SEC Expansion: Arkansas Would Have Been Nuts to Bolt for Big 12

There's no denying the fact that the Big 12 is a sinking ship. The only question now is how its members will avoid going down with it.

But then again, there’s also the question of how the Big 12 could save itself by bringing new members aboard. And the Big 12 apparently had lofty plans in that regard.

According to a report from the Associated Press, Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long said on Wednesday that the university was approached recently about leaving the SEC for the Big 12.

Not surprisingly, Long didn't let the talks get very far. That there were talks at all, though, did not catch him off-guard.

"That it happened, it didn't surprise me," Long said. "But we are committed to the SEC. It's the strongest conference in the country and only going to get stronger."

No argument there. The SEC, which has claimed five straight BCS National Championships, is indeed the strongest conference at the moment. And yes, it is only going to get stronger.

We know this because the SEC announced on Wednesday that it had accepted Texas A&M, formerly of the Big 12, into its midst as the conference's 13th member. If all the legal stuff works out—which is a rather big if thanks to Baylor—the Aggies will be in the SEC before you know it.

So by my count, the so-called "Big 12" is now down to nine teams, and seemingly all of them are weighing their options in terms of heading for the greener pastures of other conferences.

Obviously, this is what made Long's decision to say thanks but no thanks so easy. Why on earth would he have even considered the idea of moving Arkansas to the Big 12?

Seriously, I'm asking. Moving to the Big 12 would have offered not a single advantage for Arkansas. In the SEC, the Razorbacks have the luxury of enjoying both big-time competition and big-time exposure. Combine those two things, and you've got big-time money.

The Big 12, on the other hand, is a conference that Texas is trying to make its personal play thing, and Arkansas would have had to fall in line with the other plebeian universities (yes, I'm being sarcastic). The competition, exposure and ultimately the money would not have stacked up.

It's easy to see why the Big 12 toyed with the idea of bringing Arkansas aboard. For one, Arkansas is a big program with a big appeal. For two, the Big 12 simply needed to bring someone in to make sure it had enough teams.

The question I have is whether or not the Big 12 actually thought it could talk Arkansas into joining its ranks.

Goodness, I hope not. It's one thing to be desperate. It's another thing entirely to be both desperate and delusional.

Thankfully, Arkansas is neither. In fact, the Razorbacks are quite comfortable in the SEC, thank you very much.