IS THAT MUSIC I HEAR?

I am pretty sure every American child has played a game of musical chairs at some point. In the 21st century, universities play this game too. Only they call it realignment or expansion.

Last year, when the music stopped, the ten remaining members of the Big 12 each had a chair. However, Texas sat on a large throne. Oklahoma and Texas A&M flanked the Horns on either side while the other seven schools bowed down and gave thanks they were allowed to breathe the same air as the Longhorns, Aggies and Sooners.

Everyone knew it was a temporary fix. Nebraska and Colorado bolted at least in part because Texas had too much power. Now, they had more, and that was before The Longhorn Television Network became a reality.

Apparently, Texas A&M has seen and heard enough. Less than 15 months after they joined nine other schools in reaffirming their commitment to Big 12 athletics, they are beating on the door of the SEC and begging to be let in.

Reports say the 12 SEC presidents plan to meet Saturday and vote on whether or not to offer A&M an invitation. The Texas A&M System board of regents had a meeting planned for Monday, August 22. They have moved it up a week and included in the agenda is “Authorization for the President to Take All Actions Relating to Texas A&M University's Athletic Conference Alignment, The Texas A&M University System." Expectations are that A&M could be a part of the SEC as quickly as next fall.

The part I keep coming back to is this. The SEC had a chance to nab Texas A&M, Oklahoma and others last year. They chose to stick with 12 teams. Is A&M being unhappy enough of a reason to expand the most successful conference in the land? Expanding the conference footprint into Texas (most notably Houston and Dallas), is a great move, but what is the second move? It is highly doubtful the league would stay at 13 teams. So, who is lucky #14?

Some reports have Florida State lining up to potentially join the SEC East. Other sources say the SEC will not add a team from a state that already has an SEC team. That would seemingly eliminate FSU, Miami, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Louisville and Memphis from consideration.

Here is another possibility. Texas A&M watched last summer as the Big 12 bent over backward to keep Texas happy, thereby securing the temporary affiliations of everyone else in the league. Could the Aggies be floating the rumors that this is a slam dunk certainty in hopes that the conference gives them a better cut to stay in business? I doubt it.

The Big 12 can’t keep doing that. In fact, Commissioner Dan Bebee has told A&M that if they leave, the league will be fine... as long as Texas stays put.

So, that brings us back to the SEC. According to conference rules, it only takes a majority to vote in favor of adding A&M to clear the way for an invitation. That still may not be enough. The SEC prefers all members to be on board with major decisions. Word is if even two presidents vote against adding a 13th team, the league would stay at 12.

I think this is much ado about nothing. If the SEC wanted to get bigger, they could have done so last year. They may have a majority vote yes, but I believe there will be just enough resistance to keep Texas A&M in the Big 12 a bit longer.

If I am wrong, and the SEC does go to 14, I do not think that sets off the same chain reaction many are anticipating. The Big 10 made a strong move by getting Nebraska. No other set of teams is a sure thing like the Huskers were. The Big Ten will likely stay at 12 and wait for another shoe to drop down south or simply watch how the SEC operates with 14 before deciding if it is worth doing the same.

Then again, the biggest game of NCAA musical chairs ever may be starting this week.