From the Bench - Summertime Rumors Point to Oklahoma in the SEC

[Robert Shields]

Summertime Rumors Point to Oklahoma in the SEC

Robert Shields

During the summer, rumors and gossip run rampant as everyone is waiting for SEC media days and something real to talk about. The hot rumor of late is that the Oklahoma Sooners would like to start attending SEC media days. Whether Oklahoma really wants to be part of the SEC is unknown, but the scuttlebutt is red hot.

Most conferences have huge buyouts for schools to leave. You can leave the SEC when you want, but the reality is that it's such a great conference nobody is going to leave. In addition to its members, almost every coach of any worth wants to end up in the SEC as do most players. It's the college version of the big time.

Some say the big wheels in Oklahoma were not happy the last time conference expansion was taking place and missed out on a golden opportunity to leave and that they should have gone to the SEC with Texas A&M instead of Missouri. Oklahoma is not selling season tickets as easily as it once did, and in this entertainment environment it's a tough sell when your big game of the year is now TCU.

How exciting is it when one of your big conference games is Iowa State? Let's face it, even playing Vanderbilt is a lot more exciting on the gridiron. I am sure Oklahoma would see the value of having Alabama, LSU, Florida, and Georgia on its schedule. Those are easy tickets to sell.

Missouri has fared well in the diminished SEC East going to the SEC championship game in back-to-back years. I am sure Oklahoma Sooner arrogance thinks that since Missouri has made it so quickly that they in turn will come in and dominate the conference. Plus, in a recent in a bowl game they dominated Alabama, so they probably think they will rule the winner's circle.

I think this rumor has legs, but if it will happen or not is questionable. Oklahoma will bring enough TV sets to the SEC package to make it an interesting addition to the SEC. The question is, who will be the other team to balance the divisions?

If you want a super conference with maximum TV appeal, the logical choice is Notre Dame, which has had a strident position that it will not join a conference in football. But that stance seems to have softened as they have entered a deal with the ACC to play a set amount of games with their members in football and their basketball team and other sports have been in conferences for years.

The fact that Notre Dame has also dropped its longtime rival Michigan tells me that they have no interest in joining the Big Ten. They want larger appeal outside of the Midwest. Notre Dame would also balance out the SEC West and East if Oklahoma joined.

It would be interesting to see the Oklahoma Sooners make that trip to Fayetteville and maybe even more interesting seeing the Fighting Irish make that first trip to Razorback Stadium and get to hear the Hog call.

Two more teams will join the SEC. The only questions are who and when.



Send your conference realignment plan to fromthebench@yahoo.com.

[OptimusHog]

Interesting article, Rob. If this were to take place, are we assuming a shakeup of the current divisions?

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

Only 19 days after a thread about this exact topic was started on Hogville.  #timely.

[PonderinHog]

Only 19 days after a thread about this exact topic was started on Hogville.  #timely.

He's late...

[GolfnHog]

The gif's keep getting better!!!

[WilsonHog]

I'm laughing so hard I started crying.

[Hoggish1]

ND, if it joins a conference in football, will fit better in the ACC; it's their style of play...

OK would find the going brutal in the SEC and I don't see it being allowed to pull away from OKIE lite even if the SEC wanted them.

I look for the big 12 to try and expand to stay alive.  Adding Houston and Rice, possibly UTEP then look one of the New Mexico schools, Louisiana Tech or Colorado State.  The conference is struggling mightily and is desperate to hold it together.  Overall, it's a pitiful conference for allowing Texass to do what it did to them.

[GoHogs1091]

If Oklahoma were to join the SEC, then they would need a new Head Coach in order to be consistently effective in the SEC.

Bob Stoops has become "stale" over there. 

[BPsTheMan]

You can leave the SEC when you want, but the reality is that it's such a great conference nobody is going to leave.

[ldfergu]

Just reading the subject line pisses me off.  When will it stop?  I'm so tired of everyone talking about conference realignment every year.  I hate how 100yr old rivalries get ruined because of some extra money.

Fans need to stand up and put a stop to it!!!!!

[BPsTheMan]

Just reading the subject line pisses me off.  When will it stop?  I'm so tired of everyone talking about conference realignment every year.  I hate how 100yr old rivalries get ruined because of some extra money.

Fans need to stand up and put a stop to it!!!!!

Exactly!

Progress sucks! 

[HOGGISHABOUTAR]

Never happen. But if it did I`m sure our team would welcome them with a good ole curb stomping in Fayetteville.

[GuvHog]

Never happen. But if it did I`m sure our team would welcome them with a good ole curb stomping in Fayetteville.

I wouldn't bet the house on it not happening if I were you. I've been saying for years that the SEC would eventually add OU and Okla State to the Western Division. I still believe that.

[Murr]

Just reading the subject line pisses me off.  When will it stop?  I'm so tired of everyone talking about conference realignment every year.  I hate how 100yr old rivalries get ruined because of some *** longhorns.

Fans need to stand up and put a stop to it!!!!!

FIFY

[DeltaBoy]

Yep I hearing the end of the Big 12 is coming faster than you think.

[soooieman]

The only thing I would change in the SEC is putting Auburn in the east and Missouri in the west. For geography purposes alone it would make sense.

[NLRHog92]

Some good points are made, but OU isn't coming to the SEC. First off the SEC is not looking to expand and even though OU would be attractive, the SEC would have to drag OSU along. They have always made it known that it is a package deal. OU had the option to jump to the PAC in recent years, but elected to stick it out with Texas. OU lost their big rivalry game with NU and aren't about to jeopardize the Red River Shootout or the Bedlam series. Actually TCU and Baylor have brought some excitement into that league by dominating OU and UT recently. The Big XII just needs to bring in a couple of teams so they can have a conference playoff and have a level playing field with the other 4 P5 conferences.

UT and OU both know that the path to the 4 team playoff is much easier going through Baylor and TCU than having to beat Bama, Auburn, LSU, UGA, Florida, Arkansas and others every year. The Big XII would have been in the playoff last year with only a 10 team league had Baylor or TCU or both been UT or OU. The Big XII also did very well financially for a 10 team league. I don't see them moving anywhere without UT and OSU. The conference does need to expand and they know it. There just aren't many viable options out there right now.

Since when are Northwestern and OU rivals? Just pulling your leg, I agree with what you said. Those three for some really are strung together, and the Big XII was last to the dinner table, left out to dry as far as expansion. You'd think that would at least knock their arrogance and ignorance down a notch, but they wouldn't be OU or UT without it. 

[navyhog24]

Since they aren't here anymore I can only assume Robert Shields is Lanny and Lanny is Robert Shields

Seriously, they are getting dumb with all the deletions of posts. It's ridiculous. I'm sure this post will be deleted soon after I post it, and I will be banned for saying this.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

Seriously, they are getting dumb with all the deletions of posts. It's ridiculous. I'm sure this post will be deleted soon after I post it, and I will be banned for saying this.

I have no idea why posts were deleted because I didn't see them, but I do believe that if they were deleted there was a good reason for having done so. And your assertion that you might be banned is just a tad over the top.

[navyhog24]

I have no idea why posts were deleted because I didn't see them, but I do believe that if they were deleted there was a good reason for having done so. And your assertion that you might be banned is just a tad over the top.

It had the typical gifs that every other RS thread has ever had.

[GuvHog]

The only thing I would change in the SEC is putting Auburn in the east and Missouri in the west. For geography purposes alone it would make sense.

Never happen. Auburn won't agree to move to the SEC East unless Alabama moves with them. They refuse to be separated. I do however, believe both schools will eventually move to the SEC East.

[The_Iceman]

Never happen. Auburn won't agree to move to the SEC East unless Alabama moves with them. They refuse to be separated. I do however, believe both schools will eventually move to the SEC East.

If they allow Auburn to be Alabama's permanent rival every year, why not? I think it would be better for their rivalry if they had the potential to meet twice a year.

[texas tush hog]

If they allow Auburn to be Alabama's permanent rival every year, why not? I think it would be better for their rivalry if they had the potential to meet twice a year.

First of all. this will never happen, for reasons too numerous to mention. People in the know who I have mentioned this to, burst out laughing when I showed them Robert's article. Summertime rumors are just that, rumors, and are laughable, and nobody with serious connections, even stop to consider them. Sorry to rain on your parade.

[WilsonHog]

Here is an example of one they deleted:

I have to ask a question that I have wondered about periodically.

Let's suppose, as in this case, that an admin removed a post from a privately-owned internet message board. What is the intent behind reposting it? What is the hoped for result?

(BTW, I didn't remove the posts - and even contributed to them - but if I think like an adult for just a moment I can easily see why they were removed.)

[PonderinHog]

Well, I'm kinda slow.  I didn't get it the first time...

[The_Iceman]

I have to ask a question that I have wondered about periodically.

Let's suppose, as in this case, that an admin removed a post from a privately-owned internet message board. What is the intent behind reposting it? What is the hoped for result?

(BTW, I didn't remove the posts - and even contributed to them - but if I think like an adult for just a moment I can easily see why they were removed.)

I think most people understand by now that it has very little to do with Robert Shields, and more with seeing how creative we can be.

[ADavisTheGOAT]

Who is Robert Shields?

[The_Iceman]

Who is Robert Shields?

[ballz2thewall]

i've seen a lot of discussion on this. much of it a bit deeper than usual forum talk.

the best writings i've seen to date suggest that IF ou is moving, it will likely be to the pac.

good article, robert. there's so much in consideration on this topic that it would take evolving, loose-leaf volumes.

[GuvHog]

i've seen a lot of discussion on this. much of it a bit deeper than usual forum talk.

the best writings i've seen to date suggest that IF ou is moving, it will likely be to the pac.

good article, robert. there's so much in consideration on this topic that it would take evolving, loose-leaf volumes.

I would agree with you about OU heading to the Pac 12 if the Pac 12 would take Okla State too. Ain't happenin'.

[GuvHog]

First of all. this will never happen, for reasons too numerous to mention. People in the know who I have mentioned this to, burst out laughing when I showed them Robert's article. Summertime rumors are just that, rumors, and are laughable, and nobody with serious connections, even stop to consider them. Sorry to rain on your parade.

Are those "people in the know" connected with OU???

[RazorbackToTheFuture]

I think most people understand by now that it has very little to do with Robert Shields, and more with seeing how creative we can be.

That is correct!  Mods are getting way too cranky about gifs.  I got banned for a week for in the deleted Transformers thread.

Who is Robert Shields?

You guys never get it right....it's - Who the hell is Robert Shields?

[Doug]

That is correct!  Mods are getting way too cranky about gifs.

Speak for your own damn self! I don't always participate in the RS Gif-a-thon, but when I do, I usually spend 1-3 hours to find the PERFECT GIFs.

And yes, I've had my three awesome GIFS (which took me 90 minutes to locate, ten queue berry mush!) tossed.

I get what Tom is saying, but I'm right there with Iceman on this. I come here for the GIFs, not whatever bandwidth waster Wobble Sharlds puts out.

[zane]

Speak for your own damn self! I don't always participate in the RS Gif-a-thon, but when I do, I usually spend 1-3 hours to find the PERFECT GIFs.

And yes, I've had my three awesome GIFS (which took me 90 minutes to locate, ten queue berry mush!) tossed.

I like posting the TL;DR gifs. The fact is, I could have read RS's drivel 15 times in the time it takes me to find the perfect TL;DR gif or meme. It's tradition

[theFlyingHog]

Speak for your own damn self! I don't always participate in the RS Gif-a-thon, but when I do, I usually spend 1-3 hours to find the PERFECT GIFs.

And yes, I've had my three awesome GIFS (which took me 90 minutes to locate, ten queue berry mush!) tossed.

I get what Tom is saying, but I'm right there with Iceman on this. I come here for the GIFs, not whatever bandwidth waster Wobble Sharlds puts out.

I can't figure why Shields' posts aren't deleted when they only result in posts that are deleted

[RazorbackToTheFuture]

Speak for your own damn self! I don't always participate in the RS Gif-a-thon, but when I do, I usually spend 1-3 hours to find the PERFECT GIFs.

And yes, I've had my three awesome GIFS (which took me 90 minutes to locate, ten queue berry mush!) tossed.

I get what Tom is saying, but I'm right there with Iceman on this. I come here for the GIFs, not whatever bandwidth waster Wobble Sharlds puts out.

Alright I'll try my gif again since Doug doesn't have a problem with em.

Here's my take on Wobby's latest post.

[Calling All Hogs]

I just come for the posts where the grammar is corrected and stay for the GIFs  

[PonderinHog]

I just come for the posts were the grammar is corrected and stay for the GIFs

Wear!   

[RzRbAcK18]

Can we start talking with snooty proper accents? I feel like a prestigious country club everyone wants to join but cant. We look at them and laugh (super proper fancy laugh).

[Calling All Hogs]

Wear!   

I have to learn to never make a grammar post with a typo.

[PonderinHog]

I have to learn to never make a grammar post with a typo.

I'm hear too help...

[Doyle Hograves]

[MrKnowItAll]

Speak for your own damn self! I don't always participate in the RS Gif-a-thon, but when I do, I usually spend 1-3 hours to find the PERFECT GIFs.

And yes, I've had my three awesome GIFS (which took me 90 minutes to locate, ten queue berry mush!) tossed.

I get what Tom is saying, but I'm right there with Iceman on this. I come here for the GIFs, not whatever bandwidth waster Wobble Sharlds puts out.

[Boardon Hamsay]

If we are going to manage/limit RS thread gif fun then I say we bring back/enable [you] to maintain a proper balance of info and shenaniganry.

[duckman]

I posted a nice wholesome picture of Jim Carrey drilling a hole in his head and it gets deleted. #ButtHurt

[ballz2thewall]

honestly, the gif's make the place look like facebook. but hey.................[fill in the rest].

[BadHog]

I only read these Robert Shields threads for the gifs!!!

[Rzbakfromwaybak]

Gee, this is the first time (in 3 days) I've heard the idea of Oklahoma moving to the SEC ...

Maybe the title of this thread should have been:

"Summertime redundant threads, point to the necessity of football season to start"

[duckman]

[LSUFan]

I thought it was Wobble Sharts