OT- Maisel on A&M to SEC, comparison to little brother
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/6946317/texas-aggies-hit-tipping-point-bolting-sec
Maisel compares Texas A&M's tradition to Sparty's, and then shows why their move to the SEC makes sense but does kill the rivalries in the Big 12.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:30 PM ^
A&M is going to want to leave the SEC after getting pasted week in and week out.
September 25th, 2011 at 10:18 PM ^
Overall they'll probably be about as good as Arkansas, maybe a little worse, but better than Miss St and Ole Miss. If being in the SEC helps their recruiting at all, they may be able to be better than Arkansas.
I'm guessing that this move is more calculated than Maisel thinks.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:32 PM ^
They were no more an equal partner to Texas in 2011 than they were in 2010. But the dispute over the ESPN-operated Longhorn Network served as the last bruise to Aggie Pride. And the Aggies without their pride aren't much more than Michigan State on the Brazos.
Texas A&M, like Michigan State, lives in the shadow of a sister public institution with a richer football tradition. Texas A&M, like Michigan State, has won one national championship (1939) and won it so long ago that no one remembers the players. Jarrin' John Kimbrough, anyone?
September 26th, 2011 at 10:05 PM ^
Hmmmmmm. If we keep teasing them, maybe we can get MSU to leave the B1G.
I can hear it now: "Forget about Michigan. Come play for us, we're the only school in the state that plays in the Big East!"
September 25th, 2011 at 9:34 PM ^
If Texas has another down year, ATM may be able to turn this into some momentum. Sparty did this a bit while RR was here but fortunately it is momentum that is not sustainable. They are not Texas and MSU isn't Michigan no matter what conference they are in. This is a spot on comparison.
September 25th, 2011 at 10:28 PM ^
All I know is, watching A&M lose to Okie State at home yesterday was very entertaining, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the SEC West doing it year in and year out.
September 25th, 2011 at 11:45 PM ^
September 26th, 2011 at 12:01 AM ^
I thought the shots at state were maybe a bit gratuitous and undeserved, but no complaints here
September 26th, 2011 at 12:47 AM ^
coached at TAM, they have WAY more history than MSU right there.
TAM will do fine in the SEC, the SEC isn't the all that and bag of chips its made out to be.
September 26th, 2011 at 1:51 AM ^
weeeell... Nick Saban did coach at MSU...
Not saying Saban=Bryant right now... but I can see him getting to 6 National Championships before he retires...
September 26th, 2011 at 12:31 PM ^
For instance, A&M wants to continue to play UT (not the other way around); however, UT's AD wants to end the series.
September 26th, 2011 at 12:49 PM ^
I see the comparisons. I've always made them myself to others: Land grant schools, agricultural history, overshadowed by a more popular in-state rival, decent year-in and year-out but not consistent enough to be considered great.
1 thing the author got wrong is that MSU has 6 national titles, not 1.
September 26th, 2011 at 3:13 PM ^
MSU only has 3 national titles recognized by the NCAA.
1965 split with Alabama
1966 split with Notre Dame
1952
September 26th, 2011 at 5:30 PM ^
One other likeness -
When A&M starts off good they get way over-hyped and over-rated - like Sparty....
However, one potentially BIG difference is - IF A&M can pull in some of the highly touted Texas recruits, because of opportunity to play in the SEC - then they could conceivably be a serious threat in the SEC. Otherwise - same ole status quo.