Conference realignment can make everyone crazy, especially if you’re not in the SEC or B1G. The SEC and B1G are the only stable conferences, and speculation runs rampant they’re going to poach teams from the ACC, Big 12, and Pac-12, in that order. Florida State to the SEC! Clemson to the SEC! UVA to the B1G! Oregon to the B1G! It is all fun to speculate about, and since we’re in the football offseason, speculating on conference realignment is a common pastime. Reddit College Football even has a weekly thread dedicated to the topic which existed prior to USC and UCLA shocking the college football world by joining the B1G.
Earlier today, a report came out that Oklahoma State is engaged in talks with the SEC. While I don’t question Reagan Harris’ source, this sounds like an example of enthusiasm overtaking logic. Hope and hyperbole are a potent mix in conference realignment, and both run in abundance at certain schools. Oklahoma State is one of those schools. Oklahoma State is not headed to the SEC.
Speculation Aside, Look At It Logically
Simple logic states that the SEC isn’t interested in Oklahoma State. Last Summer, when plans for Oklahoma and Texas’ inclusion in the SEC in 2025 were announced, Oklahoma State was there for the taking. The Big 12 programs left behind were drowning, and OSU was searching for a life raft. The SEC didn’t even throw the Cowboys a rope. If the SEC wanted to bring OSU into the conference, why now? The Pokes were available for the taking just a year ago, what has changed in a year?
USC and UCLA head to the B1G in 2024, so all schools are looking at their options. SEC’s answer to UCLA/USC in the B1G isn’t adding Oklahoma State. If the SEC is answering the B1G, they’re going big game hunting.
Brand Loyalty
Brands are the name of the game in this round of realignment, and Oklahoma State isn’t a top brand. Notre Dame is the biggest brand in college football, and everyone is waiting on the Irish. Florida State is a brand name. Miami is a brand name. Virginia Tech is a brand name. According to one attempt to value NCAA football programs, all four rank ahead of Oklahoma State. It is easier to believe Miami or Virginia Tech are joining the SEC than the Pokes.
The Hurricanes add another program in Florida and give the Gators an in-state rival in conference play. The Hokies put the SEC in Virginia and bring access to the Washington DC/Virginia television market. Oklahoma State brings….Oklahoma, which the SEC already has thanks to OU in 2025. ESPN and Fox are driving the bus on this round of realignment, and they’re looking for big brands. ESPN/Fox want Michigan-USC as a conference game, Oklahoma-Tennessee as a conference game, UCLA-Ohio State as a conference game. Oklahoma State-Vanderbilt isn’t a clash of big brands unless you’re talking college basketball. Unfortunately for the Pokes, realignment is all about football.
Bloom Where You’re Planted
Oklahoma State currently resides in the Big 12. The Cowboys are picked to finish third in the Big 12 preseason poll. The Pokes have three players projected to make first-team All-Big 12, including QB Spencer Sanders. There is plenty to be excited about in Stillwater today. OSU avoided realignment purgatory when the Pac-12 refused to raid the Big 12 last Summer. OSU played a part in keeping the Big 12 together and are in position to benefit from OU and Texas leaving the conference in 2025. Oklahoma State should stop pining to follow OU to the SEC, and focus on succeeding where they are.
