Benefits of being in the SEC vs not

[cdibbs]

Genuinely curious...what are everyone's thoughts about the benefits (or lack thereof) of being part of the SEC a couple years in?

Looking at the schedules of Texas Tech, Miami, Oregon, and even Ohio St as top 10 teams in other conferences, they have a much clearer path to the playoff than Texas will ever have especially with the SEC moving to 9 games and the consistently high competition in the conference.

Does the recruiting advantage, higher revenue share, etc. outweigh the negatives of a much more difficult regular season and path to the playoffs?

Does Texas further hurt itself scheduling non conference games like Ohio St?  Hard to feel like those games are of any benefit given that playing say, Rice, instead of OSU and getting an easy W would have Texas a current top 10 team 5-1 and still with 1 game margin of error for the CFB playoff.

As a fan, I love the big games, but I also like the idea of being in the playoff picture more often.

[Waxahorn]

I suspect there are a good many players on our team that would not be there had we stayed in the Big 12. We caught OSU at bad timing on our part with regard to breaking in a new QB and a new O-line. I for one have no interest in seeing UT schedule the likes of a Sam Houston, a Sanford or an Arkansas Pine Bluff.

[TheContractor12]

I have been saying for past 5+ years , we should never schedule big out of conference matchups. The committee cares about the win loss record more than they do SOS(minus an injured all-starQB, sorry FSU). If we had played Boston College, NCSt, etc (half decent but not top 25 team) we are 5-1 right now and can afford 1 more SEC loss and still be in the playoffs. 10-2 gets us in every single year so why schedule Michigan, Ohio St , ND etc? Yes it’s fun of us fans but I’ll take my fun matchups in the playoffs not at the cost of getting in. And there are plenty of fun conference games. 

IF, we end up 9-3 and get left out , it’s clear what we need to do. It’s all about getting in the dance, then let’s see what happens. 

Edited 6 hours ago by TheContractor12

[LonghornFan4Ever]

5 minutes ago, TheContractor12 said:

I have been saying for past 5+ years , we should never schedule big out of conference matchups. The committee cares about the win loss record more than they do SOS(minus an injured all-starQB, sorry FSU). If we had played Boston College, NCSt, etc (half decent but not top 25 team) we are 5-1 right now and can afford 1 more SEC loss and still be in the playoffs. 10-2 gets us in every single year so why schedule Michigan, Ohio St , ND etc? Yes it’s fun of us fans but I’ll take my fun matchups in the playoffs not at the cost of getting in. And there are plenty of fun conference games. 

IF, we end up 9-3 and get left out , it’s clear what we need to do. It’s all about getting in the dance, then let’s see what happens. 

"The pride and winning tradition of The University of Texas will not be entrusted to the weak nor the timid."

[cdibbs]

5 minutes ago, LonghornFan4Ever said:

"The pride and winning tradition of The University of Texas will not be entrusted to the weak nor the timid."

I hear this argument, but I don't think pragmatism means weak or timid necessarily. There's got to be a balance between big games (plenty of them in the SEC) and winnable games to put you in a better position to compete for national championships.

[LonghornFan4Ever]

16 minutes ago, cdibbs said:

I hear this argument, but I don't think pragmatism means weak or timid necessarily. There's got to be a balance between big games (plenty of them in the SEC) and winnable games to put you in a better position to compete for national championships.

I disagree because a 16 team CFP is right around the corner, so you'll see more 3 loss teams in the dance.  If the 4 team CFP were still in place, I would completely agree with you.

[ArizonaLonghorn]

1 hour ago, cdibbs said:

Does the recruiting advantage, higher revenue share, etc. outweigh the negatives of a much more difficult regular season and path to the playoffs?

Does Texas further hurt itself scheduling non conference games like Ohio St? 

Absolutely, 100x over for the first one ...

As for the 2nd one ... I can see it both ways - easier route to a better record if we schedule say Rutgers or Northwestern as our Big 10 matchup (but probably not Maryland LOL), but as a fan I say play one of these historically elite opponents every year possible just for the spectacle of it. 

If we are afraid of losing then I think we have a different problem.

[Alex Butler]

The way college football is going you have to schedule out of conference games with out power 4 conferences. Going to the NFL model means playing serious competition every week and losses mean less than they have previously. It’ll be a tougher schedule but ultimately better product and for development IMHO. Unlike the NFL hopefully the travel and home rosters can expand to accommodate for injuries and keeping players healthier overall. 

[TheContractor12]

2 hours ago, LonghornFan4Ever said:

"The pride and winning tradition of The University of Texas will not be entrusted to the weak nor the timid."

That’s great, when you are left out bc 10-2 ND or GT gets in, and we are left out of the playoffs, use both hands on that pride. 

[TheContractor12]

2 hours ago, LonghornFan4Ever said:

I disagree because a 16 team CFP is right around the corner, so you'll see more 3 loss teams in the dance.  If the 4 team CFP were still in place, I would completely agree with you.

We are not currently in a 16 team playoff. When that happens we can adjust accordingly 

[General Grant]

I hear you.  However I think we’ll be fine most years and being out of the Big 12 is so so refreshing 

[4thandFive]

It might be easier to be like Tech. BUT would Texas be spending like Tech? Can Tech do anything with it quickly before the kids go elsewhere because they don’t win?

 

I’ll take the SEC over a perceived easier path on the landscape. Yes, it’s worth it IMO. 
 

It’s worth the upgrades to facilities, the increased revenue from donors, the increased attention nationally, the increased recruiting ethos, the fan experience, and the path the SEC has to having multiple teams in could favor us.

[thatdude2]

Money Talks, we overlook it because it’s not going in our pockets.