Report: Texas A&M to the SEC, Is It Finally Time for Super-Conferences?

This morning, ESPN is reporting that a rumored Texas A&M move to the SEC is a "done deal", according to a source within the Aggie organization.  It appears there may be a real fire behind this smoke screen.

According to Sporting News, multiple media outlets are reporting an emergency meeting by the board of regents at Texas A&M, Monday—a week earlier than previously scheduled—to discuss "conference affiliation."

Does this mean the Aggies are definitely bound for the SEC?  No.  However, it does indicate that they're very seriously thinking about it...again.

The initial reports coming out of ESPN seemed to indicate that Florida State and at least one other school were making the jump with A&M.  More recent reports though, all-but squash that rumor.  However, the SEC has indicated in the past that they aren't looking to go any bigger than 14 member institutions—which still opens the door for one other school to join the powerful conference.

Who might that be?  I'll leave that argument for any number of fellow writers to wage for now.  There is a bigger fish to fry at the moment.

Big Ten and Pac-12 Playing a Part

On a related-yet-unrelated note, the Big Ten and Pac-12 are making a few waves of their own this morning.

According to the Seattle Times, athletic directors in the two BCS conferences have taken a straw poll and voted in favor of a "plus one" playoff format.

This is big news because the two conferences have long been the most outspoken in opposition to any sort of playoff, fearing that such a move would ruin their long-standing Rose Bowl tradition of pitting the two conference champions in the "Granddaddy of them All."

Given that the sanctity of that affiliation has been tossed asunder since the creation of the BCS system anyway, the conferences are apparently willing to entertain a playoff format that might better soothe the savage hunger of fans wanting a better system for crowning a national champion.

The Big 12 Collapse

Individually, the two stories are big in their own right.  Texas A&M's move to the SEC would admittedly be bigger news than the Big Ten and Pac-12 agreeing to a playoff in a non-binding, unofficial vote. 

However, put the two pieces together—along with recent conference movement—and the stage appears almost set for the long-awaited Super Conference.

Follow the trail of bread crumbs.

First, the Pac-12 and Big Ten expand to 12 teams each and create conference championship games.  They were the last stalwarts of the old system that finally caved, severely weakening the Big 12 in the process.

In that same move, Texas opted to stay with the Big 12, but did so in exchange for their own TV network (LHN).  The creation of said network only further infuriated other member schools who felt that Texas was getting the lion's share of the attention anyway.

Missouri begged to join the Big Ten, but was spurned in favor of Nebraska (a more lucrative fit for the Big Ten).  Still, they made it very clear how badly they want out of the Big 12, regardless of what school presidents and athletic directors may say in front of the camera.

Texas A&M is just one school that isn't happy with the way things are going and debates have raged for nearly a year now as to whether the Big 12 will survive as a viable conference.  With the Aggie departure (should it happen), one more nail will be hammered into the lid of the conference coffin.

Ashes to Ashes, They all Fall Down

The pieces continue to fall into place, even if they're moving more slowly than fans imagined they would in this high-paced world we live in. 

A plus-one playoff obviously requires just four teams.  The Big Ten and Pac-12 did their parts, starting the ball rolling by increasing their holdings and creating conference championships.  The SEC may be following suit by adding the Aggies and potentially one more, and have had a conference championship for quite a while now.

Do you really think the Big Ten and Pac-12 are going to sit idly by and watch the most powerful conference in America get even bigger without making additional moves of their own? 

I don't think so, Tim.

But this isn't nearly as reactionary as it may sound.  I think this news comes out together by design. 

The stage is being set for what's to come.  The SEC expands, "prompting" the Big Ten and Pac-12 to continue their growth spurts.  The ACC and Big East won't sit around waiting to be swallowed by the new Big Kids on the Block (I can't believe I just typed that...and am leaving it in the story). 

The Big 12 is a mess.  Oklahoma and Texas are legendary programs and Missouri has been good of late, but Missouri wants out.  Oklahoma doesn't need the Big 12 and Texas appears more concerned with protecting their own interests than aiding their conference in retaining viability. 

The Big 12 is imploding, and the fans aren't happy with the system in place.

Whoever ultimately picks up the pieces, they'll want to make sure they can stand next to the "Monster Three" (SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12) in terms of size and media reach.  The dollar is hard to come by these days, and you cannot leave money sitting on the table.

The parts get divvied up.  It's only a small step for 14 to become 16 and the groundwork is already laid for some incredible conference championship games.

And then there are four.

Four conference champions.  "Plus One" becomes a misnomer.  The BCS is forever altered...obliterated.  It is four conferences.   Four conference champions.  One tournament to decide the king of them all.

It's time, folks.  It's past time.  Only, instead of taking the lightning round to the final destination, we got stuck on a slow ride.  Perhaps, it's even a carefully orchestrated slow ride to prepare the old-school fans for what's taking place.  Who knows?

The SEC has been stable and strong for a long time.  So has the Big Ten and Pac-12, but they've recently become even stronger. 

The Big 12 is in shambles.  The Big East is a basketball-first conference that has become something of a joke in football lately.  The ACC needs to catch up in strength, but they have enough allure to make things happen.

What are we waiting for?  The writing is on the wall.  The sound check has been performed and the fans have been chanting for the concert to start already.

Let's get on with the show.