A&M has many options

[Samurai Stang]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/06/10/aggies.options/index.html

A&M makes the entire matter of conference expansion most difficult to predict. If A&M does go to the SEC, might they bring with them a travel partner, such as TCU? Would Utah then be taken by the Pac-10, destroying any hope for a revised MWC/Big 12 that could be a BCS AQ?

As though it were not possible for conference expansion to become any more confusing than it already is, A&M has found a way.

[Stallion]

Govenrnor "Down the Road MoFo" stated that when when A&M declared its independence from the Union he hoped A&M went to the PAC and didn't join the Confederate States

[smupony94]

Palin never killed a coyote while jogging

[ponyte]

Palin never killed a coyote while jogging

True. However she did kill a moose while doing her nails once

[EastStang]

The Aggies going their own way, is not out of the realm of possibility, UT Admins, may like the idea of having folks at Berkeley rain kudos upon them. But, A&M has no cultural leanings toward the brie and chablis crowd. They probably would be more comfortable in the SEC. Does the PAC-10 want all or nothing? Or do the Aggies and one other Texas school go east. Would the PAC-10 take Tech if the Aggies aren't part of the deal? The more I watch this the weirder it gets.

[Dooby]

People saying A&M doesn't fit in the PAC-10 culturally forget about Wash. State. And don't forget that they are taking the sand aggies in this deal, too.

[East Coast Mustang]

Is there any chance Texas and A&M would split from each other, with Texas going to the Pac-10 and A&M going to the SEC?

[Stallion]

...there is some possibility-they meet today-should know very soon. Texas has warned A&M their series will end if A&M goes to SEC

[ponyte]

I believe this is an 'every man for himself' situation. I don't think old rivalries hold much value in a conference that is fragile. The Big XII was born out of self preservation. How could one believe that it has the stability of traditions? The key reason for the creation of the Big XII was greed. Expect the members of the Big XII that can to continue to have greed guide their future. A$M goes where it gets the best deal. UT goes where it can get the best deal.

[EastStang]

If tradition mattered the SWC never would have broken up.

[Stallion]

so if A&M did go to the SEC(I don't believe they are THAT stupid) then Utah replaces A&M in PAC. That just might dislodge the axis of the MWC forcing the top of the MWC to merge with the Big 12 Leftovers and in fact open up a spot that could go to SMU. I just don't want to see the SEC in Texas but it just might be SMU's best shot at relevance

[ponyte]

I would love (ultimate fantasy come true) for the SEC to enter Texas by inviting SMU into the SEC.

[ponyinNC]

I would love (ultimate fantasy come true) for the SEC to enter Texas by inviting SMU into the SEC.

"And I vanna toilet made out of solid gold but it's just not in the cards, is it? " - Austin Powers

[Big Hoss]

Is there any chance Texas and A&M would split from each other, with Texas going to the Pac-10 and A&M going to the SEC?

Yes there is. My wife's uncle is an A&M grad from the 60's and he is pretty wrapped up in the alumni group of that era. Was talking to him over the weekend, and A&M is pretty tired of UT's overtures of "come with us, or we cut off ties".

He also noted that their current AD, Byrne, was the AD at Nebraska when the Big 8 became the Big 12. With the lingering bad feelings from that time period, plus the fact that there has been no love loss between the Big 12 North and the Texas schools, it sounds as if some folks might be ready for it. Not saying that A&M is bold enough to make a counter-move against UT, but I wouldn't rule it out.