This is so true. ESPN has been beating the "SEC is the best" drum for a little over a decade. Even the SEC bottom feeders get more respect than all but the top 2-3 teams in every other conference. This is about recruiting. You either join due to the brainwashing of the best recruits, or you get left behind. This move really has nothing to do about money, Texas and OU were fine. It is about falling farther behind and becoming irrelevant. Donors and administrators want skins on the wall. Alumni aren't boasting about the money it is about bragging rights on the field.
Our last two recruits Tapp, and Finkley picked Texas because of the SEC move. Arguably our next two most important to become competitive (Harris, and Stewart) have interest because of the SEC move. The big fish next year (Manning) it helps as well. This isn't about money, or even time slots, its about survival and staying relevant. It's nothing personal to the Irate 8, it's all about perception, and keeping eyes on your program. When no one wants to bid up your conference contract, the writing is on the wall how they feel about your conference. I truly believe that if ISU and Okie State went to the SEC, they would be firmly above Mizzu, Arky, Miss St., Vandy, and Usc. But unfortunately they will never get to prove it, and most people wouldn't give them the benefit of the doubt. Hell, most of the SEC thinks Arky is going to mop the floor with Texas this weekend. ESPN and the SEC have been sniffing their own farts too long.
To be honest, I would much have the original Big XII over the SEC, for familiarity, and for the benefit of the original members. It wasn't the Big XII that forced this hand, it was the SEC.
CHIEF