For the sake of argument, let’s say that Texas A&M decides to skip off and join the SEC. The SEC would be happy with the Texas market, but it leaves the other state with a panhandle to the north with two schools in limbo. Obviously with Texas going rogue, and A&M shifting to the SEC, the Big 12 would implode. There will be some valuable pieces left after the wreckage, none more sought after than Oklahoma.
Where should Oklahoma end up? Do they have enough of a market to live alone in the state of nature , or will they have to join society somewhere? I am sure the SEC would love to bring them along. Think about it, along with Texas A&M, and Oklahoma, you would have two games vs. Texas each season, both huge rivaliry games. The league can probably make more money off the Red River Shootout (yes I am still calling it that) than they will make off an entire season of Vanderbilt football. If you throw in Oklahoma State and that T. Boone Pickens bank roll and a team to be named later, see Dosh’s piece, and you have the SEC on steroids.
Larry Scott won’t be sitting on his hands in Walnut Creek after the fall of the Big 12, and they will be on an all out blitz to pick up Oklahoma and Oklahoma St. I am not sure what the Pac 12 will be able to offer either or both schools that the SEC will bring to the table, so we will have to wait and see.
Of course we continue to play this game of speculation as nothing is imminent. All we know in retrospect is that the Big 12 is the bastard child of the Southwest Conference, and they have been unable to raise themselves without good ole uncle Tex fitting the bill. We will see if Dan Beebe can foster enough to keep the conference afloat. It will be no easy task
Ari Russell
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