Who wins in the conference realignments?

[heybuckethead]

Since it appears inevitable that there will be yet another realignment of Texas universities, who wins with regard to softball programs?

* In my opinion, Texas A&M is the clear winner moving to the SEC because it will draw even more top Texas kids as well as recruit among the best Florida and California kids.

* Texas takes a major recruiting hit if it stays in the Big XII because it loses more top in-state kids to Texas A&M. If the Longhorns move to the Pac-10, which seems likely, they get killed unless they do a better job of recruiting in California. If they move to the Big 10, they remain a big time national program only because they will roll the Big 10 every year just with the in-state Texas kids they do manage to keep, but they lose the ability to recruit some of their top California players who will not see the Big 10 as much of a positive as playing in the Big XII. This is especailly true if Oklahoma goes Pac-10.

* Baylor has the most to lose. If the Big XII folds and it lands in the Mountain West or Conference USA, Baylor likely falls quickly from being a perrenial Top 25 team because they lose their ability to recruit the next dominate pitcher, which is where Baylor has build its success. If they go Mountain West, I don't see them being able to compete for in-state or California recruits because of the academic requirement and cost of education. If they go Conference USA, they definitely can't compete for the same kids over the University of Houston because of grades and costs.

* Texas Tech also stands to lose big because it will lose its ability to recruit in-state Texas kids if they go to the Mountain West. Those kids likely will stay local and play in the new WAC or for North Texas. Just don't see the Mountain West as a viable draw for Texas kids. Now that could change if Texas Tcech and Baylor a package deal with say North Texas.

* Houston is a clear winner either way. If they go into the Big XII, which looks unlikely, they upgrade immediately with the ability to recruit better kids out of California and the region and maybe they keep more Houston-area kids who they previously lost to Texas, Txas A&M, and Baylor. If they stay in Conference USA, which has become the best of the mid-majors, UH gets the top kids that Texas/Texas A&M/Baylor pass on for new Cali recruits.

* Texas State, UT-San Antono, and UT-Arlington probably upgraded nationally by moving to the WAC because they will be able to pluck some marginal kids who previously would have gone to Texas/Texas A&M/Baylor/Houston but now get passed over for a California/Florida recruit. They also will get a lot of the top in-state recruits who previously were spread out among the other Southland Conference schools.

* North Texas probably is the least affected but likely will lose some kids to the new WAC schools.

* The Southland Conference is dead as a Division I softball conference either way. In my opinion, they could become a second option to the Lone Star and Heartland Div. II Conferences.

[heybuckethead]

My friend...let me help you here. Texas will go independent and will continue to kick some aggie ass in the recruiting game and collect all the $$$. Thank you ESPN! The aggies may win a football game or two, but they'll always be Austin's stepchild. When folks are asked about a school in Texas, the first word out of their mouths will always be UT Austin.

Texas will always have first pick of recruits in Texas. Period!

Academically...the question remains: What do students of A&M, Tech, and Baylor have in common? They all applied to Texas.

A&M in the SEC? They've moved from the shadow of Texas to the shadows of Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Florida. Sounds like something an aggie would do.... 5-5 for the next 10 years in the SEC.

Big 12? Who cares? Baylor, Tech, Kansas, K-State will left to fend for themselves and will be the real losers on this deal.

OU and OK State to PAC-whatever.

Witty comments as always . . . but what does any of that have to do with Texas university softball programs?

[3Bsnag]

Are you talking football or softball? Softball wise, they will be fine. A&M is very competitive, recruits well, and gets the best out of what they have.

But the real reason is football. Not such a great move for the Aggie's.

* In my opinion, Texas A&M is the clear winner moving to the SEC because it will draw even more top Texas kids as well as recruit among the best Florida and California kids.
No, SEC schools are the clear winner being able to draw TX recruits. A&M will have more choices, but the cream of the crop will be heading to UT or AL, FL, UGA, etc.

* Texas takes a major recruiting hit if it stays in the Big XII because it loses more top in-state kids to Texas A&M. If the Longhorns move to the Pac-10, which seems likely, they get killed unless they do a better job of recruiting in California. If they move to the Big 10 haha, they remain a big time national program only because they will roll the Big 10 every year just with the in-state Texas kids they do manage to keep, but they lose the ability to recruit some of their top California players who will not see the Big 10 as much of a positive as playing in the Big XII. This is especailly true if Oklahoma goes Pac-10.
Disagree, UT is and will be in great shape.

* Baylor has the most to lose. agree If the Big XII folds and it lands in the Mountain West or Conference USA, Baylor likely falls quickly from being a perrenial Top 25 team because they lose their ability to recruit the next dominate pitcher, which is where Baylor has build its success. If they go Mountain West, I don't see them being able to compete for in-state or California recruits because of the academic requirement and cost of education. If they go Conference USA, they definitely can't compete for the same kids over the University of Houston because of grades and costs.

[MavFan]

Are you talking football or softball? Softball wise, they will be fine. A&M is very competitive, recruits well, and gets the best out of what they have.

But the real reason is football. Not such a great move for the Aggie's.

* In my opinion, Texas A&M is the clear winner moving to the SEC because it will draw even more top Texas kids as well as recruit among the best Florida and California kids.
No, SEC schools are the clear winner being able to draw TX recruits. A&M will have more choices, but the cream of the crop will be heading to UT or AL, FL, UGA, etc.

* Texas takes a major recruiting hit if it stays in the Big XII because it loses more top in-state kids to Texas A&M. If the Longhorns move to the Pac-10, which seems likely, they get killed unless they do a better job of recruiting in California. If they move to the Big 10 haha, they remain a big time national program only because they will roll the Big 10 every year just with the in-state Texas kids they do manage to keep, but they lose the ability to recruit some of their top California players who will not see the Big 10 as much of a positive as playing in the Big XII. This is especailly true if Oklahoma goes Pac-10.
Disagree, UT is and will be in great shape.

* Baylor has the most to lose. agree If the Big XII folds and it lands in the Mountain West or Conference USA, Baylor likely falls quickly from being a perrenial Top 25 team because they lose their ability to recruit the next dominate pitcher, which is where Baylor has build its success. If they go Mountain West, I don't see them being able to compete for in-state or California recruits because of the academic requirement and cost of education. If they go Conference USA, they definitely can't compete for the same kids over the University of Houston because of grades and costs.

The real reason is stability and lack of trust. The SEC is not going away and Aggie doesn't trust Longhorn not to split, go independent, and leave them slashing around and searching for a life raft.

[heybuckethead]

This move by A&M is clearly driven by football, but I just think their softball team benefits BIG TIME by a move to the SEC! A breakup of the Big XII, however, will possibly kill Baylor and Texas Tech's regular appearances in the Top 25. No way these two stay a national competitor if they move to the Mountain West or worse, Big East.

The wildcard here could be SMU. If they actually move into the Big XII to keep it viable, they likely will have to add women's sports. SMU could become a national powerhouse in softball overnight if they handled it right.

[SEEBUCKET]

The Aggies aren't even playing softball in the SEC the first year, just football, soccer, and volleyball. A&M has some pretty weak recruits coming in 2012, 13 & 14s. If they are going to compete in the SEC and not be the Texas Techof softball in the Big 12 they are going to have to decommit these 5 and 15% pitchers and catchers, not to mention SSs and go out and get some Real Players and sit these little I Only Want To Go To A&M Darlings! Just my opinion!


I love the Aggies but they can do better.

[3Bsnag]

I wonder the 5 you are referring to out of the 11 committed in those years, but I can tell you one of those 2013's is a gamer. Don't know the kid, but she is and has been fun to watch.

The move I most want to shake my head at is TCU going to the Big East.

[3Bsnag]

The move I most want to shake my head at is TCU going to the Big East.

And with a strong baseball program, why no softball?

I don't know, but if they started one my kid would be banging down their door regardless of their conference.

The rumor was Title IX compliance. The sports voted on were softball, rowing, riflery, and equestrian. They added those last two. Not to knock their equestrian dominance, seriously, but what other womens sport can hugely aid in compliance by rostering 40+ athletes?

Amazing that a school of 9,000 or so can have a top 5 football program, a top 20 baseball team AND have to compete with UT and A&M for recruits. Something magical about those horned frogs.

[SEEBUCKET]

I wonder the 5 you are referring to out of the 11 committed in those years, but I can tell you one of those 2013's is a gamer. Don't know the kid, but she is and has been fun to watch.

The move I most want to shake my head at is TCU going to the Big East.

Sorry Snag...should have put the % sign after the 5...meaning these girls are committing for so little that they are going to have to get better players who wouldn't commit for so little if they are going to compete. To say ok I've always wanted to go there and I'll commit for practically nothing just to be on the roster type of recruit isn't going to cut it.

[Outsidethefence]

The Aggies aren't even playing softball in the SEC the first year, just football, soccer, and volleyball. A&M has some pretty weak recruits coming in 2012, 13 & 14s. If they are going to compete in the SEC and not be the Texas Techof softball in the Big 12 they are going to have to decommit these 5 and 15% pitchers and catchers, not to mention SSs and go out and get some Real Players and sit these little I Only Want To Go To A&M Darlings! Just my opinion!


I love the Aggies but they can do better.

You don't love A&M and make comments like this... That is not the type of comments that an Aggie would make. Leave the recruiting to Coach Evans, she seems to be doing a really good job. A super regional appearance this year losing two close games to the eventual National Champions. Florida didn't play them as close as the Aggies did. I guarantee you none of the '14s committed for the % you have implied, but that is none of your concern anyway.

Tell you what... you go get nine of your "real players" which I'm guessing includes your DD (that didn't get an offer at A&M), and we will bring the '12-'14 A&M commits to the ballpark of your choice. We can settle it there.

So Seebucket you just joined "the bucket" recently and on your 16th post you decided to trash talk some kids? What are you all about? You should probably leave the ballpark and get some therapy before you hurt yourself... Or have you been on the bucket a while and this is your alter ego for bashing players??? Either way you are a loser.