Let's All Laugh at A&M?
Looks like the SEC has passed on their bid.
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/6861385/sec-extend-invitat…
August 14th, 2011 at 4:04 PM ^
a Texas fan right now...
August 14th, 2011 at 4:48 PM ^
That's the only downside... Texas fans are laughing as their school gets its way again.
August 14th, 2011 at 6:09 PM ^
Was extremely skeptical A&M could change conferences without UT leading the way, especially moving up to the SEC. More espn hype ends with a wimper
August 15th, 2011 at 1:16 AM ^
As a graduate of both UM and UT (and a former season ticket holder as a student at both schools), I love the A&M schadenfreude.
There are a lot of similarities between MSU/A&M, but the raging insecurity of the A&M fanbase really sets them apart.
When the Hosuton Chronicle accidentally referred to UT Athletic Director Deloss Dodds as the "Big 12 commissioner," earlier this week, I think there was a collective head asplode moment for all A&M fans. Freudian slip?
August 15th, 2011 at 9:35 AM ^
A&M fans' raging insecurities set them apart from MSU fans' raging insecurities?
August 14th, 2011 at 4:05 PM ^
woopsie.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:07 PM ^
....but just don't get caught wearing a hat in their student union.
Maybe A&M will be headlining a revived SWAC conference in a few years.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:08 PM ^
I never really understood the SEC's motivation to expand further (if there was any). They've got 12 teams and the championship game, they always get two BCS bids, they've got their own network now - they're basically swimming in cold hard cash. Adding more teams doesn't seem to add much more and means dividing things up more different ways.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:13 PM ^
Adding A&M would expand the SEC Network's reach to the Houston and Dallas markets. Those are two large enough markets to at least entertain the idea.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:19 PM ^
But it would also basically necessitate adding a 14th team to balance things out. At that point you're basically two separate conferences that happen to play a playoff game in December. Also, the added revenues might be offset by the need to share them 14 ways instead of 12, as well as the added travel expenses of going to Texas.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:38 PM ^
But don't they already have decent inroads into Houston and Dallas with LSU and Arkansas? I mean, I'm sure that the SEC network is available in those cities, as large numbers of Texas citizens went to SEC schools. I guess it helps having an in-state school, but I feel like the SEC and the state of Texas have a decent amount of overlap.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:37 PM ^
from the article, A&M approached the SEC and not the other way around.
This is more of a A&M pissed off at UTexass than anything else. And from the sounds of things, the current Big12 set-up is really a support system for UTexass' ego and money grubbing ways; the other then 11 teams including my Sooners were there just to keep them fat dumb and happy. This is why it was so easy to get Nebraska and Colorado left fo the PACnn.
Missouri is screwed unless the Big10 expands again, since they do qualify academically -- unlike my Sooners (1 failed attemp during the 80's to qualify.), but they become dependent on UND desiding to join the Big10 instead of the Bid Least sometime in the future. Also, the state legilatures will force KU to take KState with them and OU to take OState with them; neither KU and OU are free agents in this.
August 14th, 2011 at 6:35 PM ^
when a conference adds A&M or any TX school it opens up Texas, the top hs recruiting state. Recruiting reaches a whole new level when your conference plays games in that state.
August 14th, 2011 at 7:39 PM ^
August 15th, 2011 at 1:25 AM ^
for obvious reasons as a small population state. Texas has always been important, being one of the top states for hs talent.
Nebraska has made recruiting the Lone Star state one of its top priorities especially since joining the BXII. This year we have 24 Texans on the roster, Last year there were 25. Compare that to the early BXII years: In 1996, 6 from TX, in 1997, 8.
We do expect less emphasis as we put the BXII in the rear view mirror, and more focus on the B1G states. 2 of our 6 2012 committs are from the B1G, none so far from Texas(small class of only 15, and there will definately be Texans). But Texas will always be prominant.
Texas is a prized media and recruiting opportunity for the SEC, just as it would be for the B1G if a Texas school joined up. That's what makes them such a hot commodity and power in college football, not discounting also being an all-time leader in wins.
August 14th, 2011 at 11:47 PM ^
With only eight conference games, A&M would basically add another bowl team and more revenue into the conference. I don't know if they are any good in the Olympic sports, but it seems like getting two additional bowl eligible teams would end up bringing more net cash into the conference.
August 15th, 2011 at 12:54 AM ^
August 14th, 2011 at 4:09 PM ^
Oh the humanity!
August 14th, 2011 at 4:08 PM ^
They are all freaking out dow here! A&M wants to bolt and they want to get away from Texas and their network.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:09 PM ^
OUCH....THe big ten should contact A&M...clearly they want to save face and fit almost all criteria for expansion....
August 14th, 2011 at 4:20 PM ^
So we can show the world we love the SEC's leftovers? It's bad enough that Ron Zook has a job here.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:28 PM ^
If leftovers are one of the two top schools in Texas, then yes...a no brainer.
Although, this might all be for naught as the SEC is saving face here and avoiding any litigation if a move does occur. In essence, expect A&M to leave the Big 12 and then sign with the SEC...It doesn't look like obvious collusion this way
August 14th, 2011 at 4:32 PM ^
Expanding beyond 12 schools is far from a no-brainer. There is no clear benefit to doing so, besides the pie-in-the-sky "If there are four 16-team conferences, we'll get a playoff!" reasoning.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:11 PM ^
They do and it would help with recruiting down here a whole lot.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:13 PM ^
All of the conference wants a piece of the pie ala Texas network.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:38 PM ^
that pretty much sums up the situation.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:14 PM ^
So much schadenfreude. Too bad I don't hate A&M, then i'd really enjoy it
August 14th, 2011 at 4:15 PM ^
This is a tough one. I don't know who I hate more..Texas or the SEC. Having said that, I still think the survival of the Big 12 is best for College football.
August 14th, 2011 at 6:44 PM ^
They died when they lost their conference championship game. In the 80's they were 2 different conferences, I think. I never really knew anything about their history except they cheated like it was going out of style and every national championship ever claimed by the conference should come with an asterisk.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:51 PM ^
yes they were -- the old Big 8 and the Southwest Conf.
The SWC was really 7 texas teams (UTexass, A&M, TEch, Baylor, TCU, SMU and Rice) plus Arkansas for most of its existence. Arkansas left in the late 80's early 90's to join the SEC, which supprisingly was a cleaner league at that time. (think SMU crap at that time) The BIg 8 had asked Texass and A&M to join but wre force to take Baylor and TEch with them (or maybe switch tech for A&M -- can't remember right now); the two additional schools were forced by the Texas lege and governor at that time; thus, the BIg 12 was born.
The new league was unstable from the get go with both Missouri and Colorado always looking elsewhere. Clearly, Nebraska got fed up with the Texass serving crap and jumped when offered -- by the Big (we can't count) 10.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:19 PM ^
All Teams should join the SEC = any playoff system they want, plus a monopoly on the bowl games. "Another fine mess you've gotten me into!"
August 14th, 2011 at 4:19 PM ^
This should be viewed as a close call for Texas. If the Aggies had bolted, the Big 12 would have been in shambles. They are going to have to find a balance between being a diva and appeasing the other members of their conference or next time they may not be as lucky. As it stands right now a 1 loss SEC team still may get the nod over an undefeated Big 12 team.
August 14th, 2011 at 6:31 PM ^
a one loss B1G team? :)
August 14th, 2011 at 4:21 PM ^
A&M fans think this is just an attempt by the SEC to avoid a lawsuit by inviting A&M while they're still a member of the Big 12. They think the SEC will grant them admission once they officially ask.
No idea if that's true, but that's what they're going with.
August 14th, 2011 at 7:40 PM ^
UTs lawyers threatened a lawsuit, so SEC is just covering their ass until tomorrow
August 14th, 2011 at 9:07 PM ^
Yeah, it sounds like TAMU will just leave the Big 12 of their own accord tomorrow and then the SEC will swoop in with the invite after they've decided if they're adding a 14th team or standing pat with 13.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:22 PM ^
I think this will be an interesting week for all of the conferences. There could be alot of movement from different schools. OK and OKS want to be a package.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:38 PM ^
I can imagine it now.
COMMISSIONER SLIVE: Alright. Texas A&M?
Everyone in room:
SLIVE: Ok. Settled then.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:42 PM ^
I'd really like to be a fly on the wall as to why the reallignment didn't go down. I wouldn't be surprised if influence outside of the SEC was brought.
August 14th, 2011 at 6:41 PM ^
or Miami to the SEC before it'll be a school from Texas.
August 14th, 2011 at 9:12 PM ^
not likely... Clay Travis has been right on most of this stuff and he's saying Florida, Georgia and South Carolina have formed a voting pact to keep other teams from their states out. The SEC is supposed to be hot for a school in either Virginia or North Carolina (most probably VT or NC State) or even Texas Tech.
August 14th, 2011 at 9:44 PM ^
Both would actually bring up the academic rep of the SEC, are second fiddles to other schools in their state (or in the case of NC St, 3rd). Texas Tech would be a nice counter with TAMU since the SEC could then move Alabama and Auburn to the SEC East (but we'd miss those Tuberville wars between TT and Auburn /s). Figure TAMU & TT to the SEC you'd get:
SEC East:
Florida, S Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama
SEC West:
Ole Miss, Miss St, LSU, Arkansas, Vandy, TAMU, TT
The official designation of "meat grinder" would shift from today's SEC West to tomorrow's SEC East.
Alternatively, scratch TT for one of the VT/NCSt teams and you'd get:
SEC East: Florida, SCar, Georgia, Kentucky, Tenn, Vandy, VT/NCSt
SEC West: OleMiss, Miss St, LSU, Arkansas, Alabama, Auburn, TAMU
A litle more balanced, traditional rivalries are maintained (Vandy-Tenn, Bama-LSU) and TAMU picks up instant rival in Arkansas and VT/NCSt gets to scrap with Kentucky or SCar. Probably a better fit than the TAMU/TT combo deal.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:42 PM ^
The menu will likely be Valium and Old Number 7.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:42 PM ^
I'd still take Pitt and Missouri over A&M if the B1G wanted to expand to an (unnecessary) 14 teams. A&M's profile academically would work, but I'm not sold they would help that much with recruiting (Texas will always lock down top talent in the state, and most national teams have some success there) and the cost of travel would be horrible for non-revenue teams.
August 14th, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^
But that can change quickly with OU and A&M rising. If we had a Texas team in the Big Ten that'd help simply because we'd be able to tell them that we'll play in Texas on a semiregular basis. I still think the best additions would be UT and ND or A&M simply because of the money it'd bring in plus you could divide the divisions more regionally. Imagine UM-OSU and Nebraska/ND-UT playing on the last weekend to go to the title game? It'd be awesome.
It'd be fantastic for our baseball team.
August 14th, 2011 at 7:48 PM ^
OU regularaly pulls top talent from Texas. This year is a bit of an anamoly but if you go back and look up the Rivals stats, it's there.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:19 PM ^
Think about it, two major rivals, one (ohio & Texas) are major talent states with no real internal rivals, the other (Michigan & OU) pulls a lot of that talent and is inherently better and awesome. Now if only we could have a recent head to head record like OU does.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:21 PM ^
57-43*-6