As if College Football Playoff expansion and name, image and likeness rights were not enough to shake up the sport, another round of conference realignment appears to be only a matter of time. Texas and Oklahoma have reached out to the SEC about leaving the Big 12 and joining the nation’s most powerful conference, sources tell CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd.
Citing “a high-ranking college official with knowledge of the situation,” the Houston Chronicle‘s Brent Zwerneman first reported that the SEC could announce the additions of the Longhorns and Sooners “within a couple of weeks.” Yes, things may move that quickly.
While SEC commissioner Greg Sankey along with officials from Texas and Oklahoma have all released statements refusing to comment on these reports, there have been no outward denials to this point. This despite resistance from some tangential parties, namely Texas A&M (not wanting another Lone Star State team in the SEC) and Oklahoma State (not wanting to be left alone in the Big 12).
This is the second time in just over a decade that the Longhorns and Sooners have given serious consideration to leaving the Big 12. Back during the last round of realignment, the programs (along with the Cowboys) came within 30 minutes of leaving for what was then the Pac-10.
The additions of Texas and Oklahoma would make the SEC the first 16-team superconference while simultaneously adding massive brand power to a league already seen as the best in college sports. Whether these programs leave now or leave for the SEC specifically, their departure from the Big 12 appears inevitable. CBS Sports will continue covering this developing story with live updates below.
