Academic cess pool? A&M is the second ranked academic school in the Big 12, they would be 4 in the SEC

Every big football program is going to have athletes that don't "study." Dez Bryant couldn't pass the academic requirements to get into LSU

they're going, they're not going, they're going, they're not going.......... Gezz, can the ladies make up they're minds!!! god bless coach mike ditka!!!

I see the picker is following the same ridiculous logic that the rest of the media is using. The Aggies are leaving for the SEC because they are afraid of competition? Yet there are going to a conference where they will supposedly get destroyed? That makes absolutely no sense.

A&M got tired of Texas' bullcrap and abandoned the sinking ship of the big12. They saw an out and took it, good for them.

Exactly what has Texas done wrong besides finish 5-7?

The Aggies don't want water polo on TV.

Fine. Quit and go to the SEC.

Picker, You surprise me on this one as you mock Texas A&M. I often enjoy your articles and poking fun but you seem to give a pass on this being a continued reflection of a dysfunctional conference that has never seemed to value its members as a whole. What has Texas done wrong? It appears they have a history of self-will running riot to the point of no regard for what is the greater good for the conference they are in. They appear to want to act like an independent while having benefits of being in an elite conference. I admit maybe they can pull it off, but they also are proving adept at blowing up conferences behind them. Other institutions have big egos as well, but they seem to at least grasp the value of being a part of something greater than just themselves.

Perkins is only 26 so he is just starting his prime and has already been the defensive anchor on a title team (at age 24).

Everyone knew the Big12 was going down sooner rather than later. A&M was smart to get out while they could and stay in a regional league rather than end up in a ridiculous configuration of the Pac10.

They did beat them on the field last year and will probably do it again this year so I see no reason to think they're scared of Texas.

I also find no fault in A&M choosing to challenge themselves by going to the best conference. If the ultimate goal is to win the National Championship then you're going to have to beat them at some point. Will it be more difficult to win the conference? Sure, but kudos to them for being willing to play the best and try to beat the best.

The Texas TV network could be a big fat joke.

And who exactly is expected to watch the junk that will fill the time. Only the people in the silly shows and the ones filming them, that's our guess. It could be a problem concerning unfairness when it comes to recruiting. But the NCAA won't let it happen.

So, again, 61241, what has Texas done to drive you from your roots?

Now, about the conference, there could be a valid point there. You're saying it's all about money. Which is what Arkansas said. But what good is all the money in the world going to do if you're in the Peanut Bowl every year. Ark football has been on the back burner since the day it bolted to the SEC. Look at Boise, in a BCS bowl every year, raking in the money that way.

So take the money, fine. See you on the academic bowl shows on the tube.

All this hypothetical re-alignment talk is boring beyond belief. Houston, BYU, they're bums, take them, forget them, who cares. OU and OSU playing tennis in Oregon, talk about nutty. It's clear some teams are bent on ruining a good thing. So go ruin it. Then let's tee it up and play.

Regarding Perkins: You people want big-time trouble makers scoring two a game on your peachy sweet team?

Shock fans, all nine of you: You getting the record this weekend, most losses in earth history? Our advice is go re-hire coach Nolan.

Do you have a problem with the Big XII going down Meximike? If so what is it? More money there for them. Chance to compete with the very best. They will also still be exactly in the same pecking order in that conference as they are in Big XII middle of the pack and every few years get within a game of the SEC championship, but still not quite make it. Come on South Carolina made it to an SEC championship game, if the ol' ball coach can get there so can A&M. For such a tough conference they sure seem to have a lot of teams run that gauntlet undefeated. You tell me, is conference better with them or without them? How about Nebraska? With those two teams we are fighting for bragging rights as to who is the second best conference in College Football without them we are now fighting to hold on to the fourth best conference, trying not to dip below the Big East and the ACC. A&M has just stuck a big ol middle finger in the air as they come out smelling like a rose. More of everything, money, exposure, recruiting by joing the top conference plus the added bonus of really sticking it to Texas. I have never seen such cowards, even the picker. "Oh no, we have to play an SEC team! We'd rather be like Boise State 11 cupcakes and one big dog and whine that we don't get shot at BCS!" Maybe things have changed from my youth. But I always wanted to play the best. Texas A&M have improved their lot as did Arkansas, yep took awhile to get their feet under them, mostly due to a decade of terrible coaching hires, but they are coming on. A&M will do the same, or get squashed, I think they have too much pride in Aggieland for that.