From The Bench

Assumption That Arkansas Would Leave SEC for Big 12 is Ludicrous

Robert Shields

As we all wait to read another story about the possibility of an Auburn bagman (it’s amazing with all the talk of Texas A&M moving to the SEC, LSU players getting in bar fights, distributing booty at Miami, and the North Carolina athletic director resigning after the coach is fired, it’s Camgate that still grabs people’s attention), it’s time to respond to the ludicrous assumption that Arkansas is interested in joining the Big 12 (as if it even has 12 teams).

If anyone involved in the Big 12 actually believes Arkansas is a serious candidate to replace Texas A&M, its crazy train is seriously off the track. It will never happen.

As I wrote years ago when some would mention of the possibility or Arkansas joining the Big 12 when it actually had 12 teams, if you hear anyone suggest this just slap them. Arkansas left Texas for a reason. It makes me uneasy just thinking the SEC may be letting Texas A&M into the conference. Part of me says not just no but hell no to A&M. I guess the idea is somewhat palatable only because it’s not the Longhorns -- and that is where the problem lies.

Razorback fans, having felt cheated enough through the years by the state of Texas, ran happily off in 1990 to the greener pastures of the SEC. Arkansas will never return.

Since leaving the SWC, the Razorbacks have played the Longhorns four times and stand at 2-2 against Texas, which by the way still owes Arkansas a home game. If you want to be technical, since the announcement that it was joining the SEC in 1990, the Hogs stand 3-2 against the Horns. In the last four games, Arkansas has severely beaten the Longhorns twice, and I mean badly, both times in Texas. One loss in Fayetteville should have been a win before Matt Jones fumbled away the game-winning drive. The other loss was Bobby Petrino’s first year.

Arkansas has prospered since leaving the Texas schools and has become a better football program overall. The Razorbacks have absolutely no fear of playing the Longhorns anymore. Why should they? After playing Alabama, Florida, and LSU year after year, what is Texas?

I will never forget after Nebraska lost the 2009 Big 12 championship when time was put back on the clock for Texas to kick the game-winning field goal when time had expired. What later resulted? Like Arkansas, the Cornhuskers found a new home in the Big 10.

When the SEC and Big 12 meet up -- such as when LSU manhandled Oklahoma, Florida beat Oklahoma, and Alabama beat Texas for national titles -- I think the Razorbacks will take their chances in the big game coming from the SEC against a Big 12 team.

Plus, it’s not outside the possibility that the Big 12 is going to have to search hard to fill its empty spots, maybe even having to resort to inviting the death-penalty ravaged program of SMU.

A&M wants out of the Big 12 for a reason. It’s the same reason Arkansas doesn’t need to go back.

Playing in the SEC, The Razorbacks get to go to storied places such as Between the Hedges, The Grove, Death Valley, The Swamp, and Toomer’s Corner where a bagman might be seen. In the Big 12, you get to go Stillwater, Lubbock, and wherever Iowa State is located. No thanks.

You have to laugh that rumors abound that Notre Dame might be in the mix to go to the Big 12. This is as laughable as the notion that Arkansas is in that mix. There is no indication that Notre Dame is anything but happy being an independent since it has been approached to join other conferences and turned them all down. Some have mentioned that is where Texas’ ultimate dream lies in being an independent making its own rules and like Notre Dame getting to keep all the money.

One last thought about all this shifting of conferences. The SEC will want an even number of teams. We all know that A&M is in the mix obviously because some can’t keep their mouth shut. Who is the other team that can keep a secret?



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