I want you to repeat after me:
"The University of Oklahoma will never be a member of the Southeastern Conference."
Finished? Say it again. And a third time, even.
As the rumors of Texas A&M to the SEC grow louder, it appears a conference change — whether now or in the distant future — is possible for the Aggies.
A&M wants out. It wants out of Texas' shadow. It wants out of a conference with a shaky future, at best. It wants out of a world where it has to co-exist with the Longhorn Network.
You know what I say? Let 'em leave.
Big 12 commissioner Dan Bebee somehow kept the conference on life support after it lost Nebraska and Colorado, which is a miracle considering it appeared the Big 12 was marching toward its death. But as miraculous as it was, the short-term solutions Bebee negotiated only have delayed the inevitable.
Truth be told, most of the Big 12 schools like it here, including OU's top brass. Sooner officials have repeatedly said they would prefer to keep the Big 12 as a viable conference. But that's the problem — things aren't looking so viable any longer.
So if A&M does indeed jump ship to the SEC, doesn't it make sense for OU to follow its conference comrade to Southern glory? No, because playing in the SEC doesn't benefit the Sooners.
There are two things to consider: prestige and competition.
A move to the SEC would indeed boost Texas A&M's visibility and prestige. The Aggies would no doubt be more marketable lining up next to new foes Alabama, Florida, LSU and others. But A&M could use that kind of boost.
The Aggies love to talk about their tradition and history. Tradition? I'll give them that. History? Well, the glory of winning a national title in 1939 can only stretch so far. Sure, there are 18 conference championships, too, but the last one came in 1998.
The Sooners are thriving on their own without the SEC's prestige bonus: Seven national titles and 43 conference championships, including seven Big 12 titles in the last 11 years. Oklahoma is a well-respected program that is doing just fine because, well, it's Oklahoma.
So that brings us to competition.
OU athletic director Joe Castiglione knows a move to the SEC comes with an increasingly difficult path to championships — not something Oklahoma is interested in.
That's not to say Castiglione will be on the phone with the Mountain West Conference any time soon, but to leap into the SEC's arms because it is currently the darling conference of college football would be reckless. And the Sooner leaders have proven they are not reckless.
A&M, on the other hand, is so hellbent on getting away from Texas, it is willing to become a middle-tier program in the SEC and experience even less success than the Aggies have had in the Big 12. But that's Texas A&M's problem. If the Aggies want to go, let them go.
So if — or more appropriately, when — the Big 12 dissolves, where will Oklahoma end up?
My vote is for the Pac-12 ... or whatever it would be known as. Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott has shown he is serious about making his conference a national player, and Oklahoma would find plenty of competition out West.
Another factor to consider is Oklahoma State. It's unlikely the Oklahoma Legislature would allow OU and OSU to split — or it would be a bitter fight, at best.
During the realignment talks in 2010, Texas A&M and OU were in discussions with the SEC, and Oklahoma State was not included. But the Cowboys were a part of the package deal to send six Big 12 schools to the then-Pac-10. As aggressive as Scott has stayed in regard to conference expansion, there's no reason to think he wouldn't welcome Oklahoma and Oklahoma State with open arms.
Don't sell short the importance of keeping OU and OSU together.
I'll go on record and say I'd rather the Big 12 figure out some way to become viable. However, all signs point to this being unrealistic.
Oklahoma must do what's best for itself, and I believe that includes a move to a new conference, just don't expect that to be the SEC.
That's not happening.
— Chris Lusk, journalism senior
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klg1000 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Hey Chris, one other thing.... NOW OK can be Texas' little brother! Hummmm how will it feel to be directly in the shadow now?
klg1000 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Chris, you are an idot! You just said that OK going to Pac 12 is the best option because that's their best chance to win....cowards, cowards, cowards. You're right, go on to the Pac 12, OK couldn't take the heat in THE SEC!!!!
JerryJones 9 months, 2 weeks ago
You sir are delusional. I think you forgot about the huge network in the SEC. Not to mention, the recruiting potential and game tickets sold.
soonershawn 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Could you please elaborate on the comment of not selling short the importance of keeping ou and osu together. I can't for the life of me think of one thing that osu would bring that ou doesn't already have. thank you
Bbates728 9 months, 2 weeks ago
I think he is dead on! The big 12 is going down. There really isn't a way for us to keep it alive without acquiring the likes of tcu or Boise which isn't desirable either. His statement about how we would find it much harder to get to the title game from the sec is, if anything, an understatement. How many times have we lost to sec teams recently? Now it's not going to happen again, boomer sooner, and such but still the sec seams to be a foolish choice at this point if we want to be number next year. Though I agree there are many more viewers for sec games than big 12 I think that if Texas and okla were to go to the PAC 12 it would be the same. The recruiting claim is inconsequential. No matter which conference we affiliate with we will always be the appropriate alternative for that team down south. There will be no difference in our location or school. As for selling tickets, I think you sir are delusional. We sell tickets perfectly well against the likes of Kansas state and Baylor so why would it be harder to sellthem against teams like UCLA? That doesn't make sense.
aggie98 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Why is it necessary to throw Texas A&M and our "tradition and history" under the bus over a discussion regarding our athletic conference affilitation. As a Texas A&M graduate and alumni, while I am a proud athletic supporter of our school and long time season football holder, I assure your that the history and tradition I boast of regarding my school goes well beyond the athletic department. It encompasses many things such as history of quality education, integrity and honesty. Including a belief and support in fellow Aggies win or lose. The same tradition, that has kept myself and many other alumni and students, standing to show our support as the 12th man no matter how long ago our last conference title or national championship was. Because win or lose, Big 12 or SEC, we stand beside our fellow Aggies. That is history and tradition!
ekeithly 9 months, 2 weeks ago
That's about the smartest thing I've read all day. OU is about winning, without winning OU is irrelevant. Look back to the 90's. Tamu can get away with losing 3-4 conf games a year in the SEC, but not OU. TAMU has tradition other than just a win/loss record, and their alum will always follow football. OU in the other hand has to find a conference thats makes them viable nationally but gives them the best chance to win. This looks to be the Pac-12.
JerryJones 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Yes, because OU fans cannot wait to buy a ticket to the OU ASU match up and drive two days to see it. A game with UDUB and OU would automatically rank as a college football classic. insert sarcasm. Get real people.
Think about how ridiculous that is. There is only one word to describe Sooner fans who believe the Pac 12 is the better option: Cowards.
It is blatantly obvious these same fans want an easy road to the NC. We are right next door to the best conference in the land. It just baffles me that some cannot see the writing on the wall. The Pac 12 is the most asinine proposal and too many Rubes have fallen for the hype. I can only equate this form of false logic to fear. The author being among these false fans.