As an outside observer, I can't help but relish the dysfunction that is, and even more so will be, the SEC. No doubt, it just pays more, but the public displays are so much fun! Perhaps, that's the end goal? WWE on the football field?
So what could go wrong?
First, start with a complete obliteration of any rules limiting pay for play. Ok, not complete obliteration, because it has to be a 3rd party officially unaffiliated with the university. Yeah, right, whatever.
Next, add a newbie, perennial mediocre program with more money than you and more tradition than you (well, except for "Home of the 12th Man" which they neutered last December, but it was always just "good bull" anyways) that magically recruits the highest rated class in football recruiting history. Ok, never mind, they had never approached this pinnacle before. No doubt, those recruits are bonkers over the tradition and lore (what's left of it).
Then, take a program that has its own bank, and bankrolled athletes, whose president happens to be the son of perhaps the most successful and famous coach in college football history. And punish Missouri while you're at it.
Toxic? I guess. But we're not done here. Let's throw in a school that literally claims to be the state of Texas. And they have even more money than the other mediocre state program. You know, the university whose alumni routinely thinks the universe revolves around them and the rest of the conference should simply thank them for their existence and comply. Resistance is futile. We are Texas. We are better than you and you should thank us for keeping the conference afloat even if we sucked for the last umpteen years (and we shouldn't have to prove it on the field or court or where ever). SEC, there's gonna be a new sheriff in town and you better just roll over and take it.
Finally, throw in another blue blood that has actually had recent football success. Yes, it will become Nebraska, but at least OU has titles to point to. More than UT has if I recall correctly. More than the other state of Texas school that claims titles because it's on the side of their stadium but really truly isn't even worth mentioning in the context of titles. Well, except their vaunted tradition, which makes them feel better about themselves even if nobody else cares and everyone else thinks of them as a cult.
Actually, never mind. Let's not worry about OU (soon to be known as Nebraska 2.0, assuming they can scrape together the $80 million exit fee, which is a huge assumption. Btw, I'm not talking expiring GOR, I'm talking conference exit fee which is contractual through 2099 or something like that, no problem for UT).
So what could go wrong with so many high minded teams in the same conference? I can't wait to see! This is going to be glorious!
So what could go wrong?
First, start with a complete obliteration of any rules limiting pay for play. Ok, not complete obliteration, because it has to be a 3rd party officially unaffiliated with the university. Yeah, right, whatever.
Next, add a newbie, perennial mediocre program with more money than you and more tradition than you (well, except for "Home of the 12th Man" which they neutered last December, but it was always just "good bull" anyways) that magically recruits the highest rated class in football recruiting history. Ok, never mind, they had never approached this pinnacle before. No doubt, those recruits are bonkers over the tradition and lore (what's left of it).
Then, take a program that has its own bank, and bankrolled athletes, whose president happens to be the son of perhaps the most successful and famous coach in college football history. And punish Missouri while you're at it.
Toxic? I guess. But we're not done here. Let's throw in a school that literally claims to be the state of Texas. And they have even more money than the other mediocre state program. You know, the university whose alumni routinely thinks the universe revolves around them and the rest of the conference should simply thank them for their existence and comply. Resistance is futile. We are Texas. We are better than you and you should thank us for keeping the conference afloat even if we sucked for the last umpteen years (and we shouldn't have to prove it on the field or court or where ever). SEC, there's gonna be a new sheriff in town and you better just roll over and take it.
Finally, throw in another blue blood that has actually had recent football success. Yes, it will become Nebraska, but at least OU has titles to point to. More than UT has if I recall correctly. More than the other state of Texas school that claims titles because it's on the side of their stadium but really truly isn't even worth mentioning in the context of titles. Well, except their vaunted tradition, which makes them feel better about themselves even if nobody else cares and everyone else thinks of them as a cult.
Actually, never mind. Let's not worry about OU (soon to be known as Nebraska 2.0, assuming they can scrape together the $80 million exit fee, which is a huge assumption. Btw, I'm not talking expiring GOR, I'm talking conference exit fee which is contractual through 2099 or something like that, no problem for UT).
So what could go wrong with so many high minded teams in the same conference? I can't wait to see! This is going to be glorious!
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