One of the most storied conferences in College Football is going down in flames. After Nebraska and Colorado left the Big 12 last year the demise was well under way. Now, as of last night Texas A&M filed papers with the Big 12 commission announcing an intention to leave. There is little doubt that the Aggies will be joining the SEC along with another as yet unnamed team. There is speculation that the 14th team in the new SEC power conference will be either Virginia Tech or Missouri (turning the Big 12 into the Big 8).
Other people have been yelling about Texas looking to go independent or join the PAC 12 to try and regain its national prevalence. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are required to join the same conference should the Big 12 dissolve. Honestly, without Texas, Texas A&M, and Mizzou, there is little hope for the conference.
Also though, what happens to the lesser schools? Texas Tech fades off into oblivion over in the Mountain West. Baylor, who was finally gaining recruiting ground will once again be the butt of all Texas football jokes. Kansas and Kansas St. will be able to join power basketball conferences, possibly the Big East. Has Iowa St. ever been successful in sports outside of wrestling or building nuclear bombs?
We’re living in interesting times for college athletics. There’s a ridiculous amount of money involved and the best and the brightest football schools (SEC) are being played like a second fiddle right now. They need two teams to re-negotiate their TV contracts. The question is, who is going to be left in its wake.
