2011 Conference Realignment: Texas A&M Tells The Big 12 Bye-Bye
by Glenn Logan on Aug 31, 2011 11:20 AM EDT
in General News
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PrintIt's now official. Texas A&M is withdrawing from the Big 12 to go -- well, nowhere yet. But odds are that they will be applying to the SEC for membership. Add this to the recent news that Virginia Tech would listen if the SEC came calling, and a new 14-team SEC appears in the offing.
Highlights of the press release include this:
"After much thought and consideration, and pursuant to the action of the (Texas A&M University System) Board of Regents authorizing me to take action related to Texas A&M University's athletic conference alignment, I have determined it is in the best interest of Texas A&M to make application to join another athletic conference," President R. Bowen Loftin wrote to Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe in the letter dated August 31, 2011.
And this:
"As I have indicated throughout this process, we are seeking to generate greater visibility nationwide for Texas A&M and our championship-caliber student-athletes, as well as secure the necessary and stable financial resources to support our athletic and academic programs," Loftin said. "This is a 100-year decision that we have addressed carefully and methodically. Texas A&M is an extraordinary institution, and we look forward to what the future may hold for Aggies worldwide."
There is no doubt whatever that joining the SEC would generate greater visibility. No conference in the nation is as visible, or as successful, as the SEC both commercially and athletically. Texas A&M is certainly a worthy new addition to the conference, if in fact that does happen as expected.
There is, of course, the matter of being invited to join the SEC, as it's a sure bet TAMU did not withdraw from the Big 12 to be invited to the Big Ten or Big East. However, most observers of the situation expect that to be fait accompli, and the only remaining hurdle to a new, bigger SEC is finding the balance of another team worthy of the conference.
As long as it's not the Louisville Cardinals, I'm fine with whoever it is.
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A&M And Tech Means ...
UK will now be #13 instead of #11 in SEC FB; BB little effected. According to Bloomberg the move to SEC will actually be a short-term net financial loss for A&M.
"Statistics are no substitute for judgment" — Henry Clay (my namesake)
You really think y’all are behind Ole Miss when it comes to football?
Y’all have made bowl games the last 5 years. Ole Miss has made a bowl the last 2 in that time span. They also only won 4 games last year and play on a fake grass field.
Editor at Alligator Army - The Florida Gators Blog
The Florida Gators - The most despised team in all of college football - Which is fantastic.
until we start beating hem regularly....we are behind them
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Aug 31, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Ahhhh…
Editor at Alligator Army - The Florida Gators Blog
The Florida Gators - The most despised team in all of college football - Which is fantastic.
its ok though.....we feel the same way about Florida......lol
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Aug 31, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha, I assume Tenn as well then… ;-)
Editor at Alligator Army - The Florida Gators Blog
The Florida Gators - The most despised team in all of college football - Which is fantastic.
but of course....
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Aug 31, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Even Though they have said politely no recently and that they want to keep their improving academic status going in the ACC, Va Tech is a really good fit in the SEC...
better overall fit in the SEC than the ACC really imo—the dollar bills may make the difference in pushing Va Tech over in the end.
Reporter: What would you say a Greg Studrawa offense is like? Stud:
"Attack and be very physical…fly around…attacking, come after you and come after you and come after you…." Me: I love this answer.
GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!
As a UT graduate...
…If/when A&M gets accepted to the SEC, you will have my full, fully biased breakdown of the Aggies.
…But for now, please pardon my French.
by jc25 on Aug 31, 2011 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
lol, so you probably do not want to continue playing them on Thanksgiving right?
Reporter: What would you say a Greg Studrawa offense is like? Stud:
"Attack and be very physical…fly around…attacking, come after you and come after you and come after you…." Me: I love this answer.
GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!
My understanding is...
…that Texas officials have absolutely no desire to keep playing A&M in football. They hope to replace the A&M Thanksgiving game with an annual Notre Dame match-up. It’s been hotly debated how much interest ND would have. From an A&M standpoint, I don’t think they’re too keen on playing each other either. I think the only way it happens is if the Texas Legislature steps in and demands that the rivalry game keep going, and I don’t think they have the power or desire to do so.
My guess is there will be a 10+ year moratorium until cooler heads are in upper administration and they realize the benefits of playing each other again.
Wait Until Perry Is In White House
"Statistics are no substitute for judgment" — Henry Clay (my namesake)
Heh.
Funny.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Aug 31, 2011 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought we try to keep that word off of our boards.
Or we have tried in the past.
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Only as an ongoing thing.
The board is officially rated PG, if you will, and occasional profanity is allowed, even the f-bomb especially in a humorous way. It’s a fine and difficult line I try to walk.
Repeated or gratuitous profanity is not and will not be allowed.
Does that clear it up?
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I blame irrational exuberance...
I normally keep the cursing and animated GIFs to a minimum, but just felt it was apropos here.
It's a very versitle word
and sometimes it is the only word that works in a given situation. But then, what the f*^k do I know?
I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.
I think it is how it is flashing-constantly-totally-spelled-out that's over the top
A bit of overkill. Just my opinion.
We are good. :-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Bring in the Cards..... I dont care........
but VT is fine too…….I still kinda liked the A&M /TTech combo…..lol
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Aug 31, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions
Good move for A&M and eventually the SEC.
In the Big 12 they would always be under the shadow of UT and Oklahoma when it comes to football. Operating independently from the OK/UT tandem and using the SEC moniker could very well help them in in-state recruiting.
SEC Coaches are salivating at the chance to have further inroads to Texas talent. Separately, I hope the parting doesn’t doom the annual Lonestar Showdown. Regardless of team talents the UT vs TAMU game is great rivalry game.
Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.
Agreed. A&M's potential addition will allow the conference to ramp up recruiting in what is arguably some of the most competive high school programs in the country
Plus, I really love the idea of further elevating SEC football. Take that, Pac-10.
The impact on UK football could be fantastic, or miserable, depending on where the program goes under Joker. (So, no pressure there!)
Proud member of the Big Blue Nation - Let's Go Cats!!!
I think the SEC did not want to be seen...
As poaching teams from another conference. So they asked A&M to go through these steps and then formally request to join the SEC. This way it looks better for the SEC.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
by SevenRings on Aug 31, 2011 1:07 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
Not only looks better,
it minimizes future litigation.
Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.
I like this addition into the state of Texas
.
From a practical standpoint, I guess this means we will play them once every 2-3 years? It also means that whatever team is brought into the East to even things out will undoubtedly be tougher than whatever out-of-conference game we have to drop from the schedule. I can’t see us dropping Louisville, so it means replacing one of the buy wins with a VTech or FlState.
With Louisville tightening things up against us, this is potentially a 2-game swing on what has become our normal overall record lately.
.
"I watch (UK) every night... I am going to support them for the rest of my life. I'm a Wildcat for the rest of my life." -- JWall, 2/8/11
At least...
We’ll get to see UK basketball games in the metroplex and not have to get them from Comcast Calif…. Plus think of all of the recruiting in the area… Plus, who knows… Jerry’s World may actually bring college b-ball back… the TU/UNC game wasn’t much last year… Sure would like to see one of those big time games in a “neutral site” with UK playing whomever!!!
I think some of the LSU fans
are thinking about Jerry’s World for their football game against A&M…
I like being the best basketball team in a conference that will now have alumni and eyeballs (and lots of them) less than 2 hours from Houston and 3 or so from Dallas.
Hello, Texas viewers! (And young basketball players…)
.
"I watch (UK) every night... I am going to support them for the rest of my life. I'm a Wildcat for the rest of my life." -- JWall, 2/8/11
I don't want them
As far as I’m concerned Texas A&M has acted pathetically abominable throughout this whole farce. I wouldn’t touch them with a ten foot pole. Why would the SEC take a middle of the road Big 12 school? For that matter, why would we take Virginia Tech? If the SEC feels like they have to expand why settle for a couple red-haired stepchildren? Oklahoma or FSU maybe, but definitely not a bunch of sorry Aggies. This is the premier conference in the country and it doesn’t need to be watered down.
They should probably kick us out, then.
Along with Vanderbilt and maybe the Mississippis as well.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I fail to see how adding A&M "waters down" the SEC.......
add Tulane, and I understand….but A&M??
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Aug 31, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
How many Aggie teams have finished in the top 25 in the past decade?
1…..But maybe the SEC wants them for their history of being a basketball powerhouse.
by chicagoblues on Aug 31, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
the aggies seem to think the move will help that problem.....???
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Aug 31, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Tulane was a founding member of the SEC
/random facts
Dayman, Fighter of the Nightman, Champion of the Sun
I threw that in for sarcasm coop......lol
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Aug 31, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Never mind
As I’m ranting and raving about A&M I just realized that I’m wearing a maroon Texas A&M Aggies T-shirt. Neanmoins, I still think it’s a bad idea.
by chicagoblues on Aug 31, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Heh.
+1. Honest disagreement. I’m not convinced either, for what it’s worth. They did way better than UK in the Director’s Cup.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Yeah...
You probably saw more than 25,000 A & M fans at the Cotton Bowl last year… but doubt you’ll see that many UK fans tonight at the UK game in Nashville… Still don’t know how the Ags ended up in the Cotton Bowl…. guess cuz the beat Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas and so on… doubt UK could hang any of those scalps on their belt…
Super Conferences
They are a comin’ at some point and time. College sports will be changed forever and the NCAA will be left powerless…which to me is a good thing.
another note
Having a Texas based son for years I have seen many Aggie games. They are a ttreat for the fans, the fan behaviors/yells and the band. It is worth attending a game just to see the band. Look at some youtube info. Makes you smile.
Assuming expansion is eventually inevitable...
of all the schools that have been mentioned, I think Texas A&M and Virginia Tech probably make the most sense for the SEC.
Eagle Totem - Comprehensive EMU coverage.
i wish the big 12 would stay together
I’m a wildcat first and aggie second. I would hate to have to root against A&M. But if we do decide to expand to 14 there’s not a better team than A&M to add to the west. The revival of the LSU rivalry insurance on the Arkansas rivalry. College station is an awesome campus and maybe the cats can snag up some Texas recruits. Hopefully west va gets the 14th spot. A solid bball program to test us in the reg season and a ranked football team. Not to mention a new border rival
It`s good for everyone to understand that they are to love their enemies, simply because your enemies show you things about yourself you need to change. So in actuality enemies are friends in reverse.
-gary busy
by cnevius26 on Aug 31, 2011 3:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Join the crowd.
I went to school at Western Kentucky, and guess who’s coming for dinner tomorrow? :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I feel the same way about Clemson
I hope they stay out of the SEC and I don’t think it makes much sense for either side for it to happen.
Age is always advancing. And I believe it's up to no good. - Harry Dresden
I could care less about Texas
The only good thing that ever came out of that state was Roger Staubach and he was born in Cincinnati.
Woooh wee, little doggies, tarnation and hide the cows, it’s Saturday in Texas— I’m a hatin’ already.. Bring on dem marbles (aggies, get it?)
Alright, alright I’ll work on some better material. They’re new in these parts.
No matter where you're at, there you are
OK, how about these
It’s always dangerous to insult a Texan. They all wear guns. Jesus told them to.
You know why TAMU wants to join the SEC, don’t you? We have water.
OK, OK, I’ll keep working on it. This is fun, I hope they join up.
No matter where you're at, there you are
Not only do we have the water.
We have what makes it better…….bourbon.
Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.
by hoboat33 on Aug 31, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I like Texas.
So that’s not a problem for me. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Ahhhhh, Texas, where the men are men and the Aggies are..................
headed to a better place…….
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Aug 31, 2011 9:11 PM EDT reply actions
Should VTech be the "other" team,
could they be bringing a female placekicker along?
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Sep 1, 2011 1:06 PM EDT reply actions
Remember Basketball?
All this talk about #14 is IRT football. An SEC expansion would include basketball, wouldn’t it? Shouldn’t we be trying to find a #14 that could raise the conference’s national profile in basketball? We don’t need it raised in football – we’re there. Does anyone know of a pseudo-national basketball power that is located in the general vicinity of the southeastern states that could enhance the SEC’s roundball profile? (That’s a serious question, so don’t mention UNC or the Unmentionables.
I think football is the main draw for TAMU.
The SEC is football at it’s finest. The Conference is probably looking at both all sports concerning an expansion, I would think hope. They said they liked 12, though not I’m sure how long that statement will stand.
I had not realized this thread had so many talking about football. That is a good thing. Thanks for pointing that out. :-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
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