Oklahoma to the Pac-12? Sure Sounds Like It, Despite Dan Beebe’s Best Efforts
These were the cryptic words of Oklahoma president David Boren Friday when he was asked about conference realignment and the potential the Sooners could leave the dilapidated Big 12:
I’ll put it this way: I don’t think there’s any chance OU’s going to end up being a wallflower.”
If you read Boren’s comments in their entirety, the situation sounds awfully dire for the Big 12.
How bad is it? The commish, Dan Beebe – who has played this entire realignment thing terribly dating back to last summer – made an emergency call to presidents in the Big 12 (presidents from Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M were left out) late Friday night in hopes of getting everyone to work on keeping Texas in the league. According to OrangeBloods:
It’s Beebe’s belief that if Texas refuses to go to the Pac-12 that Oklahoma would not get a bid from the Pac-12, sources said. But another source close to the situation said if Oklahoma and Oklahoma State indicated to the Pac-12 that they wanted to be a part of that league, they would be admitted.
Beebe seems clueless. Why would Texas and Oklahoma be a package deal? If Oklahoma and Oklahoma State leave, there is no Big 12! Texas isn’t calling the shots here, Oklahoma is. And whatever Oklahoma does, little brother Oklahoma State will follow. If Texas thinks the Pac-16 would be a better option than going independent, the Longhorns will bolt, too.
There’s no incentive for Oklahoma to stay! And please, spare me this, BYU-Air Force-to-the-Big 12 garbage – it is clearly being floated by Beebe in a last ditch attempt to keep the league together.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if by Tuesday, Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech all bolted for the Pac-12 and the Longhorn Network contract with ESPN was torn up. Chip Brown speculates:
So Texas’ Longhorn Network, which launched on Aug. 26 and still can’t even be seen by most of the Lone Star State, would likely have to be turned into one of the Pac-12′s regional networks (and most likely partner with Texas Tech).
And that could mean Texas basically tearing up the 20-year, $300 million deal it just inked with ESPN and giving up its riches.
Enjoy that sweet win over TCU, Baylor. In a few days, you might not even have a conference.

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19 Responses to “Oklahoma to the Pac-12? Sure Sounds Like It, Despite Dan Beebe’s Best Efforts”
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September 3rd, 2011 at 10:42 AM
So the PAC with a super huge 16 team conference like that, huh? Is that what we’re getting at here?
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:03 AM
KU is so going to dominate Conference USA in hoops.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:10 AM
Yes, and hopefully other conferences follow, and we have 4 super conferences.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:15 AM
KU is so going to dominate Conference USA in hoops.
D-2 teams could dominate CUSA in hoops.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:18 AM
it’ll be just like the big 12, only sub out Texas for
Memphis…except Memphis actually has a coach with a higher situational awareness than a tomato.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Super conferences? Fuck that noise. I’d rather have a plurality of regional conferences where the matchups mean something to the region.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Are people sending in a lot of links regarding conference realignment? That’s the only way this keeps getting written about, right?
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:28 AM
SMU WILL RISE AGAIN!
according to game day signs
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:32 AM
You’re goddamn right we are rising again, Vlad.
/time for a gravatar change
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:34 AM
buh-bye Big 12
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:39 AM
it’ll be just like the big 12, only sub out Texas for
Memphis…except Memphis actually has a coach with a higher situational awareness than a tomato.
That probably isn’t too far from the truth. A Memphis/KU rivalry would make sense. I have a hard time envisioning KU in the Big East.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:44 AM
I’d rather have a plurality of regional conferences where the matchups mean something to the region.
That’s the worst idea I’ve ever heard
/JoePa’d
//fuck Penn State and everything about them
///college football is back wooooooooo
////off to tailgate have a great day everyone!!!
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Anyone actually tailgating today? Our first home game isn’t until next week, so I’m riding the couch today.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Anyone actually tailgating today? Our first home game isn’t until next week, so I’m riding the couch today.
Leaving in a few minutes. Thank you powers that be that made Pitt a 6oclock game. I get to tailgate all day and catch the 2nd half of the two big games tonight.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:49 AM
As a Sooner fan livin in So Cal lets make this move yesterday. Can get to at least 8 games a season now.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:53 AM
I’d be shocked to see UT tear up 15 mill a year.
September 3rd, 2011 at 1:09 PM
As far as SMU rising again, don’t you have higher standards than that?
Rising from a low base is rather unimpressive. How about SMU – a national champion in football – finally?
September 3rd, 2011 at 1:11 PM
If Oklahoma leaves, Texas could add 9 other schools and be the 5th superconference. Even 6 superconferences means only 96 of the top teams.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:12 PM
I would rather see a new Big 8 get formed – Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, LSU, Kansas, Missouri, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. That would be one heck of conference with some awesome rivalries when you play all 7 conference opponents each year. 5 non-conference games means more home games for Texas, LSU and Oklahoma. Plus BCS Bowl money would be split only 8 ways.