Auburn football: 2 former Big 12 teams to replace OU and UT following SEC move

Auburn football and the rest of the SEC have two pillar programs making their way to the southeast to form new rivalries, settle a lot of questions, and ultimately make a ton of money doing so.

The Big 12, on the other hand, is losing its backbone and may see its foundation crumble to dust as vultures (like the AAC) circle their decaying carcass. Schools are looking at the conference as prey at the moment, and it could only be a matter of time before it dissipates completely.

Then again, perhaps Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns taking for the hills–or more accurately, the Bayou, the Plains, Stark Vegas, Rocky Top, and all of the charming college communities in the SEC–will slap some sense into the Big 12.

As the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Pac-12 all got their own networks, the Longhorns took more action than the entire Big 12 governing body. No wonder UT felt there were better opportunities elsewhere, they out-maneuvered their own conference in the television rights market.

It’s a bad look for the Big 12, but not all hope is lost. Right now, realignment is hot. Group of Five schools could be breaking through to the Power Five and reshaping the game. New powerhouses could spring from any team jumping to any other conference.

Perhaps there’s a reality that includes the Big 12 doing some poaching of their own. The Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Auburn football programs might not be the only schools rolling out the welcome mats in the coming years.

Just maybe the Big 12 will make a power play and end up with these two schools: