IF the Big XII had ever gotten quality leadership in Las Colinas, staying would have made more sense. A quality front office would likely have lured USC & UCLA, as well as, Clemson, FSU with new TV contracts and $$$ similar to the SEC.
Lots of "ifs", but it all hinged on a commissioner with CDC traits. Between Bowelsby & the rap guy (who is very smart just not athletics), there that conference was doomed as illustrated by the neverwas wannbes they brought in.
I picked SEC because "I'm not sure what else we could have done" was not an option. Never liked the Pac nor B1G ideas and I hated being in the Big XII. Independent would have been a fail. ACC would have only been a lateral move from where we were so no.
I certainly don't think Texas identifies with the SEC, but it puts us in the best possible position as far as future college athletics is concerned. I don't prefer it but what else should we have done?
Football was always important at Texas, but Baseball, Basketball, and swimming are too. SEC is the only choice at this time. BIG has minus baseball and swimming light. Big 12 has a sprinkle of each. ACC is road kill.
Big 12 or SEC are the only two that make sense. ACC and PAC are too far east or west, and the Big 10 is too far north. If the Big 12 didn't lose major players over the years, I would be okay staying, but we did so the move is good.