Oklahoma and Texas Are No Shows to Big 12 League Call

The “Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC” whispers are starting to sound more and more like someone talking with an inside voice.

With a 5 p.m. CT call scheduled among all Big 12 ADs and CEOs, the only two contingencies missing were, you guessed it, Oklahoma and Texas.

Oklahoma and Texas officials are not currently on the Big 12 call w/league ADs & CEO’s, sources told @Stadium. Perhaps another sign, OU & Texas have decided to leave for SEC

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 22, 2021

Yahoo Sports‘ Pete Thamel, Sports Illustrated‘s Ross Dellenger and The Athletic‘s Nicole Auerbach all echoed McMurphy’s sentiments, painting a picture that looks more and more like Oklahoma and Texas’s overtures toward the SEC are legitimate.

With signs pointing toward Oklahoma and Texas leaving the Big 12 for the SEC, where does that leave West Virginia?

It would take a vote among SEC schools to accept Oklahoma and Texas, and with Texas A&M and Missouri (likely) not keen to welcome two old foes, there’s a chance the move would break down. However, with the financial implications of both Big 12 schools in the SEC, it’s likely something has to give. A story from Thamel regarding prior SEC restructuring highlights the power of the dollar.

Behind the scenes tidbit from a decade ago thats instructive when considering a potential vote in SEC for OU and Texas. The Big 12 felt early on that Mississippi State and Ole Miss were lined up to join Vandy and LSU against taking A&M. 1/2

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 22, 2021

If the Big 12 were to attempt to poach from the American Athletic Conference or Pac 12 for new members, would that keep the Big 12 around? Arizona, Arizona State, Houston, UCF, Cincinnati and others would certainly receive looks, but even then, would that work? And would WVU want to stay?

There’s more to come as more information breaks today and in the days to come.