With OU being extended an offer to the SEC, we had the opportunity to go play in the very best conference, and to me there is not even a close second, but instead chose to stay with Texas in a diminished conference, which would only have eight teams if it were not for a desperate conference accepting two desperate schools (TCU and W Virginia). The OU/Texas relationship is a rather odd love/hate one. Both schools cannot stand each other, but OU makes millions in donations for the Red River clash as tickets to that game are for the most part, allotted to those that contribute to the University. That and the fact that the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex is an area of great recruiting importance to OU. OU is actually closer to the Cotton Bowl than the University of Texas is. By staying in the same conference as Texas, you guarantee that game will be played. In different conferences...no guarantees, see Texas and A&M.Even though Stoops' record against the SEC isn't all that great, they were extended interest in the last expansion phase. My understanding, mostly coming from OK fans who either write about OU or run OU boards is that, in the end, OU simply couldn't bring themselves to divorce UT and therefore all of the Texas HS talent. It's comic that ATM took the plunge and is now harvesting the cream of the crop in TX recruiting, partially on the basis of SEC exposure. Karma, baby...
The prevailing thought in these parts is that the BIG XII will not be around for the long haul. So then what? Does the SEC ever contemplate taking OU and Texas to get to the 16 schools everyone believes is inevitable? Stay tuned.
Roll Tide and Boomer Sooner!!
PS The Stoops and Saban clashes are a bit theatrical as both are good friends. Bob has brought staff to Tuscaloosa on more than one occasion to learn from the best.