Not six years ago, the Big 12 completely dominated the Houston television market, the second-largest within the conference footprint and 10th-biggest in the country.In fact, in 2010, according to ratings that Nielsen provided to ESPN.com, Big 12 teams played in nine of the top 10-rated regular-season games in the Houston market.But in the wake of two devastating rounds of conference realignment to the Big 12, the conferences stranglehold on one of its most vital markets has been lost. And in swiping away Texas A&M, the SEC has since staged its own H-Town takeover.The SEC right now owns the city of Houston from a TV ratings standpoint, said University of Houston board chair Tilman Fertitta. Those eyeballs in Houston are extremely important to the Big 12.As it seeks an invitation to join the Big 12 in the event the league expands at some point this year, Fertitta and UH officials have been making a twofold pitch to Big 12 leaders.One, that the Big 12 has lost the Houston market to the SEC.And two, that UH can help bring it back.The Big 12 needs to own Houston, Fertitta said. Not the SEC.Back in 2010, there was no doubt which conference owned Houston.According to Nielsen, seven in-conference Big 12 matchups were among the 10 most-watched games in the Houston market that year. In fact, the only non-Big 12-related game that cracked the top 10 in Houston was the Iron Bowl, in which eventual Heisman winner Cam Newton led undefeated Auburn to a furious come-from-behind victory at Alabama. That game came in ninth in Houston, just behind Nebraska-Texas A&M and just ahead of the Big 12 championship, which pitted the Huskers against Oklahoma in their final meeting as conference rivals.But last season, it was the SEC that owned Houston.The Big 12 had only two regular-season games finish in the top 10 in the market: the Red River Showdown and Baylor-TCU, which was played in a monsoon on the Friday evening after Thanksgiving.The SEC, meanwhile, netted six of the top 10 games in Houston, including each of the top three, only one of which included Texas A&M (vs. Alabama). Alabama-Florida placed second and Alabama-LSU was third; even Alabama-Tennessee outperformed the rest of the Big 12s slate.The SEC clearly has made tremendous inroads into the Houston market, said an industry source who has worked in TV programming.Another industry insider who too has worked in college sports programming pointed to Texas struggles since the turn of the decade as a possible factor for the Big 12s decline in Houston. After all, in 2010, half of the Longhorns games ranked in the top 10 in Houston, including tilts against Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Nebraska, which were also the top four-rated games in Houston for the year.Whats unknown is how the University of Texas not having the success it once had has impacted the ratings in that market, the insider said. If they had been achieving at a high level, maybe things are a bit different.Still, theres no debating that the SEC has made significant headway into Houston.The question is, can UH do anything to reverse it?Its a close call how much a fifth Texas institution or local Texas institution helps in that market, another insider said. The Big 12 already has a significant presence in the state of Texas, with a strong alumni base represented in the Houston market.I dont know if [UH] would create a market spike. But with the SEC ratings having increased, you could make the argument that having another member that is based there could be helpful.During a breakout campaign in Tom Hermans first season, the Cougars registered well in their home market. On the way to going 13-1, UH alone produced as many top 10 games in Houston as the entire Big 12, according to Nielsen figures the university has submitted to the Big 12.The American Athletic Conference championship featuring UH and Temple on ABC ranked fifth in the Houston market for the year, sandwiched between the Red River Showdown and the Iron Bowl. UH-Navy, also an ABC game, placed ninth.Besides that, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, in which the Cougars rolled past Florida State by two touchdowns, proved to be the highest rated non-playoff New Years Six Bowl in the Houston market.Weve proven over the course of this past year that we can bring the [Houston] college football market, said UH athletic director Hunter Yurachek. I think we bring great value.UH may have resonated in Houston last year. But the Big 12 will be weighing whether the Cougars can significantly and consistently bolster the Big 12s presence in the Houston market long term.One of the insiders who spoke with ESPN said he believes that boost will hinge on how consistently the Cougars can produce on the field.In 2010, when it went 5-7, UH barely registered in its own market, even though the Cougars went to the Conference USA championship game under Kevin Sumlin in the season before and in the season after.Only with a high-powered offense, exciting quarterback in Greg Ward Jr. and the pre-eminent up-and-coming coach in the game in Herman did the Cougars penetrate the Houston market.Itll have a lot to do with the success of the University of Houston, the insider said. If you have teams playing at a high level and playing for championships, then it could absolutely help.The other industry source, however, was far more dubious that the Big 12 can do anything at this point to repel the SECs penetration into Houston -- including adding UH.Is Houston going to really bring that market back to the Big 12? the source said. I dont think so. They just dont move the needle. That is an SEC town now, and thats probably not changing.But Fertitta sees a different outcome with UH in the Big 12.A&M has a huge alumni presence here, and of course so does Texas, he said. But this is Houston. And people who live in Houston, regardless of where they went to school, are going to be interested in Houston. Air Force 1 Clearance . Andreas Johnson had a goal and two assists while Jacob de la Rose also scored for Sweden (2-0-0). Esa Lindell and Rasmus Ristolainen replied for Finland (1-1-0) Lindell opened the scoring for Finland just 41 seconds into the game, but the hosts quickly regained their composure and tied the score less than four minutes later on Wennbergs first of the game. Wholesale Air Force 1 From China . Batiste, who briefly signed with the Eskimos in 2006, has spent time with several NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. http://www.airforce1clearance.com/ . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. Wholesale Air Force 1 . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Cheap Air Force 1 China . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament.Manchester City have been boosted by the return of Vincent Kompany and Raheem Sterling for Tuesdays trip to Newcastle, live on Sky Sports 1 HD. After a poor run of form in February in the Premier League, City have reignited their hopes of a top-four spot with three successive victories, including a 3-0 demolition of reigning champions Chelsea on Saturday. They next head to Rafa Benitezs Newcastle and a win would put them three points ahead of fourth-placed Arsenal with four games remaining. And it will be a big relief for manager Manuel Pellegrini to have captain Kompany and winger Sterling back in the squad.Kompany has missed six matches with a calf injury, while Sterling has been out for five games with a groin injury.However, speaking to the media on Monday, Pellegrini did confirm that David Silva (ankle), Samir Nasri (thigh), Gael Clichy (back) and Bacary Sagna (back) would all be unavailable.Kompanys return provides the Chilean boss with a welcome selection headache, with Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi in top form at the back.Pellegrini said: Ive said that in a season where we are fighting for important things, its because we have a good squad.Kompany has been injured so the other defenders have done well, but he will be an important help for the defence.On the prospect of Sterling starting at St James Park, Pellegrini added: Well see, hes coming back from an important injury, well see if he can play some minutes. Pep news hurt us Hiring Pep Guardiola hit Man City title bid, says Pellegrini Pellegrini also played down concerns over Nasri, who has impressed in recent weeks following his return from a six-month lay-off.On the Frenchmans injury picked up against Chelsea, Pellegrini said: He played 90 minutes at the weekend and then another 75, maybe it was too much. He was feeling well, its a small muscle injury, its not too important, well see how many ddays.ddddddddddddity will be desperate to continue their fine run but will be facing a team fighting to stay in the top-flight and in buoyant mood after beating fellow-strugglers Swansea 3-0 at the weekend. Manuel Pellegrini was pleased with Saturdays victory at Chelsea The Chilean added: The team are just focused on what we need to do. We need a Champions League spot for next season, and to focus on Real in the semi final.Newcastle are very dangerous, they have good players, St James is difficult place to play. They need the points in their survival battle. I hope we continue as we did on Saturday, being aggressive and trying to win from the beginning.He added: Its not depending on what Newcastle can do. We must continue the way we played on Saturday, solid, keeping a clean sheet and scoring goals. If we continue like that it doesnt matter who we play. Also See: Aguero treble sends City third Will Aguero finish top scorer? Newcastles woeful run vs City Race for the top four Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '