Billy Liucci (Texags Insider) A&M to SEC "Imminent"

[Oldmins]

Said this on Sirius earlier today and there is a huge thread about this on Texags. I'll summarize the highlights:

* LHN = unbalanced revenue for tu
* A&M and others wants equal share of revenue
* Dan Bebee blows as commish
* Strong mutual interest - SEC would not come calling second time if A&M did not bring something major to the table
* Slive not bitter after last summer
* Obviously it benefits A&M and the SEC
* Been told they are trying to wrap this up quickly - will be surprised if it does not happen soon
* Consistently hearing adding partner from east - no one else from Big 12 - but will go to 13 for a year if need be

Please don't stoop to aggie's level and call Texas tu

Why not? They are Texas University, aren't they, just like Oklahoma University (OU) or Colorado University (CU)? If you're consistent about naming Unversities, you would want us to be called USM.

[stc9]

How small can a conference go before they lose their BCS status? A&M Leaves... Kansas and Mo are immediately courted by the Big Ten or Big East. Now the conference is down to 7.

The Okies have value and will not be around long if three schools leave. I have no ideas where they would go, but i am sure they would get offers. So now it is a possible 6 members. UT independent? Potentially 5 members...

When does the BCS yank their AQ status? While it seems natural for the Big XII to want to back fill, what school would want to break their current ties until they know if the conference is going to survive?

[East Coast Mustang]

How small can a conference go before they lose their BCS status? A&M Leaves... Kansas and Mo are immediately courted by the Big Ten or Big East. Now the conference is down to 7.

The Okies have value and will not be around long if three schools leave. I have no ideas where they would go, but i am sure they would get offers. So now it is a possible 6 members. UT independent? Potentially 5 members...

When does the BCS yank their AQ status? While it seems natural for the Big XII to want to back fill, what school would want to break their current ties until they know if the conference is going to survive?

Good question- I think there may be a rule that says you have to have the same 5 or 6 schools in your conference for x number of consecutive years to retain AQ status but I don't remember the exact numbers and could be completely wrong about this. Not sure where OU and OSU would go- I really feel like they would be attached at the hip politically- i.e. OU couldn't bolt to the SEC without OSU being taken care of.

[peruna81]

How small can a conference go before they lose their BCS status?

That seems to be the question that plays a part with this equation, and the former Big 12. When A&M jumps ship, if other schools choose to go BE or B10 and Texas heads out as an indy, the remnants may in fact be no 'step up' for SMU or anyone else. As an aside, wonder if the potential defection of the Aggies would force Texas to adios as a preemptive move?

Thought we went through this about this time last year...oh, and BTW please remember Texas DID save the Big 12 by 'staying' last year...

[stc9]

I don't think A$M will be the spark to send UT out on their own. I think it will expedite their planing process and they will be ready to go at a moments notice. I think it is when KU, Mo or KState hits the road that will be UT's trigger. I think UT will stay as long as they can because it is in their best interest. Remember, they have options. Once the situation becomes totally untenable for them they will hit the bricks. Until that time comes, it is in their best interest to fight to keep the Big XII-2 together Ironic, their behavior destroyed the conference and now they have to fight to save it.

TTU, Baylor, and ISU will not have many options if the conference shatters. They will have to latch on where they can. Baylor has good recruiting grounds, but no TV Market. Tech has no TV Market. ISU has no TV Market. Their only value is that they have played in the Big 12 for longer than 6 years so they could be needed to round out a revised conference to maintain BCS status.