It's complex yet the simplest explanation is usually correct. Unfortunately that is $.
Playoff expansion essentially means that conference championships are meaningless to get into CFP. With that said, schools simply needs to be in the top 10-20% of the BEST power conference if it is the "mega" conference of a 16 team SEC. So technically schools will vote "yes" to the OU/Texas move to SEC as it adds revenue, and doesn't materially change playoff chances with playoff expansion. Make no mistake, this is a business decision for each school and the SEC lightweights will vote yes for $. The SEC heavyweights will vote yes because their combined chances of CFP are not materially different in an expansion era by adding 2 teams, but revenues will be higher and so will league prestige. A&M needs to tread lightly in how to navigate this, as I believe the only real hope here is OK St, Baylor, Tech throwing a legal wrench into it. A&M could lose a lot of support on blocking OU/Texas if you follow the logic above. It's clear only A&M materially loses ground here in this move. LSU and Arkansas lose a little, but not nearly as much as us.
I don't believe that A&M in the long run loses nearly as much "branding" as one believes with Texas joining SEC. While it has been a differentiator Texas will be the liberal flavor and we will be the conservative flavor. It didn't stop A&M and Texas from having a near split record since 1975-2011 in two separate but "in same" conferences.
Anyway my 2c. I do hope they get voted down. Separate Conferences makes life far better for both schools to set their own path.
Playoff expansion essentially means that conference championships are meaningless to get into CFP. With that said, schools simply needs to be in the top 10-20% of the BEST power conference if it is the "mega" conference of a 16 team SEC. So technically schools will vote "yes" to the OU/Texas move to SEC as it adds revenue, and doesn't materially change playoff chances with playoff expansion. Make no mistake, this is a business decision for each school and the SEC lightweights will vote yes for $. The SEC heavyweights will vote yes because their combined chances of CFP are not materially different in an expansion era by adding 2 teams, but revenues will be higher and so will league prestige. A&M needs to tread lightly in how to navigate this, as I believe the only real hope here is OK St, Baylor, Tech throwing a legal wrench into it. A&M could lose a lot of support on blocking OU/Texas if you follow the logic above. It's clear only A&M materially loses ground here in this move. LSU and Arkansas lose a little, but not nearly as much as us.
I don't believe that A&M in the long run loses nearly as much "branding" as one believes with Texas joining SEC. While it has been a differentiator Texas will be the liberal flavor and we will be the conservative flavor. It didn't stop A&M and Texas from having a near split record since 1975-2011 in two separate but "in same" conferences.
Anyway my 2c. I do hope they get voted down. Separate Conferences makes life far better for both schools to set their own path.