Debate at work today, re: TAMU and the SEC...

[msudogsrule01]

We were spitballing at work and were wondering, "Just how good a fit is Texas A&M?"<div>
</div><div>We actually postulated that if you really look at it, Houston would be a better market for us. While the athletics department has a ways to go, it is in a much better market, it is much easier to get to and from, it isn'tinconceivablethat the SEC money could make them more competitive, and we don't have to deal with the headaches of a potential Big 12 lawsuit.</div><div>
</div><div>Also, we figured that since it is rumored that UF, GA and USC (plus UT) refuse to allow another school from their state, that a North Carolina school is the next best fit, or Louisville perhaps (but UK would probably block that). Virginia Tech is another that seems possible, although the state of Virginia would not be a big fan.</div><div>
</div><div>Thoughts?</div>

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

But do most of the students who go to UH consider Houston the main school they root for? Sure, every school has its share of students who still root for whomever they grew up rooting for, e.g. a Rebel fan at State who stays a Rebel fan. But what I'm talking about are those like the UAB students who still predominately consider themselves Bama or Auburn fans. Are most of the UH students and alums UH fans or do they mainly cheer for UT and A&M?

 

[Columbus Dawg]

I mean New York would bea great market for the SEC, but we aren't going to offer a bid to NYU. Houston? Really?

 

[Harry Doyle]

I picture Houston similar to Memphis. Most of the people that attend the school for undergrad are from Houston, so its fan base is concentrated in the Houston area. A&M with its loyal fan basebrings a much larger Statewide audience in the other cities of Texas, a much better national appeal, and probably an equal amount of interest in Houston.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

NCAA attendance numbers:
2010 2009
Houston 31,728 25,242
A & M 82,477 76,800

Houston has had a good team, especially 2009.

This answers it for me.
The USM of Tx?

 

[patdog]

<div>We actually postulated that if you really look at it, Houston would be a better market for us. While the athletics department has a ways to go, it is in a much better market</div>

If the SEC does expand, it won't be to pick up a mid-major.

 

[OneParticularHarbor]

Houston falls somewhere behind Texas, aTm, the Texans, and a handful of local high schools.

If USM delivered the same attendance-to-population (MSA) ration as Houston, it's football attendance would be 772 per game.

 

[therightway]

Which also shows that people may go to school there but they do not give a **** about their football. They are the same a UCF.

 

[GloryDawg]

The SEC already got that market. In fact the SEC got the whole wide world market. The SEC has won five consecutive BCS NC. Those butt lips in Texas are already watching the SEC. Everyone out side the SEC hates the SEC because it is so good in football. I remember when I was a little boy back in the 70's I hated the Steelers. I hated them because they always won. Since I hated them, I watched them every time I got a chance just hoping to see them fall. It is the same way with the SEC. They watch because of three reasons. 1. You get good football. 2. They watch hoping they will lose. 3. It is always on TV. The SEC is good the way it is. They don't need any additions.

 

[lawdawg02]

A&M and Texas are the Houston market.

As for the "easy to get there" argument, College Station is about an hour and a half from Houston.

 

[tcprdr321]

My parents and my boss are all UH Alumni. Academically it is a great school. Many of their programs -- especially at the graduate level -- rank among the nation's best. It is one of only three Tier 1 schools in Texas. It is also the third largest school in the state; however it is mostly a commuter school. UH is very proud to be listed as the second most ethnically diverse major researchinstitutionin the US; therefore a great number of their students are not traditional sports fans or have this great loyalty to the school. They just want a good education and networking opportunities in a major city. Older UH graduates however are VERY loyal to the school (they remember the SWC glory days) -- and as a result HATE the Aggies, Longhorns, and Red Raiders.<div>
</div><div>Side note -- when our family attended the Mississippi State/Houston football game last fall, we noted how the majority of UH fans there were considerably older individuals. <div><div>
</div><div><div><div>
</div> </div></div></div></div>

 

[Barkman Turner Overdrive]

Nm