Big 12 implosion again? A&M and Oklahoma looking at the SEC

[MVCfans]

A&M got punk'd... for now.

The Southeastern Conference is not extending an invitation to Texas A&M to become its 13th member, but isn't ruling out adding the Aggies in the future.

University of Florida president Dr. Bernie Machen said the conference's presidents and chancellors met on Sunday and "reaffirmed our satisfaction with the present 12 institutional alignment

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... e-texas-am

[SubGod22]

It's only a matter of time until the fall takes place anyway. With aTm and Mizzou both looking to get out, rumors that 0U and OSU may also be looking, it'll happen sooner than later. And if the ESPN/LHN thing doesn't go over well, Texas could look to bolt sooner

[valleychamp]

IMO, the SEC declining to take A&M at this point is not a matter of not wanting them, but it is a matter of not having a 14th team to add yet. If I were to guess, if the SEC can get another team to come along with A&M, this will happen. You simply can't add 1 team and go to 13 teams if you are SEC.

[MoValley John]

IMO, the SEC declining to take A&M at this point is not a matter of not wanting them, but it is a matter of not having a 14th team to add yet. If I were to guess, if the SEC can get another team to come along with A&M, this will happen. You simply can't add 1 team and go to 13 teams if you are SEC.

Very true. This is an arms race for which BCS conference survives and having odd numbers isn't going to work. The SEC would need one more in the West and one in the East. Adding one school qould simply cause problems and animosity. It wouldn't be long before schools from the West were complaining because they had one extra team, meanwhile, scheduling would become a nightmare. The last thing that the SEC would want to do is create a problem when no problems currently exist.

The bottom line is that the most credible long term scenario that has been mentioned is four BCS leagues with 16 teams each. Teh Big 10 isn't going anywhere, the Pac 12 isn't, neither is the SEC. OF the three remaining, the ACC, the Big East and the Big 12, it will be who is the last man standing. Two years ago, I would have guessed the Big XII and the ACC a close second. Now I believe the Big XII will die first, followed by the Big East and then the remainder of the ACC will finally funnel into the SEC and Big 10. There will be no place for schools like Seton Hall.

The Big XII is on borrowed time, but on a better note, if all of this plays out, this will create opportunities for additional Big time basketball conferences. This ordeal isn't over, it's just beginning. It will be a fun ride!

[Snaggletooth]

IMO, the SEC declining to take A&M at this point is not a matter of not wanting them, but it is a matter of not having a 14th team to add yet. If I were to guess, if the SEC can get another team to come along with A&M, this will happen. You simply can't add 1 team and go to 13 teams if you are SEC.

Or maybe the sec realizes there are better programs to add than A&m.

If you believe the reality is super-conferences then either the B12 has to start making a move to snatch some teams from somewhere, or the individual members will be "snipered" by other conferences and the remaining teams will be left to fend for themselves as now a mid-major.

[MoValley John]

Here is an interesting rumor I read on Orangebloods (Texas's Rivals site). I don't know how much stock I put into it, but if anywhere near true, this would send conference realignment into supernova.

This is just what I am hearing,so take it as such.

UNC will be willing to let NC State walk and The Legs. in Virgina would be willing to let Va. Tech walk to the SEC.

The catch would be if that does happen, UNC-Chapel Hill along with Duke, Virginia and Maryland would walk to the Big Ten. I am hearing that the Big Ten doesn't want Mizzou at all, and is done with ND and willing to move forward to 16 if those 4 would apply. Apparently OU, Okie Lite, Kansas and Mizzou talked to the Big Ten last week, and the Big Ten said don't even apply.

Again, just a rumor, but a interesting rumor.

[ihsi]

I'd wager the ACC and Big 12 will both not exist in 5 years which makes that plausible. If college football goes into 4 conferences of 16 teams, what happens to the Georgetown's and Marquette's?

[panther-state]

I'd wager the ACC and Big 12 will both not exist in 5 years which makes that plausible. If college football goes into 4 conferences of 16 teams, what happens to the Georgetown's and Marquette's?

Bottom's up!

[MVCfans]

A&M officially notified the Big 12 today that they are going to explore their options regarding conference ralignment. Basically, they're gone. Following that, SMU made a statement that they were "ready" to join an automatic qualifier.

[MVCfans]

No surprise, but it looks official:

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Texas A&M has notified the Big 12 it will withdraw from the conference, according to a newspaper report.

The New York Times said in a story posted on its website Monday night that Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin sent a letter to Missouri Chancellor and Big 12 board chairman Brady Deaton to inform the league it was leaving. The report cited two unidentified college officials with direct knowledge of the decision.

So what happens next?