CUSAs of the world. You cut out those conferences and all of the sudden everyone has to watch the power 5 if they want any college football at all. The conferences can then charge more.

That's a dumbed down version, but that's their hope in a nutshell. All about the benjamins.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

If I was running college sports, I'd be worried less about resentment and backlash and more about a rising disinterest.

As more schools—and their fans—get squeezed out of the picture, those same fans will find something else to spend their time and money on.

And that's the big question. The power 5 think that once the other schools are eliminated, they will become fans of power 5 schools. Plus, with no competition they can charge the crap out of power 5 alums.

[Groin_pull]

And that's the big question. The power 5 think that once the other schools are eliminated, they will become fans of power 5 schools. Plus, with no competition they can charge the crap out of power 5 alums.

I think the Power 5 are in for a rude awakening if that's what they're counting on. I can't imagine Memphis fans/alums will automatically start rooting for—and spending money on—Tennessee football. And that's just one of many, many, many examples across the country. Bringing it closer to home. If MU is pushed aside, there is no way on God's green earth that I would automatically start rooting for the Vadgers. 

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

I thought the goal of every sports league—college and pro—was to draw as many fans to stadiums and TVs as possible. Hard to see how all of this is good for the long-term health of college sports.

It's a typical example of people who want to make as much money as possible, damn the consequences for the future, IMO. "Don't get greedy" would apply here.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think the Power 5 are in for a rude awakening if that's what they're counting on. I can't imagine Memphis fans/alums will automatically start rooting for—and spending money on—Tennessee football. And that's just one of many, many, many examples across the country. Bringing it closer to home. If MU is pushed aside, there is no way on God's green earth that I would automatically start rooting for the Vadgers. 

I really hope that is the case. I really do. But I don't think it is.

Look at UW-Whitewater fans. They are all die hard badger fans even though their school's football team doesn't get any attention. I worked for D2 Grand Valley State. We won back to back championships in football but all anyone cared about was how the Wolverines sucked that season or that Michigan State had a chance at the Rose Bowl.

I think there might be some outrage at first but it will die down. The sad truth is, in many cases, this transition has already happened. University of Houston students are bigger Aggie and Longhorn fans than they are Cougar fans. UL-Lafayette and Monroe fans care a helluva lot more about LSU's season, than their own. FIU, FAU, and hell, even USF fans are split between Miami, Florida, and Florida State. Sure if their alma mater is good that year, they will get excited. But if they have a down year, they automatically tune out and see what the big state schools are doing.

This is just for football btw. I don't think basketball will change this much.

[Aughnanure]

The most short-sighted part of this by the P5 (why am I calling them by the name they gave themselves?) is that with 65 teams, more and more of them will have poorer seasons.

...and not just not making a bowl-game bad, but like 2-11 bad, especially if they only play themselves as 69% of the coaches surveyed by ESPN said.

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

I don't have a lot of faith in humanity, so I think TAMU's fears are warranted.

I also wonder if the P5 will try / already accomplished to get as large a % of fan bases as possible so that when the split happens, it truly will be a very limited number of people who care or are turned off.

Getting the total # of times higher helps with that, but of course decreases revenue per school as more crap schools take away TV dollars.

[Groin_pull]

I really hope that is the case. I really do. But I don't think it is.

Look at UW-Whitewater fans. They are all die hard badger fans even though their school's football team doesn't get any attention. I worked for D2 Grand Valley State. We won back to back championships in football but all anyone cared about was how the Wolverines sucked that season or that Michigan State had a chance at the Rose Bowl.

I think there might be some outrage at first but it will die down. The sad truth is, in many cases, this transition has already happened. University of Houston students are bigger Aggie and Longhorn fans than they are Cougar fans. UL-Lafayette and Monroe fans care a helluva lot more about LSU's season, than their own. FIU, FAU, and hell, even USF fans are split between Miami, Florida, and Florida State. Sure if their alma mater is good that year, they will get excited. But if they have a down year, they automatically tune out and see what the big state schools are doing.

This is just for football btw. I don't think basketball will change this much.

Hmmmmm. You might be right. I guess my opinion is influenced by where I live. Out here in the Bay Area, people barely care about Cal or Stanford. Too many other things to do. I guess you still see that unwavering passion for most of the schools in the Big 10 and SEC.

I don't want to suggest that college football will vanish. It obviously won't (although with more and more parents refusing to lets their kids play, football may be in trouble...but that's another discussion). But I do think you're starting to see students/alums/fans move away from college football and basketball. Fewer students are going to games. Heck, even Michigan and LSU are having problems selling tickets. Wow. And Duke basketball has struggled to sell out some games in recent years.

Basically, I wonder if the next generation gives a damn about sports like we older guys do.

[GGGG]

I don't want to suggest that college football will vanish. It obviously won't (although with more and more parents refusing to lets their kids play, football may be in trouble...but that's another discussion). But I do think you're starting to see students/alums/fans move away from college football and basketball. Fewer students are going to games. Heck, even Michigan and LSU are having problems selling tickets. Wow. And Duke basketball has struggled to sell out some games in recent years.

Basically, I wonder if the next generation gives a damn about sports like we older guys do.

I think its more about the high quality of the television product than disinterest in the sport. 

[Groin_pull]

I think its more about the high quality of the television product than disinterest in the sport. 

Good point. But I also see fewer hard-core fanatics among today's students. Again, maybe that's just a West Coast thing.

However, I'm struck by a scene from the movie, 21 Jump Street, when Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill go back to school. When they were originally in high school, Tatum was the popular jock and Hill was the nerdy outsider. When they return, the jocks are now looked down on...and the nerds are the cool kids. I think there's a lot of truth in that.

Seems like fewer young people live and die with college or pro sports. Again, just my personal insight.
 

[Galway Eagle]

Good point. But I also see fewer hard-core fanatics among today's students. Again, maybe that's just a West Coast thing.

However, I'm struck by a scene from the movie, 21 Jump Street, when Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill go back to school. When they were originally in high school, Tatum was the popular jock and Hill was the nerdy outsider. When they return, the jocks are now looked down on...and the nerds are the cool kids. I think there's a lot of truth in that.

Seems like fewer young people live and die with college or pro sports. Again, just my personal insight.
 

One of my most favorite scenes.  It's also a bit true.  When I was a super senior at MU the freshmen that were bringing all the girls were very granola people. I mean they still played sports and watched them but not to the level I remember.  I know when I was in HS if you were a jock (I ran cross country and played varsity lacrosse 3yrs) you still needed to like music and stuff in order to be "in".  So I think it's been a slow transition. 

[Groin_pull]

One of my most favorite scenes.  It's also a bit true.  When I was a super senior at MU the freshmen that were bringing all the girls were very granola people. I mean they still played sports and watched them but not to the level I remember.  I know when I was in HS if you were a jock (I ran cross country and played varsity lacrosse 3yrs) you still needed to like music and stuff in order to be "in".  So I think it's been a slow transition. 

You must be younger than me. When I was in HS, it was 100% about sports. I played basketball and baseball. As jocks, we owned the school and were practically worshipped. Today, I'm probably not making it through the door at the popular parties.

Guess I'm just a dinosaur whose time has come and gone.

[Galway Eagle]

You must be younger than me. When I was in HS, it was 100% about sports. I played basketball and baseball. As jocks, we owned the school and were practically worshipped. Today, I'm probably not making it through the door at the popular parties.

Guess I'm just a dinosaur whose time has come and gone.

Well my super senior year ended this past may so I'd assume I'm one of the younger posters on the board.  It's also possible I just went to a very "unique" high school and lloydmooreslegs would probably vouch for the HS being "unique"

[Texas Western]

I really hope that is the case. I really do. But I don't think it is.

Look at UW-Whitewater fans. They are all die hard badger fans even though their school's football team doesn't get any attention. I worked for D2 Grand Valley State. We won back to back championships in football but all anyone cared about was how the Wolverines sucked that season or that Michigan State had a chance at the Rose Bowl.

I think there might be some outrage at first but it will die down. The sad truth is, in many cases, this transition has already happened. University of Houston students are bigger Aggie and Longhorn fans than they are Cougar fans. UL-Lafayette and Monroe fans care a helluva lot more about LSU's season, than their own. FIU, FAU, and hell, even USF fans are split between Miami, Florida, and Florida State. Sure if their alma mater is good that year, they will get excited. But if they have a down year, they automatically tune out and see what the big state schools are doing.

This is just for football btw. I don't think basketball will change this much.

The Grand Valley State example is a good one. I agree with you that they are an afterthought in the greater scheme of things in Michigan. But over a long period of time the consistent success of all their sports program has driven to the school to greater visibility among potential applicants and they now enroll close to 25,000 students.

When I look at a school like Houston, the real killer for them was the death of the old Southwest Conference and all its traditional rivalries. We are very lucky here at MU to have created the New Big East on our own terms with like minded institutions. I continue to believe over time our conference and the rivalries that develop will be on of our key assets.

[Galway Eagle]

The Grand Valley State example is a good one. I agree with you that they are an afterthought in the greater scheme of things in Michigan. But over a long period of time the consistent success of all their sports program has driven to the school to greater visibility among potential applicants and they now enroll close to 25,000 students.

When I look at a school like Houston, the real killer for them was the death of the old Southwest Conference and all its traditional rivalries. We are very lucky here at MU to have created the New Big East on our own terms with like minded institutions. I continue to believe over time our conference and the rivalries that develop will be on of our key assets.

I thought Houston was hit with NCAA sanctions? Maybe this is completely false and I dreamed it.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I thought Houston was hit with NCAA sanctions? Maybe this is completely false and I dreamed it.

I think you're thinking of SMU

[tower912]

The Grand Valley State example is a good one. I agree with you that they are an afterthought in the greater scheme of things in Michigan. But over a long period of time the consistent success of all their sports program has driven to the school to greater visibility among potential applicants and they now enroll close to 25,000 students.

Having looked at Grand Valley in 1983-84 and turned down my parents offer of a car if I went there instead of MU, and then having lived near it since 1989, I can agree that athletics are part of the growth, but an even larger reason for the expansion is the insular nature of west Michigan.   

[Texas Western]

Having looked at Grand Valley in 1983-84 and turned down my parents offer of a car if I went there instead of MU, and then having lived near it since 1989, I can agree that athletics are part of the growth, but an even larger reason for the expansion is the insular nature of west Michigan.   

Agreed. I do think they feed on each other though.

[brandx]

You must be younger than me. When I was in HS, it was 100% about sports. I played basketball and baseball. As jocks, we owned the school and were practically worshipped. Today, I'm probably not making it through the door at the popular parties.

Guess I'm just a dinosaur whose time has come and gone.

Same here. I was popular because I was an athlete - certainly not for my charming personality. But the smartest nerd.... he didn't have a chance with the girls.

[GooooMarquette]

I really hope that is the case. I really do. But I don't think it is.

Look at UW-Whitewater fans. They are all die hard badger fans even though their school's football team doesn't get any attention. I worked for D2 Grand Valley State. We won back to back championships in football but all anyone cared about was how the Wolverines sucked that season or that Michigan State had a chance at the Rose Bowl.

I think there might be some outrage at first but it will die down. The sad truth is, in many cases, this transition has already happened. University of Houston students are bigger Aggie and Longhorn fans than they are Cougar fans. UL-Lafayette and Monroe fans care a helluva lot more about LSU's season, than their own. FIU, FAU, and hell, even USF fans are split between Miami, Florida, and Florida State. Sure if their alma mater is good that year, they will get excited. But if they have a down year, they automatically tune out and see what the big state schools are doing.

This is just for football btw. I don't think basketball will change this much.

I think the difference is in the process, and the likelihood of a resulting backlash.  Some schools - UW-Whitewater, FAU - never were competitive at a high D-1 level.  Other schools - Houston and USF - have had varying degrees of success, but (especially Houston) have gradually faded.  Those kinds of processes don't cause backlashes by fans against the "power" schools, because there's nothing to lash out against.  Instead, fans of the less successful schools gravitate toward the power schools, which never really did anything to cause the less successful schools' demise.

On the other hand, if the "Power 5" suddenly take a definitive action to "eliminate" large numbers of previously successful high D-1 programs, it could cause a huge backlash.  IMHO, very few MU fans would suddenly become UW-Madison fans...because UW-Madison (and the other "power" schools) would have taken a clear action to cause MU's demise.  The resulting anger would take quite a long time to dissipate....

[Groin_pull]

The P5 must believe that fans of displaced teams will simply shift their support to a P5 school. I just don't see that.

If MU gets lost in the shuffle, I'm not automatically rooting for the Vadgers...or any other school I have no real connection with. I'd probably get back into the NBA or perhaps the NHL. Or maybe I'd further cut back on my college/pro sports devotion. There are only so many hours in the day. And as we all get busier, that leaves less time for watching/following sports.

Have to believe I'm not alone.

Frankly, that's already happening with me. My precious free time is increasingly reserved for my running (thinking about participating in a marathon next year), biking, or hiking.

[Texas Western]

I really hope that is the case. I really do. But I don't think it is.

Look at UW-Whitewater fans. They are all die hard badger fans even though their school's football team doesn't get any attention. I worked for D2 Grand Valley State. We won back to back championships in football but all anyone cared about was how the Wolverines sucked that season or that Michigan State had a chance at the Rose Bowl.

I think there might be some outrage at first but it will die down. The sad truth is, in many cases, this transition has already happened. University of Houston students are bigger Aggie and Longhorn fans than they are Cougar fans. UL-Lafayette and Monroe fans care a helluva lot more about LSU's season, than their own. FIU, FAU, and hell, even USF fans are split between Miami, Florida, and Florida State. Sure if their alma mater is good that year, they will get excited. But if they have a down year, they automatically tune out and see what the big state schools are doing.

This is just for football btw. I don't think basketball will change this much.

Lot of excitement tonight at Houston's first game at their new on campus stadium. 40,000 fans are loud.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Lot of excitement tonight at Houston's first game at their new on campus stadium. 40,000 fans are loud.

Mack Rhoades has done a good job....he was my best man at my wedding and a very good man.  UH is a tough place to be an AD at.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Lot of excitement tonight at Houston's first game at their new on campus stadium. 40,000 fans are loud.

Good. I hope they can revitalize their fan base. The more passionate fan bases, the better for collegiate sports

[forgetful]

And that's the big question. The power 5 think that once the other schools are eliminated, they will become fans of power 5 schools. Plus, with no competition they can charge the crap out of power 5 alums.

I don't know what kind of drugs those leaders are taking, but man they must be powerful.

Makes me wonder where they got their education, because it is illogical and lacks fundamental knowledge about the economic drivers in college sports.

[forgetful]

I really hope that is the case. I really do. But I don't think it is.

Look at UW-Whitewater fans. They are all die hard badger fans even though their school's football team doesn't get any attention. I worked for D2 Grand Valley State. We won back to back championships in football but all anyone cared about was how the Wolverines sucked that season or that Michigan State had a chance at the Rose Bowl.

I think there might be some outrage at first but it will die down. The sad truth is, in many cases, this transition has already happened. University of Houston students are bigger Aggie and Longhorn fans than they are Cougar fans. UL-Lafayette and Monroe fans care a helluva lot more about LSU's season, than their own. FIU, FAU, and hell, even USF fans are split between Miami, Florida, and Florida State. Sure if their alma mater is good that year, they will get excited. But if they have a down year, they automatically tune out and see what the big state schools are doing.

This is just for football btw. I don't think basketball will change this much.

Except all the above cases you are referring to have been that way for decades.  Those schools have saturated their market…there is not additional market for them to win. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

Good. I hope they can revitalize their fan base. The more passionate fan bases, the better for collegiate sports

The stadium will help, but the team is really young and not supposed to be very good this year.  Houston fans haven't had much to cheer about...Texans, Cougars, Astros in some time.

[Johnny B]

The stadium will help, but the team is really young and not supposed to be very good this year.  Houston fans haven't had much to cheer about...Texans, Cougars, Astros in some time.

Texans were good a few years ago,the others MEH..

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The stadium will help, but the team is really young and not supposed to be very good this year.  Houston fans haven't had much to cheer about...Texans, Cougars, Astros in some time.

Sure they have. The Aggies, Longhorns, and Baylor have been good for awhile. That's where their loyalties lie anyway

[ChicosBailBonds]

Sure they have. The Aggies, Longhorns, and Baylor have been good for awhile. That's where their loyalties lie anyway

For some.  I remember the days of UH being ranked in the top 10 in the country, they are very popular back in the day, as was SMU and others.  A few years ago when Sumlin had the reigns at UH, they had a decent following. 

[MU82]

If the power 5 were to leave ...

My life wouldn't change one iota.