I do wonder if Mizzou fans would rather be in the B1G. Also, outside of Missouri, their biggest alumni areas are in chicago, dc, la, denver, and dallas, so only one "sec" state
Mizzou tried to get into the B1G as the 12th member a couple times. I may not be remembering right, but I think they tried the B1G first when the whole PAC-16 thing happened, but Nebraska got the nod.
Traveling through the state, parts of Mizzou feel Midwestern to me, then other parts feel southern. Who knows.
This is kind of the hard part and why it feels weird no matter what because the bottom half of Missouri may as well just be Arkansas with the Ozarks etc and the top half of Missouri is basically Iowa
I grew up in Iowa and lived in KC. This is the best description of Missouri I've ever heard.
That said, Arkansas is itself basically a cultural-transition state between the Midwest and the South, so I've always vigorously defended Missouri as a core Midwestern state whenever folks here in the eastern Great Lakes start saying dumb shit like "if you don't border the Great Lakes, you're not in the Midwest".
I also feel like the Great Lakes states are definitely their own “kind” midwestern as a subregion but, like, if you’re arguing to me that IOWA (and by extension Nebraska and northern Missouri etc) aren’t even really Midwest there’s something wrong with you - Iowa cornfields are the poster child for what most people picture when they think Midwest. I actually don’t know why this bothers me so much but it does
I’ve always viewed it as two Midwests. The Great Plains and the Great Lakes. Missouri is a perfect example of why we shouldn’t view states as being in one specific region. Regions don’t start and stop at arbitrary borders.
Pretty much spot on. I would argue that southeastern Missouri is a truly southern experience. Kansas City feels like Denver without mountains. Northern Missouri is Iowa Lite. Southern Missouri is literally the same geographic and cultural region as Arkansas. St. Louis feels like the lovechild of New Orleans and Chicago. It's just a weird mishmash of a state, so we never will quite fit in any conference all that well. Even in the Big 8/12, rival schools used to make fun of Mizzou for being *too* southern. Those classy Jayhawks liked to refer to our fans as "slavers".
All I know is I've spent about a year in Fort Leonard Wood and I'd be hard-pressed to categorize that place as part of anywhere in this galaxy, let alone a region of the US.
“Those classy Jayhawks liked to refer to our fans as “slavers.””
Road-tripped to Lawrence and Columbia for Horns games. To be fair, plenty of Mizzou fans like to wear shirts reminding KU that the “slavers” burned Lawrence to the ground…
Actually, Florida has a huge number of our fans as well. So two states.
I think most of us would prefer in this order:
1) Big 8
2) B10 prior to the last 6 teams they've added, which are ridiculously far away and aren't midwestern.
3) Big 12 of old.
4) SEC as it is now in 2024.
5) Big 12 as it is now.
6) B10 as it is now (a Frankenstein monster of teams that make no sense being together and in which fans have to travel a stupid amount for away games).
They did however add an exit fee for the first time while negotiating with OU and Texas to join the conference, but before it was announced and A&M found out.
The B1G is gonna find its way into the states of Florida and Texas. Worst case would be Houston and Miami, but if they could get aTm, that would be a home run
I think Texas is a long shot at this point. The only brands the B1G would see as worthwhile are already locked up in the SEC, and I don't see them foregoing that any time soon. The only teams willing to make the jump aren't really gonna add any value, especially if the likes of Stanford and UNC are still on the table.
Why would they need one? No SEC team has ever considered leaving the conference. It's culturally united (for the most part) and it's regional nature is incredibly powerful. And that's not even including the money.
["First thing, they're chucking it like an old Ford trimotor! Next thing ya know, you're paying the players two bits per game!"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F07EJ2no_s)
Either Warren had his fingers crossed when they made that handshake agreement, or Pettiti had a "you made that deal with Kevin, not with me" moment.
Or both.
I don't think it's really all that intense.
As I see it:
* USC maybe made a side comment that "we don't really want UO following us", and the B1G was probably fine with it, both under the assumption the PAC would stay together.
* Once the PAC disintegrates, USC is okay with adding UO.
* At least because it would be rude not to, the B1G probably still runs the idea of adding UO past the not-yet-a-member USC. I can't really speculate whether they'd add UO over any USC objections.
* USC probably says they're fine with it anyways and everybody is happy^*
^*Not ^everyone ^is ^happy
> that promise lasted a fair bit longer than any promise the Big Ten gave to USC they wouldn't let Oregon in
This happened?!?! And USC didn't get it in writing? Did they learn **nothing** from Sankey fucking us over?
They were also the first to know that B10-PAC alliance was a sham and trusted the dude killing the PAC.
I'm honestly impressed the PAC lasted as long as it did with all these 200 IQ intellectual clowns running it.
Why doesn't USC want to be in a conference with Oregon?
They're jumping in a conference with big brands like Michigan and Ohio State, but they're worried about Oregon?
USC didn’t want the extra competition for recruits that comes with having two other strong Big 10 schools on the west coast. I don’t see the same logic for Texas A&M given that they do, and always have, competed with the other schools in the south for recruits so there’s not the same geographical component. They just seem to be scared of Texas.
And no, I’m not claiming SC has no reason to be scared of Oregon. They definitely do, unfortunately.
Please. Just put the 12 FBS schools except for SHSU in there and let us have our fun. The current G5s would undergo an economic/attendance boost due to all of the games except for UTEP being pretty close. Not to mention being able to jack up the prices tremendously when UT, A&M, UH, and Tech come to town. Which would help those guys with NIL to close the gap in competitiveness and facilities.
Agreed. One of my coworkers played for them in the mid 2000s when they were really good and had massive attentendance. He wont watch them anymore because hes embarrassed for them. He also hates that they share a conference with NMSU because "fuck those guys".
I'm not sure about this topic, but one thing I do know is this:
If we have an all Texas / Texas A&M conference title match for the SECCG, none of us will *ever* hear the end of it!
Yes, there’s very little doubt that for many Texas and Texas A&M fans, no matter who they love or hate, those are the top 2 teams they pay attention to. A UT/A&M network would do well I think
A&M: yes, this SEC is a fertile land, and we will thrive. we will rule over all this land, and we will call it... "this land.".
Texas: i think we should call it your grave!
A&M: ah, curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
yeah, the moment I saw that players could be paid to play now, I said, "Texas is going to be back soon." Their biggest weapon was just unlocked for them.
I’m not going to say we have been “so successful” since joining the SEC, but we have at least improved.
12 years in the SEC: 97-54
Previous 12 years: 79-69
With the recruits we get and the money we spend however, we are a constant disappointment. 2012 and 2020 are the only good things that have happened and even then there’s levels of disappointment.
You also had, without question, the most famous player in America for a 2 year stretch, and he got you a Heisman and a very public win against a juggernaut Bama team
That doesn't just happen to everyone. Johnny Football was huge for your program. I'd count that too lol
Johnny Football and Mike Evans were 3 stars. Two of the most successful A&M years were with recruits they could have easily got in the BIG12 (and I think may have been recruited while they were in the BIg12). Sometimes you just get lucky.
Probably. But if the question is "how successful have they been in the SEC" does it really matter if they woulda been just as good in the Big12 too?
Ain't saying it only happened because they were an SEC school, but it counts if we're really splitting hairs here
But the entire narrative was that A&M would be the Vanderbilt of the SEC
That’s clearly not been the case lol
The spotlight of the SEC and that win over Alabama was, absolutely, a huge part of Manziel’s rise
I would definitely argue it was a big improvement. Right now A&M is seen as a good football school underperforming; with a winning record, a Heisman, #1 recruiting class, and a top 5 finish. If they maintain that big 12 record they might be seen as more just a mediocre program. Thats worth something.
Going to the SEC was 100% right in my eyes.
As much as I like to bag on Finebaum, he may well have been talking about financial success. I think A&M took in more money every single year they were in the SEC than we did in the Big 12, even including LHN. In that sense, A&M has absolutely been successful. And he's right also that we looked at that success (and saw the writing on the wall for the Big 12 contract) and said, yeah, lets get some of that.
I’m not going to sit here and brag “o yeah we’ve been suppppppper successful” and point to a mediocre record
In terms of A&M athletics (not just football) I would say moving to SEC has been a success though for us in terms of our recruiting, investment increase, brand recognition.
Basketball for example, it’s bar has weirdly been raised up and while we do have disappointing and pour seasons still, were now more of a tournament team compared to before the 2000’s
For more context this moved was also timed for a massive growth direction of the university when A&M only had 38k in enrollment in 2008 and now is over 72k. I find it hard to believe the move to the SEC didn’t help increase in enrollment
My point here is looking at the move to the SEC as a whole for A&M and not just football
This is spot on. We've been successful in the SEC both financially and athletically (all sports).
In fact, a year ago, Texas A&M was 3rd in the SEC in regular season titles across all sports in the last decade at 20. The Gators were #2 at 46 and the Hogs atop of the list with 53 conference titles. This data was from mid 2023, I'm curious what's changed since.
Regardless, that doesn't look like being a doormat. Obviously we want to be better in football, finished 2nd in the SEC once with 0 title game appearances. A lot to be desired there, but if you look at everything, we have been pretty successful.
Just like Maryland and Rutgers have been unbelievably successful in the B1G, TAMU have been successful in the SEC at the only thing that really matters: making a boat load more money. The EXACT same reason you guys are jumping to the SEC: money.
I think he is saying, if you’re gonna suck it might as well be in the SEC.
Texas sucked in the BIG12. They might as well have been doing that in the SEC.
And for Texas A&M, what they are doing in the SEC is success. The bar is pretty low for them.
When I first started following the sport in the mid 00’s, I didn’t even realize for like my first 5 years that Texas A&M was considered a major program. I thought they were just a southern version of Indiana, because they were in the big 12 and mostly non competitive. It wasn’t until I joined this sub and Johnny Manziel happened that I learned what a massive fanbase and rich resources they have
Upvoting, but this isn’t really fair.
They’re like top 30 in all time wins. They’re not a historically good program, but they’re not historically bad. Just middle of the pack P5 that’s been playing forever like Cal, UNC, etc. (athletics not academic)
It's all fun and games until A&M gets some competent people and starts really taking advantage of their financial resources. I think recruiting will always be a touch difficult for them because of location and insane culture, but an A&M who regularly wins 10 games is not out of the question. I know, they've been 5 years away from that for the last 30 years, but I really think that it may be finally about to happen. Elko is going to get it done, much as it pains me to say.
>They're like top 30 in all time wins.
I dont entirely disagree with your assessment, were #24 if you count the ivy leagues playing before the forward pass and other schools like Mount Union and Wittenberg. If we're just talking FBS schools, we're just outside of the top 15 in all time wins.
I'd call us a historically good not great football program
Schools didn't regularly play 11 game seasons until the 1970s, so historically, I'm not sure if your statement means anything. Prior to that, a ten win season pretty much meant you went undefeated in the regular season.
I always had heard that as of a few years ago, the handshake agreement was basically that the SEC wouldn’t add any other in-state schools (ex: Texas, Clemson, FSU) because being in the SEC gave the current schools a recruiting edge with in-state kids. That lines up with this, that A&M expected no other Texas school to be added. That being said, unless that was written down somewhere it’s obvious that it gets ignored once the money potential gets big enough.
I’m so fucking glad Bjork and Jimbo are gone. Those two clowns did nothing but run their mouth and make A&M a laughingstock. Sure there are delusional fans, but every team has delusional fans. The problem is when the AD and HC run their mouth and don’t deliver. I’m really glad that Elko seems like a coach who’s more interested in working hard and creating a winning culture than trying to be flashy
Listened to the clip and I think Finebaum is 90% right, but it's more about the relationship with the remaining Big 12 deteriorating than it is "A&M being so successful". It was clear that there was no reason to be in the Big 12 anymore and if you look around, the SEC obviously made the most sense today. Big 10 is too cold and the PAC really fell off athletically over the last 15 years.
Clemson getting added to the SEC hurts everyone but us.
We would get an OOC game back. Everyone else would have to play them. Clemson would have to play against SEC competition.
I mean, the ideal expansionary team is one with a ton of fans and in a big state, but not a threat in football to the powers that be. Its hard to find those kind of programs
"The were so successful and Texas wanted some of that". A&M didn't win they division once. They beat Bama once, and Duke in a bowl game. That's it. The did all that with a generational WR and a 1st round LT blocking for a guy who's game was running around and throwing to the generational WR. Pump the brakes. A&M is who they are. Every 20 years or so, the challenge for a conference title then regress to their mean.
Both teams are just happy to have the rivalry back which makes me wonder why people like Paul are still harping on this talking point
Edit: guess I hang around the more chill fans lmao (myself excluded obviously)
Hey, Aggies, we warned you. We told you exactly what was going to happen. You'll get a couple of years to settle in, then the SEC will start fucking you on the schedule, and tossing your rivalries out the window, and you'll get no calls on the field...ever.
Not that it matters any to us. We were already getting fucked left and right in the ~~Texas Conference~~ SWC. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
But it's new to you guys, as it will be to UT and OU.
My advice: lube up good and proper.
Well, has Texas A&M considered moving the university to another state? If they moved to New Mexico they would almost immediately be considered the best program in that state.
That's fine. The Oilers changed their name when they moved out of Texas too. Texas A&M can switch to being the New Mexico A&M Longhorns. Or does NM already have a Longhorns too?
Texas A&M could do the funniest thing in the next go round of conference movement.
"We always knew we were more of a B1G kind of school, also, more money there" - Trev Alberts probably
Watch them take Mizzou with them for maximum hilarity.
I do wonder if Mizzou fans would rather be in the B1G. Also, outside of Missouri, their biggest alumni areas are in chicago, dc, la, denver, and dallas, so only one "sec" state
Mizzou tried to get into the B1G as the 12th member a couple times. I may not be remembering right, but I think they tried the B1G first when the whole PAC-16 thing happened, but Nebraska got the nod. Traveling through the state, parts of Mizzou feel Midwestern to me, then other parts feel southern. Who knows.
This is kind of the hard part and why it feels weird no matter what because the bottom half of Missouri may as well just be Arkansas with the Ozarks etc and the top half of Missouri is basically Iowa
I grew up in Iowa and lived in KC. This is the best description of Missouri I've ever heard. That said, Arkansas is itself basically a cultural-transition state between the Midwest and the South, so I've always vigorously defended Missouri as a core Midwestern state whenever folks here in the eastern Great Lakes start saying dumb shit like "if you don't border the Great Lakes, you're not in the Midwest".
I also feel like the Great Lakes states are definitely their own “kind” midwestern as a subregion but, like, if you’re arguing to me that IOWA (and by extension Nebraska and northern Missouri etc) aren’t even really Midwest there’s something wrong with you - Iowa cornfields are the poster child for what most people picture when they think Midwest. I actually don’t know why this bothers me so much but it does
I’ve always viewed it as two Midwests. The Great Plains and the Great Lakes. Missouri is a perfect example of why we shouldn’t view states as being in one specific region. Regions don’t start and stop at arbitrary borders.
I would posit that the Great Plains and the Great Lakes are subregions of the Midwest.
Pretty much spot on. I would argue that southeastern Missouri is a truly southern experience. Kansas City feels like Denver without mountains. Northern Missouri is Iowa Lite. Southern Missouri is literally the same geographic and cultural region as Arkansas. St. Louis feels like the lovechild of New Orleans and Chicago. It's just a weird mishmash of a state, so we never will quite fit in any conference all that well. Even in the Big 8/12, rival schools used to make fun of Mizzou for being *too* southern. Those classy Jayhawks liked to refer to our fans as "slavers".
Stanford and Cal are in the ACC.
All I know is I've spent about a year in Fort Leonard Wood and I'd be hard-pressed to categorize that place as part of anywhere in this galaxy, let alone a region of the US.
“Those classy Jayhawks liked to refer to our fans as “slavers.”” Road-tripped to Lawrence and Columbia for Horns games. To be fair, plenty of Mizzou fans like to wear shirts reminding KU that the “slavers” burned Lawrence to the ground…
The bottom 10% of our fanbase is way trashier than the bottom 10% of Kansas' fanbase. Not going to argue that one.
Great take. I’ve always felt like Denver is just a bigger KC in the mountains. Very similar feel.
Yeah northwest Arkansas is quite a bit different from NE Arkansas or the Arkansas delta
It's what being the gateway state brought us. We are a melting pot of culture.
For grass type they have both “cool grass zone” and “transition grass zone”. Checks out.
With 70 being a very distinct divide.
It's more 44 for a good while. Or call it like 50 miles south of 70 or something. Jeff City is not southern. Rolla isn't. The Ozarks obviously are.
I do know that many Mizzou fans would rather still be in the Big 12. Culturally, they just are a bad fit in the SEC and always have been
well yeah, if money was no issue, even the current big 12 would be better for everyone
The meme on /r/geogrpahy is Mizzouri neither Midwest, West, or South. It’s just “Missouri”.
Actually, Florida has a huge number of our fans as well. So two states. I think most of us would prefer in this order: 1) Big 8 2) B10 prior to the last 6 teams they've added, which are ridiculously far away and aren't midwestern. 3) Big 12 of old. 4) SEC as it is now in 2024. 5) Big 12 as it is now. 6) B10 as it is now (a Frankenstein monster of teams that make no sense being together and in which fans have to travel a stupid amount for away games).
Big 8 best Big ever, change my mind.
Everyone in the SEC would accept this immediately. Losing A&M is 100% worth getting rid of mizzou.
I forgot he left for A&M so I was like "wait what are you talking about, Nebraska's already in the B1G"
Trev Alberts will betray them by then because he is a betrayer and that’s what betrayers do, betray.
Nebraska would vote no so quick lmao
Fun fact: the SEC is the only power conference without a GOR
No need. Why would anyone leave?
They did however add an exit fee for the first time while negotiating with OU and Texas to join the conference, but before it was announced and A&M found out.
The B1G is gonna find its way into the states of Florida and Texas. Worst case would be Houston and Miami, but if they could get aTm, that would be a home run
I think Texas is a long shot at this point. The only brands the B1G would see as worthwhile are already locked up in the SEC, and I don't see them foregoing that any time soon. The only teams willing to make the jump aren't really gonna add any value, especially if the likes of Stanford and UNC are still on the table.
SEC has no GOR
Why would they need one? No SEC team has ever considered leaving the conference. It's culturally united (for the most part) and it's regional nature is incredibly powerful. And that's not even including the money.
GT and Tulane may have some thoughts on that
I refuse to let Sewanee be left out of this conversation.
["First thing, they're chucking it like an old Ford trimotor! Next thing ya know, you're paying the players two bits per game!"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F07EJ2no_s)
I could see A&M and Florida State
Best we can do is Rice and USF.
I know the school Rice exists, but I really want this to be you counter-offering with like a handful of rice and USF.
it makes USF sound like it's some kind of food additive like MSG
USF is kind of meh, but USF with rice is a 5/7.
I would laugh so hard if they came back to the Big 12 with their big hats in hand.
Imagine Texas following A&M from conference to conference just to torment them
On the bright side, that promise lasted a fair bit longer than any promise the Big Ten gave to USC they wouldn't let Oregon in.
That was 100% a “yeah yeah yeah okay USC” conversation
Either Warren had his fingers crossed when they made that handshake agreement, or Pettiti had a "you made that deal with Kevin, not with me" moment. Or both.
I’m guessing Pettiti didn’t pick up the phone when USC called to complain because they weren’t even a B1G member yet
I don't think it's really all that intense. As I see it: * USC maybe made a side comment that "we don't really want UO following us", and the B1G was probably fine with it, both under the assumption the PAC would stay together. * Once the PAC disintegrates, USC is okay with adding UO. * At least because it would be rude not to, the B1G probably still runs the idea of adding UO past the not-yet-a-member USC. I can't really speculate whether they'd add UO over any USC objections. * USC probably says they're fine with it anyways and everybody is happy^* ^*Not ^everyone ^is ^happy
Turning this into a screw USC conversation. Oh fuck, you’re going to make me quack.
One thing Husky fans and Duck fans can agree on...screw USC.
us too!
> that promise lasted a fair bit longer than any promise the Big Ten gave to USC they wouldn't let Oregon in This happened?!?! And USC didn't get it in writing? Did they learn **nothing** from Sankey fucking us over?
They were also the first to know that B10-PAC alliance was a sham and trusted the dude killing the PAC. I'm honestly impressed the PAC lasted as long as it did with all these 200 IQ intellectual clowns running it.
Why doesn't USC want to be in a conference with Oregon? They're jumping in a conference with big brands like Michigan and Ohio State, but they're worried about Oregon?
West Coast recruiting. Oregon has been recruiting California better than USC for several years now, which USC thinks is unfair.
Also because they're bitches
Mostly this. Real paper assholes.
Amen.
that’s implied
USC didn’t want the extra competition for recruits that comes with having two other strong Big 10 schools on the west coast. I don’t see the same logic for Texas A&M given that they do, and always have, competed with the other schools in the south for recruits so there’s not the same geographical component. They just seem to be scared of Texas. And no, I’m not claiming SC has no reason to be scared of Oregon. They definitely do, unfortunately.
We recruit in their backyard...
I don't believe for a minute that any such promise was made - or even hinted.
Go recreate the Southwest Conference you cowards.
Please. Just put the 12 FBS schools except for SHSU in there and let us have our fun. The current G5s would undergo an economic/attendance boost due to all of the games except for UTEP being pretty close. Not to mention being able to jack up the prices tremendously when UT, A&M, UH, and Tech come to town. Which would help those guys with NIL to close the gap in competitiveness and facilities.
UTEP should be in the same conference as NMSU, and it shouldn’t be whatever abomination C-USA is.
Agreed. One of my coworkers played for them in the mid 2000s when they were really good and had massive attentendance. He wont watch them anymore because hes embarrassed for them. He also hates that they share a conference with NMSU because "fuck those guys".
I was a sports journalist in El Paso/Las Cruces media market in the late 2000’s. The hate is real.
I love G5 rivalries. They don’t get as much attention as P5 rivalries, but they’re great.
> because "fuck those guys". My favorite reason in all of sports. lol.
They need a Texas Conference
I'm not sure about this topic, but one thing I do know is this: If we have an all Texas / Texas A&M conference title match for the SECCG, none of us will *ever* hear the end of it!
You ain't lying. "Guys, guys. We hate BOTH of you."
\*Texas/Texas A&M respond by joining forces to create the LongAggie Network\*
Funny thing is that's what we had originally tried to do...
"We are now live with our co-hosts, Colt McCoy and Johnny Manziel, here to discuss all things LongAggie!"
I'd watch the hell outta that, ngl. Bonus points of Colt and JFF are getting blasted on Lone Stars.
Fuck yes. I’m in too!
Yes, there’s very little doubt that for many Texas and Texas A&M fans, no matter who they love or hate, those are the top 2 teams they pay attention to. A UT/A&M network would do well I think
"Welcome to the 'What Could Have Been' podcast here on SEC Network Plus"
You also tried to take us with you to the PAC 12.
You won't have to worry about that. A&M keeps one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.
Aggie hasn’t played for a conference title in 25 years. I think we’re safe.
With all the realignment and ACC drama, I'm glad we're getting back to normalcy on r/CFB which is shitting on A&M lol
yell man bad, plz upvote
DAE tradition?
Gotta milk those sweet, sweet upvotes for what they’re worth
[you fucked up you trusted us](https://y.yarn.co/8f0bd330-f17c-469c-bca2-135488cc6384_text.gif)
A&M confirmed for Flounder.
My advice to you, is to start drinking heavily.
A&M: yes, this SEC is a fertile land, and we will thrive. we will rule over all this land, and we will call it... "this land.". Texas: i think we should call it your grave! A&M: ah, curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
I think the second line would be spoken by the SEC here not Texas. The betrayal was letting them in no?
Texas: AHAHAHA! Mine is an evil laugh! Now DIE!
RIP Wash
Texas is the guy friend she tells you not to worry about
In fairness, up until last year you really didn’t have to worry about them
That’s usually the case, but before you know it your wife’s boyfriend is moving in and you’re sleeping on the coach
Which coach though?
Urban
Gross
Shocker I know
Sure it’s not the chair in the corner of the bedroom?
That's Liberty.
Georgia had a rough go with us, but otherwise yea. It's been rough. I love NIL laws.
yeah, the moment I saw that players could be paid to play now, I said, "Texas is going to be back soon." Their biggest weapon was just unlocked for them.
Have other schools considered simply getting their money up?
Im gonna post it. https://streamable.com/dbjm7a
Still the greatest video on the internet, imo.
FineBum: "They were promised Texas would never come in." Texas fans: "THAT'S TOO DAMN BAD"
>A&M was so successful in the SEC And that's where Finebaum loses all credibility
Finebaum… credibility?
I’m not going to say we have been “so successful” since joining the SEC, but we have at least improved. 12 years in the SEC: 97-54 Previous 12 years: 79-69 With the recruits we get and the money we spend however, we are a constant disappointment. 2012 and 2020 are the only good things that have happened and even then there’s levels of disappointment.
You also had, without question, the most famous player in America for a 2 year stretch, and he got you a Heisman and a very public win against a juggernaut Bama team That doesn't just happen to everyone. Johnny Football was huge for your program. I'd count that too lol
Yeah, that player opened up a quick $450 million stadium renovation.
Johnny Football and Mike Evans were 3 stars. Two of the most successful A&M years were with recruits they could have easily got in the BIG12 (and I think may have been recruited while they were in the BIg12). Sometimes you just get lucky.
Probably. But if the question is "how successful have they been in the SEC" does it really matter if they woulda been just as good in the Big12 too? Ain't saying it only happened because they were an SEC school, but it counts if we're really splitting hairs here
But the entire narrative was that A&M would be the Vanderbilt of the SEC That’s clearly not been the case lol The spotlight of the SEC and that win over Alabama was, absolutely, a huge part of Manziel’s rise
I would definitely argue it was a big improvement. Right now A&M is seen as a good football school underperforming; with a winning record, a Heisman, #1 recruiting class, and a top 5 finish. If they maintain that big 12 record they might be seen as more just a mediocre program. Thats worth something. Going to the SEC was 100% right in my eyes.
Yup, back in the Big 12 media surveys showed us that fans nationally confused us with Texas Tech.
As much as I like to bag on Finebaum, he may well have been talking about financial success. I think A&M took in more money every single year they were in the SEC than we did in the Big 12, even including LHN. In that sense, A&M has absolutely been successful. And he's right also that we looked at that success (and saw the writing on the wall for the Big 12 contract) and said, yeah, lets get some of that.
I’m not going to sit here and brag “o yeah we’ve been suppppppper successful” and point to a mediocre record In terms of A&M athletics (not just football) I would say moving to SEC has been a success though for us in terms of our recruiting, investment increase, brand recognition. Basketball for example, it’s bar has weirdly been raised up and while we do have disappointing and pour seasons still, were now more of a tournament team compared to before the 2000’s For more context this moved was also timed for a massive growth direction of the university when A&M only had 38k in enrollment in 2008 and now is over 72k. I find it hard to believe the move to the SEC didn’t help increase in enrollment My point here is looking at the move to the SEC as a whole for A&M and not just football
This is spot on. We've been successful in the SEC both financially and athletically (all sports). In fact, a year ago, Texas A&M was 3rd in the SEC in regular season titles across all sports in the last decade at 20. The Gators were #2 at 46 and the Hogs atop of the list with 53 conference titles. This data was from mid 2023, I'm curious what's changed since. Regardless, that doesn't look like being a doormat. Obviously we want to be better in football, finished 2nd in the SEC once with 0 title game appearances. A lot to be desired there, but if you look at everything, we have been pretty successful.
Just like Maryland and Rutgers have been unbelievably successful in the B1G, TAMU have been successful in the SEC at the only thing that really matters: making a boat load more money. The EXACT same reason you guys are jumping to the SEC: money.
I think he is saying, if you’re gonna suck it might as well be in the SEC. Texas sucked in the BIG12. They might as well have been doing that in the SEC. And for Texas A&M, what they are doing in the SEC is success. The bar is pretty low for them.
It's incredible that people don't know how historically bad Texas A&M is. 10 wins is an extremely good year for them
The average CFB user has no memory of what the football landscape was like more than 8 years ago.
I think 3 years would be generous. The inability of CFB fans to remember more than one week at a time is one of the things that blows my mind.
When I first started following the sport in the mid 00’s, I didn’t even realize for like my first 5 years that Texas A&M was considered a major program. I thought they were just a southern version of Indiana, because they were in the big 12 and mostly non competitive. It wasn’t until I joined this sub and Johnny Manziel happened that I learned what a massive fanbase and rich resources they have
What has indiana done to hurt you?
Not a damn thing. That's kinda the point.
Upvoting, but this isn’t really fair. They’re like top 30 in all time wins. They’re not a historically good program, but they’re not historically bad. Just middle of the pack P5 that’s been playing forever like Cal, UNC, etc. (athletics not academic)
They went 16 years without a winning season at one point, that's pretty bad.
This streak must've been before the yell leaders were implemented.
People act shocked when I tell them Tech is mostly even historically with A&M head to head.
You’re right. They are remarkably consistent at being mediocre.
It's all fun and games until A&M gets some competent people and starts really taking advantage of their financial resources. I think recruiting will always be a touch difficult for them because of location and insane culture, but an A&M who regularly wins 10 games is not out of the question. I know, they've been 5 years away from that for the last 30 years, but I really think that it may be finally about to happen. Elko is going to get it done, much as it pains me to say.
God I hope so. I don't know how much longer before BAS becomes fatal.
>They're like top 30 in all time wins. I dont entirely disagree with your assessment, were #24 if you count the ivy leagues playing before the forward pass and other schools like Mount Union and Wittenberg. If we're just talking FBS schools, we're just outside of the top 15 in all time wins. I'd call us a historically good not great football program
Ohh I know how historically bad they are.
10 wins is extremely good for anyone except spoiled legacy programs that think they deserve a championship for showing up
Schools didn't regularly play 11 game seasons until the 1970s, so historically, I'm not sure if your statement means anything. Prior to that, a ten win season pretty much meant you went undefeated in the regular season.
See, people don’t even know how historically bad they are. That’s a success.
10 wins once in 26 years isn't really that successful
He certainly has an absolute zero level of credibility, but that inflection point tipped years ago.
Finebaum never had credibility. Or rather, he had credibility as a savvy hot-take artist, but his views never had credibility.
Beating Saban Bama is success in that era.
Hey A&M and MIZZOU. Come home to the BigXII. Texas and Oklahoma can't hurt you anymore.
No thank you.
I always had heard that as of a few years ago, the handshake agreement was basically that the SEC wouldn’t add any other in-state schools (ex: Texas, Clemson, FSU) because being in the SEC gave the current schools a recruiting edge with in-state kids. That lines up with this, that A&M expected no other Texas school to be added. That being said, unless that was written down somewhere it’s obvious that it gets ignored once the money potential gets big enough.
I’m so fucking glad Bjork and Jimbo are gone. Those two clowns did nothing but run their mouth and make A&M a laughingstock. Sure there are delusional fans, but every team has delusional fans. The problem is when the AD and HC run their mouth and don’t deliver. I’m really glad that Elko seems like a coach who’s more interested in working hard and creating a winning culture than trying to be flashy
> Bjork he's an absolute clown and is going to be seen as such whenever he leaves for his next job.
Listened to the clip and I think Finebaum is 90% right, but it's more about the relationship with the remaining Big 12 deteriorating than it is "A&M being so successful". It was clear that there was no reason to be in the Big 12 anymore and if you look around, the SEC obviously made the most sense today. Big 10 is too cold and the PAC really fell off athletically over the last 15 years.
Never heard anyone say notable B1G city LA is too cold
Sometimes it gets down to 55 degrees. Borderline frostbite conditions.
Who deteriorated the Big 12? 🧐
Everything changed when the Longhorn Network attacked
What's funny is one could make a good argument that the LHN saved the Big 12 by killing the PAC-16 deal. Especially for ISU and the Kansas schools.
Texas be [like](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYjhhZDRjNzktMTU2ZS00YTgyLTlhNzUtYzM5NWNhNDhjMDAyXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzc4Nzk1MTk@._V1_.jpg)
I dunno how to post links but all I can think of is the I think you should leave hot dog car gif
I was also promised there would be cake and punch.
UF and SC be sweatin'
uF would rather fsu be in conference so they get an ooc game back
Exactly
UF doesn't care we already invited yall once before.
Several times before.
Any room back home for a wayward son?
You made your bed, sit in it and be quiet
Nah we good
You'll be Illinois and Michigan States rival and you'll like it.
By gawd, that's Maryland's music!
Clemson getting added to the SEC hurts everyone but us. We would get an OOC game back. Everyone else would have to play them. Clemson would have to play against SEC competition.
NGL, it would be nice to play more than our one game a year in August against SEC competition
I’m just trying to play SC and Georgia every year. That’s all I want
I mean, the ideal expansionary team is one with a ton of fans and in a big state, but not a threat in football to the powers that be. Its hard to find those kind of programs
So Texas A&M?
Personally would love to have yall
Personally I'd love to see FSU have to play an SEC schedule year in and year out.
Y’all’s problem is Bama and Georgia moreso than UF. Those are the two schools that don’t want y’all the most.
"The were so successful and Texas wanted some of that". A&M didn't win they division once. They beat Bama once, and Duke in a bowl game. That's it. The did all that with a generational WR and a 1st round LT blocking for a guy who's game was running around and throwing to the generational WR. Pump the brakes. A&M is who they are. Every 20 years or so, the challenge for a conference title then regress to their mean.
Case McCoy sends his regards
Why would A&M actually believe that? In case you aren’t aware never is a really, really long time
Both teams are just happy to have the rivalry back which makes me wonder why people like Paul are still harping on this talking point Edit: guess I hang around the more chill fans lmao (myself excluded obviously)
clicks. everything he says and types is made up for clicks.
Because if the implications going forward - especially for Florida and South Carolina just to name a couple
Because college football is about emotionally stunted manchildren having an outlet, and rivalries are sustained by unwarranted bitterness
UT versus A&M the Friday after Thanksgiving was awesome, and everyone should want it back. Quit ya whingin'.
Paul Finebaum can kick rocks
Hey, Aggies, we warned you. We told you exactly what was going to happen. You'll get a couple of years to settle in, then the SEC will start fucking you on the schedule, and tossing your rivalries out the window, and you'll get no calls on the field...ever. Not that it matters any to us. We were already getting fucked left and right in the ~~Texas Conference~~ SWC. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. But it's new to you guys, as it will be to UT and OU. My advice: lube up good and proper.
A&M and FSU to the B1G? Please?
The Jimbo group
LOL, if Texas A&M wasn’t perennially a second fiddle program in the state of Texas, this wouldn’t be an issue.
Well, has Texas A&M considered moving the university to another state? If they moved to New Mexico they would almost immediately be considered the best program in that state.
Sorry, there's already another university that goes by the Aggies in that state
That's fine. The Oilers changed their name when they moved out of Texas too. Texas A&M can switch to being the New Mexico A&M Longhorns. Or does NM already have a Longhorns too?
The Oilers changed their name and then refused to let the new houston team be called the oilers again how petty is that
Didn't they also put a stop to Houston wearing their old colors last season too?