So Oklahoma Was Invited To The SEC After All...

((HT: Tulsa World-Klein))

Surprising no one, Oklahoma University president David Boren now says that the Sooners had offers from both the SEC and the Pac-10.

Boren says the Pac-10 offer was for five Big 12 schools - Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech - to join as a group and create the Big West that the HQ has been talking about. He says the SEC extended offers only to Oklahoma and Texas A&M- remember, they don't need to expand.

Because the SEC offer didn't include Oklahoma State and Texas, he didn't think it was a good idea.

So, now John Klein wants the Big 12/10 to, in his words, "be bold."

In addition to chasing after LSU and Arkansas, he's looking for New Mexico and UNLV.

Las Vegas (42) and Albuquerque (44) are bigger television markets than current Big 12 markets Oklahoma City (45), Austin (49), Tulsa (61), Wichita (69) and Des Moines (71). Omaha (76), the largest market in Nebraska, is tiny compared to Vegas and Albuquerque.

UNLV and UNM, with terrific basketball history and facilities, will need to upgrade football. But that is very possible at both schools. In fact, Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones is from New Mexico, and OU running back DeMarco Murray is from Las Vegas. There is talent in those states, and both schools have the resources to have a regional recruiting base.

Bringing in New Mexico and UNLV could eventually offset the loss of Colorado and Nebraska, but it would not have the impact of when the league lured the four Texas schools into the Big 12.

He also dips his toes into the Louisville, Memphis, Boise, Nevada, Air Force, and UTEP pools for expansion. And while the HQ thinks all these ideas are interesting- knowing most of these schools would jump at the chance to join- would Dan Beebe be that much of a poacher and a forward thinker...???

Doubt it...

As a flashback, here's what OU is missing by not being a member of the Pac-10/12...
Early highlights of the OU-USC game in 1981...
((HT: ABC/AwsiDooger))