[NU Sports] Here we go, A&M is leaving the Big XII

[Mike Nolan]

> Something else is afoot here.

Yeah, seems likely.  The SEC has done a good job of playing dumb
AND hard to get so far, and it's probably still A&M's turn to play.  

SMU got stiffed by the Big XII in 1994, lingering fallout from the
Death Penalty, I guess.  As someone from that part of the country 
once told me back then, what SMU did was forgivable by their SWC 
brethren ('There but for the grace of God go I'), getting caught, 
and then being terminally stupid about it, was not.  Maybe that old 
wound has finally healed.  (I suspect not, Houston was the replacement
name floated a couple of weeks ago, but that's a downgrade IMHO.)

The most logical change to me would be for Arkansas to move to the Big XII,
renewing its longstanding ties with Texas schools (less A&M) and Texas
recruits in the process.  But Arkansas seems to be denying any interest.

N*D* is still the wild card player in a second round of superconference 
musical chairs.  I don't see them as a good fit, geographically, 
academically or culturally, in either the Big XII or the SEC.  

Their home, if they ever choose to have one, is in the Big Ten,
any way you slice it.  But I don't think the Domers are going 
to use that card, or even play the game this time around.  

And if the rumors about the SEC schools agreeing not to raid their 
existing states are true, that leaves out most of the rest of the good
geographical fits, academic and cultural factors probably rule out the
rest, namely schools in Virginia and West Virginia.  So, where's #14?  

I guess that still leaves Missouri as the best candidate for the SEC, 
assuming the SEC wants the Big Ten's leftovers.  And if Missouri goes, 
then that really leaves the Big XII in a pickle, or at least all schools 
that aren't named Texas or Oklahoma.  

But here's a wild card option.  What about Pitt?  Yeah, it's a bit
cold there in November, but I think they fit culturally at least
as well as Missouri does.  The only negative about them, at least
according to my son who lives in Pittsburgh, is that NOBODY in
Pittsburgh gives a damn about Pitt sports.  And in the SEC,
sports is what matters.  So, ultimately, I think Pitt is a 'no'.

Thankfully, the first kickoff is less than 32 hours away, hopefully
the on-field games can drown out some of the off-field ones.
--
Mike Nolan