The Back Alley Archives

Texas A&M has officially informed the Big 12 they wish to leave. That is a requirement before they can join another conference.

What do you all think about A&M in the SEC?

The cool thing I like, if this happens, is that I could travel to College Station to see the Gators play them. Unfortunately CS is the armpit of Texas.......

I would think they would need another team from the East as well...I think the names I've heard thrown around are Maryland, NC or NCState and maybe the Hokies? (I know Newsgator would be conflicted) But with only Texas A&M we have an odd amount of teams with the west having more. Does that matter? I don't know.

it would matter. Someone else would have to join with TAMU

I think for A&M this is not the best move, as they will be destroyed in the SEC West. You need to understand a few things about A&M. First off, in Texas we have Aggie jokes. No offense to anyone here, but they are like Polish Jokes. Take one of those and change it to Aggies and you have an Aggie joke. Second, they LIVE for their traditions. If someone does something more than twice, it becomes a sacred tradition. And you don't mess with those. That, above anything else, makes me shocked that they would think about leaving the Big 12, as they will give up all of their in-state rivalries. Third, they would have to change their fight song, because every lyric talks about how the Univ of Texas sucks (see my comments on traditions). Nobody in Florida, GA, SC, etc will give a damn. Finally, this sums up the whole thing about the Aggies. The mascot Reveille, is the official mascot of the TAMU Corps of Cadets. When the dog dies, they are buried at Kyle Field, in sight of the field. A few years ago, they did renovations on the stadium, the former Reveilles could not see the field. True story - every time A&M scored, they made a cadet write down the score on a tablet and run to the graves of the dogs to show them the score. You can't make this up as it would be too stupid.

When I worked for the state, I worked for the A&M system, but I live in Austin. That would be like living in Tallahasse and working for UF. So I am familiar with some of the Aggie Lore. Just thought you might like to know these things.

Should be interesting to see how things play out.

When UF played in the 2006 NCAA basketball tournament they started in Jacksonville. TAMU was in Jax also and I watched their cheerleaders (don't call them that btw) and they were odd. They did this thing that most reminded me of "I'm a little teacup short and stout..." than anything that a cheerleader typically does. They are dorks. I agree with slider on this one and don't think they are a good fit for the SEC.

From a sporting perspective, I don't see how it would benefit the SEC, but I guess opening up the Texas market is something. I think the real big issue is who else would the SEC want to accept? I can see maybe an ACC team like NC State, Virginia or Maryland, but I honestly wouldn't want to see any of those teams in our league. Maybe Georgia Tech - which used to be in the SEC - would be okay.

Don't know if Tech would be allowed. I read somewhere where the SEC schools don't want other schools from their state there - meaning no FSU or Miami for us. If I had to guess, I would say VA Tech or one of the NC schools.

Todd, what do they call them if they don't call them cheerleaders? This is a new one for me.

This is the A&M fight song, BTW: http://www.fightsonglyrics.com/T/page_1 ... ggies.html
University of Texas is referred to as Texas University. Don't know why. Let me tell you, there will be some pissed off Aggies if they change the fight song.

I believe they are Yell Leaders.

Right. I thought those were the student yell leaders that yell in the stands. Didn't know they called the cheerleaders that too.

I could be wrong but I thought that is what they were

I think they sound nice and nutty...I like it!!! But seriously, it's cracking that Texas market that makes it very attractive to the SEC. Come on...that IS pretty much THE football state in this country...Friday night lights and all that. Bill would love it since most of those Texas schools use a lot of Schutt equipment.

Off topic, but you'll see a bunch more big names QB's in the NFL wearing the Schutt XP this year (a la Aaron Rogers). He just came running in while I was trying to fall asleep last night to show me that Tom Brady was wearing one. As is Matt Ryan, Mark Sanchez and even Michael Vick. YEAH for us!!! It's amazing how many calls you get when something like that happens.

What I heard is that Arkansas might go to the Big 12. They were in the old Southwest Conference. Maybe they're tired of sucking butt.

well, they are in the SEC now. Let's see who #14 will be.

[quote=TheTodd]well, they are in the SEC now. Let's see who #14 will be.[/QUOTE]

Anyone have any guesses? I think Va Tech would be an awesome addition, but my wife think North Carolina would be good from the academic point of view.

I did have a scary thought - if another Texas school gets in, then I think Alabama and AU would get moved to the East. That would suck!

I seriously doubt that UNC leaves the ACC, just because of their basketball rivalry with Duke. I'm thinking UVA or Va Tech.

No, UNC belongs in the ACC. Fucking lacrosse conference.

Little children don't mean anything. It's dope and liquor. I'll tell you, unsaved people don't have any means of deliverance. None.

Soberer answer, by a little: if we think of moving SEC into other markets, but still retaining a shred of geographical integrity (it costs money to ship lacrosse, track, volleyball, etc. all over the place!), you gotta consider these population centers as targets.

NC research triangle (NC State, UNC, less likely Duke)
DC (VT, UVA, Md)
St Louis / KC (you get both if you pick up U. Missouri)
Miami (U-M, despite its present problems, has a better market upside than FSU)

SEC's already got Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans -- the major Southern cities, with the exception of south Florida.

I got one dark horse candidate for you. Nobody I've seen has mentioned this yet. But if we're going cynically, putting economic interests highest on the totem pole, here's a team the SEC could consider: the Temple Owls. Steal them easily from the MAC. Decent basketball. Weak football, but joining the SEC would give them money that would raise their game. GETS THE SEC TO PHILLY AND CAPTURES MARKET SHARE IN THE NATION'S FIFTH-LARGEST CITY. Insane? Sure. But Texas A&M in the SEC is insane too. Nebraska leaving the conference where it plays Oklahoma is insane. So if we're playing insaneball, Temple is a top-ten candidate for SEC team 14.