Texas to the Big Ten

Lately there have been a lot of rumors about Texas having preliminary talks with Big Ten officials about perhaps joining the conference. From the Big Ten's perspective this would make perfect sense. Texas provides a package of big-time football, a rising basketball program and strong academics (47th among national universities). Texas could be a huge potential revenue source for the Big Ten.

Only a school like Notre Dame could bring a package like Texas, but we all know that won't happen. As good as this might sound to some people, I don't see it happening. First, I don't think the Texas baseball team would ever lose a game in the Big Ten, and it could effect their recruiting. Second, would Mack Brown want to play a late November game in Happy Valley? Would fans travel across the country to see tennis matches, cross-country meets, etc.?

There are too many roadblocks for Texas to accept the invitation but it is still an intriguing idea. If Texas were to join the Big Ten, I feel they would have to keep the OU rivalry and Texas A&M game. Then, you got think about how hard of a schedule that would be because of your conference opponents being the likes of Ohio St., Penn St. , Wisconsin and Michigan.

Being the biggest brand in college athletics, Texas deserves to be in a better conference. Although, they do have a bright future with the evolution of the Texas Sports Network that will be similar to the Big Ten Network. Joining the Big Ten would boost revenue, but Texas has so many revenue streams that I don't think that would matter.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, and whether or not other schools will express interest. If the Big Ten is serious about expanding, it should consider schools that are much closer. There’s been talk in the past of other Big 12 schools like Missouri and Nebraska joining the Big Ten, but nothing has happened in the conference since Penn State joined in 1990. An interesting idea would be if the Big Ten offered a package deal for Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. The creation of a "Super Conference".