🏈 OU in the SEC

[JeronimoSooner]

I'm curious about Bama fans' thoughts about OU being in the SEC. Its been a small rumor for a couple years that the two might possibly talk about it, but I don't think anything has ever taken place at all in the way of talks and such. But how would you guys feel about OU being there, and do any of you think OU would have any chance at all of actually winning an SEC title?


Please be honest with your answers.

With aTm threatening to leave, and texas threatening to start their own country, there is a lot of talk about OU moving conferences. The two most talked about are the PAC-12 or the SEC.

 

[rammerjammer]

I think OU would be a great addition. As far as winning the conference, absolutely. They already recruit top-notch talent and have an excellent coach. If Les Miles can win this conference then there is no doubt in my mind that Stoops has what it takes to get it done. I think by having a 14-16 team super conference, that you will have cycles of teams duking it out. Probably have 4-5 teams on each side of the conference each year that has a legitimate shot at winning it. The west this year appears to be a shake down of Bama,LSU, and Ark. While the east (lesser division this year) appears to be up for grabs, but USCjr, UGA, and UF/UTenn fighting it out. I can legitimately see adding a team like OU in the west and FSU in the east to make it one more player on each side to have a stake in winning the conference.

One thing is for sure in my mind. The SEC the past 5 years has been a play in to the national championship. No doubt that will be the case without a doubt if we were to add you guys and an FSU on the other side.

 

[BamaJay73]

I rather OU be in the SEC than aTm. I'd like to have OU, aTm, FSU & Va. Tech join to make a super conference.

 

[BigAl]

I think OU would do great in the SEC. I think OU would be a very welcome addition to the SEC as well.

 

[BamaCore]

Oklahoma is one of the few teams that I think if put in the SEC would be able to hold their own right out the gate. Would absolutely love to add a tradition-rich program like Oklahoma to the SEC, always had nothing but respect for them.

 

[planomateo]

I don't see any value in us adding bigger schools, as it's already hard enough to compete in a few sports already - why collectively (OU, Bama, etc) narrow our chances to compete in the MNC game by making the conference super stacked. Now, if there is a chance that there are only a few super conf, then I saw we get the best conference we can build - but we have to look at this from a TV revenue standpoint as well (I recently came across this article that describes TV markets and why we would go after a few teams from an expansion standpoint). Well worth the read http://www.ibleedcrimsonred.com/2011/08/sec-expansion-new-world-of-college.html. From this site, there was a link to TV market breakdown, which is really what changed my opinion > http://leatherhelmetblog.com/2011-articles/july/time-to-adjust-you-tv-set.html

I do believe in drawing blood first, defining the rules, being the trendsetter (or whatever you want to call it), so if there is gonna be a super conf, then by all means, let the SEC big the best one and the one that all other teams want to be.

I really don't want the SEC to grow. I'm opposed to A&M (partly because I have experienced a great deal of "whine" from them throughout the years living in Dallas), I did enjoy the Kyle Field experience a couple of years ago, they have a really cool campus, traditions, etc. I would be happy if either of my kids decided to go to A&M - as long as they don't whine about Texas still The other part of my opposition revolves around them agreeing to a deal late last year and changing their minds, essentially starting chaos again because they are still unhappy.

In terms of football spend/revenue/profit, OU fits alot better into the top part of the SEC than A&M does - A&M right now would fall into the bottom 3rd of the SEC or 9th place. I was discussing with someone about how much money Texas made, when I started comparing I noticed there was a huge drop between Texas/OU and the rest of the Big-XII (see below - this was the most recent data I could find)

Profit

Expenses

Revenue

http://www.forbes.com/sites/sportsmoney/2011/01/26/whos-making-money-in-sec-football/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/sportsmoney/2011/03/20/whos-making-money-in-big-12-football/

 

[JeronimoSooner]

Cool, the talk radio and stuff around here seems to be that most OU fans would love the competition of the SEC, but also realize that it would really take a lot of luck to win the SEC title. I've always been one that believes you have to beat the best to be the best. Even though OU has had some BCS bowl troubles through the last decade, I'm still not fond of beating up lesser teams in big games, i.e. OU-UConn last years Fiesta Bowl. Stoops believes competition breeds better players, I think the same applies to playing better competition and lets face it, the SEC is where its at in college football. Good point about Miles, Rammer, although his talent is much better at lsu than at ok st., but I never thought of it like that. I think it would boost recruiting if OU did go to the SEC through getting to play against the likes of Bama, florida, etc.

 

[bamatommy]

It's already hard to win the SEC as it is, with so many marquee teams. If you add another Big Dawg like Oklahoma, that would make it even tougher.

SEC schools tend to beat up on each other.

 

[jdpas29]

i'm with plano. i don't think adding another marquee program is a good idea. we need to add two decent teams that have upside, but not necessarily powerhouses. it's hard enough to get through the conference schedule alive as it is. what we also don't need to do is add another vandy-esque program or lesser opponent. i think teams like aTm, clemson, Gatech, south fla., southern miss, etc. would be around the caliber of team that would benefit the sec to have.

 

[ElephantStomp]

I would rather have OU than the SEC than FSU, Clemson, aTm, etc. Adding that caliber of team serves no benefit to the SEC and to think the conference would be better off having aTm, Clemson, GaTech, etc than a program like OU is foolish thinking at best. The SEC is the toughest conference by far and its hard to get through it, but I like that and would rather add a great program like OU to add to the mix than a team like aTm, so at least we r pushed rather than having another Vandy

 

[planomateo]

just to throw this out...it's about all sports, not just football (as much as it kills me to say that) and A&M is pretty good in alot of other sports

it's killing me to talk A&M up right now, can you tell I work around Aggies knowing some of this info

A&M of recent years...

• 2009 Mens Golf Champs
• 2009, 2010, 2011 track champs (lots of good track teams)
• 2011 womens basketball champs
• 2011 Directors Cup - placed top 10 for both women/men sports
• this year, TAMU (softball top 10, baseball made CWS)
• the did win bass fishing too (a couple of years ago - I didn't know they had this)

Some recent SEC numbers/wins.

The SEC has also won national championships in the last six years in women’s gymnastics (five), men’s indoor track & field (three), women’s indoor track & field (one), women’s outdoor track & field (one), men’s swimming and diving (three), women’s swimming and diving (three), men’s tennis (two), women’s tennis (one), women’s bowling (one), rifle (one), and equestrian (all six-not yet official NCAA). Only softball and women’s volleyball titles have eluded the SEC

Edit - in all honesty, I'd rather have Texas, as I want to improve our record against them horns big time.

 

[JeronimoSooner]

If I remember right, I think OU finished 10th in the last Directors Cup. I'd have to look it up, not important enough for me to do it right now. I agree it is about all sports but you can't deny that major football programs are the cash cows of athletic departments.

 

[JeronimoSooner]

I've heard the SEC is possibly after Missouri as one of the schools to join up. They would be another Vanderbilt as far as football is concerned. They have pretty decent mens basketball with some years actually making the Elite 8 here and there. Their baseball has been better than average the last year or two and their softball has made the WCWS recently if I remember right. I'd have to look up their Director Cup ranking to get an idea about any other sport though. You'd be adding a doorstep in football though.

 

[TerryP]

In terms of competition, it would be a great addition. Even with some of the non-revenue sports which is the reason I'm posting this.

I don't like the idea of having OU. I don't see it as a financially sound move.

From Fayetteville you are looking roughly 250 miles. Oxford, now it's over 500. Knoxville, now we are close to 900.

Every team does fly now. But, if they were added, you'd see at least nine of the 12 (current) SEC schools flying their teams to Norman to play each year. Football, no big deal. We fly all over the place anyway. But, soccer? Volleyball? Heck, even basketball on the men's side.

Its implication would mean teams aren't showing as much revenue and we have several schools that barely break even as it is.

 

[JeronimoSooner]

If OU joins the Pac-12 or whatever, think of those road trips for all sports. Neither conference fits OU in that respect. But some may see different numbers than we do. Who knows.

 

[LBS]

OU will not consider it until the BIG12 and the BIG12's access to the BCS is gone.

Now that Nebraska gone, its two teams in a one game playoff for a BCS bowl. Beat Texas and your in...and on the short list of considered teams for the national title.

The truth is that most of our teams would love a deal like that...but instead we are in a 12-team tournament for a certain trip to the title game.

 

[JeronimoSooner]

Of course, if the Big 12 can work things out, OU will most definitely stay. Its all hypothetical, but the way things are going, it sure looks like there will eventually be a major shake up in college football landscapes.

 

[alabama mike]

Personally, I would love for Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to both join the SEC. I was in Norman last summer and had the privilege to visit the football complex, very impressive. The stadium is huge, the atmosphere was a lot like Tuscaloosa. Everyone in Norman, Moore and OKC talk Sooner football.

 

[TerryP]

Personally, I would love for Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to both join the SEC. I was in Norman last summer and had the privilege to visit the football complex, very impressive. The stadium is huge, the atmosphere was a lot like Tuscaloosa. Everyone in Norman, Moore and OKC talk Sooner football.

Meh.

Great indoor facility. Great stadium and the practice field was just as good—the one next to the stadium.

Now, when they are practicing on the intramural fields? Sad. They deserve better.

Great golf course on campus, btw...

 

[psychojoe]

I like the 12 team set up, but if a mega conference comes I would much rather see us absorb OU, OSU, aTm and Texas. If Texas didn't want to come I'd go for Missouri. That would create a West of those four schools plus Arkansas, LSU, Ole Miss and Miss. State. It would put Alabama and Auburn in the East.