Per ESPN: A&M to SEC
- Thread starter bhawkn30
- Start date
MultipleDundieAwardWinner
Banned
My thought is that the SEC is fighting a cold war against the other conferences to stockpile money and rich programs, and to literally make the SEC THE LEAGUE. I think his vision for the SEC is to make SEC like the Premiere League in England, and make all of the other conferences the lower tier leagues, where they are unable to compete with the SEC because all of the top flight talent will go south.
My other thought is that the Big 10 had better do something aggressive or they will be relegated to second tier conference behind the SEC and the PAC (if they start expanding into Texas and OK).
tm3308
Well-Known Member
This, with the exception of Florida, Vandy, and Georgia. Those are top-flight schools.
Doesn't most of the top flight talent go south already?
Pakistanzi
Banned
What a bunch of crap. All of this talk about A&M moving, and then nothing is going to happen. I don't care that nothing is happening, but that's insanely lame that there was all this buildup for absolutely nothing to happen.
VenturaAce
Well-Known Member
As lame as you may feel, can you imagine what the Aggie brass feel like? A little uneasiness in College Station right now?!?
hawkeyebob62
Well-Known Member
If I had to guess, I'd say Big 12 or SEC or Texas got into some legal mumbo-jumbo threat-type language exchanges. What's the hurry for the SEC, anyway?
Even though I agree with you, this may be not over. This statement does give the SEC latitude to change their stance. Could easily be a cover yourself statement.
silvanthalas
Well-Known Member
See: Big Ten's "12 to 18 month schedule" that was greatly accelerated.
SpecialKHawk
Well-Known Member
The intent is there for A&M ....
So one of two things is taking place.
ESPN is a major backer/player in both the SEC and the Texas LHN. It appears to me the investment in the LHN would be greatly damaged in the short-term if the Big 12 crumbles and super conferences form. The Big 12 crumbles not just by A&M's move alone but possibly an additional school or two like Missouri to the SEC or BigTen, etc. It's conceivable to me that both Texas + ESPN are behind the scenes strongly 'suggesting' to the SEC via ESPN to hold off. I think Texas is in a situation where they have over-played their hand and needs more time before the Big 12 is disposable to them.
OR
The SEC is simply going through the motions until A&M formally applies.
So one of two things is taking place.
ESPN is a major backer/player in both the SEC and the Texas LHN. It appears to me the investment in the LHN would be greatly damaged in the short-term if the Big 12 crumbles and super conferences form. The Big 12 crumbles not just by A&M's move alone but possibly an additional school or two like Missouri to the SEC or BigTen, etc. It's conceivable to me that both Texas + ESPN are behind the scenes strongly 'suggesting' to the SEC via ESPN to hold off. I think Texas is in a situation where they have over-played their hand and needs more time before the Big 12 is disposable to them.
OR
The SEC is simply going through the motions until A&M formally applies.
If this thing falls apart and A&M has to come back to the Big 12 with its tail between its legs, this will be 100 times worse than Missouri thinking they were Big Ten bound last year, just to have Nebraska get accepted.
SpecialKHawk
Well-Known Member
The 'tail between the legs' is going to played up by the media and other conference members but I do not see it that way at all.
Texas A&M is doing exactly the right the thing by looking for an 'exit' strategy from the Big 12. No program is hurt more in the Big 12 than A&M. Texas has benefited 1000% from running the Big 12 and keeping A&M under wraps.
Step back into the time-machine during the end of the SWC and the formation of the Big 12. Despite UT's overall prestige A&M was the power program continually in the Top 5 and Texas was a 6-8 win team with coaches like John Mackovic. That has completely flipped in every aspect and will never change as long as A&M is tied to Texas.
Going to the SEC(best choice) or even the Big Ten(to a lesser extent) removes the shackles and allows A&M to offer a recruiting advantage/differentiation from Texas. Does it make A&M the new Texas no, but it certainly offers real competition for the first time.
Understanding this is how Texas despite their public comments is concerned about A&M to the SEC. Not only does it put A&M in the best football conference but it creates competition for Texas recruits and opens the door for the SEC into Texas. All of this means over time Texas will not get the defacto pick of the first 20 best players year in and year out -> the margin for error tigthens and that means more losing. Can be the difference between winning another national title.
Not saying this is going to happen... but ..... if I was the key Big Ten decision maker I would accpet an application from A&M in a heartbeat. It does mean more travel, etc. but it allows the Big Ten to get into a southern, massive market. A&M is good accademically also which fits into the Big Ten model. From A&M's inclusion in the Big Ten would provide stability but not be an ideal choice as travel is increased, no natural border rivals and cold weather..... but they must get out from Texas to thrive.
Texas A&M is doing exactly the right the thing by looking for an 'exit' strategy from the Big 12. No program is hurt more in the Big 12 than A&M. Texas has benefited 1000% from running the Big 12 and keeping A&M under wraps.
Step back into the time-machine during the end of the SWC and the formation of the Big 12. Despite UT's overall prestige A&M was the power program continually in the Top 5 and Texas was a 6-8 win team with coaches like John Mackovic. That has completely flipped in every aspect and will never change as long as A&M is tied to Texas.
Going to the SEC(best choice) or even the Big Ten(to a lesser extent) removes the shackles and allows A&M to offer a recruiting advantage/differentiation from Texas. Does it make A&M the new Texas no, but it certainly offers real competition for the first time.
Understanding this is how Texas despite their public comments is concerned about A&M to the SEC. Not only does it put A&M in the best football conference but it creates competition for Texas recruits and opens the door for the SEC into Texas. All of this means over time Texas will not get the defacto pick of the first 20 best players year in and year out -> the margin for error tigthens and that means more losing. Can be the difference between winning another national title.
Not saying this is going to happen... but ..... if I was the key Big Ten decision maker I would accpet an application from A&M in a heartbeat. It does mean more travel, etc. but it allows the Big Ten to get into a southern, massive market. A&M is good accademically also which fits into the Big Ten model. From A&M's inclusion in the Big Ten would provide stability but not be an ideal choice as travel is increased, no natural border rivals and cold weather..... but they must get out from Texas to thrive.
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I don't really agree with your line of thinking there. I do think A&M needs to distance themselves because their conference is crumbling, but their problem is not UT. I mean, by your way of thinking, ISU should be better off because they can "offer a recruiting advantage/differentiation" from Iowa.......but we all know that is NOT the case.
