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The two largest, most-historic programs in the Big 12 Conference shook the college football world to its core when they announced plans to move to the SEC last year.
The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners may not have had the seasons they hoped for in 2022. The Longhorns went just 8-4 and the Sooners even worse at 6-6. But their eyes are already on the future.
Initially, the two powerhouse programs were set to leave the Big 12 for the SEC in 2025. But now it appears that move could come even soon.
Texas And Oklahoma Could Leave Big 12 For SEC In 2024
Brett McMurphy of The Action Network reports that the two schools, as well as the SEC, are working to make the move happen in 2024.
There is “growing sentiment” and “momentum” for Oklahoma and Texas to leave the Big 12 a year early and join the SEC in 2024, industry sources told Action Network.
The Big 12’s current Grant of Rights expires July 1, 2025. Oklahoma and Texas have indicated they are committed to remaining in the Big 12 until then before moving to the SEC for the 2025 season. However, that timetable has since been accelerated and could even get completed by next month, sources said.
There remain many obstacles for an early move, but one source said the “climate is right” for the Sooners and Longhorns to exit the Big 12 after the 2023 season and begin play in the SEC in 2024″ – via The Action Network
McMurphy then points to a number of reasons why an earlier move than expected could happen.
The Big Ten is set to add both USC and UCLA in 2024. The College Football Playoff expands to 16 teams as well. The Big 12 will add four teams beginning in 2023, and the conference is working on a new media rights deal.
McMurphy says each of those factors make an early move for Texas and Oklahoma all the more likely. Change is coming to the college football world whether fans like it or not. And it may be coming sooner than anyone expected.