First things first, the big boys that will dictate the frenzy will be the Big Ten, the Pac 10 and Texas. Texas lends itself as potential high priced free agent that will have its choice from several suitors. Let’s look at Texas’ choices and the pros and cons:

Big Ten: The Big Ten has several key pros that make this a real possibility in being the new home for the Longhorns, but some real cons could prove difficult to over-look

• Pros: The Big Ten has a great history in athletics, especially when it comes to football. The Big Ten television package allows for a much richer payout every year, that’s even before they strap on the gear. This television package allows for each school to garner $22 million per year, which is the best in college sports. If Texas is added to fold, the money will only increase. So as far as the Big Ten, the money is the key deciding factor for Texas to accept an invitation. But…………
• Cons: Let’s be honest, Texas joining the Big Ten is just not that attractive for Texas on its own. Aside from the money, there are real obstacles and pitfalls that make this unlikely. Before I said the Big Ten has a rich history in athletics, let’s be brutally honest, when was the last time the Big Ten was relevant in the BCS? Before you start throwing Ohio State as a talking point, remember, the big, bad, premier program in the Big Ten has been waxed in the BCS ever since their remarkable win over Miami in 2002. The Buckeyes have not shown much since, going 2-3 in BCS games including 0-2 in BCS title games by a combined 75-38. (Before you Big Ten whiners want to say anything about their 2 wins, they were against Notre Dame in 2006 and last year against Oregon. Shut up, nuff said.) But, realistically, the Big Ten, like all of the major conferences, are regional. Big Ten, we have major reservations.

Pac-10: This one is a little tricky. The Pac-10 has little to offer Texas except direct access to the west coast for athletes and regular games against Southern Cal. Let’s look deeper into Texas’ potential fit in the Pac-10:

• Pros: Thinking…still thinking… still thinking… still thinking…crap. Forget it. I’m getting a headache over here.
• Cons: If I have to think that hard for even 1 pro, then anything I think that is an implied redundancy.

Big East: See Pac-10

ACC: See Big East

SEC: This is one we have to look at pretty hard don’t we?

• Pros: The money is great, and would only increase over the future with its deal with CBS and especially with ESPN if Texas made this jump. Remember, If Texas comes, so does Texas Tech and Texas A&M. (Think about it Auburn fans, you would have to face Tommy Tuberville every year. Fun, huh?) These three joining the SEC would finally accomplish what the SEC wanted to do when they expanded and added Arkansas and South Carolina, dip into the Lone Star state. This option is what most college football fans would love to see. Imagine it, Texas at Alabama, Texas A&M at LSU, Texas Tech at Auburn every year. Wow, talk about loading up. Which leads to the…
• Cons: A team’s schedule in the SEC looks like death row compared to any other conference. Look at Texas’ schedule every year, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Texas A&M. Boy, talk about a murder’s row. Any SEC champ with 2 conference losses, gets you in the BCS Title game every year. Guaranteed. So, seriously, I doubt this will happen.

Independent: Well, it’s worked for Notre Dame, right?

• Pros: Show me the money. Don’t have to share jack squat with the Baylor’s of the college sports world.
• Cons: A lot has to happen for this to be viable option. Notre Dame has its own television deal with NBC that would be tough for Texas to get on its own. Remember, Notre Dame only has this deal because of its past glory. That well is running dry and even Notre Dame will have to make hard decisions soon. Plus, who’s gonna want to play them year in, year out?

• Pros: Well, it’s like a shoe that has been broken in pretty well. They have been very successful in the Big 12
• Cons: A lot has to happen for this to be viable option. Notre Dame has its own television deal with NBC that would be tough for Texas to get on its own. Remember, Notre Dame only has this deal because of its past glory. That well is running dry and even Notre Dame will have to make hard decisions soon. Plus, who’s gonna want to play them year in, year out?

Well, whoopity-doo, what does it all mean? We think Texas will stay pat, but don’t be surprised if they do make the big move if the Big 12 doesn’t stop the exodus leaving the Big 12. It’s seems safe to assume that Nebraska and Missouri leaves for the Big 10 and Colorado leaves for the Pac 10. That means the Big 12 will have to replace those schools ASAP. They would have to really have to make a splash to replace them. I just don’t think that taking in Houston, TCU and Tulsa fit that bill. Pac 10, Big East, and ACC thanks for playing, but you can go home now. I don’t see being and independent as a viable option. That leaves the SEC and the Big 10.

The SEC has all of the attributes that make it a logical fit for Texas. The money will be out of this world, and the competition will be amazingly tough, maybe too tough. I think the SEC has other plans however. I think the SEC adds the ACC’s top gridiron teams, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Miami, and Florida State. But that’s another article.

The Big 10 is adding teams to make it a super conference. With Nebraska and Missouri already looking to join, and also possibly reaching into the New York markets to possibly add Rutgers and Syracuse make this a more viable choice. That being said, if The Big Ten can get Notre Dame to finally accept, Texas is Big Ten bound.

So there you have it. The Big Ten seems to be the best option for Texas. As person who is very anti-Big 10, these moves really pain me because it would take the Big 10 on the next level. There is a lot of things that still have to happen for this to happen, but from where we sit, this seems to be where this is heading.

Check back next week, as we will tackle the SEC and what that means to the rest of the BCS and especially to South Carolina.