Money is the motivation for the universities of Oklahoma and Texas to depart from the Big 12 Conference to the Southeastern Conference.

This could pose some serious consequences to OU, particularly for the football program.

OU has won six straight Big 12 titles. The Sooners have one of the top five head coaches in the nation. They are producing the best quarterbacks year after year. They contend annually for the national championship.

That would change in the SEC.

It is doubtful that OU could dethrone Alabama and instead of winning 10 or 11 games a year in the Big 12, OU might win only 8 or 9 in the revamped SEC.

And the departure of OU and Texas might devastate the Big 12. It’s questionable if the remaining eight teams in the Big 12 could hold together.

And OU must take into consideration the fate of Oklahoma State in such a scenario, especially since the primary factor for OU seems to be more money.

Do the power brokers at OU have any loyalty to the Cowboys?

Should they have concern for Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State, who partnerships go back to the Big Eight Conference?

They should.

OU fans were disappointed when Nebraska bolted to the Big Ten and ended the rivalry with OU. Some Texas fans were upset when Texas stopped playing Texas A&M. Kansas fans were dismayed when they stopped the series with Missouri.

Shaking up these traditions for money is a sorry reason.

Let’s hope the unintended consequences don’t come back to haunt Sooner football.