Could Rice be a second-tier candidate for PAC 12 membership if more than 2 members are needed?

Major TV market and great academics. The only weakness may be its total budget for athletics.

(02-08-2023 10:04 AM)The WEST is the BEST Wrote:  Could Rice be a second-tier candidate for PAC 12 membership if more than 2 members are needed?

Major TV market and great academics. The only weakness may be its total budget for athletics.

Maybe. I have said in the past that Rice and Tulane are both dark horse candidates for the PAC, and that was before Tulane won a NY6 bowl.

They check the Academic boxes. They check the market boxes. Rice in particular would need to show some level of commitment to athletics.

Both have the hard parts done. Improving performance is the easy part.

Rice was just turned down by the PAC "for now" or something like that, but if they were to go to 16 I imagine Rice and Tulane would be top candidates.