(06-26-2015 11:47 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(06-25-2015 11:36 AM)AndreWhere Wrote:  Plenty of AAC fans wouldn't mind our presence.

So what's the hold up?

Fans don't make these decisions. TV executives do. USM fans wouldn't have let UCF into CUSA, but UCF is a TV executive's wet dream. I spent a few years waiting for these people to realize that nobody wants to see UCF on TV, regardless of the fact that they're in a big city, but it hasn't happened. Rather, being on TV and in a good conference has helped UCF build a good fan base. Conversely, not having these advantages has eroded our own fanbase and national prominence.

I really think we need to return to our roots, pre-CUSA. The status quo is so pointless. At least if we played 7 money games and 4 home games per year, we'd be playing for money and pride. In CUSA, we are not playing for anything our fans consider significant. Better to go 1-11 versus the P5 and cherish the one.

(06-26-2015 11:52 AM)Volkmar Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 11:13 AM)HogDawg Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 10:16 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 09:38 AM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-25-2015 07:19 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  I'm one of very few Rice fans that like CUSA. I see at as not just a good geographic fit, but also the best place we can be to develop some meaningful rivalries. CUSA also has a lot of room to grow. It'll get stronger as time goes on.

Rice is on an academic island in CUSA, with no true rivals, and the conference is not a long term option for the university. The administration gets it and has stated this repeatedly.

Vanderbilt, Baylor, Stanford are all on an "Academic Island" you are gonna have to learn to get used to it. Enjoy the success CUSA has afforded you in Football and baseball.

That's a good point. Rice is CUSA's "academic island" just like Vandy, Baylor, Stanford and Northwestern are for their P5 conferences. The Owls should wear that title with pride.

Baylor actually has a higher admission rate (57.5%) than Texas does (40%). Even UTSA's admission rate is 60%. And yeah, I get that admission rates don't tell the whole story, but I'm just making the point that in no way, shape, or form is Baylor on any island in the Big 12.

By contrast, Stanford has an admission rate of 5.7%. So in a sense, you could say they're on an island in the Pac-12 even though Cal is at 17.7%, USC is at 17.8%, and UCLA is at 20.4%. Baylor is a private institution, is expensive, and has a great medical school, but they're just not worthy of being put on that list you have going there.

Baylor Medical School is more closely affiliated with Rice than with Baylor. I wasn't trying to be serious with my Baylor comment earlier, just joking. This is college sports and that's it...whether we're in a conference with the Ivies or the worst schools in the country doesn't matter to me as long as the schools have common interests athletically. Obviously that includes how athletics fits into the larger framework of the school, but it's not like we'd turn down an invite to a theoretical conference with the best athletics and worst academics. It also includes creation of rivalries and interesting games, which is helped drastically when the schools have more in common. We just need to find what that is and work on moving forward in a way that helps everyone

(06-26-2015 11:58 AM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 11:47 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(06-25-2015 11:36 AM)AndreWhere Wrote:  Plenty of AAC fans wouldn't mind our presence.

So what's the hold up?

Fans don't make these decisions. TV executives do.

(06-26-2015 11:13 AM)HogDawg Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 10:16 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 09:38 AM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-25-2015 07:19 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  I'm one of very few Rice fans that like CUSA. I see at as not just a good geographic fit, but also the best place we can be to develop some meaningful rivalries. CUSA also has a lot of room to grow. It'll get stronger as time goes on.

Rice is on an academic island in CUSA, with no true rivals, and the conference is not a long term option for the university. The administration gets it and has stated this repeatedly.

Vanderbilt, Baylor, Stanford are all on an "Academic Island" you are gonna have to learn to get used to it. Enjoy the success CUSA has afforded you in Football and baseball.

That's a good point. Rice is CUSA's "academic island" just like Vandy, Baylor, Stanford and Northwestern are for their P5 conferences. The Owls should wear that title with pride.

No, those schools actually have peers in their conference.

Vanderbilt: Missouri, Florida, and Texas A&M (all AAU)
Baylor, which shouldn't even be on this list: Texas, Kansas, and Iowa St (all AAU)
Stanford: Washington, Cal, USC, and UCLA (all AAU)
Norhwestern: all of the Big10 except Nebraska are AAU affiliated

CUSA use to have Tulane (AAU). Rice's identity is not tied solely to athletics and AAC or MWC are a step up.

(06-26-2015 01:32 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 11:13 AM)HogDawg Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 10:16 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 09:38 AM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-25-2015 07:19 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  I'm one of very few Rice fans that like CUSA. I see at as not just a good geographic fit, but also the best place we can be to develop some meaningful rivalries. CUSA also has a lot of room to grow. It'll get stronger as time goes on.

Rice is on an academic island in CUSA, with no true rivals, and the conference is not a long term option for the university. The administration gets it and has stated this repeatedly.

Vanderbilt, Baylor, Stanford are all on an "Academic Island" you are gonna have to learn to get used to it. Enjoy the success CUSA has afforded you in Football and baseball.

That's a good point. Rice is CUSA's "academic island" just like Vandy, Baylor, Stanford and Northwestern are for their P5 conferences. The Owls should wear that title with pride.

No, those schools actually have peers in their conference.

Vanderbilt: Missouri, Florida, and Texas A&M (all AAU)
Baylor, which shouldn't even be on this list: Texas, Kansas, and Iowa St (all AAU)
Stanford: Washington, Cal, USC, and UCLA (all AAU)
Norhwestern: all of the Big10 except Nebraska are AAU affiliated

CUSA use to have Tulane (AAU). Rice's identity is not tied solely to athletics and AAC or MWC are a step up.

I hate to break you heart but AAC and MWC aren't calling you anytime soon. Just sit back enjoy the ride because we are glad to have you. Stop being a Rice snob.

A&M is Vandy's peer? LOL.

(06-26-2015 02:03 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  A&M is Vandy's peer? LOL.

AAU affiliation. It matters; look it up before you knock A&M.

(06-26-2015 02:02 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 01:32 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 11:13 AM)HogDawg Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 10:16 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 09:38 AM)WIowl Wrote:  Rice is on an academic island in CUSA, with no true rivals, and the conference is not a long term option for the university. The administration gets it and has stated this repeatedly.

Vanderbilt, Baylor, Stanford are all on an "Academic Island" you are gonna have to learn to get used to it. Enjoy the success CUSA has afforded you in Football and baseball.

That's a good point. Rice is CUSA's "academic island" just like Vandy, Baylor, Stanford and Northwestern are for their P5 conferences. The Owls should wear that title with pride.

No, those schools actually have peers in their conference.

Vanderbilt: Missouri, Florida, and Texas A&M (all AAU)
Baylor, which shouldn't even be on this list: Texas, Kansas, and Iowa St (all AAU)
Stanford: Washington, Cal, USC, and UCLA (all AAU)
Norhwestern: all of the Big10 except Nebraska are AAU affiliated

CUSA use to have Tulane (AAU). Rice's identity is not tied solely to athletics and AAC or MWC are a step up.

I hate to break you heart but AAC and MWC aren't calling you anytime soon. Just sit back enjoy the ride because we are glad to have you. Stop being a Rice snob.

So, a university is not criticized for wanting to associate with the best athletic sports teams, but is criticized when a university wants to associate with the best academically?

It is not snobbery. It is priorities.

(06-26-2015 02:10 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:03 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  A&M is Vandy's peer? LOL.

AAU affiliation. It matters; look it up before you knock A&M.

It matters to those who have it. But to the rest of us meh.....

(06-26-2015 02:12 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:02 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 01:32 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 11:13 AM)HogDawg Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 10:16 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  Vanderbilt, Baylor, Stanford are all on an "Academic Island" you are gonna have to learn to get used to it. Enjoy the success CUSA has afforded you in Football and baseball.

That's a good point. Rice is CUSA's "academic island" just like Vandy, Baylor, Stanford and Northwestern are for their P5 conferences. The Owls should wear that title with pride.

No, those schools actually have peers in their conference.

Vanderbilt: Missouri, Florida, and Texas A&M (all AAU)
Baylor, which shouldn't even be on this list: Texas, Kansas, and Iowa St (all AAU)
Stanford: Washington, Cal, USC, and UCLA (all AAU)
Norhwestern: all of the Big10 except Nebraska are AAU affiliated

CUSA use to have Tulane (AAU). Rice's identity is not tied solely to athletics and AAC or MWC are a step up.

I hate to break you heart but AAC and MWC aren't calling you anytime soon. Just sit back enjoy the ride because we are glad to have you. Stop being a Rice snob.

So, a university is not criticized for wanting to associate with the best athletic sports teams, but is criticized when a university wants to associate with the best academically?

It is not snobbery. It is priorities.

No its snobbery. You actually think you are too good to be in this conference and have no problem posting that on THE CUSA board about it. I think the world of Rice as a school and love having them on our schedule, but some of you owls gotta wake up and realize this ain't 1985 and you aren't in the SWC anymore. We all want to better ourselves both academically and athletically. CUSA has helped you do the latter.

(06-26-2015 02:12 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:10 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:03 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  A&M is Vandy's peer? LOL.

AAU affiliation. It matters; look it up before you knock A&M.

It matters to those who have it. But to the rest of us meh.....

Right..... Associating with the top universities doesn't mean a thing....if you can't do it.

Also Buffalo, Stoney Brook, Boston U all have AAU status. I sure as hell don't see you jumping up to join the MAC.

(06-26-2015 02:15 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:12 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:02 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 01:32 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 11:13 AM)HogDawg Wrote:  That's a good point. Rice is CUSA's "academic island" just like Vandy, Baylor, Stanford and Northwestern are for their P5 conferences. The Owls should wear that title with pride.

No, those schools actually have peers in their conference.

Vanderbilt: Missouri, Florida, and Texas A&M (all AAU)
Baylor, which shouldn't even be on this list: Texas, Kansas, and Iowa St (all AAU)
Stanford: Washington, Cal, USC, and UCLA (all AAU)
Norhwestern: all of the Big10 except Nebraska are AAU affiliated

CUSA use to have Tulane (AAU). Rice's identity is not tied solely to athletics and AAC or MWC are a step up.

I hate to break you heart but AAC and MWC aren't calling you anytime soon. Just sit back enjoy the ride because we are glad to have you. Stop being a Rice snob.

So, a university is not criticized for wanting to associate with the best athletic sports teams, but is criticized when a university wants to associate with the best academically?

It is not snobbery. It is priorities.

No its snobbery. You actually think you are too good to be in this conference and have no problem posting that on THE CUSA board about it. I think the world of Rice as a school and love having them on our schedule, but some of you owls gotta wake up and realize this ain't 1985 and you aren't in the SWC anymore. We all want to better ourselves both academically and athletically. CUSA has helped you do the latter.

No, the initial post was Rice does not have any comparable peers in CUSA, we have more in common in schools, athletically and academically, in MWC and AAC than CUSA. We are trying to get to one; but you're right, unless there's a spot, we're not moving.

If Rice gets its athletic house in order, which slowly seems to be the case, they realistically have one of the best shots to join a P5 conference. AAU matters to college presidents and they are the ones that make these decisions.

(06-26-2015 02:16 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:12 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:10 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:03 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  A&M is Vandy's peer? LOL.

AAU affiliation. It matters; look it up before you knock A&M.

It matters to those who have it. But to the rest of us meh.....

Right..... Associating with the top universities doesn't mean a thing....if you can't do it.

Its a frickin Country Club for colleges where jackwagons stand around a fire place with a pipe and 100 year old scotch and pat each other on the back. My University does more with less than any other school in the country. Look it up. We may be poor but we are proud and work hard without daddies money to make it work.

(06-26-2015 02:19 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:15 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:12 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:02 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 01:32 PM)WIowl Wrote:  No, those schools actually have peers in their conference.

Vanderbilt: Missouri, Florida, and Texas A&M (all AAU)
Baylor, which shouldn't even be on this list: Texas, Kansas, and Iowa St (all AAU)
Stanford: Washington, Cal, USC, and UCLA (all AAU)
Norhwestern: all of the Big10 except Nebraska are AAU affiliated

CUSA use to have Tulane (AAU). Rice's identity is not tied solely to athletics and AAC or MWC are a step up.

I hate to break you heart but AAC and MWC aren't calling you anytime soon. Just sit back enjoy the ride because we are glad to have you. Stop being a Rice snob.

So, a university is not criticized for wanting to associate with the best athletic sports teams, but is criticized when a university wants to associate with the best academically?

It is not snobbery. It is priorities.

No its snobbery. You actually think you are too good to be in this conference and have no problem posting that on THE CUSA board about it. I think the world of Rice as a school and love having them on our schedule, but some of you owls gotta wake up and realize this ain't 1985 and you aren't in the SWC anymore. We all want to better ourselves both academically and athletically. CUSA has helped you do the latter.

No, the initial post was Rice does not have any comparable peers in CUSA, we have more in common in schools, athletically and academically, in MWC and AAC than CUSA. We are trying to get to one; but you're right, unless there's a spot, we're not moving.

No one is arguing that. The fact is that most Conferences have that super smart school and you are ours. Vanderbilt has been doing it for years. AAU does matter to college presidents but there are only three in all of the G5 conferences "Tulane, Buffalo,and Rice. MWC where you want to go has NONE count them for me...NONE. You are in a great place just enjoy it.

IF ODU had stayed in the CAA (and Thank God they didn't), they would be getting the auto bid every year because what's left is that conference is a joke.

But who wants to be the king of crap? I'm happy with CUSA. Best P5 football conference, and a lot of untapped potential in basketball.

(06-26-2015 02:24 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:19 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:15 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:12 PM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 02:02 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  I hate to break you heart but AAC and MWC aren't calling you anytime soon. Just sit back enjoy the ride because we are glad to have you. Stop being a Rice snob.

So, a university is not criticized for wanting to associate with the best athletic sports teams, but is criticized when a university wants to associate with the best academically?

It is not snobbery. It is priorities.

No its snobbery. You actually think you are too good to be in this conference and have no problem posting that on THE CUSA board about it. I think the world of Rice as a school and love having them on our schedule, but some of you owls gotta wake up and realize this ain't 1985 and you aren't in the SWC anymore. We all want to better ourselves both academically and athletically. CUSA has helped you do the latter.

No, the initial post was Rice does not have any comparable peers in CUSA, we have more in common in schools, athletically and academically, in MWC and AAC than CUSA. We are trying to get to one; but you're right, unless there's a spot, we're not moving.

No one is arguing that. The fact is that most Conferences have that super smart school and you are ours. Vanderbilt has been doing it for years. AAU does matter to college presidents but there are only three in all of the G5 conferences "Tulane, Buffalo,and Rice. MWC where you want to go has NONE count them for me...NONE. You are in a great place just enjoy it.

Me and WIowl have been going back and forth on this very subject matter over on the Rice board. You'll find that many Rice fans are very concerned about perception. It really matters to them how others view their institution. They also have a hyperinflated view of Rice. They are like the mentally ill patient living in his own world, with no insight into his sick state of mind. They really do believe that Rice belongs in a P5. They talk about it all the time. As long as Rice is G5, I believe CUSA is the best place for us to be. And you guys are right, Rice fans should be proud to be the academic flagship of CUSA.

(06-26-2015 02:20 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  Its a frickin Country Club for colleges where jackwagons stand around a fire place with a pipe and 100 year old scotch and pat each other on the back. My University does more with less than any other school in the country. Look it up. We may be poor but we are proud and work hard without daddies money to make it work.

You have us confused with SMU (who is not AAU) and the Ivies. Rice has always accepted students without basis on their ability to pay.

(06-26-2015 11:52 AM)Volkmar Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 11:13 AM)HogDawg Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 10:16 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 09:38 AM)WIowl Wrote:  

(06-25-2015 07:19 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  I'm one of very few Rice fans that like CUSA. I see at as not just a good geographic fit, but also the best place we can be to develop some meaningful rivalries. CUSA also has a lot of room to grow. It'll get stronger as time goes on.

Rice is on an academic island in CUSA, with no true rivals, and the conference is not a long term option for the university. The administration gets it and has stated this repeatedly.

Vanderbilt, Baylor, Stanford are all on an "Academic Island" you are gonna have to learn to get used to it. Enjoy the success CUSA has afforded you in Football and baseball.

That's a good point. Rice is CUSA's "academic island" just like Vandy, Baylor, Stanford and Northwestern are for their P5 conferences. The Owls should wear that title with pride.

Baylor actually has a higher admission rate (57.5%) than Texas does (40%). Even UTSA's admission rate is 60%. And yeah, I get that admission rates don't tell the whole story, but I'm just making the point that in no way, shape, or form is Baylor on any island in the Big 12.

By contrast, Stanford has an admission rate of 5.7%. So in a sense, you could say they're on an island in the Pac-12 even though Cal is at 17.7%, USC is at 17.8%, and UCLA is at 20.4%. Baylor is a private institution, is expensive, and has a great medical school, but they're just not worthy of being put on that list you have going there.

Wow. You've got too much time on your hands. That's a lot more info on this worthless subject than I care to indulge in. As someone said earlier, hey, it was just a figure of speech.