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Texas A&M: Is winning really everything?
This morning, David Ubben, ESPN’s Big 12 Blogger, published a blog about why A&M should not bolt for the SEC. His main argument? “If Texas A&M values winning, the Big 12 is the place to stay.”
I’m sure the Aggies value winning, just like any program would. Winning makes recruiting…well, easier. And yes, David makes a good point when he says recruits go to the SEC to win, not just to be in the SEC.
But at the same time, I would never tell A&M it’s wiser to stay in the Big 12 because they’ll “win more.” If that were the case, Nebraska should have chosen Conference USA over the Big Ten. If winning is all that matters, Nebraska made the wrong decision by choosing the Big Ten where winning is not guaranteed.
However, what is guaranteed in the Big Ten for Nebraska is stability. Nebraska is joining a conference that will defend it, take care of it and guarantee it will have a home in five years. Texas and the Big 12, on the other hand, cannot guarantee any of those promises. Can we really blame A&M for getting restless?
Teams like Boise State and TCU are prime examples that winning is not, in fact, everything. If it were that simple, Auburn could potentially not be your national champions at this moment. But, with the BCS, more than a win is factored into a team’s destiny.
So do I really think the Aggies will run from the Big 12? I currently doubt it. But the Big 12 is never predictable and what is really keeping any team from leaving? If the SEC came knocking on A&M’s door one more time, do I think the Aggies would turn them around with no consideration? Absolutely not.
So take note, Big 12. Saying you’re the place to “win” doesn’t mean as much as you think it does. It’s going to take a lot more than that to convince any school, A&M included, to stay.
A lot more.
