The Battle of the Piney Woods Moves to Houston

From the Houstonian:

The second oldest rivalry in Texas will have a new home next season as the Battle of Piney Woods will be moving to Reliant Stadium next year.

Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin University and Lone Star Sports and Entertainment have come to terms on a four year contract for an unspecified amount of money.

This is an odd move and a genius move. Having the game in Reliant Stadium seems odd because it's such a big venue. The crowd is going to seem ridiculously small in such a large stadium.

On the other hand, from a marketing perspective, this is a genius move. The vast majority of the students at Sam Houston State come from the Houston area and SHSU still has the perception that it's only slightly better than a junior college. But stepping up its game and by presenting a more big-time, big-school image it might raise Sam Houston's perception and elevate its status - in the NCAA, in the minds of potential students and in the local media.

It worked very well for Texas State.