Texas A&M to the SEC: Doesn’t make sense

The Texas-A&M-to-the-SEC talk is back.

Say it ain’t so.

This brouhaha was all the rage a year ago when it looked like the Big 12 might break up entirely, then it resurfaced earlier this summer when the Longhorn Network created scuttlebutt all around the league. After dying down a bit, rumors that the Aggies might bolt for the SEC are back.

Texas governor Rick Perry told the Dallas Morning News that his alma mater is talking to the SEC about the possibility of being a member in the future.

Of course, he also said he read about the swirling speculation at the same time as everyone else, so I’m not real sure how much the governor is in the know.

But for the sake of argument, let’s say Texas A&M is talking to the SEC about moving. Let’s say the Aggies do want to get the heck out of the Big 12. Let’s say they intend to bolt as soon as humanly possible because, as one Texas A&M official told the Houston Chronicle everyone in the conference is “tired of Texas.”

I have just one question for Texas A&M: do you like winning or losing?

Here’s the truth of the matter — Texas A&M football is on the comeback trail after some dark days. I’m not ready to buy completely into the hype — Oklahoma State is still my pick to finish second to Oklahoma in the Big 12 this season — but there’s no doubt that the Aggies are closer to the Big 12 championship than they have been in several years.

What’s more, if they continue to improve, you could see them running the table and having a chance to play for a national championship in the not-to-distant future.

If they stay in the Big 12.

Go to the SEC, and the climb to the top will be so much steeper. There are half a dozen teams in the SEC that are better than Texas A&M right now, and at least half of those teams show look like they’re not going to give ground any time soon.

So, in the Big 12, the Aggies could be championship contenders in a year or two, but in the SEC, they are a mid-level program fighting for their lives every year.

Umm, why is Texas A&M so hot to trot to the SEC again?

There are lots of other reasons why staying in the Big 12 is the thing to do — everything from not giving the SEC a recruiting foothold in the state of Texas to the big pot of TV revenues that the 10-team Big 12 gets to split — but if you want to strip it down to the most elementary of reasons, winning is it. Winning is so much easier in the Big 12, and winning is paramount in college athletics.

Perhaps the Aggies have an inflated sense of themselves, I don’t know, but if they take a look around, it won’t take long to realize that they could be the kings of this castle one day soon. If they think going to a land far, far away will solve their problems, they’re living a fairytale.

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The following comments are archived from the original publication of this post

Ruben Valdez on Dec 28, 2012 @ 1:58 am

How would you like your crow served?
Tyler on Dec 09, 2012 @ 5:42 pm

No. 9 A&M 29 BAMA 24 Cotton Bowl Heisman Terrible first season.
jc on Dec 09, 2012 @ 3:35 am

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I'm a TCU grad, but really. Doesn't make sense? hahaha. Neither does going undfeated on the road in the SEC, 10-2, beating the best team in the country on the road, heisman winning freshman QB. None of it makes sense... go frogs and good luck to A&M
Sandra on Dec 01, 2012 @ 2:19 am

"...in the SEC, they are a mid-level program fighting for their lives every year." A little off the mark here.
James on Nov 11, 2012 @ 2:46 pm

Just sayin... Probably not as bad as you predicted, particularly after last night. Had A&M started with a much easier opponent for their first game, might be playing for a national title rather than having to "settle" for being ranked in the top 10
Mike on Sep 23, 2012 @ 2:00 am

Pardon me, but the common sense gene is firing up in my brain...Isn't the operative word in "Southeastern Conference"...well...."southeastern"? Texas A&M is in the midwest. Missouri, well, they are closer to Chicago than Lexington...Heck they should be in the Big 10. Don't these conference commissioners take third grade geography?
calvin sampson on Aug 15, 2011 @ 10:54 pm

You Go Jenni !!!!!!!!
Trenton on Aug 14, 2011 @ 6:31 pm

It's all a complicated game of musical chairs. With several different scenarios taking shape. Personally I feel that OU looks like a Big Ten team, plays more like a SEC team. I wouldn't mind having OU Nebraska back, but if OU and OSU are truly tied together then that might be a problem. I could see a situation where the Big Ten goes to a super conference...meaning 4 more teams. Then, OU, OSU, and Kansas or MizzU would be allowed on the contingent that Notre Dame joins. The only way the Big Ten gets bigger is if Notre Dame is part of the package deal...otherwise, OU is left with the Pac 12 or the SEC. No way OU makes that trek on a weekly basis...it would be the SEC. Texas would then join the ranks of Independence which in way is a very Texas thing to do. Finally, no more about how OU hates OSU...the Sooners won't leave the Cowboys to the fates of KSU, ISU, and Kansas or Mizzu.
jason on Aug 14, 2011 @ 4:36 pm

tougher as a whole SEC. lmfao. u got to b kidding.I PLAYED MY COLLEGE BALL OUT WEST.HOW BOUT YOU.EVER STEPPED ON A FIELD AT ALL. ACCORDING TO THE LATEST DIRECTORS STANDINGS THE PAC-12 AND ACC WERE THE BEST AS A WHOLE.GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFOR EXPRESSING YOUR FOOLISH OPINIONS. IM NOT WORRIED,THATS WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION,DIRECTORS GET PAYED FOR. AND LAST I LOOKED VANDERBILT,KENTUCKY,OLE MISS,AND TENNESSEE WERENT EXACTLY CLIMBING THE CHARTS THEMSELVES.
judge on Aug 14, 2011 @ 1:40 am

Jenni, you disagreed professionally, without calling names or bashing. Your opinion is noted.
doug on Aug 14, 2011 @ 1:28 am

It almost seems that Okie is afraid to leave the Big 12-2 because it doesn't think it can compete against the much tougher as a whole SEC. What wimps. Yeah, Okie, you play 1-2 tough teams in the pathetic Big 12-2..soon to be -3, and are happy to be in it just so you can get into a BCS bowl game and win NC's. You climb into Texas' arse and don't care that they have their own network that will give them $10m more than you each year and you have no shot of ever having your own network with that much money..and no shot of getting a contract for the rest of your conference besides it (great strategy by Texas) Good fighting spirit! You Okie, go blissfully on your way and then when you see the next round of TV contracts and see how much further the Big 12-3 falls behind the B1G, SEC, Pac 12...then we'll see how happy you are. Oh, but you do have a heck of a tough conference playing KU, Baylor, KSU, Iowa State. lmao
jason on Aug 14, 2011 @ 12:24 am

A&M IS ACTING LIKE SUCH A CRYBABY.HOLY COW,ARE WE IN JR.HIGH OR WHAT.ALL OF THIS BECAUSE OF A CHANNEL.THIS IS SO RIDICULOUS. I JUST SIT BACK AND READ AND WATCH. GOOD ARTICLE JENNI.
george on Aug 13, 2011 @ 9:47 pm

why now. i mean they will be playing for conference title this year. i think they are allready gone. we will see.....lsu and alabama will crush them every year...good bye aggies.......we should have kicked them a year ago....
Braden Brown on Aug 13, 2011 @ 6:41 pm

I have a convoluted story - Born as a Sooner, parents moved to Houston and I had to attend A&M first year of college. As they say in College Station HWY 6 goes both directions so I transfered to OU. So I know both cultures. Aggies should leave to the SEC and I wish them the best. They will have a tough road ahead of them and I know the Aggies like challenges. I just think they need to realize that for the first decade of the move to the SEC they will be a mid-tier school (for football). Other sports well I don't think the A&M Board of Regents is too impressed with the revenue numbers from Doubles Tennis. Other Texas Schools like Baylor and UofH have excelled in the second tier sports and my comment: "so what - where is the money coming from - football!" I really think this backlash is coming from ESPN "The Ocho" (aka Longhorn Network) and it is a question of the haves and the have nots. A&M is tired of being a "have not" and wants to make thier own statement. That statement is for the wrong reason - money I find it hard to believe that A&M is going to change tradition take for example some of the aggie yells and songs - "Saw Varsity's Horns Off" or "Late one night when the Tsips were in bed" those are references to UT (yes I went to Fish Camp too) - But is appears something that Aggies take pride in (tradition) is about to be destroyed for the love of revenue. I am shocked to see the Aggie alums even supporting this change. Same reason OU and Texas maintained tradition and rivalry - should apply to A&M. As arrogant as Texas is A&M and OU should continue to humble them on the field. That requires all of us sticking together. SEC for either OU or A&M (right now) is a bad move. Texas may be arrogant but they do have a business acumen to be admired and I would not be surprised to see the BIG XII(10) attract some talent to replace Colorado and Nebraska. Lets face it - Colorado - no big loss - they are a better fit for the PAC. Nebraska - hated to see them go, but I also hated to lose the rivalry OU had with them when we were the BIG 8. Sometimes Traditions have to change and Rivalries cool off but the entire tradition behind A&M is related to beating tu every year. That will be gone. If the Aggies can accept that fact then ok - but it still makes me sad. Good Article and comments.
judge on Aug 13, 2011 @ 6:01 pm

Jenni, Tramel and Rohde make Mike Gundy look like a Saint, when you disagree with them. Is it DOK SOP to character assassinate readers who ask questions and disagree with the answer. If you don't have anymore social skills than those two, they are far from the "best in the business". *** Judge: We're all entitled to our own opinions, but I respectfully disagree with you on this one. Jenni
DKR on Aug 13, 2011 @ 3:55 pm

Hey Rodeo. Lets just say my loyalty is to both OU and UT. And I sure love the state of Oklahoma.
Kevin on Aug 13, 2011 @ 2:08 pm

You hit the nail on the head. A&M has an inflated view of themselves. Bad choice if they decide to do this. But the Big 12 will change and survive. I can't believe all these rats who want to jump ship.
gregg on Aug 13, 2011 @ 9:09 am

As a Baylor Grad I hope the Ags make the jump. It may cause problems for Baylor, but I think it would be worth it to stop hearing all of the whining of my friends and family that are Ags. It sounds like a bunch of 5 year old's that feel left out. It will either work out for the Ag's and my people will be happy or it won't6 and and I can go9ve them hell for eternity. I know that no one wants to hear about the people that will be hurt, but the sad part is that this move could cost people in Waco and Lubbock jobs. I wonder what the Ags leaving or the Big 12 break up means from a financial stand point for State of Texas? Right now playing more in state schools keeps lots of money here.
Rodeo on Aug 13, 2011 @ 12:25 am

I like that DKR! You wouldn't happen to be THE DKR, would you?
DKR on Aug 12, 2011 @ 10:12 pm

I am tired of hearing sportswriter saying the Aggies can be more competitive playing in the Big 12. I think any of the Oklahoma schools or the Aggies could possibly win the SEC this year. The only competitive difference I see in the SEC is the home crowds.
Mitchell on Aug 12, 2011 @ 8:25 pm

Good riddence to the Aggies! They are as good as gone. Invite TCU and U of Houston. Texas and O U now hold the cards for the rest of us. A Texas Tech fan.
Take It Or Leave It on Aug 12, 2011 @ 6:56 pm

Oh - I forgot to add this to my chant: “When it happened, I was a bit shocked,” Carlson said. “But I have pretty thick skin and as a columnist, you realize that usually someone is going to get upset about something that you say on almost an everyday basis.” This is why I said ignore others. Plus, it looks like you have a chip on your shoulder.
Take It Or Leave It on Aug 12, 2011 @ 6:52 pm

Wow. I've never seen a writer get on a blog and try to defend their position with such angst. You shouldn't care what other's say about your 'position' Jenni. It won't matter. It is almost like the Pres. of the US trying to defend their position to the opposite side. It won't work because the other side doesn't want to see it. Just ignore it, get ready for your next article, and be happy with that. By the way, you are beautiful... *** Take It: I see the comments section on my blog a little like talk radio. Someone calls into talk radio, gives their opinion, then the host gets to give their opinion on the matter. Why not do the same on the blog? It's interactive. It's interesting. And best of all, it's fun. Getting to connect with readers -- nothing is better than that. Jenni
Bill on Aug 12, 2011 @ 6:33 pm

As a UGA alum living in the north metro of ATL, I can tell you the SEC would welcome Texas A & M with open arms. If the expansion stops at 14 schools, the I nominate VA Tech or NC State to come in to balance the eastern division. I don't know if VA Tech would be allowed to leave UVA behind, but I do know the NCSU folks HATE UNC and Duke - they'd love to get away from those guys. (WVU migh make sense as well.) I think the Big XII is toast.
RobertOKUSA on Aug 12, 2011 @ 5:53 pm

I'm still trying to figure out what made A&M officials change their minds. All the basic facts are the same. They could have left last year if they wanted to.
Robert on Aug 12, 2011 @ 5:21 pm
I, too, appreciate that you take the time to respond, Jenni. However, I've gotta say that you could have saved yourself a lot of type with this article and just written, "A&M shouldn't do it because it'll be too hard." Well, there's just one thing. You see, Fightin' Texas Aggies never, ever do nothing nice and easy. We always do it nice and rough. Did Fightin' Texas Aggie Earl Rudder take a look at the murderous cliffs of Pointe du Hoc and say, "Nah, it'll be too hard"?? Hell no! He scaled those cliffs, and he GODDANG GOT IT DONE! Did Fightin' Texas Aggie Rip Torn give up when, in a drunken stupor, he couldn't find his house? NO! He found a local bank, grabbed a gun and took another slug of scotch, and he MADE THAT BANK A HOME.

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BY JENNI CARLSON

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Jenni Carlson, a sports columnist at The Oklahoman since 1999, came by her love of sports honestly. She grew up in a sports-loving family in...

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Jenni Carlson, a sports columnist at The Oklahoman since 1999, came by her love of sports honestly. She grew up in a sports-loving family in Kansas. Her dad coached baseball and did color commentary on the radio for the high school football games. Her mom kept the scorebook during baseball games and yelled her head off no matter the sport. They passed along that passion to Carlson and her two younger brothers.

Carlson played golf in high school and planned to play in college, but when she started at the University of Kansas, she decided to focus her attention on journalism. It’s a decision that she’s never regretted.

Her first big story was a profile on Kansas basketball coach Roy Williams for the yearbook, and Carlson has enjoyed interviewing sports figures and sharing their stories every since.
Carlson is a 1997 graduate of Kansas. She and her husband, Ryan, were married in 2009 and live in Oklahoma City. They welcomed their first child, Millie, in June 2012. Carlson was the president of the Association for Women in Sports Media from 2008-10 and chair of the board from 2010-12.

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Texas A&M to the SEC: Doesn’t make sense

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