Texas never wanted in the sec and would never join that conference as is. A&M has no problem and has now gone to a virtual open admission policy. Not long ago, aggy was right behind Rice and UT in admission difficulty. In the SEC, and in their quest to try to one up Texas they have fallen behind most of the bigger schools in the state, including UofH. Texas publicly thumbed their noses at the SEC and ruffled some feathers. But you are right, from a financial standpoint, Texas is the crowned jewel of college sports.
I envision it all blowing up eventually and the blue bloods reorganizing it all. Should be funny to see how quickly aggy may have to come sniffing for a burnt orange jock. They better hope it happens after Abbott is long gone.