Texas lists as their top rivalries: Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas Tech, and Rice in that order. I think that the SEC will make a strong case for Oklahoma by taking Oklahoma State. That will leave the SEC with the three top rivals of the Texas Longhorns that drive excitement in their football stadium or the Red River Rivalry. The SEC is also an ESPN property that is no worse academically than the Big XII.

If the SEC took Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas they would be 3 short of 20. I think they could find three more out of the Big XII.

The other option is to follow through with what was proposed once. That is Texas take a large group including Oklahoma to the PAC 12. That would require ESPN to buy the PAC 12 Network. And there is a lot of speculation that the PAC 12 should sell it to an equity investor. Larry Scott has tried for this play once before. He may again. The Dude of WV thinks this is the plan. He's usually wrong, but it is what he's pushing.