Texas offered a Big 12 Network; Texas A&M refused. Texas reportedly offered a Lone Star Network; A&M refused. Texas created the Longhorn Network, just like everyone expected, and now A&M has gone off the deep end. Austin American-Statesman:
Texas A&M notified the Big 12 conference Wednesday morning that it is seeking league membership elsewhere.
President R. Bowen Loftin sent a letter to commissioner Dan Beebe to alert him of the school’s decision. Once the school finds another league – it’ll be the Southeastern Conference – the Aggies will cut their Big 12 membership June, 30, 2012. …
The move by the Aggies, which is not unexpected, could cause a monumental shift in the college football landscape if the Big 12 fails to come up with an adequate replacement team. The Big 12, which started competition in 1996, could implode, allowing its marquee teams like Texas and Oklahoma to be free agents to align with other top conferences.
A 13-team SEC would have to be looking to poach another team from somewhere else, potentially setting off a chain reaction. And if there is a game of musical chairs, Iowa State isn’t going to have one.
Jamie Pollard is being, um, nonchalant: “It is unfortunate that Texas A&M is moving forward with plans to depart the Big 12.”
“Unfortunate.” Can we panic now?