And what they’ll be discussing could be a matter of helping shape the college football landscape for the foreseeable future.
Or, keeping it just as it is.
Yesterday, a wildfire of a rumor broke that Texas A&M was on its way to the SEC in what was initially classified as a “done deal”. That fire has since died down just a bit as multiple sources have told us and other media outlets that while it’s possible A&M is on its way out, the formal announcement may not come for a few a weeks.
Specifically, the date Aug. 22 has been thrown around. That’s when A&M’s Board of Regents are set meet.
However, in a brief, albeit potentially very important, piece of information, the state of Texas’ own House of Representatives could have a preliminary say in that matter.
The Texas State Legislature’s official site sent out a notice of public hearing for the date Aug. 16, 2011. The Committee? Higher Education. The memo? Well, read for yourself:
The House Committee on Higher Education will meet to discuss matters pertaining to higher education, including collegiate athletics.
Invited Testimony:
Commissioner Dan Beebe, The Big Twelve Conference
Chairman Richard A. Box, Texas A&M University System Board of Regents
President R. Bowen Loftin, Texas A&M University
Commissioner Mike Slive, The Southeastern Conference
Now, we can’t confirm that this is a meeting involving the A&M-to-the-SEC rumors, but the pieces are certainly in place to speculate. Revenue producing college sports/higher education institutions and politics have a history of being tied at the hip. Two days ago, current Texas Gov. and Aggie alumnus Rick Perry said “As far as I know, conversations are being had“ about a move to the SEC.
Of course, Perry’s comments hardly indicate that the Aggies were talking directly to the SEC, but there’s little doubt that Perry could very much have a dog in this fight.
But what the Higher Education committee may do is put A&M’s dreams of a new conference on hold — whether that hold is permanent or temporary is still unclear. After all, there is often extreme political pressure to keep in-state schools in the same conference.
Earlier today, rumor broke that Florida State could be leaving the ACC for the SEC in what would only heighten the belief that A&M was part of a package deal — either in a 14 or 16-team league — for the SEC.
If A&M is somehow given the no-go from the House of Representatives (one option: reduce funding), it could also equal a no-go for Florida State if Slive is feeling timid. Or, it merely shifts the former interest in A&M elsewhere.
Either way, all of this feels strangely familiar to a certain apocalypse-that-wasn’t last summer. Will this set of speculation end in a similar result?
I suppose that’s beauty in this mess.
The legislative branch prevented Texas from going where it wanted without bringing little brothers Tech, a&m, and Baylor. If they allow a&m to go where they want, and a&m actually leaves, then they had better allow Texas to do the same if it wants.
The problem is that Texas has room on its coattails on which others can ride, while a&m doesn’t.
Dan Beebe has told A&M that they don’t matter to the Big 12′s survival but that Texas does.
I think that’s the “all clear” for A&M to leave.
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/aggies/2011/08/aggies-out-uh-in-for-the-big-12/
Hmmm … as an SEC fan, I’d roll out the red carpet for FSU. They should have come into the SEC long ago. A&M I’d have to think about. Don’t want our conference to look like the NFL with a Texas team in the NFC east (although with its historic rivalries, I’d never move the Cowboys). We’re the Southeastern Conference, and I’d like to keep it that way. If Tubby wants back in, he should find a job opening at an existing SEC school.
Can’t the Big 12 take care of its schools and quit monkeying with everyone else?
I’d be pretty surprised if FSU joined up. I would think the SEC would rather increase its market footprint, and another school in Florida probably wouldn’t accomplish that. I know there are miles between Tallahassee and Gainsville, or Miami and Gainesville, but the market expansion impact would be negligible, even though FSU is obviously a fine program.
What about VT or WV?
@ Deb…I don’t think the problem is with the Big 12. The problems lies with a bunch of boosters that got their panties in a wad over the Longhorn Network. A&M has always played little brother to Texas, and it galls them (I mean, how many schools mention another school specifically in their fight song, as the Ags do about UT?) OU,OSU and Tech have as much to lose as anyone over the network, but they don’t need to cry and whine incessantly about it. Frankly, I hope UT loses every game it plays, but the network is not a real threat as far as I’m concerned. Hell, NBC hasn’t done much for Notre Dame over the past decade or so. This is much more about influential boosters (and the governor of Tex is one) and their blind envy. For a school with so many students and so much going for it, the Ags sure act like a bunch of third graders.
Blaming the LHN for A&M leaving the Big XII is like saying the Civil War was about Slavery.
Just the tip of the ice berg. The popular reason for the conflict.
Eventually the SEC will have (4) 4 team divisions.
SEC will sort of look like this:
West
Div 1 = LSU, Arkansas, Texas A&M & (1) more Big 12 school, likely Oklahoma
Div 2 = Alabama, Auburn, Miss St, Ole Miss
East
Div 1 = Kentucky, Vandy, Tennesse, VaTech
Div 2 = Florida, Georgia, South Carolina & Clemson or FSU.
When leagues go to 16 teams that will create 2 weekends of TV revenue the first 2 weekends of December. They will play down from 4 teams to 2 and then a conference championship the 2nd weekend.
The sad truth is aTm hasn’t been relevant since with dissolution of the SWC. Aggies haven’t won a bowl game since 2001, no major bowl appearances since 1998, no sweet 16 since 1980 (well, we COULD count women’s bball but we won’t.) and one CWS since 1999. One decent season in a decade and now they act like world beaters. Basically, the SEC is getting another Miss St. I take that back, they do have a championship quality equestrian team. Watch out Florida and Bama!
@gorilladunk …
I think you’re absolutely right in that assessment. But Alabama mentions two other teams in its fight song. And if you don’t know you wouldn’t guess: Georgia and Georgia Tech
It’s an old, old song LOL
@blitz4848 …
Oh pooh. I’m having a hard enough time thinking of Nebraska in the Big 10.