BevoBlake
That Design Guy
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
- Messages
- 3,038
I've seen this come up in Realignment thread after Realignment thread so I thought it would be nice to center the conversation on that very discussion. That discussion being, if Texas wanted to join the SEC would Texas A&M veto the move. Now I think it would be easy for us to go off of our first instinct and profoundly say "Absolutely yes!" Because lets all be honest, just about everyone knows that Texas A&M left for the SEC because they were tired of living under UT's shadow. Now with that in mind, you'd have to think they'd take that Aggie thumb and flip it upside down right? I'm not so sure. Realistically speaking, A&M stands a lot to gain by withholding Texas from joining the SEC.
1.) Recruiting - They have the recruiting advantage when it comes to Conference and Strength of Schedule.
2.) Power - They finally have the power to say "No!" to Texas.
3.) Claim - They have the sole claim to the SEC in Texas.
4.) What If - Without playing Texas, they can continue the "What If" scenarios rather than proving to be the 2nd Best School in the State.
Now there are undoubtedly some additional rewards to leaving Texas outside the SEC that I haven't mentioned here. Only because I'm ready for us to get to the reasons why A&M would benefit from Texas being in the SEC. And yes folks, they would benefit.
1.) Money - Simply put, if Texas joins the SEC they'd have to accept a revenue sharing agreement. That agreement would add even more money to an already wealthy Conference. During a period when Kyle Field is being renovated, Texas A&M is expanding it's reach and they could be looking for a new Head Coach...a few additional million could go a long way.
2.) Rivalry - No Aggieland, LSU nor Missouri are your rivals. You will never and I mean ever have a rivalry like the one you share(d) with the University of Texas. Now I'm not saying you didn't have you reasons to leave as DeLoss has done a number on the BIG XII. But you stand more to gain from this rivalry than you apparently think. Every school in the SEC, even Kentucky, has a legitimate rivalry game. And while you might think you've left Texas rival-less in your absence, we've still got Oklahoma. Texas vs. TAMU as a Thanksgiving SEC Showdown would greatly benefit the SEC, Texas A&M, UT and even the State of Texas. I don't see this Rivalry brought back unless it's a Conference game.
3.) 27-25 - Yes, you have to live with that.
4.) Shift of Power - Common belief is that if Texas joined the SEC, it would kill A&M recruiting and force them down into the bottom of the pack. I actually disagree, depending on when Texas would join the SEC. If Texas were to join in the next 1-4 years, I actually think Texas joining would help A&M. All of those Texan recruits who bolt for LSU, Alabama, Auburn and Georgia would give some serious consideration to staying home if it meant they got to be a part of this huge SEC rivalry and still represent their State. While Texas would undoubtedly steal some recruits from A&M (And Vice Versa), it would also raise the value of A&M as an in-state rival. I think it adds a lot more incentive for recruits to stay at home and choose between the two schools. A&M would see a spike in recruiting as result and we could see a shift in power from Alabama and LSU to Texas and A&M.
5.) No Cowardice - This might be one of the bigger keys in stopping A&M from vetoing a Texas SEC inception. If Texas and the SEC come together about admitting Texas, everyone knows it would go to a Vote. I have a lot of doubt that any school outside of A&M would have a problem adding Texas to the Conference. Unless it was Alabama and Texas had just stole Nick Saban away. No if they were to be denied, it would be because A&M vetoed the move. How would that look to everyone outside of College Station? Cowardly. It would be an admittance that despite their claims, A&M really is scared to be stuck under the shadow of Texas. It would negate all of the work they've done in the past two years to establish their brand and become a prestigious football team. If Texas A&M said "No!", they wouldn't only draw the ire of Texas but that of the other SEC teams as well. Why? Because they've shown to be the same A&M that jumped ship to escape the Longhorn shadow two years ago. The growth they've been bolstering would be a fraud. And on top of that, they'd be denying additional funding and influence for the rest of the Conference. This isn't the same as Georgia blocking Georgia Tech, Florida blocking Florida State and so forth. Blocking Texas would financially be one of the most ridiculous moves a Conference/University could do. And if Texas A&M were to do it, it would be for no other reason than cowardice. I think TAMU wants to ditch this stigma and accepting Texas into the conference to show they aren't afraid and they're willing to do whats best for the conference would undoubtedly be the best way to do it.
I'm working off of the presumption that TAMU has in fact grown as a University and Football program since they made their decision to leave the BIG XII two years ago. Texas A&M, whether we like it or not, has developed some swagger and has shown they can perform. Now, if Sumlin and Manziel leave, we could see a change in that as soon as next year. But they've gathered some decent recruits and they've primed themselves for at least an average performance in the SEC over the next two-three years. The important thing as Longhorn fans would be to accept that our University (Namely DeLoss) does share the brunt of the blame for the BIG XII losing A&M, Nebraska, Missouri and Colorado. His actions that have bettered UT (only financially) have nearly placed the BIG XII into an intensive care unit. We can be prideful without being egotistical and I think the best way to show that, is to admit that the BIG XII would be a much better Conference if those schools listed above hadn't left. The addition of the new AD could be a grand step in the way of changing the outside world's perception of the University of Texas. And if we were to put our egos aside and agree to play on the same playing field as the rest of the SEC, I think TAMU would give us the infamous thumbs up to join them in the Southeastern Conference. Remember. This rivalry isn't just full of hatred and disdain for the opponent.
We shared records:
That's too much for us all to ignore any longer. If Texas becomes serious about joining the SEC, I think A&M (slightly reluctantly) allows it to happen.
1.) Recruiting - They have the recruiting advantage when it comes to Conference and Strength of Schedule.
2.) Power - They finally have the power to say "No!" to Texas.
3.) Claim - They have the sole claim to the SEC in Texas.
4.) What If - Without playing Texas, they can continue the "What If" scenarios rather than proving to be the 2nd Best School in the State.
Now there are undoubtedly some additional rewards to leaving Texas outside the SEC that I haven't mentioned here. Only because I'm ready for us to get to the reasons why A&M would benefit from Texas being in the SEC. And yes folks, they would benefit.
1.) Money - Simply put, if Texas joins the SEC they'd have to accept a revenue sharing agreement. That agreement would add even more money to an already wealthy Conference. During a period when Kyle Field is being renovated, Texas A&M is expanding it's reach and they could be looking for a new Head Coach...a few additional million could go a long way.
2.) Rivalry - No Aggieland, LSU nor Missouri are your rivals. You will never and I mean ever have a rivalry like the one you share(d) with the University of Texas. Now I'm not saying you didn't have you reasons to leave as DeLoss has done a number on the BIG XII. But you stand more to gain from this rivalry than you apparently think. Every school in the SEC, even Kentucky, has a legitimate rivalry game. And while you might think you've left Texas rival-less in your absence, we've still got Oklahoma. Texas vs. TAMU as a Thanksgiving SEC Showdown would greatly benefit the SEC, Texas A&M, UT and even the State of Texas. I don't see this Rivalry brought back unless it's a Conference game.
3.) 27-25 - Yes, you have to live with that.
4.) Shift of Power - Common belief is that if Texas joined the SEC, it would kill A&M recruiting and force them down into the bottom of the pack. I actually disagree, depending on when Texas would join the SEC. If Texas were to join in the next 1-4 years, I actually think Texas joining would help A&M. All of those Texan recruits who bolt for LSU, Alabama, Auburn and Georgia would give some serious consideration to staying home if it meant they got to be a part of this huge SEC rivalry and still represent their State. While Texas would undoubtedly steal some recruits from A&M (And Vice Versa), it would also raise the value of A&M as an in-state rival. I think it adds a lot more incentive for recruits to stay at home and choose between the two schools. A&M would see a spike in recruiting as result and we could see a shift in power from Alabama and LSU to Texas and A&M.
5.) No Cowardice - This might be one of the bigger keys in stopping A&M from vetoing a Texas SEC inception. If Texas and the SEC come together about admitting Texas, everyone knows it would go to a Vote. I have a lot of doubt that any school outside of A&M would have a problem adding Texas to the Conference. Unless it was Alabama and Texas had just stole Nick Saban away. No if they were to be denied, it would be because A&M vetoed the move. How would that look to everyone outside of College Station? Cowardly. It would be an admittance that despite their claims, A&M really is scared to be stuck under the shadow of Texas. It would negate all of the work they've done in the past two years to establish their brand and become a prestigious football team. If Texas A&M said "No!", they wouldn't only draw the ire of Texas but that of the other SEC teams as well. Why? Because they've shown to be the same A&M that jumped ship to escape the Longhorn shadow two years ago. The growth they've been bolstering would be a fraud. And on top of that, they'd be denying additional funding and influence for the rest of the Conference. This isn't the same as Georgia blocking Georgia Tech, Florida blocking Florida State and so forth. Blocking Texas would financially be one of the most ridiculous moves a Conference/University could do. And if Texas A&M were to do it, it would be for no other reason than cowardice. I think TAMU wants to ditch this stigma and accepting Texas into the conference to show they aren't afraid and they're willing to do whats best for the conference would undoubtedly be the best way to do it.
I'm working off of the presumption that TAMU has in fact grown as a University and Football program since they made their decision to leave the BIG XII two years ago. Texas A&M, whether we like it or not, has developed some swagger and has shown they can perform. Now, if Sumlin and Manziel leave, we could see a change in that as soon as next year. But they've gathered some decent recruits and they've primed themselves for at least an average performance in the SEC over the next two-three years. The important thing as Longhorn fans would be to accept that our University (Namely DeLoss) does share the brunt of the blame for the BIG XII losing A&M, Nebraska, Missouri and Colorado. His actions that have bettered UT (only financially) have nearly placed the BIG XII into an intensive care unit. We can be prideful without being egotistical and I think the best way to show that, is to admit that the BIG XII would be a much better Conference if those schools listed above hadn't left. The addition of the new AD could be a grand step in the way of changing the outside world's perception of the University of Texas. And if we were to put our egos aside and agree to play on the same playing field as the rest of the SEC, I think TAMU would give us the infamous thumbs up to join them in the Southeastern Conference. Remember. This rivalry isn't just full of hatred and disdain for the opponent.
We shared records:
That's too much for us all to ignore any longer. If Texas becomes serious about joining the SEC, I think A&M (slightly reluctantly) allows it to happen.
