Our aces in the hole to be one or two are: BYU as a religious closed institution and being a better add than Cincy with WVU opposing them.
Ok, so those aren't exactly aces but they are at least 9's.
14 is probably still our best hope. I think the networks are the ones opposed to that. The L8 should be all in for 14 if the $$ works. UT and OU shouldn't care.
Yes, I think this is right. Before TX politics got in the way, back when UT was opposed to adding Houston, I think UC and UConn were an easy choice. The networks want to go east, not west, everyone seems to agree on that. BYU has baggage, and may not be well liked for various reasons, despite being solid for athletics and undergrad academics. I am not sold on BYU being the top choice.
So now Houston messes up the mix. I don't think they want just Cinci and UH. It's pretty weak and the non TX schools won't accept that. Networks don't want UH at all. Here's my longshot prediction, they bail on BYU, and get UC, UH, UConn and UCF. The simple reality is that you're either going east or west, but not both.