Texas and Oklahoma are saying goodbye to the Big 12 and hello to the SEC. This change has been in the works for three years and will officially happen on Monday, July 1. To celebrate this big move, both schools have planned exciting campus events with activities like carnivals, live music, and fireworks.
Texas has organized a central campus carnival where fans can meet team coaches, take photos with the Bevo longhorn mascot, and enjoy live music by Pitbull. Oklahoma kicked off their celebration with a 5k race through campus and will have midnight sales of SEC merchandise and fireworks.
This transition is a significant moment in college sports, as it has led to multiple conference realignments. By the start of the 2024 season, 11 Power 4 programs will be in new conferences. The SEC Network will be broadcasting live from both campuses during the celebrations, giving fans a chance to purchase SEC-branded merchandise.
In addition to Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC, there have been other conference changes. The Big Ten will expand to 18 teams, with schools like USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington moving from the Pac-12. SMU will also be joining the ACC from the American Athletic Conference.
While Texas and Oklahoma were originally set to join the SEC in 2025, they were able to negotiate an early exit from the Big 12. Both schools have a rich history of success in sports, with a total of 18 Big 12 football titles between them. Oklahoma’s softball team recently won its fourth consecutive national title, showcasing the dominance of these programs.
Moving to the SEC will present new challenges for Texas and Oklahoma, as the conference has a strong track record in football. SEC schools have won the College Football Playoff championship six times since 2014. Traditional rivalries will be renewed, like the Texas-Texas A&M matchup, while others, like Oklahoma’s Bedlam rivalry with Oklahoma State, will be put on hold.
Former Sooners coach Barry Switzer and Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione expressed their excitement about the move to the SEC and the competitive opportunities it will bring. Overall, this conference switch marks a new era in college sports and sets the stage for exciting matchups and rivalries in the years to come.