https://www.houstonchronicle.com/te...a-reach-out-to-SEC-about-joining-16330080.php Not able to copy the article here from device I’m on…but the article says representatives of OU and UT have begun reaching out to join the SEC, making it presumably the first 16 team super conference that have been rumored for years.
Hard to believe A&M would have the sway to block the SEC from adding two programs of that caliber if they wanted them.
If that's a real quote then it's hard to imagine someone in his position could be that out of touch w reality. College football is a business above all else - SEC brass would happily disregard A&M's feelings if it meant bringing in two behemoth programs like UT and OU.
Reading they need 75% to get voted in. Outside of A&M and maybe Arkansas, not sure would not vote yes. The additional brand revenue alone would justify it IMO. I do wonder if it’s a bit of a ploy to push the Big 12 to get off their asses. The PAC 12 is ripe for the taking. Scheduling would be a nightmare but the markets and brands are all there just waiting IMO.
It's nearly impossible to imagine UT swallowing its pride and doing this, or OU leaving OSU in the dust, but we are living in crazy times. I personally would love to see it.
State powers will try to stop this as OSU and the other Texas schools would be in a world of trouble. There is a whole new regime at Texas who I personally think won’t give a crap about the past. They took their shot on the LHN, got paid in the process, and would like seek a HUGE raise with a move.
My gut reaction is that it's a negotiating ploy. OU has shown the strength and weakness of the Big 12: a top-heavy conference (an OU-only conference, really, the last five years) that basically has a free pass to the playoff if they can go undefeated. But, they also get exposed playing the Alabamas and Clemsons of the world in that format. Too many Big 12 football programs, including Texas, have been down for too long and something has to give. Leaving Kansas and Baylor basketball behind would be a big loss.
The LHN contract was for 10 years, right? No way ESPN agrees to an extension of it, so there's gotta be some type of change to Big 12 media rights with every other conference sitting on their own network.
I'm certainly not one to tell him how to do his job but the entire landscape of collegiate athletics is going through a paradigm shift the likes of which we've never seen and "standing alone" is an archaic mindset. This is about creating brand recognition and leveraging conference strength into an unparalleled marketing, advertising, and content-creating machine. The Sunbelt, w Texas included, is a demographic bonanza. If they could kick out Miss St. and bring Miami into the fold.... holy cow. Houston, Dallas, Austin, Nashville, Atlanta, and Miami are some of the fastest growing metros in the country.
John Lopez just tweeted out a string relaying what he’s hearing from his sources. I can’t post here but if you’re interested go check it out.
No thanks. Texas would be a tier 2 team in the SEC. A&M has no chance of getting to the playoffs as we stand. At least in the Big 12 Texas can go undefeated and beat OU to make the Playoffs.
I think the thought is that what you’re seeing here with NIL money and this push for super conferences is that everything is about to change radically. I’m not sure the NCAA survives as a governing body. The structure of playoffs and everything else is all up in the air it seems.
I remember ******** bricks for Baylor the last time these types of talks came up. I'll feel much better after the new basketball arena and outdoor football complex that is about to be constructed. Baylor would be picked up somewhere if the conferences go to 16. Bring it.
