Auburn football: CFB fans react as OU, UT take first step to leave Big-12

As the days pass it becomes more and more likely that two new teams will be joining the Southeastern Conference, home to CFB powerhouses like Georgia, LSU, Alabama, and Auburn football. What began as rumors and speculation is beginning to take a more solid shape as Oklahoma and Texas announce that they will not be renewing their grant of media rights agreement that would expire in 2025.

Although the Sooners and Longhorns would have to formally apply to join the SEC and the existing members would have to vote, Yahoo Sports reports that Oklahoma and Texas could be the newest SEC teams as early as next week.

Despite the fact that it seems highly unlikely that the two schools will remain in the Big-12 through 2024 until their contract expires, both schools are claiming they will not break the contract with the conference:

"First off, announcing a contract break isn’t wise. Second, officials from Oklahoma and Texas have buyouts that total nearly $150 million dollars. If they want to avoid paying more than $75 million each in exit fees, the schools’ best chance is to sit back, sing “Kumbaya” and wait to see if the Big 12 ends up dissolving. That strategy could save a lot of money."

This is the first real step in making the Sooners and Longhorns members of the SEC, which has got fans from all parts of the CFB world up in arms about the possible ramifications on their conferences and teams. What will happen to the Big-12? Will the SEC restructure? Will everyone finally admit that the SEC is the most elite conference in college football?

It’s far from set in stone, but in the words of Michael Scott, it truly does seem like, “Okay, it’s happening! Everybody stay calm!” Auburn football may soon be a member of college football’s first megaconference.