Pac-10 might ask Texas and five other Big 12 schools to join

[Goldensilence]

Will be interesting to see what happens now. Right now Pac 10, Big 10, SEC, and ACC have 12 teams. Big XII has 10. Big East has 8.

I do not forsee any other major changes in the BCS conferences this year. I think the Big XII will stand pat at 10 teams for the next 2-3 years as UT gets its exclusive (Fox?) TV deal ironed out. Over the next 2-3 I think we will see how successful they can be with it. If it is a big moneymaker, they may entertain bringing in an up and comer like TCU into the Big XII which does not bring in much revenue, but brings in solid football.

I think the Big XII want to stay around 11 schools so they do not need to play the extra championship game.

I think its a couple of years but they will look to add two more teams. I still think by that time UH becomes a serious contender to be added.

Who dosen't think Missouri is gone in a heart beat if they get an invite from
the Big 10 ? This conference is shakier than ever.

Well by most accounts people thought Mizzou would be the one that would be the one offered a spot by the Big 10 first. Really it came down to wanting the football tradition of NU instead of the all around package Mizzou is academically and athletically.

I don't see Mizzou getting an invite. Even then I think after the flirtation with the Big X they would want an official public invite.

 

[ATXtexanfan]

Both TT and OSU were highly rated whe UH beat them. And they would love to schedule UT at Reliant.

You think they are scared?

no, dont think they are scared at all. when app st beat michigan at the big house they didn't jump from 1AA to 1A did they? beating osu and tt means nothing. didn't utep beat UH by 21? should they be in the big 12 also? big ten lite will stay at 10 schools because they don't want to share the cash. UH brings nothing to the table for them. when did tt and osu become top tier teams?

 

[Goldensilence]

no, dont think they are scared at all. when app st beat michigan at the big house they didn't jump from 1AA to 1A did they? beating osu and tt means nothing. didn't utep beat UH by 21? should they be in the big 12 also? big ten lite will stay at 10 schools because they don't want to share the cash. UH brings nothing to the table for them. when did tt and osu become top tier teams?

Why yes. Yes they did. It was the one good moment for my the football season here at UTEP.

I think Mike Price has next year to get back into the winning column. If not, I know this might sound crazy, but I'd love it if the school brought in Leach.

 

[JB]

no, dont think they are scared at all. when app st beat michigan at the big house they didn't jump from 1AA to 1A did they? beating osu and tt means nothing. didn't utep beat UH by 21? should they be in the big 12 also? big ten lite will stay at 10 schools because they don't want to share the cash. UH brings nothing to the table for them. when did tt and osu become top tier teams?

I didn't say anything about UH to Big XII-2. In response to the post by Bong

Yeah UH certainly can't beat other BigXII teams oh wai-

You said

when did they beat UT and OU? TT and OSU wins mean nothing. UH should schedule UT at reliant.

I think it meant what it meant. UH beat two good Big XII-2 teams.

 

[ATXtexanfan]

I didn't say anything about UH to Big XII-2. In response to the post by Bong


You said



I think it meant what it meant. UH beat two good Big XII-2 teams.

not picking a fight or nothing. i just dont understand how beating TT and OSU means anything in the grand scheme of things. sorry jb

 

[JB]

not picking a fight or nothing. i just dont understand how beating TT and OSU means anything in the grand scheme of things. sorry jb

No problem. I just don't think you should discount what they did. It was huge for them at the time.

 

[IDEXAN]

Well by most accounts people thought Mizzou would be the one that would be the one offered a spot by the Big 10 first. Really it came down to wanting the football tradition of NU instead of the all around package Mizzou is academically and athletically.

I don't see Mizzou getting an invite. Even then I think after the flirtation with the Big X they would want an official public invite.

That's my point. They wanted to go and were actively and openly pimping themselves to the "Big 10" but didn't get an invite, so with this
new financial arrangement in the "Big 12" where they and other teams are in an even more subservient role to UT than before, they will leave so quick with an invite from the "Big 10" (or another BCS conference if that opportunity should arise ?) it will make your head swim.
They may not get one, but if they do "bye, bye Mizzou".

 

[Hookem Horns]

OK, I just posted something in the other Houston thread before I saw this one. How does UH not bring anything to the table? Isn't Houston still the 4th largest TV market? As far as competing, you don't think UH would recruit better and become a power if it were in the Big 12? Geez, they beat OSU last year in the crappy conference they are in now.

I think UH would turn into a power in the Big 12 as it was in the SWC. They should have been in the Big 12 to start off with and Baylor should be playing schools like Texas State.

 

[steelbtexan]

OK, I just posted something in the other Houston thread before I saw this one. How does UH not bring anything to the table? Isn't Houston still the 4th largest TV market? As far as competing, you don't think UH would recruit better and become a power if it were in the Big 12? Geez, they beat OSU last year in the crappy conference they are in now.

I think UH would turn into a power in the Big 12 as it was in the SWC. They should have been in the Big 12 to start off with and Baylor should be playing schools like Texas State.

UH brings nothing to the Big 12-2. UT & A&M bring more of the TV market share in Houston than UH does.

I went to my 1st UH football game 2 yrs ago and there are better high school stadiums than the one UH plays in. The bathrooms were disgusting.

Hofeinz is a run down piece of crap. UH facilities are helping keep them where they are. A 2nd rate team in a 2nd rate confrence.

That doesn't even adress the fact that UH isn't on par with other Big 12 schools academically. Or the fact that nobody wants to go to the hood to watch a football game. Dont believe me me look at the crowds they draw.


If UH would spend the $$$ it took to upgrade their facilities then maybe they could be looked at for inclusion into the Big 12. Until this happens the Big 12 is just a pipe dream. IMHO

 

[GP]

UH and TCU would make good sense.

UH for their TV market, and TCU for their steadily-rising football program.

Whoever said Leach might be a good fit at UH...I think he would recruit even better at UH because let's face it: What Houston or Dallas player wants to go to Lubbock? But to stay near the DFW-Houston area, where they are near family and family can travel more easily to see them? Probably.

The system is in place at UH. It makes perfect sense. Throw in the fact that Houston is near a body of water, and the whole Pirate schtick is a fit.

 

[GP]

UH brings nothing to the Big 12-2. UT & A&M bring more of the TV market share in Houston than UH does.

I went to my 1st UH football game 2 yrs ago and there are better high school stadiums than the one UH plays in. The bathrooms were disgusting.

Hofeinz is a run down piece of crap. UH facilities are helping keep them where they are. A 2nd rate team in a 2nd rate confrence.

That doesn't even adress the fact that UH isn't on par with other Big 12 schools academically. Or the fact that nobody wants to go to the hood to watch a football game. Dont believe me me look at the crowds they draw.


If UH would spend the $$$ it took to upgrade their facilities then maybe they could be looked at for inclusion into the Big 12. Until this happens the Big 12 is just a pipe dream. IMHO

If they joined the Big 12, I would bet there would be a new stadium.

If Lubbock could do the expansions they undertook, UH can too. Especially if they had a big-name personality join their ranks: Mike Leach.

 

[Dutchrudder]

If they joined the Big 12, I would bet there would be a new stadium.

If Lubbock could do the expansions they undertook, UH can too. Especially if they had a big-name personality join their ranks: Mike Leach.

There is no reason for U of H to change coaches right now. They had a great offense last year but a poor defense that held them back.

 

[Goldensilence]

That's my point. They wanted to go and were actively and openly pimping themselves to the "Big 10" but didn't get an invite, so with this
new financial arrangement in the "Big 12" where they and other teams are in an even more subservient role to UT than before, they will leave so quick with an invite from the "Big 10" (or another BCS conference if that opportunity should arise ?) it will make your head swim.
They may not get one, but if they do "bye, bye Mizzou".

Actually what's your point? If they didn't get an invite around this time, what makes you think they will in another couple of years? What changes?

I also don't get the whole subservient to UT angle some people insist on. Look, a lot of the other schools like Baylor, Iowa State, K-State, Kansas, and there were grumblings the only reason TT would get a PAC-10 invite is because it would be a package deal with UT and A&M. Those schools had just as much interest in keeping the Big 12 together.

So each school gets a raise in revenue sharing, they get to keep in a conference (while it is weaker) still is relevant far as the BCS goes. How is that not a win for those schools as well.

UH brings nothing to the Big 12-2. UT & A&M bring more of the TV market share in Houston than UH does.

I went to my 1st UH football game 2 yrs ago and there are better high school stadiums than the one UH plays in. The bathrooms were disgusting.

Hofeinz is a run down piece of crap. UH facilities are helping keep them where they are. A 2nd rate team in a 2nd rate confrence.

That doesn't even adress the fact that UH isn't on par with other Big 12 schools academically. Or the fact that nobody wants to go to the hood to watch a football game. Dont believe me me look at the crowds they draw.


If UH would spend the $$$ it took to upgrade their facilities then maybe they could be looked at for inclusion into the Big 12. Until this happens the Big 12 is just a pipe dream. IMHO

http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72614

It's in the works.

Both should be done in two years, coincidentally that should be the amount of time the Big 12 should look to expand again and a year or two before they can rework another new contract with ESPN.

 

[GuerillaBlack]

UH to the Big 12! With the way it is, Texas plays weaker competition, so their chance at getting into the national championship game becomes harder. I think both Houston and Arkansas will make it into the Big 12 soon. Then, you can have: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, and Missouri in the Big 12 North. Then, you have Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Houston, Arkansas, and Baylor in the Big 12 South. Then, you can bring back the national championship game and move it from Cowboys Stadium, to Reliant Stadium (and maybe the Alamaodome) every other year. Can you imagine a Oklahoma vs. Texas rematch, where the winner is gets to go to the national championship game, along with the Big 12 championship?

This works best also because it's basically the old SWC division + some of the old Big 8, so teams get to play their old rivals again. It also makes it easier for DFW and Houston to serve as "neutral" site games. Plus, if Arkansas and Houston join the Big 12, it would make it less likely that the conference breaks up, in my opinion. If it sits the way it is, and Texas starts getting a ton of money, while the other schools sit and watch, then I can easily see A&M bolting to the SEC, and Houston teaming up with Texas Tech to both go join another conference (instead of Houston trying to join the Big 12). Then, Texas will be screwed...especially if their goal is the national championship. The BCS will laugh at the competition they play.

 

[Stemp]

I still don't buy these new "revenue projections". And if ND joins the Big 10, Mizzou will be next and this Big 12 lite conference gets flushed down the toilet.

 

[GuerillaBlack]

I still don't buy these new "revenue projections". And if ND joins the Big 10, Mizzou will be next and this Big 12 lite conference gets flushed down the toilet.

Which is why bringing in Houston and Arkansas makes sense. It would make the conference seem more stable, in my opinion, and less likely of a breakup.

 

[IDEXAN]

And if ND joins the Big 10, Mizzou will be next and this Big 12 lite conference gets flushed down the toilet.

Bingo ! Mizzou is gone so fast with an invite from the Big 10, because they were unhappy before and now they are even more unhappy, so with that kind of discontent among present Big 12 members, instability is greater than ever in the "new Big 12".

 

[JB]

Bingo ! Mizzou is gone so fast with an invite from the Big 10, because they were unhappy before and now they are even more unhappy, so with that kind of discontent among present Big 12 members, instability is greater than ever in the "new Big 12".

Where do you come up with this? You know Missouri is unhappier now? How?

They did not get an invite from the Big X before, why do you think they will in the future?

 

[GuerillaBlack]

UH brings nothing to the Big 12-2. UT & A&M bring more of the TV market share in Houston than UH does.

I went to my 1st UH football game 2 yrs ago and there are better high school stadiums than the one UH plays in. The bathrooms were disgusting.

Hofeinz is a run down piece of crap. UH facilities are helping keep them where they are. A 2nd rate team in a 2nd rate confrence.

That doesn't even adress the fact that UH isn't on par with other Big 12 schools academically. Or the fact that nobody wants to go to the hood to watch a football game. Dont believe me me look at the crowds they draw.


If UH would spend the $$$ it took to upgrade their facilities then maybe they could be looked at for inclusion into the Big 12. Until this happens the Big 12 is just a pipe dream. IMHO

Well, luckily, there is a new stadium and arena renovation plan for UH, so all that doesn't matter. Do wish the capacities were larger. Only 40,000 with the ability to expand to 50,000. That isn't bad for the Big 12 though.

 

[Dan B.]

Well, luckily, there is a new stadium and arena renovation plan for UH, so all that doesn't matter. Do wish the capacities were larger. Only 40,000 with the ability to expand to 50,000. That isn't bad for the Big 12 though.

Now they gotta pay for it

 

[IDEXAN]

Where do you come up with this? You know Missouri is unhappier now? How?

They did not get an invite from the Big X before, why do you think they will in the future?

People hear Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon trashing other conference schools’ academics. They see one school wield enough power that some suggest calling the league the Big TeXas. And they definitely watched the video of powerful Oklahoma State booster T. Boone Pickens saying, among other things, “I don’t care about Missouri.”
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/15/2020573/big-12-may-be-saved-but-it-still.html#ixzz0rPgqJszR

This above quote is from the KC Star, and it touchs on some of the reasons
there is nothing but bad chemistry between conference members today.
Re any knowledge that Mizzou would get an invite from the Big 10 (or another conference they might prefer to the Big 12) in the future, I have no such knowledge. But it could happen under various scenarios, and Mizzou only remains in the Big 12 because that is presently its only option. But who's to say what the future holds, because we know that Mizzou is willing to bolt.

 

[TexanSam]

Whoever said Leach might be a good fit at UH...I think he would recruit even better at UH because let's face it: What Houston or Dallas player wants to go to Lubbock? But to stay near the DFW-Houston area, where they are near family and family can travel more easily to see them? Probably.

The system is in place at UH. It makes perfect sense. Throw in the fact that Houston is near a body of water, and the whole Pirate schtick is a fit.

He said Leach to UTEP to replace Mike Price. I don't know if Leach would go to any small non-BCS school though.

 

[JCTexan]

UH to the Big 12! With the way it is, Texas plays weaker competition, so their chance at getting into the national championship game becomes harder. I think both Houston and Arkansas will make it into the Big 12 soon. Then, you can have: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, and Missouri in the Big 12 North. Then, you have Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Houston, Arkansas, and Baylor in the Big 12 South. Then, you can bring back the national championship game and move it from Cowboys Stadium, to Reliant Stadium (and maybe the Alamaodome) every other year. Can you imagine a Oklahoma vs. Texas rematch, where the winner is gets to go to the national championship game, along with the Big 12 championship?

This works best also because it's basically the old SWC division + some of the old Big 8, so teams get to play their old rivals again. It also makes it easier for DFW and Houston to serve as "neutral" site games. Plus, if Arkansas and Houston join the Big 12, it would make it less likely that the conference breaks up, in my opinion. If it sits the way it is, and Texas starts getting a ton of money, while the other schools sit and watch, then I can easily see A&M bolting to the SEC, and Houston teaming up with Texas Tech to both go join another conference (instead of Houston trying to join the Big 12). Then, Texas will be screwed...especially if their goal is the national championship. The BCS will laugh at the competition they play.

Isn't Texas A&M getting their own TV network also? If Texas A&M & Texas Tech leave the BigXII-2 why would Texas stay? It wouldn't make any sense for them to remain in the BigXII & not join the PAC if the conference gets down to eight teams.

 

[rmartin65]

Hmm. I keep reading about Houston possibly joining the Big 12-2. They would still need one should that happen. And I have no clue who that would be.

The MWC seemed to make a big move by grabbing Boise State, but then Utah left. So instead of 10 teams, they still have 9. I wonder if they make a play, or what happens to them if the other team the Big 12 takes is TCU?

 

[Second Honeymoon]

please. for the love of god.

HOUSTON IS NOT JOINING THE BIG12!! EVER!!

its a commuter school, little to no campus life, a high school stadium, and an apathetic alumni base

Rice is actually a better candidate, as is TCU...

geez, this UH thing is just off the charts. Cougar High FTL

 

[GuerillaBlack]

Hmm. I keep reading about Houston possibly joining the Big 12-2. They would still need one should that happen. And I have no clue who that would be.

The MWC seemed to make a big move by grabbing Boise State, but then Utah left. So instead of 10 teams, they still have 9. I wonder if they make a play, or what happens to them if the other team the Big 12 takes is TCU?

Jerry Jones is courting Arkansas and Notre Dame to the Big 12. I doubt Notre Dame goes, but I can see Arkansas leaving the SEC.

please. for the love of god.

HOUSTON IS NOT JOINING THE BIG12!! EVER!!

its a commuter school, little to no campus life, a high school stadium, and an apathetic alumni base

Rice is actually a better candidate, as is TCU...

geez, this UH thing is just off the charts. Cougar High FTL

Except they're building a new football stadium and upgrading the arena. Not to mention they are adding a ton of dorm rooms there. UH is getting a lot better. Plus, it opens up Reliant as a venue for certain games, though Reliant should already be a venue for football games (Bob McNair needs to contact Texas and LSU, and get an annual game going...seriously).

 

[Goldensilence]

People hear Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon trashing other conference schools’ academics. They see one school wield enough power that some suggest calling the league the Big TeXas. And they definitely watched the video of powerful Oklahoma State booster T. Boone Pickens saying, among other things, “I don’t care about Missouri.”
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/15/2020573/big-12-may-be-saved-but-it-still.html#ixzz0rPgqJszR

This above quote is from the KC Star, and it touchs on some of the reasons
there is nothing but bad chemistry between conference members today.
Re any knowledge that Mizzou would get an invite from the Big 10 (or another conference they might prefer to the Big 12) in the future, I have no such knowledge. But it could happen under various scenarios, and Mizzou only remains in the Big 12 because that is presently its only option. But who's to say what the future holds, because we know that Mizzou is willing to bolt.

Compelling.

Again if Mizzou didn't get the Big 10 invite this time around when clearly they have a lot more to bring to the table all around than NU, what changes? What changes so dramatically that the Big X decides to go ahead and add Mizzou? Truth is Mizzou got played bu the Big X, but somehow they're supposed to be bitter about being in the Big XII? Once they realized they got played, they begged for the the Big XII to stay because they knew after that they were pretty much headed to a lesser conference.

He said Leach to UTEP to replace Mike Price. I don't know if Leach would go to any small non-BCS school though.

I think he might given the right situation. I'd like to see him out here because while he might be full of it he's a good X's and O's guy and understands recruiting west Texas.

Good fit because he can install the same system out here and IMO, though not too much more, El Paso would be a better place to play than Lubbock.

Jerry Jones is courting Arkansas and Notre Dame to the Big 12. I doubt Notre Dame goes, but I can see Arkansas leaving the SEC.



Except they're building a new football stadium and upgrading the arena. Not to mention they are adding a ton of dorm rooms there. UH is getting a lot better. Plus, it opens up Reliant as a venue for certain games, though Reliant should already be a venue for football games (Bob McNair needs to contact Texas and LSU, and get an annual game going...seriously).

Bingo. Some people are totally missing the boat on the new renovations going on at UH. They are seriously making a play to move up in the sports world and help the university at the same time.

I also think given the right situation Arkansas would leave the SEC where its programs have become irrelevant.

 

[Goldensilence]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5306278

Interesting Piece.

 

[HoustonFrog]

I completely agree with this and said something similar earlier in the thread. This is temporary

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/ncf/news/story?id=5341756

First-year Texas Tech football coach Tommy Tuberville broke ranks with those inside the Big 12 who laud the efforts that kept the conference together and speak of a bright future for the 10-team league.

In an interview Tuesday on Rivals Radio, Tuberville said that he didn't think the new Big 12 would have staying power.

"I don't think this conference will last long because there is too much disparity between all the teams," Tuberville told host Bill King. "In the SEC, for instance, Vanderbilt makes as much money in the television contract as Florida. Everybody is good with it. Everybody is on the same page. Everyone gets the same votes.

"That doesn't happen here in the Big 12. We have some teams that get a little bit more money and have a little bit more stroke than some of the other teams. And when that happens, you're gonna have teams looking for better avenues to leave and reasons to leave."

Tuberville coached in the SEC at Ole Miss (1995-1998) and Auburn (1999-2008) before being hired earlier this year to replace Mike Leach at Texas Tech.

In the recent wave of conference realignment, Nebraska decided to leave the Big 12 for the Big Ten, and Colorado accepted an invitation from the Pac-10.

The Big 12 almost dissolved when when Tech, Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State were on the verge of joining Colorado, and Texas A&M was pondering heading to the SEC or the Pac-10.

But on the strength of Texas' commitment and the promise of lucrative television deals, the Big 12's remaining 10 teams reached an agreement to stay togther.

Tuberville, however, is skeptical.

"We have a 10-team league right now, but I just don't know how long that's gonna last, to be honest with you," he said in the Rivals Radio interview

.

 

[Koolaid Time]

I completely agree with this and said something similar earlier in the thread. This is temporary

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/ncf/news/story?id=5341756


.

It will last for the term of the TV contract, then its every school for itself.

 

[awtysst]

I completely agree with this and said something similar earlier in the thread. This is temporary

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/ncf/news/story?id=5341756


.

Tommy T may not like it, but the fact is Tech does not draw additional fans. People outside of Lubbock generally don't clamor about how well the Red Raiders are doing. People outside of Lubbock don't even know the mascot for Tech.

So, if and when the Big 12-2 implode: Texas and Oklahoma will be fine. Each of them will be the prize be time conferences will want. A&M may be in that group as well. However the rest of the Big 12-2 will be in trouble. None of them have the power on their own to draw big TV numbers. That includes Tech. So, Tuberville may not like it, but the fact is his school does not really desearve as much as UT and Oklahoma. Tech does not bring enough money to the organization to warrant equal footing dollars. The SEC may decide to do that(I don't agree with it) but if that is what TT wants, he should go back there.

 

[Second Honeymoon]

Tommy T may not like it, but the fact is Tech does not draw additional fans. People outside of Lubbock generally don't clamor about how well the Red Raiders are doing. People outside of Lubbock don't even know the mascot for Tech.

So, if and when the Big 12-2 implode: Texas and Oklahoma will be fine. Each of them will be the prize be time conferences will want. A&M may be in that group as well. However the rest of the Big 12-2 will be in trouble. None of them have the power on their own to draw big TV numbers. That includes Tech. So, Tuberville may not like it, but the fact is his school does not really desearve as much as UT and Oklahoma. Tech does not bring enough money to the organization to warrant equal footing dollars. The SEC may decide to do that(I don't agree with it) but if that is what TT wants, he should go back there.

A&M will be included with Texas and Oklahoma in any future move. A&M is a traditional power with a large alumni base and top facilities and have long standing rivalry/tradition with Texas. I could see Oklahoma being separated from Texas before I could see Texas and Texas A&M abandoning years of tradition and history and going their separate ways.

The best thing would be to go back to 12 teams by adding TCU and Rice or maybe UH if they can build a real stadium and get their fans to fill them up and not just against Texas and A&M.

I think some people underestimated how coveted A&M is/was. The SEC made a run at them but not strong enough. A&M stayed pat, didn't open itself up to SEC football wars, and still got paid.

 

[Dan B.]

I completely agree with this and said something similar earlier in the thread. This is temporary

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/ncf/news/story?id=5341756


.

The other schools won't leave unless another conference is willing to give them an equal cut. They don't make enough to justify it, so no one else will. The only schools IMO that have the cred to jump ship are being compensated to stay. The smaller schools voted to give the big schools their own cut so that the small schools could stay relevant.

Other conferences can ***** about how Baylor doesn't get a fair cut, but Baylor still gets more from the Big 12 than they would in the MAC. And no other BCS conference is willing to take them. Where are they going to go?

 

[HoustonFrog]

The other schools won't leave unless another conference is willing to give them an equal cut. They don't make enough to justify it, so no one else will. The only schools IMO that have the cred to jump ship are being compensated to stay. The smaller schools voted to give the big schools their own cut so that the small schools could stay relevant.

Other conferences can ***** about how Baylor doesn't get a fair cut, but Baylor still gets more from the Big 12 than they would in the MAC. And no other BCS conference is willing to take them. Where are they going to go?

I agree with some of this but I agreed with him that I don't think the conference is set up to last. I think the Pac-10 and SEC will continue to tweek and add and the Big 12(10) will be less powerful overall.

 

[Goldensilence]

A&M will be included with Texas and Oklahoma in any future move. A&M is a traditional power with a large alumni base and top facilities and have long standing rivalry/tradition with Texas. I could see Oklahoma being separated from Texas before I could see Texas and Texas A&M abandoning years of tradition and history and going their separate ways.

The best thing would be to go back to 12 teams by adding TCU and Rice or maybe UH if they can build a real stadium and get their fans to fill them up and not just against Texas and A&M.

I think some people underestimated how coveted A&M is/was. The SEC made a run at them but not strong enough. A&M stayed pat, didn't open itself up to SEC football wars, and still got paid.

I think if the SEC REALLY wanted A&M they could've had them. I'm still not sure what kind of overtures the SEC really made. IF they did take on A&M then they would've had to expand the conference by at least one more. Who is the next target after A&M?

Look A&M alum/fans can ***** and moan much as they want, but in the end the President and AD made the right move. Sure A&M could've competed fine in most other sports, but both understand WHERE the big draw from fans and alum is...the football program. The program as it stands right has been working hard to keep itself relevant in the Big 12 and then they want to jump to the best conference in the nation?

Far as the Big 12 remaining in tact I'm sure they are aware of at the moment they might have made it into a clearing but they aren't out of the woods yet. I think in a couple of years they either try to re-expand back to 12 or we see the dominoes fall again into 4 freaking Mega Conferences, which I just still can't see why people are really clamoring for it.