Texas A&M to the SEC will happen; what about Oklahoma?
One of these schools figures to be SEC-bound. The other school might follow. (AP photo)
Let’s go ahead and make the call, Election Night style, and give Texas A&M to the SEC. On Wednesday, Texas governor Rick Perry, a former Aggie yell leader, told the Dallas Morning News, “As far as I know, conversations are being had.” A&M soon released a statement that was in no way a denial, and Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe told the Austin American-Statesman he was taking the reports “very seriously.”
That’s an awful lot of hullabaloo for one August day, but it only underscores the rickety nature of the Big 12, which is technically down to 10 members — Colorado’s in the Pac-12, Nebraska in the Big Ten — and has no place to expand. Indeed, the Big 12 as is might as well be renamed Texas And Everybody Else, seeing as how the tent-pole school has struck its own deal with ESPN to launch the immodestly named Longhorn Network.
If you’re Texas A&M, what’s your motivation to remain in a dying conference where your biggest rival has been handed a massive competitive edge? There was talk two summers ago that the Aggies want badly to bolt for the SEC, which has the advantages of being both a better and more balanced league, but in the end Beebe was able to hold most of his conference together. It’s hard to imagine him doing it again.
An A&M official told the Houston Chronicle the rest of the Big 12 was “tired of Texas.” The rest of the league, you might note, includes Oklahoma. Even though the Dallas Morning News reported that “no other Big 12 team is considering an exit,” it would only make sense for the SEC, assuming it adds a 13th team, to find a 14th just for numerical balance. And Oklahoma, which is ranked No. 1 in the coaches’ preseason football poll, would be the obvious target.
Check the Sooners’ 2011 schedule. Note that Nebraska isn’t on it. That game, which stood for decades as the decider in the old Big Eight, has been lost to realignment. Oklahoma still plays Texas in Dallas and Oklahoma State home-and-home, but who else in the Big 12 stands as a worthy adversary? Kansas? Baylor? Iowa State?
There might be no groundswell for Oklahoma to leave the Big 12 yet, but just wait. When/if Texas A&M departs, would the Sooners want to stay in a nine-team league where its biggest rival has its own network?
No one school owns the SEC. No, not even Alabama. (If Bama did, would Auburn enter the 2011 season as the reigning BCS titlist?) The competition in the SEC is cutthroat, but schools believe that if you work hard enough you can win big. Check that coaches’ poll and you’ll find South Carolina, Arkansas and Mississippi State in the Top 25.
If everybody else in the Big 12 is “tired of Texas,” Oklahoma would surely feel the fatigue more than most. (Let’s note, too, that the Longhorn Network hasn’t even had its premiere.) Oklahoma looked hard at the SEC in the summer of 2010. When/if Texas A&M bolts, the next school to exit could well be riding off in the Sooner Schooner.
By Mark Bradley
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347 comments Add your comment
A history class is in order here
August 11th, 2011
4:49 pm
Three years back or maybe two, UGA played in that fabulous bowl in Shreveport, that pays the winner about $59.99 CASH and a free Shoney burger with fries OR onion rings. Soft drink is extra. The Independence Bowl, which used to be The Weedeater Bowl it is. GT of course played there last year and was STOPMED by mighty Air Force ROTC or whatever.
Anyway, all of the GT fans slammed UGA for putting a good whupping on the Aggies in that 2009 bowl. They alleged that “A&M is a nobody school” and “has no history”. GT fans made fun of A&M then because they are too young to know that A&M is BIG BOY BALL and ALWAYS WILL BE.
A&M is being talked about for the ELITE SEC ……………..notice GT’s lil name is not coming up??? They use to be a cornerstone of the SEC in my day, until Dodd ran from UGA and Dooley and Bama with Bear Bryant and Ole Miss and Johnny Vaught, Shug Jordan at AU and LSU. GT ran like a girl. Scared girl.
A&M would be a perfect SEC addition …………. very solid history and program and plenty of money, powerfull alumni and did I say money? They are also BIG BOY BALL. They are in TEXAS home of my man W.
GT? lil boy ball in the lil acc. Sad.
Go Dogs and GO SEC !!!
Hillbilly D
August 11th, 2011
4:49 pm
As with everything else in Division 1 football, it’s about money.
Thanks to ESPN BIG12 now on Life Support - BeyondU Sports
August 11th, 2011
5:01 pm
[...] If Texas A&M joins the SEC, the Big 12 drops to nine schools. And there is already speculation that Oklahoma will be next to join the SEC. [...]
Vince Lombardi
August 11th, 2011
5:06 pm
I don’t see why Va Tech would leave a conference that sends them to a BCS game almost every year.
Bob
August 11th, 2011
5:06 pm
I don’t blame Texas A&M and the others…Texas has a sweetheart deal like Notre Dame. Maybe the new SEC could be 16 teams with A&M, OU, Clemson, and FSU. Since it’s all about the money, I can’t imagine how large the TV contract would be.
lawzoo
August 11th, 2011
5:07 pm
What is up with all this ClemTechState’s might consider nonsense? MIGHT consider going to the SEC?
Uh, no thanks losers. There is no considering and if that’s even remotely possible have fun in Winston-Salem and Durham on Saturday ’s. I hope they’re not even given the opportunity in the future..
Leatherneck1061
August 11th, 2011
5:09 pm
As a diehard Sooner fan who tries to stay informed, I can say that OU fans are not at all interested in remaining in the Big (whatever) if A&M leaves. Anyone can see abundant proof of that here:
http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/2011/8/11/2357097/would-you-forgive-the-ou-brass-if#storyjump
There is a growing belief that partnership with Texas is just not viable in the longterm. I would prefer the SEC, but some others prefer the PAC (whatever). Check it out at Crimson and Cream and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Alfredo Garcia
August 11th, 2011
5:10 pm
I know that SEC schools get to keep their local multimedia packages, which are not included in the ESPN/CBS deal. For Florida, that means an additional $10 million per year from its contract with Sun Sports. I know that Big 10 schools do not have the rights to their local multimedia. I’m not sure about the Big 12. Looking at the national contract figures is not always an apples-to-apples comparison.
Old School
August 11th, 2011
5:11 pm
Bring back Sewanee to the SEC, the original purple tigers!
Rip ‘em up, tear ‘em up
Leave ‘em in the lurch!
Down with the heathen,
Up with the Chuirch!
Yea, Sewanee’s right!
puppydawg
August 11th, 2011
5:13 pm
The disparity in Big 12 payouts is a surefire recipe for failure. It’s no small wonder that teams are looking to jump ship.
Mike G
August 11th, 2011
5:31 pm
Get over yourself Oklahoma. The SEC will balance A&M by going east and picking up Virginia Tech or Clemson. The SEC does not need Oklahoma.
mark
August 11th, 2011
5:31 pm
Clemson makes more sense than Oklahoma. You would have to move a West team to the East if you added Oklahoma and the only teams that make sense goegraphically are Auburn or Alabama. No way does either of them move. Clemson used to be part of the SEC and has good rivalries with South Carolina and Georgia and they also have a history of having a decent football program. You just add Texas A&M to the West and Clemson to the East. Perfect. Clemson makes perfect sense to me.
rally
August 11th, 2011
5:34 pm
It was my understanding that in the Big 12, Texas got a certain percent of all conference revenues off the top. They then got an equal cut as everyone else off of whatever is left. Now they add the Longhorn network for even more dollars. No wonder everyone wants out.
Mean Machine
August 11th, 2011
5:40 pm
OK is joined at the hip to TX. And like Texas, they fear joining the SEC, because they know they would no longer be a big fish in a small pond. I think the logical addition if you’re going to add TX A&M, would be FSU or Clemson. But FSU had their chance before to join the SEC, and they wanted no part of the gauntlet. Clemson might come aboard, but they can’t even win an ACC title. They certainly wouldn’t have anymore success in the SEC. A sleeper could be Louisville, or possibly West Virginia.
rally
August 11th, 2011
5:43 pm
Yes I see where the Sporting News is speculating Louisville could be the other school.
Steveo
August 11th, 2011
5:53 pm
The Aggies have said for at least a couple of days now this is a done deal it’s only a matter of whether they officially start in ‘12 or ‘13. As far has who comes with them I prefer it to be Clemson but I seriously doubt they go after an ACC team without expanding to 16 or >. My guess Slive makes a hard push for OU who knows if they come or not.
BL
August 11th, 2011
5:55 pm
Pretty good but he leaves out the discussion of state politics. Hard to believe the state of okla would let ou and osu split up. It could be a death blow to osu. The ags might have it easier to split but politics will eventually be in play – just as they were at the start of the big12 when the state governor pushed baylor (the only private school) into the league at the expense of Houston or tcu.
Steveo
August 11th, 2011
5:57 pm
“No way does either of them move. Clemson used to be part of the SEC ” Huh???? AU would love to move to the East to renew our rivalry with Florida and to a lesser extent TN. AU & UA could still play each other yearly…….oh and Clemson was never a part of the SEC.
T3
August 11th, 2011
5:58 pm
Lots of VERY UN-INFORMED opinions in here today.
GUARANTEED FACT:
Clemson, UNC, VT, UVA will…NEEEEEE-VER…EEEEEE-VER…join the SEC.
And, for the VERY SAME reasons, Mizzou wont either.
So, drop your delusions folks.
Rick Perry discusses possible Texas A&M move to SEC – KVUE :- Women's Issues : Women's Issues. | Versatile Information Portal
August 11th, 2011
6:00 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Rick Perry discusses possible Texas A&M move to SEC – KVUE | Daily Articles Trends and News
August 11th, 2011
6:09 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Gator alum
August 11th, 2011
6:12 pm
Amen, Steveo – I’d love to see the annual rivalry with Auburn get renewed. That was a great game, and I hated to see that annual series end.
Is Texas A&M Leaving the Big 12 for the SEC? - ESPN RADIO 560 WEBC
August 11th, 2011
6:24 pm
[...] teams. If the Aggies do decide to leave, the Big 12 could face more problems, since Oklahoma might follow them out the [...]
jackyldo
August 11th, 2011
6:34 pm
it does not stop at 14 — 16 is the number 8 on each side West and East.
In the long run there will be 5 or 6 – 16 team leagues each with at least 2 auto entries into a 16 team National College Football Playoff.
Alphare
August 11th, 2011
6:34 pm
My idea about SEC future:
15 teams in all with 3 divisions, division champs + a wild card battle for SEC champ in a 3-game playoff.
That way, SEC needs 3 more teams. My choices are: Tech, T-AM, Clemson.
Remarkable
August 11th, 2011
6:56 pm
What about Louisville? That would balance the conferences out.
Beast from the East
August 11th, 2011
7:03 pm
Steveo,
I agree. Bring the “Barn” over to the East. Naturl rivals with UGA and UF. Their permanent West for could be the Bammers.
I would love to see us get Texas A&M. Then shock the world with the addition of UNC, Duke and Wake Forest. Move UT over to the West. Could you imagine the hoops and baseball with those programs? Not to mention the academic standards that Duke and UNC would bring. I know it’s a pipe dream, but what the heck?
Beast from the East
August 11th, 2011
7:04 pm
Sorry, several typos. “Natural” and “foe” instead of whatever the heck I typed up there!
Stinger2
August 11th, 2011
7:06 pm
Bradley is at it again. He headlines this blog with ” Texas A&M to the SEC will happen”….
He closes this article (last sentence with “when/it it happens”….
A classic example of talking out of both sides of the mouth.
Delbert D.
August 11th, 2011
7:11 pm
For the Texas grad that posted at 4:47: Texas A&M is not in Waco, it is in College Station. That is about 150 miles west of the Louisiana border.
sports
August 11th, 2011
7:17 pm
A good move would be to kick The Auburn Correctional out and bring Oklahoma in. A little integrity goes a long way.
Thoroughbred
August 11th, 2011
7:21 pm
@UofL Card…
BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Little brother little brother this about the SEC not the big least conference. Get ready this year LOSERVILLE because were going to BEAT you tards I mean cards for the 5th straight year!!!! So instead of being concerned how the Big Blue Nation would feel about Tx A&M joining the SEC you should worry about beating us 1st. Seriously you have me rolling. Y’all envy us so much it’s not even funny.
Go back to your GHETTO comuter school, trim your line beard up, and keep rocking those flat bill hats with the sticker still on it you putz. By the way did you have fun watching UK in the Final Four this past year? How did y’all do? Oh that’s right Murray St beat you in the 1st round. Have you ate at Porcini’s lately? I hear 15 second down my leg Rick “abortion” Pitino is fond of that place. Get ready for that 5th straight loss to us in football!
Cobb
August 11th, 2011
7:24 pm
But Clemson gets no respect in the ACC because the league is run by UNC and Duke. Clemson to the SEC is a natural fit. It will take some time for the Tigers to gear up but moving to the SEC would excite the fan base and bring in a lot more cash.
Beast from the East
August 11th, 2011
7:31 pm
“Speaking as a life-long Nashvillian, let me assure you that there is no way Vanderbilt will ever leave the SEC voluntarily. The dollars they earn keep the athletic programs afloat. The SEC is king in Nashville and we often host the Conference basketball tournament as well as have an SEC affiliated Bowl Game. Vandy packs its stands in Football with all of you fans from other teams coming to Nashville to watch your team play and your dollars work here just fine. When that big old conference pie gets cut, Vandy gets the same juicy slice as Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, LSU, etc.”
Rally,
You are exactly right. They also bring some pretty fine basketball and baseball programs to the table. Not to mention, they are our most prestigious academic institution. No way Vandy leaves voluntarily or are they ever asked to leave. No way.
Noles
August 11th, 2011
7:38 pm
noles
GeezusDawg
August 11th, 2011
7:39 pm
Why does everyone think that Va. Tech brings DC? It doesn’t. Maryland brings DC, Charlottesville (UVA) is closer to DC. WVA is closer to DC. ……..Buy a map……or go to DC (an NFL town).
Time
August 11th, 2011
7:41 pm
Listen people. UF is NEVER going to allow FSU entrance into the SEC just the same as UGA is NEVER going to allow Tech back into the SEC. Why would the top state schools allow their in-state “competitors” the money and recruiting boost that the SEC would give them.
Texas A+M fits because they’re not stepping on anyone’s recruiting trail. In reality, they will open up roads into Texas for other SEC schools. Clemson does sort of fit the mold of a SEC school, and I don’t suspect that South Carolina has enough pull to prevent their joining. VT makes the most sense of any of the possible eastern schools simply because it would open up another state to the SEC and open the DC media market to the conference.
Still Oklahoma should be the top priority if the A+M to the SEC rumor plays out. You put OU and the Aggies in the western division, move Bama and Auburn to the East. Then you sit back and say screw the rest of them. Let the Pac 12 or ACC or whoever pick up the scraps. The SEC will go from king, which it already is, to universal supreme ruler of all college football.
Beast from the East
August 11th, 2011
7:42 pm
Thoroughbred,
Just to clarify…..you don’t care for Louisville, right?
Delbert D.
August 11th, 2011
7:42 pm
Clemson’s top 5 choices of majors in 2011:
17 – Sociology
17 – Pre-Business
9 – Undeclared
6 – Community Recreation, Sport & Camp Management
6 – Communication Studies
Good fit for the SEC.
Beast from the East
August 11th, 2011
7:45 pm
Delbert,
I’m still majoring in “undeclared” at 44 years old.
Delbert D.
August 11th, 2011
7:50 pm
Beast – LOL! I eventually completed my grand tour through 8 fine (well, some were) institutions of higher learning at age 54. Physics, psychology, and anthropology fell by the wayside early on. Total slacker. I finally got my butt in gear after military service.
Hootie Ingrahm
August 11th, 2011
7:54 pm
@ Cobb Ox. clemson won’t get any respect in the SEC.If they crave respect by north carolina and Duke give up.
Excite the fan base? Wow. Everyone really cares about that fan base don’t they?
Not outside of Pickens County they don’t.
Thoroughbred
August 11th, 2011
7:57 pm
Over at AggieYell.com they are reporting it’s a done deal for Tx A&M to join the SEC. A vote on August 22nd at the board of regents meeting will make it official.
Delbert D.
August 11th, 2011
8:03 pm
Thoroughbred – Do they have an official invitation from the SEC?
WalkerMuhDawg
August 11th, 2011
8:09 pm
West Virginia added to the East gets the SEC into the Ohio and Pennsylvania TV markets. … ’nuff said!
Delbert D.
August 11th, 2011
8:14 pm
Okay, I’ve read the Sporting News article. A&M would be a great fit, as they’ve always had a hard-nosed football team and fan base (all those ex-military grads). But I really hope that Houston (the university) doesn’t get the slightest consideration. They are a Tier 4 academic school.
Delbert D.
August 11th, 2011
8:18 pm
West Virginia, maybe, based on their modest success through the years. However, Cincinnati gets part of the Ohio market and they are <100 miles from Lexington, and more importantly, a major airport. That would be interesting to get directly into the Big Ten area (stick it in and twist).
Fan of the Game
August 11th, 2011
8:55 pm
Realy hate to see the conferences changing like they are. Pretty soon you will have 4 major conferences and that will be it.
htownbravesfan
August 11th, 2011
8:58 pm
As an LSU grad with five cousins who graduated from Texas A & M, I would love to see them join the SEC for my own selfish reasons. This would also boost my already strong argument that the SEC is far and away a better conference than the Big 12 (you would not believe the number of people here in Texas who will say the Big 12 is a better football conference and do it with an absolute straight face). On another level, the SEC by no means needs any further elevation, but it certainly will not hurt to have the state of Texas in the league. Oklahoma, on the other hand, is not needed, and we’d be better served poaching a Clemson, West Virginia, etc. For all of you calling for Vandy to get the axe, academics, believe it or not, does play a vital role in a conference’s standing with the NCAA. As the top academic school in the league, Vandy only goes if they want to. That won’t happen because even as perennial football doormats, they still get a nice slice of the money pie.
Delbert D.
August 11th, 2011
9:17 pm
Fan of the Game – Comment noted and the feeling behind it understood. Four 16-team conferences would include 64 teams, which would essentially be the top half tier of the current FBS (not including independents like Navy, Army, Notre Dame and BYU if they don’t join conferences. The conference championship games would (eventually, I hope) be the first game of a national playoff system for this “premier league”. What about the rest of the FBS? Give them their own championship system like the FCS has?
This is really a major shift. One thing to keep in mind is that the NCAA Basketball tournament originally included only 8 teams, and prior to 1975 only one team per conference was allowed to participate. It seems inevitable that “Division 1A” football will have a playoff instead of the corrupt (and expensive, to the schools) bowl system. It is irrational not to have playoffs in all divisions.