The Baylors, TCUs and WVUs should be somewhat nervous about their prospects.

The OSUs and KUs likely find a Power 4 landing spot.

Saw an SI article that believes Ohio St., Michigan, Florida St and Clemson are also probing the SEC.

If that we're to actually happen 1. College Football is truly over and Semi-Pro has arrived 2. The Mississippi States of the SEC are just unreal lucky.

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.

academics are not good but the only actual important thing is that they don't bring TV eyes and they don't bring any tv markets ...

The Baylors, TCUs and WVUs should be somewhat nervous about their prospects.

The OSUs and KUs likely find a Power 4 landing spot.

it is more likely that non of them get power 4 spots ..

academics are not good but the only actual important thing is that they don't bring TV eyes and they don't bring any tv markets ...

I know this is getting off topic, but it's frustrating to continually see people parrot phrases like the "academics are not good" at schools which they know nothing about the academics. Most of the formulas used to rank universities are incredibly elitist and have almost nothing to do with "education." I've been always disgusted who rip on schools where educators and students are putting up hard work. People rely on simplistic and elitist formulas they don't understand to say simple statements like the "academics are not good." It's an uninformed, might I say uneducated, comment.

And, I'm not trying to pick on you, BoulderSooner, because a lot of people do it. I wish people would put a bit more thought into making statements like these. They're elitist and uninformed.

It's like how Nebraska was an AAU institution when they got accepted into the Big 10 but they lost that designation almost immediately after. Did Nebraska's academics become immediately worse in a single year? It's because the University of Nebraska’s medical school is at its Omaha campus, not the flagship campus in Lincoln and they primarily focus on agricultural research which isn't viewed as highly by the AAU.

Seems legit.

^

But like it or not the general perception very much matters.

There are reasons why some schools get tens of thousands of applicants for a very small amount of spots, and it generally comes from US News and other such ratings.

When the B1G talks about valuing academics, they are talking about AAU membership which is equally subjective but still very important to many people.

And in this particular discussion, conferences like the B1G and Pac very much care about perceptions and ratings, which is the point.

^

But like it or not the general perception very much matters.

There are reasons why some schools get tens of thousands of applicants for a very small amount of spots, and it generally comes from US News and other such ratings.

When the B1G talks about valuing academics, they are talking about AAU membership which is equally subjective but still very important to many people.

And in this particular discussion, conferences like the B1G and Pac very much care about perceptions and ratings, which is the point.

The PAC was ready to let OU OSU and Tech enter the conference in 2011. So academic rankings weren't really a concern for the PAC then. Of course getting Texas may have made the thought of those 3 school's academic rankings more palatable at the time.

Mizzou alum here. When we made the move from the Big 12 to the SEC in 2011, a significant percentage of our alumni base (mostly in the St. Louis area) was not that keen on the SEC and were pining loudly for the Big 10, and we do have AAU membership. Now, nobody could really argue with a straight face that the SEC wasn't a great athletic option for us. The academic and cultural standards of the schools in the two conferences were more the point. People tend to associate big public schools rightly or wrongly with the other schools in their athletic conferences. Those are the peers. There was the feeling that Mizzou would be "elevated" more in national reputation by having an association with Michigan, Penn State and the like than Mississippi State, Arkansas, etc. Better quality students would apply for admission, better professors would be drawn in, etc etc.

Of course the larger group was really more drawn to where the better financial windfall would be. But I'm just saying that mentality is very much out there.

As an aside, with most of my family being OU grads and my brother being a UT alum, I would have been happy staying in the old Big 12 and am totally looking forward to playing OU and UT again (although we'll more often than not get our ass kicked).

The PAC was ready to let OU OSU and Tech enter the conference in 2011. So academic rankings weren't really a concern for the PAC then. Of course getting Texas may have made the thought of those 3 school's academic rankings more palatable at the time.

It didn't happen so we don't know if they would have actually voted them in.

Here’s our 14th vote:

https://twitter.com/skhanjr/status/1420526869519216645?s=21

Here’s our 14th vote:

https://twitter.com/skhanjr/status/1420526869519216645?s=21

Looks like 14-0.

OU and Texas regents will approve on Friday, then the scramble begins as to when the change will take place and what will happen with the remaining Big 12 schools.

A rather torrid week for two hot topics: Arena naming rights & OU-UT seeking membership in the SEC. Posters and Administrators have shared valuable information regarding both topics.

Naming rights, we jumped on the 'assumption train' which took us in many directions. Still we don't know if our responses on this forum impacted the naming rights decision. Who would have thought Paycom was a major player in naming rights

Our arena since entering the NBA has improved from a bare bones minimum structure $89 million to one that is taking shape with MAPS fund feeding. It hasn't morphed into a Taj Mahal, however the future appears bright for a 'fan friendly' well polished venue that will hold its own among NBA arenas on the lowest budget among all.

Our leadership are good downtown arena stewards considering the phrases of renovations since opening in 2002 and voter approved MAPS extensions to bring the arena up to NBA standards as a condition to keep the Thunder (Supersonics) in OKC long term.

OU & UT's quest for the SEC is one that have baffled many of us from the start. What a weird combination of 'strange bedfellows' to continue to co-exist since the Big 8 & Southwest conferences were formed under one umbrella.

OU-UT continues to work in tandem as two of the more focal universities of each state seem to have each others backs in a swimming contest knowing that the best outcome is to keep each other afloat.

Looks like 14-0.

OU and Texas regents will approve on Friday, then the scramble begins as to when the change will take place and what will happen with the remaining Big 12 schools.

I agree with you in that it happens sooner rather than later. Like just about everything else, this is mostly about money. And the sooner this happens - even with buyout involved - the more money for everyone...everyone not left in the Big 12, that is.

I'm guessing fall of 2022 after OU and UT enjoy a farewell tour amid a torrent of boos, tortillas and turkey legs. Better keep the helmets on, even on the sidelines!

A rather torrid week for two hot topics: Arena naming rights & OU-UT seeking membership in the SEC. Posters and Administrators have shared valuable information regarding both topics.

Naming rights, we jumped on the 'assumption train' which took us in many directions. Still we don't know if our responses on this forum impacted the naming rights decision. Who would have thought Paycom was a major player in naming rights

Our arena since entering the NBA has improved from a bare bones minimum structure $89 million to one that is taking shape with MAPS fund feeding. It hasn't morphed into a Taj Mahal, however the future appears bright for a 'fan friendly' well polished venue that will hold its own among NBA arenas on the lowest budget among all.

Our leadership are good downtown arena stewards considering the phrases of renovations since opening in 2002 and voter approved MAPS extensions to bring the arena up to NBA standards as a condition to keep the Thunder (Supersonics) in OKC long term.

OU & UT's quest for the SEC is one that have baffled many of us from the start. What a weird combination of 'strange bedfellows' to continue to co-exist since the Big 8 & Southwest conferences were formed under one umbrella.

OU-UT continues to work in tandem as two of the more focal universities of each state seem to have each others backs in a swimming contest knowing that the best outcome is to keep each other afloat.

Ummm. Everyone?

I agree with you in that it happens sooner rather than later. Like just about everything else, this is mostly about money. And the sooner this happens - even with buyout involved - the more money for everyone...everyone not left in the Big 12, that is.

I'm guessing fall of 2022 after OU and UT enjoy a farewell tour amid a torrent of boos, tortillas and turkey legs. Better keep the helmets on, even on the sidelines!

I bet we'll already be playing in the SEC by then. Farewell tour kicks off in a month.

Saw an SI article that believes Ohio St., Michigan, Florida St and Clemson are also probing the SEC.

If that we're to actually happen 1. College Football is truly over and Semi-Pro has arrived 2. The Mississippi States of the SEC are just unreal lucky.

What a joke. Neither Ohio State nor Michigan are South or East. This whole thing is a mess, or starting to be one.

As for your second tidbit, college football has become a professional sport. It became that way when athletes were ruled eligible for financial incentives through deals and whatnot.

This will hurt the NFL. If I were NFL owners I would be pretty concerned about the long term future. Nick Saban said that some of his players will be millionaires by the time they finish their college career. If you had enough money to live off of for the rest of your life at 23, would you continue to play such a dangerous sport such as football at the next level? I don't think a few will. I'm sure there will be a few, but I'm guessing we will see a lot decide to take their life in another direction.

What a joke. Neither Ohio State nor Michigan are South or East. This whole thing is a mess, or starting to be one.

As for your second tidbit, college football has become a professional sport. It became that way when athletes were ruled eligible for financial incentives through deals and whatnot.

This will hurt the NFL. If I were NFL owners I would be pretty concerned about the long term future. Nick Saban said that some of his players will be millionaires by the time they finish their college career. If you had enough money to live off of for the rest of your life at 23, would you continue to play such a dangerous sport such as football at the next level? I don't think a few will. I'm sure there will be a few, but I'm guessing we will see a lot decide to take their life in another direction.

Well, I thought that too, but you've got Kyler Murray in the NFL. Also, you can burn through $5,000,000 pretty quickly, especially when you're young, so most of these players who do that will likely need to get contracts.

Also, many people play to compete.

What a joke. Neither Ohio State nor Michigan are South or East. This whole thing is a mess, or starting to be one.

IDGAF about much of this when it gets right down to it, but there's a whole thread on this board about how OK is not in the South but here we go full speed into the SEC............

I bet we'll already be playing in the SEC by then. Farewell tour kicks off in a month.

Oh, man…that’s totally what I meant. Sorry it was unclear in the writing. Exactly. Fall ‘22 in the SEC. Farewell tour is this season. Buckle up.

Looks like 14-0.

OU and Texas regents will approve on Friday, then the scramble begins as to when the change will take place and what will happen with the remaining Big 12 schools.

Now The Bix XII commish is claiming ESPN enticed OU & UT to jump ship, and is conspiring with the AAC to lure several other BXII schools to leave.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/big-12-commissioner-alleges-espn-conspired-with-sec-american-to-lure-teams-from-conference/

Stillwater area legislators call Oklahoma decision to leave Big 12 troublesome and 'entirely self-serving'.

https://www.stwnewspress.com/sports/stillwater-area-legislators-call-oklahoma-decision-to-leave-big-12-troublesome-and-entirely-self-serving/article_251500ea-ef26-11eb-a647-bb5d72fbbb50.html?utm_source=stwnewspress.com&utm_campaign=%2Fsports%2Fstillwater-area-legislators-call-oklahoma-decision-to-leave-big-12-troublesome-and-entirely-self-serving%2Farticle-251500ea-ef26-11eb-a647-bb5d72fbbb50.html%3Fmode%3Demail%26-dc%3D1627425122&utm_medium=auto%20alert%20email&utm_content=read%20more

Stillwater area legislators call Oklahoma decision to leave Big 12 troublesome and 'entirely self-serving'.

https://www.stwnewspress.com/sports/stillwater-area-legislators-call-oklahoma-decision-to-leave-big-12-troublesome-and-entirely-self-serving/article_251500ea-ef26-11eb-a647-bb5d72fbbb50.html?utm_source=stwnewspress.com&utm_campaign=%2Fsports%2Fstillwater-area-legislators-call-oklahoma-decision-to-leave-big-12-troublesome-and-entirely-self-serving%2Farticle-251500ea-ef26-11eb-a647-bb5d72fbbb50.html%3Fmode%3Demail%26-dc%3D1627425122&utm_medium=auto%20alert%20email&utm_content=read%20more

Well…yeah that’s kinda the point, right?

Stillwater area legislators call Oklahoma decision to leave Big 12 troublesome and 'entirely self-serving'.

https://www.stwnewspress.com/sports/stillwater-area-legislators-call-oklahoma-decision-to-leave-big-12-troublesome-and-entirely-self-serving/article_251500ea-ef26-11eb-a647-bb5d72fbbb50.html?utm_source=stwnewspress.com&utm_campaign=%2Fsports%2Fstillwater-area-legislators-call-oklahoma-decision-to-leave-big-12-troublesome-and-entirely-self-serving%2Farticle-251500ea-ef26-11eb-a647-bb5d72fbbb50.html%3Fmode%3Demail%26-dc%3D1627425122&utm_medium=auto%20alert%20email&utm_content=read%20more

Self serving vs. best interests--what is the difference...

I just can't wait to see the looks on other SEC teams faces when they realize that it's not that OU is going to lose 4 games a year in the SEC, it's just that they're going to actually have competition winning a conference title.

On an SEC level I think LSU and Auburn are going to be the big losers here. They will struggle to maintain the national prominence they had now that Texas and OU are in the picture. I think most years it will be OU, UTx, Bama, UGA, and UF vying for top honors. And 3 of those teams will probably eat up 4 playoff births every year.

Obviously things fluctuate and I'm not saying LSU is going to become Arkansas, just think they and Auburn will see substantially less10 win seasons.

Good post Teo9969.

Wish I had the same optimism. Hope OU doesn't get the BIG HEAD as we have been known to do in some years.

Good post Teo9969.

Wish I had the same optimism. Hope OU doesn't get the BIG HEAD as we have been known to do in some years.

Don't get me wrong - I think OU will be happy to win the conference once every 4 years. Just don't see them becoming less competitive. OU's kryptonite has always been sleep walking through games and I just don't think they'll feel comfortable doing that for a long time, I'd ever, in the SEC. They really haven't had the best competition since the early 2010s reshuffle. Some years with some good teams for sure, but even then, we've owned most of those teams for so long that the psychological advantage was legitimate.

OU is easily the strongest program to move conferences since Miami left the Big East. And the big difference is unless we have a scandal in the wings or Lincoln Riley is gone in the next 5 years, we will enter the league incredibly strong and the lesser teams will realize they've just added another Alabama type to their conference.

Oh, man…that’s totally what I meant. Sorry it was unclear in the writing. Exactly. Fall ‘22 in the SEC. Farewell tour is this season. Buckle up.

Trips to K-State and Baylor will be interesting. And that regular season finale at OSU… oh boy that will be a Bedlam for the ages.

Anyone think OU eventually develops a rivalry with Arkansas in the SEC?

Trips to K-State and Baylor will be interesting. And that regular season finale at OSU… oh boy that will be a Bedlam for the ages.

Anyone think OU eventually develops a rivalry with Arkansas in the SEC?

I think it will depend on whether their program improves.

I know this is getting off topic, but it's frustrating to continually see people parrot phrases like the "academics are not good" at schools which they know nothing about the academics. Most of the formulas used to rank universities are incredibly elitist and have almost nothing to do with "education." I've been always disgusted who rip on schools where educators and students are putting up hard work. People rely on simplistic and elitist formulas they don't understand to say simple statements like the "academics are not good." It's an uninformed, might I say uneducated, comment.

And, I'm not trying to pick on you, BoulderSooner, because a lot of people do it. I wish people would put a bit more thought into making statements like these. They're elitist and uninformed.

no offense taken ..

really i was trying to say what pete .. said (much better than I ) below

AAU / research / reputation ...

I am of the view that in most cases (all but a very few elite schools) the quality of education (undergrad) at OSU or OU is very much the same as Indiana and wisconsin and maryland ect ...


so i think we are on the same page ..

I think it will depend on whether their program improves.

If SEC re-formats with Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma & Texas in the same pod. Will be an interesting pod with Oklahoma bordering all three states. Predict you'll see a real knock-down drag out among four schools with all games sold out.

no offense taken ..

really i was trying to say what pete .. said (much better than I ) below

AAU / research / reputation ...

I am of the view that in most cases (all but a very few elite schools) the quality of education (undergrad) at OSU or OU is very much the same as Indiana and wisconsin and maryland ect ...


so i think we are on the same page ..
If people think that all are the same, that is ignorant too. There are significant differences in opportunities to learn among varying universities. And very different outcomes. It would be like saying it doesn't matter if OU plays against the best in the SEC or if they play in the Mountain West. All football teams are the same. That is asinine. Schools that dedicate more assets in a better way get better production whether in football or academics. Go to Cal Tech and tell me it is the same as Texas Tech. Only the biggest ignoramuses would fail to see the difference.

I have a degree from OU and love that school.

But I also have a degree from Pepperdine and a lot of credits at UCLA and I assure you, OU is not in the same league -- not by a long shot.

I have a degree from OU and love that school.

But I also have a degree from Pepperdine and a lot of credits at UCLA and I assure you, OU is not in the same league -- not by a long shot.

and someone with a Meteorology degree or Petroleum engineering degree at OU .. could say the same of about every other school that offers those with very very few exceptions ..

and someone with a Meteorology degree or Petroleum engineering degree at OU .. could say the same of about every other school that offers those with very very few exceptions ..

And the various rankings show that just like they show UCLA is in another stratosphere as an overall university when compared to OU.

And the various rankings show that just like they show UCLA is in another stratosphere as an overall university when compared to OU.

i don't think we disagree ..

To Dan's point: it's elitist to the degree that just because that school's name is on your degree, doesn't automatically mean you got a better education. It means you a degree form that institution. People's education within the same university/school/program are often times wildly different. And of course the reason for this is because education is a 2-way street.

The incentive for Big 10 schools to only accept AAU schools, then, is not because they're better at education across the board, but because it protects the notion that they are. This is enough to trick a majority of Americans into believing they need to get to the "right" place to get the best education. It's marketing versus competing. Can't jeopardize the brand...but...if enough dollars are on the table, I am 100% confident the branding will be tossed aside

:D You Pete think we're going to do battle with you on your on turf; it would be like Cookie Monster trying to eat Big Bird.

SEC presidents meeting now.

The results of their vote are expected to be made public at 4PM CST today.

Nearly three dozen Oklahoma lawmakers sign letter expressing disappointment with OU.
https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/nearly-three-dozen-oklahoma-lawmakers-sign-letter-expressing-disappointment-with-ou/article_530e13ca-f08d-11eb-8a44-6f6105b7bb44.html

Hilbert said he wouldn’t be surprised if some lawmakers file legislation next year pertaining to the realignment or attempt to stop it. But with the deal set to be finalized before the Legislature reconvenes next February, Hilbert said he doesn’t know what recourse lawmakers would have at that point.

“I frankly don’t know what options would be on the table at this time,” he said. “We’ll have to see.”

Nearly three dozen Oklahoma lawmakers sign letter expressing disappointment with OU.
https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/nearly-three-dozen-oklahoma-lawmakers-sign-letter-expressing-disappointment-with-ou/article_530e13ca-f08d-11eb-8a44-6f6105b7bb44.html

Hilbert said he wouldn’t be surprised if some lawmakers file legislation next year pertaining to the realignment or attempt to stop it. But with the deal set to be finalized before the Legislature reconvenes next February, Hilbert said he doesn’t know what recourse lawmakers would have at that point.

“I frankly don’t know what options would be on the table at this time,” he said. “We’ll have to see.”

Seemed like a matter of time until we heard that.

^

A signed letter!

From local politicians in and around Payne County!

Time to call the whole thing off.

You can tell they are grasping at straws by the mention of the impact on Mannford. I have never heard of Mannford seeing a boom on gamedays, and my mom lived in Mannford for 13 years. Maybe they sell more gas, but that is only 6+/- days a year or 1.64% of the year. Maybe I'm wrong, and Mannford is significantly supported by OSU gameday travel, but that still assumes that people only go to OSU games for the level of competition and not for the love of the University.

Seemed like a matter of time until we heard that.

Must be republican. No offense but you can’t make things retroactively illegal not to mention OU wields enormous power I. The state.

NEWS | The @SEC Presidents & Chancellors voted unanimously Thursday to extend membership invitations to the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas to join the SEC effective July 1, 2025, with competition to begin in all sports for the 2025-26 academic year.

https://twitter.com/SEC/status/1420859403042004997?s=20

OU and Texas regents will approve tomorrow morning then the wrangling will begin over buying out of the Big 12 in time for the 2022 season; 2023 at the latest.

Alright! Let the lawyering begin!!!

Alright! Let the lawyering begin!!!

Just like every move in this process, I fully expect that OU and Texas have already planned out their next moves and their exact strategies. Lots of very smart people and lawyers involved. And they had a big headstart (at least 6 months) over all the people just now making knee-jerk reactions.


At first it was: A&M will veto this! No way it will happen!

Then: OSU, the rest of Irate 8 and the Big 12 conference will sue/legislate/tweet this idea into oblivion!


I'm very sure all that was completely expected and planned for.

Similarly, I'm sure there has always been a specific plan to get out of the Big 12 well before 2025. We'll get to see exactly how in the very near future.

Just like every move in this process, I fully expect that OU and Texas have already planned out their next moves and their exact strategies. Lots of very smart people and lawyers involved. And they had a big headstart (at least 6 months) over all the people just now making knee-jerk reactions.


At first it was: A&M will veto this! No way it will happen!

Then: OSU, the rest of Irate 8 and the Big 12 conference will sue/legislate/tweet this idea into oblivion!


I'm very sure all that was completely expected and planned for.

Similarly, I'm sure there has always been a specific plan to get out of the Big 12 well before 2025. We'll get to see exactly how in the very near future.

Knee Jerk Reactions = The 5 Stages of Grief. Lots of denial, anger and bargaining going on lol.

Yes this has been carried out with surgical precision since the leak.

Wrong turn...

Not that there was any doubt, but the OU Regents just voted unanimously to accept the invite to join the SEC.

It's official now.


Still lots of legal wrangling and tons of scheduling and timing issues, of course.

S.E.C., S.E.....nope, nope, you're better than that.

It is reported that OU & UT could leave the Big 12 by mid-2022.

...With the additions of OU and Texas, the SEC is expected to distribute $60 million per year to each of its now 16 members. The Big 12’s revenue distribution last year was just less than $35 million per school, more than $10 million less than the SEC’s payout.--Oklahoman, July 30, 2021

What will be the fate of the remaining 8 schools left in the Big 12. Will they expand or disband...

We do know that once the two marquee school exit the Big 12, Texas will have to dissolve the Longhorn Network. OU & UT could owe the Big 12 as much as $80 million each to leave early.

If most of the remaining schools leave the Big 12 early and the conference dissolves--will any schools owe anything. It looks as though that could be the case as a majority of Big 12 schools are now looking for a soft landing place with other power five conferences.

Not to get too far off on a tangent regarding academic rankings, but OU President Joe Harroz just included the following in an email blast.

If OU could gain AAU status, that would be a game-changer for the entire state:


While this decision most obviously affects OU Athletics, it’s not just about our sports programs. We know this decision will benefit our entire university, advancing our purpose and important work. This move positions OU for success in fulfilling our Strategic Plan. Much of our plan speaks to our aspiration to become an AAU-caliber institution, with benchmarks based on the criteria by which AAU institutions are judged. A move into a conference with more AAU institutions provides us the chance to align OU further and more closely to the standards we will need to meet to reach our goal. Our Strategic Plan is ambitious and certainly requires a conference alignment that affords us the opportunity to aggressively invest in our academic mission.

^
i'd love to see the university aspire to that level... but i don't see a pathway to aau membership. nebraska lost its aau status because its medical school is around 50 miles away in omaha. ou is in a similar situation with ouhsc roughly 20 miles away. in this day and age of telecommunications and interconnectivity, it seems like an arbitrary guideline. in ou's situation, i'm positive that hsc would function at a lower level if it were physically located on the norman campus.

Not to get too far off on a tangent regarding academic rankings, but OU President Joe Harroz just included the following in an email blast.

If OU could gain AAU status, that would be a game-changer for the entire state:

No one is moving to the SEC for the academics. it's a sports/money decision and there is nothing wrong with that. No need for him to try and spin it into something it clearly isn't. I get every new president of a non member university is going to say they want to move toward member status, but it comes off as even more disingenuous here.


A move into a conference with more AAU institutions provides us the chance to align OU further and more closely to the standards we will need to meet to reach our goal.

There are currently 4 AAU members in the SEC and 3 AAU members in the Big 12.
The original Big 12 had 6 members (7 including Nebraska). That didn't help OU get invited either.

While this decision most obviously affects OU Athletics, it’s not just about our sports programs. We know this decision will benefit our entire university, advancing our purpose and important work. This move positions OU for success in fulfilling our Strategic Plan. Much of our plan speaks to our aspiration to become an AAU-caliber institution, with benchmarks based on the criteria by which AAU institutions are judged. A move into a conference with more AAU institutions provides us the chance to align OU further and more closely to the standards we will need to meet to reach our goal. Our Strategic Plan is ambitious and certainly requires a conference alignment that affords us the opportunity to aggressively invest in our academic mission.

Hmn. On one hand athletic conference membership should have nothing to do with academic ranking, and if it suddenly does then that academic ranking feels like it's probably a lie of some degree. On the other hand though, maybe the idea here is SEC membership is going to drive enough additional academic dollars to make the difference?

No one is moving to the SEC for the academics. it's a sports/money decision and there is nothing wrong with that. No need for him to try and spin it into something it clearly isn't. I get every new president of a non member university is going to say they want to move toward member status, but it comes off as even more disingenuous here.



There are currently 4 AAU members in the SEC and 3 AAU members in the Big 12.
The original Big 12 had 6 members (7 including Nebraska). That didn't help OU get invited either.

It's not about just getting invited, it's about reaching the benchmarks the AAU requires.

Look, if the university president thinks there is an academic advantage, I'll listen to him rather than somebody who seems insistent in arguing almost every academic post I make.

It's not about just getting invited, it's about reaching the benchmarks the AAU requires.

Look, if the university president thinks there is an academic advantage, I'll listen to him rather than somebody who seems insistent in arguing almost every academic post I make.

its just kind of an embarrassing statement from the president.

its just kind of an embarrassing statement from the president.

According to you.

Harroz is a very well-respected university administrator and a super sharp man. I trust that he knows what he's talking about.