UH making its pitch to join Big 12 today

Recommended Video:

The University of Houston is making its formal presentation to the Big 12 Conference today, a person with knowledge of the process said.

UH is among 11 schools, which includes Rice, expected to make presentations this week in Dallas. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Big 12 and the schools invited to make bids to join the conference signed non-disclosure agreements due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.

The Big 12 announced July 19 that it planned to explore whether to expand by two or four schools or remain at 10 members. UH is considered among the front runners, along with BYU and Cincinnati.

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, in town last weekend for the Advocare Texas Kickoff between UH and Oklahoma, offered few details but said he hoped to make progress on expansion talks before the league's board of directors meet in mid-October.

UH officials have been vocal in their desire to join the Power Five conference, with athletic director Hunter Yurachek saying recently that the school is "well-positioned" to join the Big 12.

Tilman Fertitta, UH board of regents chairman, said late last month the school could learn its Big 12 fate within the next 60-90 days.

"We're doing everything we can do," Fertitta said. "They have a timeline. We think in the next 60-90 days it will all be over and hopefully the University of Houston will be in the Big 12."

University of Houston system chancellor Renu Khator high fives head football coach Tom Herman at a bowl-selection watch party in the TDECU Stadium club Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in Houston. Houston will play Florida State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 31. ( Jon Shapley / Houston Chronicle ) less University of Houston system chancellor Renu Khator high fives head football coach Tom Herman at a bowl-selection watch party in the TDECU Stadium club Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in Houston. Houston will play ... more Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 29 Caption Close UH making its pitch to join Big 12 today 1 / 29 Back to Gallery

An expansion candidate will need eight "yes" votes from the Big 12 board of directors, composed of presidents and chancellors.

Asked if he thought Houston had the necessary support, Fertitta said: "I think there is a whole lot of support out there. I just don't see how you can't say Houston when it's all over with."

UH has touted the millions invested in upgrades to its athletic facilities in recent years and the football program is coming off arguably the biggest win of college football's opening weekend, beating then-No. 3 Oklahoma 33–23.

Yurachek said UH meets the Big 12's criteria for being competitive.

"The one message that was loud and clear to me was [Oklahoma president] Dr. [David] Boren said he wanted somebody that was going to make the Big 12 more competitive," Yurachek said Saturday. "You can see what our program is doing right now."