After being co-founders of the Big 12 conference, Texas and Oklahoma are jumping ship to join the Southeastern Conference.
SEC fans welcoming Texas and Oklahoma fans to the league… pic.twitter.com/yJfVE5i7X5
— CousinShane (@BigOrangeVolz) July 1, 2024
This process has taken three years for the schools to make the switch.
"This is a day we have been building toward for years," Chris Del Conte, the Texas athletic director said. "Our fans are really excited about this. You can tell by the turnout. It just means more to the fans in the Southeast Conference and their schools."
There has been an adjustment to the college football landscape this past offseason, as there will now be multiple "power-4" schools in new conferences for the upcoming 2024 season.
To point out, the Big Ten (now 18 teams) just welcomed USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington, who left the Pac-12. Then, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah are taking spots in the Big 12, while California and Stanford are joining the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Welcome to the SEC officially
Texas
&
Oklahoma pic.twitter.com/2TBl2I6Tn0— CFB Home (@CFBHome) July 1, 2024
When viewing the two notable powerhouse programs in Oklahoma and Texas, combined they have won 18 of the past 25 Big-12 titles. In particular, the Sooners have won 14 conference titles, while the Longhorns have won four, including the last one in 2023.
Final Big 12 Football Stats: pic.twitter.com/opyZoSc06Q
— The Tunnel_Sooners (@TheTunnel_OU) June 30, 2024
TCU just posted a goodbye video to Texas & Oklahoma🤣pic.twitter.com/eGuk6kSiGN
— On3 (@On3sports) July 1, 2024
Oklahoma's athletic director, Joe Castiglione, also made a statement on the school's departure from the Big 12 conference.
"We couldn't be more excited to join the SEC. Our teams are poised for success and look forward to the competition with many of America's most outstanding universities."
It's time to upgrade your expectations for what college athletics can be. 😤
The New Era of More is here.#ItJustMeansMore pic.twitter.com/fs1h7QRCw4
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) July 1, 2024
Texas is one of the highest ranked teams heading into the 2024 season after losing in the CFB semi-finals to Washington (January 1, 2024). With a 12-2 record last season (Big 12: 8-1), the Longhorns will look to build off their success under Steve Sarkisian in 2023, as they join their new conference.
The SEC will feature these teams next season:
• 12-1 Texas
• 12-1 Alabama
• 12-1 Georgia
• 10-2 Missouri
• 10-2 Oklahoma
• 10-2 Ole Miss
• 9-3 LSUEasily the best conference in CFB, will be a BLAST to watch. pic.twitter.com/wMV2rm1dxx
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) December 6, 2023
With their schedules revealed, it certainly will be a step up in competition for both schools, as Texas may have a "welcome to the SEC moment" when they go up against Georgia (October 19), who many see as the No. 1 ranked college football in the nation.
BREAKING: IM HEARING A RUMOR!
Texas & Oklahoma officially join the SEC tomorrow.
THE SEC WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.
Welcome to the Dawgs House!! pic.twitter.com/RjUdoYASqI
— 🚫 LEE Ring (@HBTFD1) June 30, 2024
Notably, Texas will now be able to face their long-time foes Texas A&M again (November 30), with their rivalry dating back to 1894, both teams haven't seen each other since 2011 (Texas-27, Texas A&M-25). To note, Texas will also have to travel to Ann Arbor on September 7 to go up against with the defending national champs, Michigan Wolverines.
Oklahoma will look to improve off of their 10-3 season (Big 12: 7-2) last year, however, they will not have an easy road to the College Football Playoff, as their last three games of the season include matchups against Missouri, Alabama, and LSU... welcome to the SEC.
The New Era of The SEC is HERE!
As of today, The Southeastern Conference welcomes The University of Oklahoma and The University of Texas! #BoomerSooner #HookEm #SEC #ItJustMeansMore pic.twitter.com/Wcf85yugQp
— The Jump Sports (@Thejumpsports) July 1, 2024
Related: SEC Commissioner Downplays Talk Of College Football Super League
