According to Brent Zwerneman of the Houston Chronicle, Texas and Oklahoma could be heading to the SEC. The two rivals have been in the Big 12 since its formation in 1996, meaning they would be leaving over 25 years of history.
When the news broke, it was hard to believe. However, more outlets began to confirm similar stories. Seeing the Longhorns and Sooners abandon ship for the sports’ top conference was shocking to everyone.
Including the Big 12.
According to Pete Thamel of Yahoo, the idea of Texas and Oklahoma wanting to head to the SEC “would be news to the Big 12.” The general sense is that both schools would not get into the playoff as easily.
Any notion of OU and Texas going to the SEC would be news to the Big 12. There's a feeling it wouldn't make sense competitively, as there'd be a much more difficult road to the College Football Playoff.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 21, 2021
The two Red River rivals exiting the Big 12 would put the rest of the conference in quite the pickle. Eight programs would have to scramble to either find new members or different conferences.
Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News is reporting there was a Zoom call between all 10 affiliates of the Big 12 this week. No discussion of Texas or Oklahoma leaving the conference was even mentioned.
Big 12 board of directors held a Zoom meeting this week, I'm told, with no inkling about possible departures by Texas and Oklahoma.
— Chuck Carlton (@ChuckCarltonDMN) July 21, 2021
If reports become true, and the SEC approves Texas/Oklahoma to join the conference, it would be a revolutionary move in college football. Not only would two of the biggest programs be moving into the SEC, but it also would be the first 16-team conference.
Only Texas, and to an extent Oklahoma, could pull off such a move.
With just over six weeks remaining in the offseason, this story is going to dominate headlines. With a vote by the SEC conceivably pending, Texas could be playing one of its final seasons against Big 12 opponents.
Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.