Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe knew Texas and Oklahoma were ready to give their presidents the power to make conference alignment decisions and saw the potential implosion of the conference he oversees coming, he said in a statement on Monday. Texas and Oklahoma may be on the move soon, perhaps heading west to join the Pac-12 at some point. If the Sooners and Longhorns do make a move, it will put a nail in the coffin of the Big 12, which is already on its last legs.
But Beebe is hanging onto hope, as he always does. In a statement on Monday, he asserted the Big 12 is still a strong conference, and asks the schools to please think of the children.
“The actions taken today by the governing boards of the universities of Oklahoma and Texas was anticipated. It is my opinion that the case for the Big 12 Conference continues to be as strong today for all of our current members as it was last year, especially considering the welfare of those to whom we owe the greatest responsibility—the student-athletes."
Sure, right now the Big 12 is the same as it was last year: Texas A&M hasn't officially joined the SEC, so nothing has changed. But it's clear the conference is bursting apart at the seams, with Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M all rumored to be interested in the Pac-12, and Texas A&M all but in the SEC. Missouri may also be picked off, perhaps as the 14th SEC team.
Beebe had to say something, but he's in a no win situation right now. His conference is falling apart on its own, and will likely be the biggest realignment casualty.
We'll be back with more on conference realignment as it becomes available here. For all your Pac-12 news needs, head over to Pacific Takes. Be sure to visit our local college blogs: CougCenter, for Washington State fans, and UW Dawg Pound, for Washington fans.