Texas A&M to SEC: Steps the Big 12 Would Have to Take to Survive

Will it happen or not?

The Texas A&M Aggies are looking to leave the Big 12 and join the SEC. There are reports that the Aggies have already handed in their letter of withdrawal, but today a Texas A&M spokesman said that has not happened.

We all know Texas A&M is going somewhere, it's just a matter of time.

So, that would leave the Big 12 with just nine teams in the conference.

Here's the steps the Big 12 can take to get the conference back on its feet.

First Step Is Planning

Getting Texas A&M out of the Big 12 is a huge first step in repairing the image of the conference.

Now it's time for commissioner Dan Beebe and the presidents of the remaining universities to come together and act like a real conference. 

A nine-team conference is not going to work and just looks funny when you're the "Big 12" and only have 10 or nine teams. 

Could Notre Dame Join the Big 12?

Notre Dame is considered the No. 1 option in this whole mess. If the Big 12 had the No. 1 overall pick, their pick would be the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame has been contacted several times to join the Big Ten, but they have refused multiple times. However, Notre Dame would be able to continue its independent deal with NBC within the framework of the Big 12's setup.

Although Notre Dame has turned down the offer of joining the Big 12, the idea has to be appealing to them.

TCU Joins to Add Competitiveness

Let's be completely honest, the Big 12 is weak as far as being competitive goes. There are only a couple good teams and the rest are forgettable.

Adding a team like TCU would help add to the competitive nature within the conference. TCU is currently in the Mountain West conference and dominates it almost every season. In the last six seasons, the Horned Frogs are 66-11 overall and 5-1 in bowl games.

This would be an attractive offer for both the school and the conference.

BYU Could Possibly Join

BYU has a passionate fanbase and is a football program that won a National Championship back in 1984. It would give the conference entry back into the Rocky Mountain area and allow the university to continue its television network.  

The Cougars were in the WAC and MWC until 2007. They are now independent and according to coach Bronco Mendenhall, they plan to stay that way.

"This move to independence was well thought out. I believe we're aligned and positioned where we belong," Mendenhall said. "With a school that has such a unique purpose, (aligned) with other (independent) schools that have unique purposes outside of just schooling and football with the (Army and Navy) and Notre Dame. I like that uniqueness. I like the exposure we now have."

We will just have to wait and see.

Air Force a Possibility?

Air Force is another team that is being thrown around in the Big 12 conversation. Currently in the MWC, Air Force would be a good fit geography-wise and would provide a solid fan following.

Other than that, there isn't much the Falcons have to offer.

I'm also not so sure that the Air Force would accept an invitation from the Big 12 anyway. Would you accept more money to get beat up every Saturday?

Houston Replacing Texas A&M?

The University of Texas would be the only team in the Big 12 that has a bigger enrollment than Houston at 38,000. The problem is, its stadium only holds 32,000, and the Cougars would probably have to borrow the Texans Reliant Stadium until they upgrade.

Out of a lot of teams in this article, Houston has the higher ceiling, but would the Big 12 be willing to take a chance on potential?

Time will tell.

SMU Has Little to No Chance

Sure, this would help SMU finally climb out of the hole they are in when they received the death penalty in 1987. But the team is hardly competitive on a weekly basis and only have an enrollment of 11,000. How can a school that small join a conference called the Big 12?

I'm rooting for the Mustangs to get back on their feet, but with Texas A&M leaving, the Big 12 needs a big-name school. SMU is not it.

Lousiville?

Louisville could be a nice option, considering the school has had success in the past and has a huge basketball program. But could Louisville really recapture that magic they had in 2006 when they won the Orange Bowl? Maybe.

The Big 12 would be better off looking for other options, but Louisville wouldn't be a bad team to settle for if they can't land a huge team. 

Pittsburgh Panthers Join the Big 12?

Pittsburgh has a great basketball program and a nice, solid football program. But do you know any Pittsburgh Panther fans where you live? Their brand is, for the most part, local. That won't really help out the Big 12.

Not to mention, the traveling distance that will be between the teams could be a problem; the closest team to Pittsburgh in the Big 12 is Missouri, and even they're over 700 miles.

Arkansas Would Be Dumb to Leave the SEC

The Razorbacks are considered to be on the Big 12 wish list, but they can keep on wishing. Arkansas has millions of reasons to stay in the SEC, and it wouldn't make sense to leave a good situation for a bad one.

They may have more success in the Big 12 from a competitive standpoint, but the money is too good to leave the SEC.

Overall

Overall, it's going to take some major expansion additions to keep this conference alive. Notre Dame, BYU and TCU would probably be the best three fits, but the chances of all three joining are slim to none.

The Big 12 is in trouble and could very likely disappear in the next few years.