Texas A&M departure would forget later of Big 12 a Big Mess Morning.

Maybe the are just enjoying their rapid repute as linchpin. Maybe the Aggies just want to put out the hated Longhorns sweat. Maybe the logical Aggies, though their ranks dwindle, will repress A&M where it belongs. But I wouldn't deem on it.

When so many rabble-rousers step around with firearms drawn, chances are some knucklehead will flourish , and here comes faction war. Many A&M reports Thursday, including some legit people, claimed the Aggies are SEC bound. Which makes it every Big 12 tutor for itself. No more 10 musketeers, or even nine. Realignment fever has struck again, one summer after and bolted for remodelled shores. Hold that wagon guard after all.

Here in , we might soon be shouting Westward Ho. If A&M leaves, some in still want to mummify the Big 12, though not as a nine-team conference. There's even some endorse for doing what the Big 12 should have been doing from the start; find replacements to get back to 12.

But others in want to leading West, to team up with the Pac-12, which hold out summer extended OU (and four others from the Big 12) a delicious invitation. The latter selection is best. Finding one fill-in for A&M might be doable. Calling ,. Calling Provo, Utah.

But who over and above would be enthusiastic to come? ? Air Force? The Big 12 pledged comradeship concluding summer when the colloquium split. No situation will anyone believe into accord should the association breakage again. Besides, why does anyone imagine the SEC would rest at A&M? If the SEC needs another yoke for its western frontier, 's bags are packed. The Sooners aren't a candidate. That's one thingumabob they all tally at OU; no one wants any go his of the SEC recruiting culture.

Which takes OU, and to all intents and purposes OSU, back to the Pac-whatever. Be assured, the Sooner temerity doesn't have its noodle in cracks of clay. Seems apt to that conversations are "being had" between OU, incontestable ally Big 12 members and the Pac-12. A thorough chunk of OU oversight wanted to go West anyway rearmost year. Hard to quench that tide if the Big 12 splits more.

And it's not delight in the door has closed. Pac-12 commissioner said earlier this summer he remains biased in expansion. Who's more throe than the Oklahoma and schools? The Pac-12 has verbal on and BYU.

So who's left? and ? It's wholly the Pac-12 still craves OU and, hold onto your Stetson, c peradventure even Texas. The Longhorn Network seemed to end all bosh of Texas ever universal to another conference, since the Big 12 was the only guild agreeable to consideration UT its own chain channel. But without the Big 12, Texas' only alternative to bottle up its network is independence. And home rule is fool's gold. Let's see.

Football freedom and your own boob tube network. How's that worked out for Notre Dame? Wouldn't dumfound me if Texas and the Pac-12 resumed discussions. Maybe there's a small screen compromise to be had. The Pac-12 has started its own symposium network, with regional moon networks within that framework.

I have no principle how that all will work, and I'm not unshakeable anyone on the West Coast does, either. But I be versed this. Conference affiliation is far more momentous than box autonomy, even if is paying Texas $15 million for doubtful size and would prove profitable much more for the ready stuff. Perhaps there's a modus vivendi the Longhorn Network could be folded into the restored Pac-12 system, with both sides prudence face. Independence would dourly abuse Texas' other sports, would do nothing for football and would help only to crowd the Longhorn vault, which already is filled with greenbacks.

So it by all means is in Texas' best persuade to at least investigate out Pac-12 expansion, even if it gave A&M the end enjoyment of damaging the Longhorn Network. is tied to the Sooners, of course, and OSU is OU's best cobber in this madness. Wherever these schools go, they exigency friends. Friends and neighbors.

OU is best served successful West as one of four schools. Adding a quartet to the Pac-12 that would body what almost came to issue endure summer; an East Division that also would contain , , Colorado and Utah. That gives OU (and OSU) a workable regional schedule, with minutest West Coast travel, and like-minded schools around the boardroom.

Without Texas, another companion is needed out West, to juxtapose the promising triplet of OU, OSU and. Missouri, if the Tigers don't go with A&M, or , if the can hiatus from. I've even observation about TCU, since the more Texas schools the merrier.

OU and OSU, particularly, call for to be aligned with as many Texas schools as possible; their recruiting south of the Red River has flourished in the Big 12 era. But at least one Big 12 administrator cannon-ball down the TCU idea. Not enough TV clout. Or heck, why not A&M? If the Aggies are current to bolt, at least try out to subject them into staying away from the SEC barbarians. Go to the Pac-12 with OU, OSU and Tech.

The Aggies want the at the rear hoot on Texas? That would do it. Oh well, perchance all will subside down. Maybe the Aggies will net how esteemed they've got it. Maybe they will wipe out soothe in having stood up to Texas this summer. Maybe they will enmired with the Big 12.

But you never advised of when someone will hastily zip Ferdinand.

Estimation post: here