Ok, several observations here:

1: A&M is now in the SEC. They are not being considered instead of anyone. As far as I can guess, the SEC is looking to add teams, not trade them, so any OU-A&M comparisons are irrelevant and pointless

2: Expansion has to be geographically feasible. The NCAA and Title IX require there to be more than 1 sport at a university, and to have a comparable number of women's sports. The SEC most likely isn't interested in a Big East-style several-sports only partner, it will want schools all in.

3: Expansion likely goes to 16, and stays there. So there are 2 spots to be filled.

4: Glamorous teams would be nice. Mizzou didn't add the wow factor; A&M was OK but not super-duper.

So, who's around? Clemson or Georgia Tech- about on the level of A&M, but don't add anything to the geography. You still have the Missouri problem (kind of distant with no real familiar opponent) unaddressed. Fla St, that's a pretty hot choice, but again it leaves Mizzou as an odd move. Oklahoma- as sexy as Florida St, and balances the geography of the conference. Mizzou doesn't have the rivalry with the Sooners a lot of other Big 12 schools do, but they do have that long Big 8 history together. Mizzou + A&M together, they bracket the Oklahoma schools, so there is continuity of travel for the fricking volleyball teams (A&M, Mizzou, Arky, LSU, Oklahoma-- this gives you a contiguous area where travel isn't obscene).

Those who say OU will never leave UT- you do realize this was said, with more certainty, about A&M, right?