A&M To The SEC Nearly A Done Deal ??

[buffs]

That scenario of Texas and friends was spun by Chip over at Orangebloods. They were not in the drivers seat. As Larry Scott has said, every expansion scenario included Colorado. And I think any future expansion will be guided by capturing more top TV markets. Three to note are Dallas (#5), St. Louis, (#21) and San Diego (#28).

 

[The Guest]

The Pac-12 doesn't want Tech. They never did - they just wanted Texass. And if it was going to take bringing Tech, A&M, and the Pokes in order to do it, then what the hell. The Pac-10 drew a line in the sand last summer: Texas wanted to bring A&M, Tech, OU, OK St., and Baylor (while blowing off CU). The Pac-10 (and particularly Cal) strongly objected to a religious school coming on board, particularly one that brought absolutely nothing to the table. Texas got butthurt when it couldn't bring ALL of its friends, and decided to take its ball and go home. I think the new TV deal was better than anyone imagined, and now, the Pac-12 doesn't really need Texas that much. Do we really need Texas and a bunch of scraps at this point? It might be worth it if we could get Texas and Oklahoma (2 solid football programs) to bring along Tech and OK St. But if this actually goes down and OU joins A&M in the SEC, I don't think the Pac-12 will take in the pu pu platter just so they can get Texass.

Personally, I'd like to see Tech replaced by KU in any future expansion. Texas' insistence on bring along fellow Texas teams really doesn't hold water if A&M is already gone. I know this is all about college football and not basketball, but the Pac-12 is a great basketball conference and having KU would be sweet. Plus they'd bring the Kansas City market. Only way I see it making sense for the Pac is if the four we get are Texas, OU, KU, and maybe OK St. as the last throw-in. I'm pretty happy with just Colorado and Utah, though. Just my .02.

I think you're overstating Texas' desire to bring their friends. University of Texas only cares about the University of Texas. There was some political movement afoot to keep some of those teams linked, granted.

However, where I think you're completely missing the boat is with Baylor. Texas didn't want Baylor. The Pac didn't want Baylor. That entire "Baylor or Bust" movement was started with Buddy Jones and Kenneth Starr and did not have traction whatsoever outside of Baylor Conference rooms and Baylor fan chat sites. It was never a serious consideration for anyone not wearing green.

 

[MrFrumpylane]

I think you're overstating Texas' desire to bring their friends. University of Texas only cares about the University of Texas. There was some political movement afoot to keep some of those teams linked, granted.

However, where I think you're completely missing the boat is with Baylor. Texas didn't want Baylor. The Pac didn't want Baylor. That entire "Baylor or Bust" movement was started with Buddy Jones and Kenneth Starr and did not have traction whatsoever outside of Baylor Conference rooms and Baylor fan chat sites. It was never a serious consideration for anyone not wearing green.

Exactly.

 

[Tractor]

Looks like, once again, Allbuffs scooped ESPN:
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/6851396/texas-governor-says-texas-considering-move-sec

 

[77buff]

Read this and it makes alot of sense. If the SEC adds Texas A&M, OU, Oklahoma St, and Mizzo. The four new schools will be in the new west and Alabama & Auburn will move to the new east.

 

[JimmyBuff]

Read this and it makes alot of sense. If the SEC adds Texas A&M, OU, Oklahoma St, and Mizzo. The four new schools will be in the new west and Alabama & Auburn will move to the new east.

Interesting. Kansas/KSU will probably go to the Big East

 

[Del]

I don't think the PAC-12 will be adding any teams even if A&M does go to the SEC. The PAC 12 has its TV deal aready and it wouldn't make sense financially to add more teams unless they can bring in more revenue. With the championship model, you would need 2 new teams to balance the divisions. With each current member taking home around 20 mill per season when the new contract kicks in, the new teams would have to collectively add over 40 million dollars annually in value for it to make sense. I don't see any schools out there currently that are worth that save Texas and they are a non starter with the LHN.

 

[dyemeduke]

I just want to say **** Texas - I hate them for ruining what could have been a great conference. There is some great football in the RM/Plains regions, and there should be a power conference for those teams - CU, OU, Ok Lite, NU, Mizzou, Utah, BYU...

**** texas, **** texas, **** texas. They're selfish, self-serving, ignorant bastards that are ruining college football in the area. I like TAMU just because I hate Texas so much. Austin's cool, but **** Texas. Once again, **** tu.

 

[The Guest]

I just want to say **** Texas - I hate them for ruining what could have been a great conference. There is some great football in the RM/Plains regions, and there should be a power conference for those teams - CU, OU, Ok Lite, NU, Mizzou, Utah, BYU...

**** texas, **** texas, **** texas. They're selfish, self-serving, ignorant bastards that are ruining college football in the area. I like TAMU just because I hate Texas so much. Austin's cool, but **** Texas. Once again, **** tu.

Horns down, brother!

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

Horns down, brother!

fify (or more accurately, TWheat fify!)

 

[Mick Ronson]

pupu platter is right, though i may opt for the poo poo spelling.

how is Tech desirable in all this? more than KU, even factoring all the Great State of Texas huckstering and provincialism...?

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

Sigh...it's a TAMU blog site, so it may only have a passing acquaintance with truth/reality...but

http://www.iamthe12thman.com/2011/8/10/2356379/latest-secede-rumors#storyjump

Get ready to go back to those fabulous roadies in Lubbock...every other year. I really hope UT convinces folks to hold together and invites BYU.

This guy lost credibility the minute that he claimed Tech was anywhere close to the driver's seat. Tech is a passenger, begging for a ticket on whatever trains leaves the Big 12.

As was said earlier. Texas is only concerned about Texas. If the LHN hasn't proven that, I don't know what will.

 

[Mick Ronson]

if Tech was still winning 10 a year with media magnet Leach and RMK was still pushing them into the NCAA every other year....maybe Tech would be a player. but, those days are long gone. their hoops attendance is crap now and Tuberville will punch the clock with 6-9 wins (thanks in part to the OOC), maybe upset UT or OU in Lub from time to time....but, now....they don't bring much to the table.

 

[GregInArlington]

I just want to say **** Texas - I hate them for ruining what could have been a great conference. There is some great football in the RM/Plains regions, and there should be a power conference for those teams - CU, OU, Ok Lite, NU, Mizzou, Utah, BYU...

**** texas, **** texas, **** texas. They're selfish, self-serving, ignorant bastards that are ruining college football in the area. I like TAMU just because I hate Texas so much. Austin's cool, but **** Texas. Once again, **** tu.

Look on the bright side - we are now part of the Rock Mountain / Pacific Coast region, instead of the Rocky Mountain / Plains region. Major upgrade in my opinion.

 

[sackman]

While it's enjoyable to watch the implosion of the Big 12, I have this nagging thought that somehow it's going to lead to UT going to the Pac. That thought worries, frightens and upsets me greatly. In all honesty, I think the Pac 12 is the perfect conference just the way it is. No changes are necessary.

At the end of the day, though, I think UT is far too self-centered and arrogant to ever allow itself to be governed by an actual conference. They think they're above that kind of low-brow slumming. My rational self has to keep telling my emotional and irrational self that.

 

[Mick Ronson]

Look on the bright side - we are not part of the Rock Mountain / Pacific Coast region, instead of the Rocky Mountain / Plains region. Major upgrade in my opinion.

is "not" a typo here in the first stanza...?

well, even though it will never happen due to TV dynamics and ad $$$....i still think a mountain state conference that included CU (back on track), Utah and BYU (of the last decade), the Arizona schools (legit .500 or better teams) would have been a blast, AFA, Wyoming, maybe T Tech. regional and BCS auto-bid. but, that's nostalgia for the never-happen at this point. no population density to back it up in today's money calculus.

 

[Mick Ronson]

While it's enjoyable to watch the implosion of the Big 12, I have this nagging thought that somehow it's going to lead to UT going to the Pac. That thought worries, frightens and upsets me greatly. In all honesty, I think the Pac 12 is the perfect conference just the way it is. No changes are necessary.
.

i agree completely. if it turns out we end up with UT, OU, OSU, and Tech....this little honeymoon will have been swell....but empty.

 

[The Guest]

fify (or more accurately, TWheat fify!)

That's a rep for you, good sir.

 

[GregInArlington]

is "not" a typo here in the first stanza...?

well, even though it will never happen due to TV dynamics and ad $$$....i still think a mountain state conference that included CU (back on track), Utah and BYU (of the last decade), the Arizona schools (legit .500 or better teams) would have been a blast, AFA, Wyoming, maybe T Tech. regional and BCS auto-bid. but, that's nostalgia for the never-happen at this point. no population density to back it up in today's money calculus.

yes, typo. fixed it.

 

[Denver_sc]

On local radio this afternoon Chip Brown said he thinks A&M to the SEC by the end of the month was around 50-50, however when they put him on the spot, he says if he had to pick he thinks they will go.

I happen to disagree, however I have no sources.

I'm unclear... how does this make you different from Chip?

 

[Lt.Col.FrankSlade]

Texas A&M has been pursuing this idea for a while. Given they are STILL bringing it up, even after the little guys of the conference agreed to give up some of their take so Texas A&M could get more (KSU, ISU, OSU, Tech agreed to take $15 mil, so OU, UT, and A&M could get $20 mil), I would say it is a lot more than 50/50 that they are going to go!

That being said - the SEC isn't going to add just ONE team (making them a 13 team conference). There is another team out there who is doing a much better job of keeping things quiet.

 

[Darian3Hagan]

Texas A&M has been pursuing this idea for a while. Given they are STILL bringing it up, even after the little guys of the conference agreed to give up some of their take so Texas A&M could get more (KSU, ISU, OSU, Tech agreed to take $15 mil, so OU, UT, and A&M could get $20 mil), I would say it is a lot more than 50/50 that they are going to go!

That being said - the SEC isn't going to add just ONE team (making them a 13 team conference). There is another team out there who is doing a much better job of keeping things quiet.

Florida State?

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

Nope. I think it's going to be Clemson. Already has a built in rivalry with SC.

 

[sackman]

Nope. I think it's going to be Clemson. Already has a built in rivalry with SC.

Clemson doesn't bring anything to the conference that it doesn't already have. While I agree that culturally and geographically it would be a good fit, the SEC already has access to the SC tv markets. Same with Florida, actually.

 

[Mick Ronson]

for what's it's worth, i'm seeing things where ATM will only go to the SEC if OU doesn't get an offer. ATM wants Mizzou as a partner member. true or not, i dunno.

i think you guys are pushing the TV market as the sole criterion too far. Clemson would be a nice add for the SEC, who else? G Tech....UGA and the SEC already own Atlanta. the SEC already has the national wanking of ESPN behind it. adding Clemson instead of someone else isn't going to change that.

 

[CVilleBuff]

If the SEC is going to pry a 14th team from the ACC, then it's going to be Florida State. South Carolina is a small state (4 million) in which the heavy majority are Gamecocks fans. It's also worth noting that contrary to popular belief, Clemson hasn't done jack-**** in football lately (last conference title 1991, pre-FSU), and they're also considered part of the heart of the ACC as a founding member in 1953. While you can use the same "it doesn't add media markets" argument for FSU, FSU is a national program, Clemson isn't. Locking down the state of Florida (pop 19 million and growing quickly) is much more in the interest of the SEC. As for Virginia Tech, don't even mention it, not going to happen after Virginia got them in the ACC 7 short years ago.

Basically, if it's not Florida State, then there will be no SEC expansion in the East. It would have to be Oklahoma or Mizzou.

 

[BuffNut99]

nm

 

[dio]

I don't care what happens so long as we don't get stuck in some sort of former B12 division, basically negating lots of the good things the Pac12 provides for us.

 

[sackman]

I don't care what happens so long as we don't get stuck in some sort of former B12 division, basically negating lots of the good things the Pac12 provides for us.

amen to this.

 

[MtnBuff]

While it's enjoyable to watch the implosion of the Big 12, I have this nagging thought that somehow it's going to lead to UT going to the Pac. That thought worries, frightens and upsets me greatly. In all honesty, I think the Pac 12 is the perfect conference just the way it is. No changes are necessary.

At the end of the day, though, I think UT is far too self-centered and arrogant to ever allow itself to be governed by an actual conference. They think they're above that kind of low-brow slumming. My rational self has to keep telling my emotional and irrational self that.

I share the same concerns you have about a new Texas division in the PAC but your post includes the reasons why it won't happen.

Texas thinks they are special, they will not accept a conference set-up where they feel like they can't call shots and have special priveledges. At the same time the PAC fortunately has a number of presidents who are not willing to accept a member who is a greater among equals, who creates a first class and second class division in the conference. As much as Texas would like to join the PAC and as much as the PAC would like the TVs Texas brings I think the cultures are to different for the union to ever happen.

The more logical place for Texas would be the SEC or the Big 10. The SEC has a bunch of schools who are as arrogant as Texas and wouldn't be bothered by them. The Big 10 has a number of schools who have big enough egos to think they could manage a Texas as part of the conference.

In the back of my mind I keep getting a feeling that when it all works out, Texas and Notre Dame end up in the Big 10, talk about a battle of egos if that happens.