Iron sharpens iron. That’s the first thing that came to mind when hearing that the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas officially asked the SEC for membership. I can’t say I blame OU. The streak of Big 12 championships honestly means nothing when hardly tested during the season, which happens a lot in the SEC. Wonder why Bama, Florida, Georgia, A&M usually look good in big non-conference games? Iron sharpens iron. Like everything, there are pros and cons. Below are just some of them.
PROS
- To Be the Best, You Have To Beat The Best
Let’s be honest the only thing saving the Big 12 from being the PAC 12 is OU. Something I’m sure they are aware of. Since TCU was robbed out of a spot in what seems like an eternity ago, OU has been the only one to not only make it but deserve it. I mentioned above how winning the Big 12 means nothing, and this past season hammers that point home. In what was supposed to be a “down” season, they still walked away with the crown. Not because they were Bama level good at reloading, but because the rest of the conference is that far behind. This shows in playoff matchups with OU being on the losing end. The SEC provides a weekly challenge, something the Big 12 doesn’t offer.
2. Yearly Dream Matchups
OU versus Bama. Texas versus Florida. The return of Texas-A&M. The matchups and storylines are endless. You don’t have to say much here.
3. The Grudges
OU versus Alabama should be an excellent matchup for years to come. Florida has history, as does A&M and Missouri from the Big 12 days. The most intriguing could perhaps be OU versus Tennessee. Remember the game where Baker Mayfield became a cult hero? Now it’s home to former Sooner, Josh Heupel, who has to feel some way watching Lincoln Riley’s success knowing it could’ve been him. It all makes for must-see TV.
CONS
- A Non-Conference Bedlam
That doesn’t seem right. Especially if it’s early in the season. Nope, not right at all
2. A diminished Red River
The odds of Texas making noise in the SEC at least early is slim. Heck, they could hardly do it in a weak Big 12. But the Red River games held conference championship hopes and helped elevate it. When these two meet in the SEC outside of bragging rights, I doubt both enter with something to lose.
3. Possible Failure
Failure and OU really don’t go together. How a program with a stranglehold on their conference for a decade handles maybe not even winning their division should be interesting. For Texas, dealing with potentially being the stepchild to OU and Texas A&M could be too much for a disillusioned and fragile fan base to handle.
4. End of the Big 12?
You have to ask the question. The marquee teams become Iowa State and OSU. Those schools aren’t big draws to most football fans. Before this OU and Texas to the SEC talk, some said the American Athletic Conference was better. If this goes through, they’d have even more of an argument. Sure, the Big 12 could make a run at Boise and/or BYU, but whichever way you slice it, things don’t look good.
