It does look that way, this will have far ranging repercussions in the state. I would not be shocked to see Texas and Texas A&M no longer play each other.
There's sure a lot of smoke around... Just can't quite see the flames. At this point, I sure hope that report is correct. BTW... the Aggies took home two more national championships today. The men's and women's track teams both repeated!
Scott, If this is true, I welcome the Aggies with open arms. I believe this will make us much stronger than some of the other choices. I am also hearing rumors (slightly out of touch as I have been lately) that Texas could go to the PAC 10 but could also make the move to the SEC as their Aggie cousins.
Some pretty strong rumors on GatorCountry that Va Tech has also been offered. I understand Blacksburg is just over a hundred miles from Knoxville. They also seem like a good fit to me.
Bill, Va Tech is nothing to sneeze at. They have been up and down but I would rather have them than Missouri, Kansas, or Kansas State. I do believe that IF we could get Texas and Texas A&M, that would be like a recruiting class with all ten of the top ten recruits in the nation. The SEC would continue to beat up on each other but could you see anyone arguing strength of schedule? :wink:
Also, the two UTs have only played each other once ever. I would like to see us play each other at least every few years.
It will be interesting to see how scheduling in a 16 team conference works out. You will have 7 division games and if there are 3 cross over game with the other division that would mean 10 of your 12 games will be in conference leaving only 2 games for non-conference. Given most teams like a few "gimmie" or "patsies" on the schedule I wonder if many teams will schedule a tough out of conference game. Certainly 2 tough out of conference games would be out.
Lots of things are happening all at once, and I'm a little worried by some of it. The good: Apparently A&M officially told the PAC 10 "NO" behind closed doors. That's a good sign. What worries me is a late push by the Big 12 and Texas to preserve the conference with 10 teams. Since Texas isn't getting what they want (mass exodus to the PAC) they will now try to screw us out of what would be a good thing for us. AND... the legislature is likely to support that effort. Any reconstituted Big 12 would be even more slanted toward Texas. It was bad before, it will be ridiculous now. I sure hope we've already got an agreement with the SEC!
I have been made aware of an article on Aggieyell.com, a rivals site, that Mark Passwaters has written an article that has a quote in it that states: "Aggieyell.com has been told by more than once source that the driving forces behind the move to the SEC are Board Chairman Morris Foster and A&M Chancellor Mike McKinney. In part due to a push by former A&M and Alabama head coach--and current Regent--Gene Stallings, there is a 6-3 board majority in favor of making the move to the SEC."
A&M would be a great addition to the SEC if we add anyone, but without Texas? I cannot imagine Alabama not playing Auburn. Alabama and Auburn need each other. Is it different for Texas and A&M?
KP, Scott or Terry could tell it better and I am not in any way trying to belittle aTm by this statement. However, I compare it to UTk and UTc (Knoxville and Chattanooga) UTc has always felt that UTk got all the breaks and feels slighted by UTk. Even though they are both state schools, they feel that they have never had the chances that UTk was afforded. If the earth opened up and swallowed UTk, you would see a celebration of great magnitude on UTc campus. I think that aTm feels the same way about UTa. By the way, in my welcome statement, I forgot to add that aTm is the only school that I will openly admit defeating Tennessee in a half time competition. :wink:
kp, It would be a shame to end a rivalry that spans over 100 years, but if that happens it won't be the Aggies choice. We want to continue the series. It's Texas that has thrown out the threat of not playing each other if we don't go their way. Terry you are probably right, but nothing will surprise me at this point.
One might also mention that the Aggies would be playing LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Miss State on a regular basis with Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, S. Carolina every few years. And I didn't mention Vandy and Kentucky but they would be in the mix also. It might also be a losing proposition with the citizens of Texas if Texas quit playing Texas A & M. Could be a lot of pressure to continue the series. It doesn't seem to me that Texas is taking much of a high road here, but is trying to force their desires on the Aggies. It seems to me and I think to most Aggie fans that the SEC is a much better fit than the Pac 10. Just my humble opinion. But I am sure rooting for it to come about. The more I read about the Aggies them better it seems to me.
I think it gets down to the distances to SEC schools vs Pac10 schools and I think it intrigues the Aggies to go it alone without Texas.
There is considerable difference in the travel Terry. I read somewhere last night that the longest trip for the Aggies in the SEC would be the few times they would travel to Columbia SC to play the Gamecocks and that was just under 1100 miles. Meanwhile the longest trip for the Pac 10 would be over 2000 miles. It also does sound like the Aggies are ready to disconnect from Texas for conference play but would want to continue the game. It also sounds like Texas is not very happy with this development.