Texas governor Rick Perry: Texas A&M is talking about SEC move

Conference athletic directors and presidents gave A&M almost all of what it wanted last week, imposing at least a one-year moratorium on Longhorn Network high school games. The opponent and league office must approve any conference game carried by the network. Apparently, A&M was not appeased.

Sources indicated that no other Big 12 team is considering an exit and the league would continue with nine teams if A&M left.

While sources said that A&M is intrigued about the SEC's possibilities, the Aggies remain troubled by the Longhorn Network and its effect on Big 12 stability.

Proponents of a move to the SEC suggest that Texas A&M could finally escape Texas' shadow and forge a separate national identity. With five consecutive BCS titles, the SEC represents the gold standard for football. A&M would be joining the elite.

But A&M would presumably join the SEC West and face a football schedule that includes Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Arkansas annually. The Aggies have lost their last six meetings against SEC opponents. The SEC maintains a conference title game. The Big 12 does not, providing an easier path to a BCS appearance.

A&M would also lose long-standing rivalries. The Aggies have played Texas and Baylor more than 100 times. The Texas Legislature could get involved.

Yet none of that may matter given the direction A&M is moving.

SEC-ede, anyone?

Staff writer Robert T. Garrett contributed to this report.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.