they wouldn't add either ..

I think they'd take TCU but probably not Baylor. Though if all hell breaks loose, I think they could be pushed into taking both.

Baylor has been competing for the Big 12 championship in football year in and year out for the last decade, has been to New Years 6/BCS bowls, had a Heisman winner, just won the NCAA tournament in basketball, have a new football stadium and nice facilities. I think discounting them because they are a religious based private school given what is about to happen to the college athletics landscape is shortsighted.

Conferences that normally wouldn't look at certain schools will consider them now that the SEC is becoming an even bigger monster and the NCAA continues to weaken.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the ACC, Pac and B1G all try to get to 16 teams, which the SEC will soon have themselves.


This is probably the biggest bomb ever dropped in conference realignment. The fallout will send ripples everywhere.

Question for all the OU fans out there (I am one, by the way): After OU joins the SEC, how long after will it take for you to chant "SEC, SEC, SEC" after a win against a non-conference opponent? As an OU fan for the entire 42 years of my life, I don't think I ever will.

as a way of joking... i was doing all weekend long at a friends house because it kept making him mad. lol

Conferences that normally wouldn't look at certain schools will consider them now that the SEC is becoming an even bigger monster and the NCAA continues to weaken.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the ACC, Pac and B1G all try to get to 16 teams, which the SEC will soon have themselves.


This is probably the biggest bomb ever dropped in conference realignment. The fallout will send ripples everywhere.

already reported that the BIG will only look at AAU schools ..

and the PAC is very unlikely to look a religious affiliated schools . other than that everything else is on the table ..

already reported that the BIG will only look at AAU schools ..

and the PAC is very unlikely to look a religious affiliated schools . other than that everything else is on the table ..

But times are quickly changing and everyone is going to be scrambling.

It seems a lot of those unwritten rules will go out the window, just like the SEC semi-promising A&M veto power.

and the PAC is very unlikely to look a religious affiliated schools.

in addition to what pete said... i've heard the line repeated multiple times about the pac-12 being averse to religious schools... it seems that they get that reputation mostly from overlooking byu. i have to wonder if the issue is less with religious affiliation and more with the fact that byu will not schedule athletic events on sundays. as far as i know, neither baylor nor tcu have those restrictions.

in addition to what pete said... i've heard the line repeated multiple times about the pac-12 being averse to religious schools... it seems that they get that reputation mostly from overlooking byu. i have to wonder if the issue is less with religious affiliation and more with the fact that byu will not schedule athletic events on sundays. as far as i know, neither baylor nor tcu have those restrictions.

Think about the culture clash of the existing Pac-12 and even a place like Texas Tech.

Pac schools are incredibly liberal and pride themselves on that. Doesn't mix with West Texas or Stillwater, OK.

And Pac academics are generally awesome. Baylor and TCU are pretty good but the land-grant schools are in a completely different category.

Think about the culture clash of the existing Pac-12 and even a place like Texas Tech.

Pac schools are incredibly liberal and pride themselves on that. Doesn't mix with West Texas or Stillwater, OK.

And Pac academics are generally awesome. Baylor and TCU are pretty good but the land-grant schools are in a completely different category.

oh, for sure... assuming that these teams are added, there's probably going to be some resentment from both sides going forward. it's also not impossible that the pac-12 remains content with the members they have... but i have to think that there's going to be a scramble for the other power conferences to try to get to 16 over the fear that they're going to be left in the dust.

already reported that the BIG will only look at AAU schools ..

and the PAC is very unlikely to look a religious affiliated schools . other than that everything else is on the table ..

One guy with ESPN said a source reported that. Sources have also reported that the B1G has interest in OSU. I wouldn’t trust anyone that says they know anything for certain right now. What conferences have previously done isn’t going to matter by the end of the week.

The Pac may still take some Big 12 schools, but it would be a very awkward arrangement, at best.

Still, it might be the best option for all involved.

oh, for sure... assuming that these teams are added, there's probably going to be some resentment from both sides going forward. it's also not impossible that the pac-12 remains content with the members they have... but i have to think that there's going to be a scramble for the other power conferences to try to get to 16 over the fear that they're going to be left in the dust.

At this point, baring mergers betweeen conferences, I would almost be shocked if that isn’t where we ended up.

https://pistolsfiringblog.com/shrum-says-ou-followed-ut-to-the-detriment-of-the-state-of-oklahoma/

OSU needs to stop acting like Texas A&M and focus on their own future. After their first shaming over the weekend I as like, okay, their feelings are hurt, she's new and needs to show the Cowboy faithful she's got their backs. But after this second one today. . . They are embarrassing themselves with this shaming and this tantrum is further feeding into the "little brother" to OU culture they work hard at trying to shake. Did they expect OU to call them up and just say, "hey, we're thinking about moving to the SEC - we just wanted to let you know." OSU has really done a fine job building themselves into a fine football team, but let's face it they are not one of the big boys. It is what it is. I mean they’re a nice program, and they can find a home they can compete and continue to grow.

A friend of mine and I were talking over the weekend about the tie with Texas. Really, the Sooners have been married to the Longhorns since 1900 with the first game being four or five seasons before the inception of Bedlam. They have become powerhouses over the life of the rivalry and this rivalry extended yearly even though they were never in the same conference until 1996. These two big dogs were behind the formation of the BigXII that year. During the last conference realignment, from what I remember, OU was the only institution that didn't remark negatively about Texas wanting it's own network, meanwhile, although not to the degree of the Aggies, the rest of the conference were vocally unhappy with it. But really, OU and Texas have very much been in-cahoots forever. So this shaming coming from OSU top brass about running away with the Longhorns is just stupid. Not trying to diminish the Bedlam rivalry, just pointing out the OU/TX relationship. This is a business deal.

I hope OSU can focus on their task ahead of them and put themselves in a position to thrive further.

I am borderline ashamed at the response of OSU's new President. She is behaving like a little brother/sister. Instead of expressing regret and moving on an aggressive path towards stability, she bemoans OU's decision as if they owe OSU something. What is this supposed Oklahoma allegiance? Maybe she should focus more on improving OSU's academic standing (OU should do the same as 133rd is also extremely disappointing to me as a Alum), but wrt Football OSU's new President is not reflecting the kind of leadership I would expect when admittedly faced with a difficult problem

I am borderline ashamed at the response of OSU's new President. She is behaving like a little brother/sister. Instead of expressing regret and moving on an aggressive path towards stability, she bemoans OU's decision as if they owe OSU something. What is this supposed Oklahoma allegiance? Maybe she should focus more on improving OSU's academic standing (OU should do the same as 133rd is also extremely disappointing to me as a Alum), but wrt Football OSU's new President is not reflecting the kind of leadership I would expect when admittedly faced with a difficult problem

In all fairness, it’s a little brother university and always will be.

I hope OSU can land in either in the B1G or PAC 12. That would be wild to have Saturday home games in Stillwater vs UCLA, Stanford, Oregon, etc

I would have to think OSU would generate far more sports revenue than U of Colorado.

I am borderline ashamed at the response of OSU's new President. She is behaving like a little brother/sister. Instead of expressing regret and moving on an aggressive path towards stability, she bemoans OU's decision as if they owe OSU something. What is this supposed Oklahoma allegiance? Maybe she should focus more on improving OSU's academic standing (OU should do the same as 133rd is also extremely disappointing to me as a Alum), but wrt Football OSU's new President is not reflecting the kind of leadership I would expect when admittedly faced with a difficult problem

When I saw the statement...I turned to my wife and actually said....they sound like the little brother.

I'm with you all. I was feeling bad about OSU over the weekend, but the response from this new president is pathetic. I really had hoped that OSU would land in another P5(4) conference, but now, good luck in the Mountain West for all I care.

The thing is OSU should be proud of where they are. IMO they are the 3rd best program easily, and should start acting like it. I think there is a good chance they are on more conference radar's than they believe and need to start acting like the commodity they are. They are much better prepared for this than they would have been 15 years ago, and that's a good thing.

Lots of chatter that OU & Texas may submit their letter of withdrawal to the Big 12 today.

The SEC presidents are meeting on Thursday and it's expected they will vote to approve both schools, with the only negative vote coming from A&M.

OU just sent out notice of a board of regents meeting on July 30 to discuss conference membership

https://twitter.com/nuriamkeel/status/1420014838189854724?s=21

OU just sent out notice of a board of regents meeting on July 30 to discuss conference membership

https://twitter.com/nuriamkeel/status/1420014838189854724?s=21

That would fit with the timing:

Letter to Big 12 notifying the intent to withdraw, possibly today
SEC presidents vote to approve admission on Thursday
OU Board of Regents accept on Friday

Just food for thought, as to when OU and Texas may play in the SEC, remember both Missouri and Texas A&M both announced in 2011 that they were leaving the Big 12 for the SEC. They both played in the SEC in 2012.

There are still a lot of variables, but it is possible that OU and Texas could be playing in the SEC in 2022

^

It seems the new arrangement starting in the fall of 2022 is the most likely outcome.


I'm still having a hard time getting my mind around all this. It's absolutely the right move for OU but everything is going to change very quickly.

This is a great analysis of TV viewership and revenue in the Big 12:

https://archive.ph/sx2ZY

The crux:

Games with OU averaged 3.76 million viewers
Games with Texas averaged 3.2 million viewers
The rest of the Big 12 games averaged .87 million viewers

That would fit with the timing:

Letter to Big 12 notifying the intent to withdraw, possibly today
SEC presidents vote to approve admission on Thursday
OU Board of Regents accept on Friday

intent to withdraw was yesterday .. (not continuing the media deal with the conf past the expiration)

reportedly OU and UT will apply for SEC membership today ..

Thursday the SEC accepts OU and Texas

Friday BOR's approve ..

Looks like 2025 is the target date

https://twitter.com/sec/status/1420030640368627712?s=21

Looks like 2025 is the target date

https://twitter.com/sec/status/1420030640368627712?s=21

That's if they wait for the TV contracts to expire. Highly likely that they will be playing in 2022.

Looks like 2025 is the target date

https://twitter.com/sec/status/1420030640368627712?s=21

only because of contracts they can't say any date before that ..


after the sec accepts on thursday and the BOR approves on friday the Lawyers will start with the negotiations and it is widely expected that OU and UT will be playing in the SEC no later than 2023 and quite possibly next season(2022) ..

Looks like 2025 is the target date

https://twitter.com/sec/status/1420030640368627712?s=21

They are saying 2025 because that is when the current contracts with the Big 12 expire. But there are buyouts OU & Texas can exercise and they likely will because they can more than offset with the increased revenues the SEC will bring.

Missouri and A&M both moved to the SEC a year after notifying.

the thing i'm curious about, is what happens to these buyout clauses if the big xii folds? i'm wondering if ou and ut are aiming to be free from paying the penalty because there won't be a big xii entity left to make the payment to.

They are saying 2025 because that is when the current contracts with the Big 12 expire. But there are buyouts OU & Texas can exercise and they likely will because they can more than offset with the increased revenues the SEC will bring.

Missouri and A&M both moved to the SEC a year after notifying.

I doubt there will be any buyouts because the other 8 schools will be scrambling to get into a Power 4 conference and the Big 12 will disband.

the thing i'm curious about, is what happens to these buyout clauses if the big xii folds? i'm wondering if ou and ut are aiming to be free from paying the penalty because there won't be a big xii entity left to make the payment to.

That is one scenario.

Regardless, OU & Texas can easily buy their way out with the new SEC money, and that pot is only going to grow -- maybe substantially -- with this move.

the thing i'm curious about, is what happens to these buyout clauses if the big xii folds? i'm wondering if ou and ut are aiming to be free from paying the penalty because there won't be a big xii entity left to make the payment to.

the two scenarios i am hearing, this as potential option 1... and that ESPN wants to get OU and Texas in the SEC and on ESPN exclusively. so no matter the buyout for both schools, expect a generous donation by the mouse, to get it done if it's needed.

^

ESPN is desperate to get out of the Longhorn Network which has been a huge bust, and that network is suddenly hurting.

Like everything else surrounding this, things are going to move quickly.

the thing i'm curious about, is what happens to these buyout clauses if the big xii folds? i'm wondering if ou and ut are aiming to be free from paying the penalty because there won't be a big xii entity left to make the payment to.

Good observation, Martin. This was one of the questions I wanted to ask.

The big10 came out yesterday and said that they are content with their current teams. Everyone here assumes that these conferences will want to expand to 16 teams, but that may not be necessarily true anymore. Tramel had some interesting points on the radio yesterday. Basically said that conferences wanted to get to 16 teams during a time when we were trying to get a 4 team playoff going, i.e. different times different measures. The general thought is that conferences will not expand if it hurts revenue. The remaining big 12 teams, save Kansas, are going to dilute whatever major conferences the go to. When you take that in context with the big 10’s statement yesterday, the remaining big 12 teams are likely in for a world of hurt.

There’s a solid chance that the PAC end the big10 won’t expand. If that happens, the remaining teams may be best served holding the big 12 together and trying to poach some of the bigger teams from the AAC or other similar conferences. Things are going to get really interesting soon.

^

I suspect that will be the short-term solution.

ESPN is saying that OU and UT have formally requested admittance into the SEC beginning in 2025.

The big10 came out yesterday and said that they are content with their current teams. Everyone here assumes that these conferences will want to expand to 16 teams, but that may not be necessarily true anymore. Tramel had some interesting points on the radio yesterday. Basically said that conferences wanted to get to 16 teams during a time when we were trying to get a 4 team playoff going, i.e. different times different measures. The general thought is that conferences will not expand if it hurts revenue. The remaining big 12 teams, save Kansas, are going to dilute whatever major conferences the go to. When you take that in context with the big 10’s statement yesterday, the remaining big 12 teams are likely in for a world of hurt.

There’s a solid chance that the PAC end the big10 won’t expand. If that happens, the remaining teams may be best served holding the big 12 together and trying to poach some of the bigger teams from the AAC or other similar conferences. Things are going to get really interesting soon.


The only added value i could see is from the Pac 12 being able to add an 11am game every saturday for football for the PAC channel. I believe CU has played a couple of home games at 10am to get into that first window. Maybe if OSU agrees to play every home game at 11am then the PAC might take them.

Look for a 14-0 vote in the not so distant future

If like 4 schools were left in the Big 12 would they collect the entirety of the pot that was put together in the original contract? Might be a silver lining for KSU types

The big10 came out yesterday and said that they are content with their current teams. Everyone here assumes that these conferences will want to expand to 16 teams, but that may not be necessarily true anymore. Tramel had some interesting points on the radio yesterday. Basically said that conferences wanted to get to 16 teams during a time when we were trying to get a 4 team playoff going, i.e. different times different measures. The general thought is that conferences will not expand if it hurts revenue. The remaining big 12 teams, save Kansas, are going to dilute whatever major conferences the go to. When you take that in context with the big 10’s statement yesterday, the remaining big 12 teams are likely in for a world of hurt.

There’s a solid chance that the PAC end the big10 won’t expand. If that happens, the remaining teams may be best served holding the big 12 together and trying to poach some of the bigger teams from the AAC or other similar conferences. Things are going to get really interesting soon.

Do some of you all really still not understand the game after the last decade of this and other major sports moves? No one has changed conferences yet, nothing has been made official and just as the SEC has shown, conferences can’t appear to be publicly pursuing teams from other conferences due to legal ramifications. Of course that’s what the B1G is going to say RIGHT NOW. There has also been speculation that several B1G teams have been in contact with the SEC and Pac 12 teams have been in contact with the B1G. I would highly recommend taking any public statements made by the conferences with a grain of salt until everything is finalized.

Do some of you all really still not understand the game after the last decade of this and other major sports moves? No one has changed conferences yet, nothing has been made official and just as the SEC has shown, conferences can’t appear to be publicly pursuing teams from other conferences due to legal ramifications. Of course that’s what the B1G is going to say RIGHT NOW. There has also been speculation that several B1G teams have been in contact with the SEC and Pac 12 teams have been in contact with the B1G. I would highly recommend taking any public statements made by the conferences with a grain of salt until everything is finalized.

unless teams can add actual monetary value .. and be a cultural and academic fit the PAC BIG and ACC are not going to expand

unless teams can add actual monetary value .. and be a cultural and academic fit the PAC BIG and ACC are not going to expand

I just disagree. I think the product on the field/court and access to other recruiting/tv markets is going to drive this as well. It will eventually improve the watchability/marketability of conference games which will also increase revenue long term. That’s the only option they will have to grow aside from mergers or the other high revenue/blue blood type programs combine to form another super conference. The other groups aren’t going to sit still, especially based on academics, after the SEC does this. I just don’t think they can do so and remain competitive. You can guarantee that if everyone stays put and the other conferences don’t do something, the SEC will come for their good teams, offer way more revenue, and take them eventually.

unless teams can add actual monetary value .. and be a cultural and academic fit the PAC BIG and ACC are not going to expand

I'd think B1G would strongly consider bringing in UCONN and KU for their basketball programs.

ESPN is saying that OU and UT have formally requested admittance into the SEC beginning in 2025.

They are both hoping the big12 fails before then so they can move with no monetary penalty

I'd think B1G would strongly consider bringing in UCONN and KU for their basketball programs.

Uconn is not AAU so they are a non starter

Conferences like the PAC 12, BIG !0 and the ACC are going to be 'open' to consider membership expansion. So many universities left in the BIG 12 will be seeking membership in those conferences.

Will academic standing be part of the criteria for acceptance when you evaluate the total sports spectrum... The major concern for OSU seeking application in the PAC 12 will be time zone. Cowboys will be competitive in NCAA Division I Football; no doubt they couldn't hold their own.

There has been soooooo much speculation for so long that major college football would end up being 4, 16 team conferences that I find it hard to believe that won't come to fruition by 2025 no matter what conditions the conferences held to up til now.

If like 4 schools were left in the Big 12 would they collect the entirety of the pot that was put together in the original contract? Might be a silver lining for KSU types

I'm guessing the contract demands a certain number of members, total games and specific membership by OU and Texas in order to collect max value.

There has been soooooo much speculation for so long that major college football would end up being 4, 16 team conferences that I find it hard to believe that won't come to fruition by 2025 no matter what conditions the conferences held to up til now.

That was driven mainly by the 4-team playoff.

The playoff is now almost certain to grow to 8 or 12 teams, and I'm sure one of the big reasons OU doesn't mind the stiff competition.

Bob Stoops in his statement today, more or less says that OU tried to bring along OSU:

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/opinion/2021/07/27/bob-stoops-oklahoma-sec-decision-leave-big-12-southeastern-conference/5390626001/

I think this statement by Stoops is trying to be the voice of OU, the olive branch so to speak, to console OSU in that they tried, but "the strongest conferences would not accept OU if we were to require OSU to join as well." The Joe's aren't going to come out and say anything to badmouth the SEC for not wanting OSU as they are going in.

IDK, it's not looking good for OSU. They have their work cutout and they need to focus full steam on their future.

Wow, and in other news, I just heard Trammel on WWLS says that a report out of Austin is that ESPN will buy out the Longhorn Network's contract and pay Texas a bunch of money to get out of it, and Texas will turn around with that money and pay that to the BigXII for the OU AND Texas buy-out and be done with the Big XII.

If that rings true.... MIND BLOWN.

That was driven mainly by the 4-team playoff.

The playoff is now almost certain to grow to 8 or 12 teams, and I'm sure one of the big reasons OU doesn't mind the stiff competition.

But when?

Not 2021. I guess it could be 2022, but maybe we should wait for conference shake ups to... shake out...

But when?

Not 2021. I guess it could be 2022, but maybe we should wait for conference shake ups to... shake out...

It's almost certain to happen in the next few years.

Why wouldn't the SEC want OSU? I am not a native okie so I am unbiased.

OSU ranks just as well as A&M and Mizzou sports-wise and they were allowed in. Heck they are better than Arkansas. I say let them join.

Just curious. Has anyone heard anything from Governor Stitt's office on this....

He's in Azerbaijan...

OSU is something like the 15th winningest college sports program in the NCAA.

OSU is something like the 15th winningest college sports program in the NCAA.

Oh, that explains why the Big Four conferences are all fighting over them.

Just saying they aren't a sports cesspool with high school facilities. I doubt they'll be ignored.