What's Next for Oklahoma Wrestling and the Big 12?

Image courtesy of the Big 12 Conference Twitter Page (@Big12Conference).

There is no more speculation needed as to the veracity of the Oklahoma and Texas to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) rumors. The move is happening. It's just a matter of when.  

On Monday, July 26, per ESPN, Oklahoma and Texas officially notified the Big 12 that they will not be renewing their grants of media rights following their expiration in 2025, according to a joint statement released by both schools.

Still, there are many aspects of this proposed move that remain unknown. And, while the move was likely initiated for reasons related to the football programs at each institution, football won't be the only sport impacted by the conference switch. The Oklahoma Sooner wrestling program will likely need a new home as well.

In 2021, Oklahoma and coach Lou Rosselli's Sooners finished just 5-5 overall. Still, they earned a share of the 2021 Big 12 Championships title alongside bitter rival Oklahoma State, which won its ninth consecutive conference crown this year under the legendary John Smith.

But, will this storied wrestling rivalry be a casualty of Oklahoma football chasing the allure of SEC football? Only time will tell, but it certainly could be. 

That said, we saw an eerily similar situation play out before when the University of Missouri vacated the Big 12 for the SEC, once again primarily for football-related reasons, back in 2012. The move sent the Mizzou wrestling to the Mid-American Conference, where the Tigers racked up 10 MAC titles in a row. Missouri will be heading back to the conference it once called home, the Big 12, beginning in 2021-22.

Will Oklahoma wrestling move to the MAC just as Mizzou did nearly a decade ago? Will OU stay in the Big 12 under the affiliate membership status? Will OU be apart of the Pac-12's effort to grow wrestling in its conference? Could Oklahoma join one of the other four Division I conferences I have yet to mention?

While a relocation to the MAC or affiliate membership to its current home – the Big 12 – are the most likely options, I personally, selfishly, am hoping for the latter. Staying in the Big 12 will not only preserve the rivalry between the Sooners and the Cowboys, but it will also create greater parity in both the MAC and the Big 12. If Oklahoma were to join the MAC, it likely would start a decade of dominance similar to what Mizzou wrestling over the last 10 seasons. Over the last decade in the MAC, all other MAC squads were in a race for second place. That is not good for the sport.

While I don't want to put the cart before the horse here, some are postulating that this Oklahoma and Texas move could be the first domino to fall in what will eventually eliminate the Big !2 Conference completely. I don't see this happening in the immediate future, but it could be utterly devastating for college wrestling if it does.

Here is the official statement released Monday afternoon, July 26, fom the Big 12.



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