The question always asked was if former Big 12 teams were SEC ready, but no one ever wondered if the SEC was Big 12 ready.
Entering Week 7, other than unranked Texas, it’s teams from the original Big 12 that are carrying the SEC at the top of the conference this season.
All at 5-0, former Big 12 members Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas A&M join Ole Miss as the last undefeated teams left in the SEC after a chaotic start to the season. And better yet, they're all doing it with stellar defenses after coming from a conference known for a lack of defense.
Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas A&M leading the SEC
Ole Miss tops the conference while already 3-0 in SEC play as the No. 4 team in the latest AP Top 25. No. 5 Texas A&M is next at 2-0, while No. 6 Oklahoma and No. 14 Missouri have both played just one conference game so far. Alabama is also unbeaten in SEC play, but the Crimson Tide lost their season opener to Florida State.
Texas is the only program letting down the original Big 12 that was no more after Texas A&M and Missouri left for the SEC in 2012. OU and Texas then followed the same path last year.
Although not representing the old Big 12 well this season, Texas at least immediately made the SEC Championship Game last season in its first year in the conference. That led to inflated expectations that the Longhorns have failed to meet so far this season at 3-2.
The Sooners will play Texas in the Red River Rivalry at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Dallas. With Texas falling short, though, it could now be the Sooners or one of the other two who could again represent the old Big 12 in the SEC Championship Game. It could also be an entire SEC Championship Game dedicated to the glory days of the Big 12.