🏈 UPDATE: Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma Sooners unanimously accept invitation to SEC

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

This doesn't pass the logic test with me.

I can see someone from Texas or Oklahoma leaking this story to take attention away from A&M. What I don't see is why A&M would choose to leak this minutes before Jimbo takes the podium. It's literally taking all his, and A&M's, spotlight away.

What benefit do they have here?

I don't deny the possibility they'd cut off their nose to spite their face.

I'm just wondering if A&M leaked it to the reporter. If they found out the plan was nearing completion, it would just be an effort to sort of sabotage the deal. The timing of the story would be up to the reporter/editor. But someone, at some point, leaked it. Maybe months ago like he's said, or days ago. Question is who? A&M just seems like the likely culprit. But, so would most anyone associated with the Big 12.

 

[1CrimsonTider]

Texas and Oklahoma, the founding members of the Big 12, are leaving the league - and barring any unforeseen developments, will join the Southeastern Conference, a high-level source close to the situation told Horns247.

Texas and OU officials plan to inform the Big 12 on Monday that they won’t renew when the league’s grant of rights expire in 2025, a step that clears the path for the SEC to formally consider adding Texas and OU.

Again, barring unforeseen circumstances, an SEC vote on adding Texas and Oklahoma "could move quickly," the source told Horns247.

“In this changing landscape of college athletics, this is what’s best (for Texas and Oklahoma),” the source said.

Horns247 reported previously that Texas and Oklahoma are prepared to wait until the current grant of rights agreement expires in 2025 before moving on from the Big 12.

To leave earlier, Texas and OU would be contractually bound to pay the Big 12 two years' worth of revenue distribution (roughly $80 million each based on 2019's $37.7 million payout per school) as a "buyout fee" and face millions more in penalties - although such situations in the past have been settled in court to allow both sides to move on.

Even the anticipation of Texas and Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 for the SEC has set off a seismic reaction that will reshape college athletics for years to come. Whether it results in more schools jumping conferences or Power Five members finally breaking away from the NCAA in football to form their own governing body remains to be seen.

Source: Texas and Oklahoma - the founding members of the Big 12 - are leaving the league

Texas and Oklahoma, the founding members of the Big 12, are leaving the league - and barring any unforeseen developments, will join the Southeastern Conference, a high-level source close to the situation told Horns247.

247sports.com

 

[mando]

If A&M was left out until the last minute, that could be bad. Any thought that they might bolt for another conference over it?

Go for it and take the Barn with them.

 

[#80]

A&M leaked this to the reporter in Houston who broke the story. If this goes down I see two things happening as far as alignment a major reshuffle which I doubt or TX goes in the West and OU and the barn go in the East and they move a team like Vandy to the West.
JMO.

 

[TerryP]

One of the best scenes I've witnessed was Bama in road whites playing OU in Norman.

That's one of a few reasons I've decided: I'm all for this.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

One of the best scenes I've witnessed was Bama in road whites playing OU in Norman.

That's one of a few reasons I've decided: I'm all for this.

And as for Texas, Bama can go ahead and set the tone in 2022 and 2023 against the Longhorns. Let them crawl into the SEC with a very fresh memory of who runs it.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

As far as A&M being left out, I would imagine the rest of the schools were too. At least most of them.

McMurphy says they knew.

 

[Sid Youngleman]

I'm all about efficiency. Admit Oklahoma, Clemson, Ohio State, Texas (as an act of charity), and cancel the Playoffs.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

It would be interesting to learn who gave the order to leak why not on Monday instead of waiting until Wednesday. The fact the Houston reporter got the story cast and eye at A&M wanting the story out but that could be misdirection.

Place UT in the west (play A&M every year) and OU in the East (permanent rival game each year of Texas)

 

[OldPlayer]

It would be interesting to learn who gave the order to leak why not on Monday instead of waiting until Wednesday. The fact the Houston reporter got the story cast and eye at A&M wanting the story out but that could be misdirection.

Place UT in the west (play A&M every year) and OU in the East (permanent rival game each year of Texas)

Interesting thought. If the traditional rival is kept, would A&M or Oklahoma be Texas’ rival? Would the OU vs UT game be kept in October in Dallas? If OU vs UT is designated as the rival, does the game move to the end of the season?

 

[252BAMA]

Interesting thought. If the traditional rival is kept, would A&M or Oklahoma be Texas’ rival? Would the OU vs UT game be kept in October in Dallas? If OU vs UT is designated as the rival, does the game move to the end of the season?

Doesn't have to be at the end of the season. The barn-UGA game has been moved to October. In fact they play on the same date (10/9) as OU-UT this season.

 

[BamaFan334]

Interesting thought. If the traditional rival is kept, would A&M or Oklahoma be Texas’ rival? Would the OU vs UT game be kept in October in Dallas? If OU vs UT is designated as the rival, does the game move to the end of the season?

Gotta keep them in Dallas. If Georgia-Florida stays in Jacksonville, you gotta keep Oklahoma-Texas in Dallas. If the pageantry of college football doesn't exist, it's all over. The Rose Bowl? I could do without it and their high opinions if themselves.

 

[bama alum]

I'm all about efficiency. Admit Oklahoma, Clemson, Ohio State, Texas (as an act of charity), and cancel the Playoffs.

it's coming...soon enough

 

[bama alum]

McMurphy says they knew.

A comment from that tweet:

 

[We All Bleed Crimson]

Frankly, in my opinion, the SEC doesn't need OU or Texas. Admittedly, it would be one heck of a conference, but the SEC already is and as is, has scheduling issues with E vs W divisions. I'm not sure if this would be a good move or not. But, again, this is my opinion.

 

[XXL TideFan]

After reading dirt burglars and some horns site I am convinced we have another Auburn and UGA coming to the roost. Dirt burglars are caviar nibbling, champagne swilling blue bloods so far above us cultrally that we are sure to be enriched just by having them. UTerous is just giddy to play aTm again and positive of putting little brother in his place. Three loss Riley, Lonely Lincoln not going to be owing your division much less conference. Reality will be a rude awakening and both fan bases are positive the CG must at least rotate with Dallas hosting.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Frankly, in my opinion, the SEC doesn't need OU or Texas.

You're 100% correct. They don't. OU and UT need the SEC at this point. This marriage will certainly benefit all parties, but its just the rich getting richer for the SEC. For the Horns and Sooners, it's being handed a winning lotto ticket while shopping for groceries in Family Dollar.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

After reading dirt burglars and some horns site I am convinced we have another Auburn and UGA coming to the roost. Dirt burglars are caviar nibbling, champagne swilling blue bloods so far above us cultra lily that we are sure to be enriched just by having them. UTerous is just giddy to play aTm again and positive of putting little brother in his place. Three loss Riley, Lonely Lincoln not going to be owing your division much less conference. Reality will be a rude awakening and both fan bases are positive the CG must at least rotate with Dallas hosting.

Sooner fans remind me of Florida fans, not too terribly bad. Texas fans are the worst parts of Ole Miss and Georgia fans, which ain't a good combo.

 

[Rolltide24]

I wonder how it will end with the Longhorn Network. They had a contract well in to the future. ESPN will have to cut a lot of folks if UT walks away from that.

Don’t UT and OK fans realize that their schedule to a championship just had world’s largest roadblocks out in front of it? Hell, I’d say add another 2 losses at least to UT each year and another 1 for OK. On average. I wouldn’t be happy as a fan.

 

[rocknthefreeworld]

I wonder how it will end with the Longhorn Network. They had a contract well in to the future. ESPN will have to cut a lot of folks if UT walks away from that.

I expect ESPN would love to close that channel up. ESPN lost about $48 million in the first 5 years it existed and I am not sure they have ever made that back up fully.