Tough schedule to start the year. I bet Rice wins all or almost all of its conference series and finishes with a great record.
Unless they have serious injuries they will be a first round host. Same for TCU which puts Texas on the hosting bubble. In addition to taking care of business, Texas has to either win the series with TCU (in Ft. Worth) or win the tourney to be assured of hosting a first round game. (Money comes into the hosting calculation, but the days of Texas being able to out bid other Texas schools are over - it has to be done on the diamond.)