Less than 24 hours after new details emerged regarding the Texas Longhorn’s new Longhorn Network and their desire to air high school games for potential recruits both in and out of state, we’ve suddenly learned quite a bit on how their direct competition – mainly Oklahoma and Texas A&M – plan to respond.

The juiciest rumor that hit the Internet on Wednesday was that the Sooners and the Aggies could potentially jump to the SEC to combat the Longhorn Network. There’s obviously history here, and while this isn’t necessarily a surprise given the fact that the Big 12 was nearly long gone a year ago, this certainly would shake up college football quite a bit. This would obviously make the already powerful SEC almost dominant from a national standpoint, but would this at all combat the powerful recruiting tool that the network brings?

Well, this is also being discussed.

Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione spoke with the media earlier this week and confirmed the fact that the Sooners are indeed looking at ways to properly start their own 24-hour network.

This courtesy of the Oklahoman.

“We have had a great amount of interest in the prospects of a network here. We are interacting with a variety of different media companies and we know that we will have potentially a different model than the one that people keep hearing about in regards to the one at the University of Texas.

In our case, we are trying to position ourselves to be more available on all the emerging platforms the way the digital revolution is taking place, things we know about right now, as well as though things that from a technological standpoint can still be developed.

We are trying to position ourselves for the next wave. We have a network right now, lets make that abundantly clear. And if you have watched over the last couple of years, more than ever, live events being distributed over the state, whether it is cable or over the air…We are also trying to look into spaces online, broadband, mobile and other kind of technology that is being developed. So we have a network and we will continue to have a network. We will probably have 30 to 50 live events this coming year, just like last year. They will be online and streaming.

We are looking for the next frontier. We have a frontier spirit in Oklahoma and we have been trying to figure out the right path for us. I’m really encouraged by the progress. I like the interaction we have had with various media companies and we will find something that is truly sustainable for us. Sustainable is a key word. We want it to be around for a while and that is why we are being very diligent looking at the opportunities. What our profile is, and how we not only reach the people around this region, around this state, even the people around this country and around the world because technology can take us that far.”

The news that Oklahoma is and has been looking for a network is not necessarily anything groundbreaking in nature. They have been talking about this for quite a while ever since the Longhorn Network went from concept to actual product. Switching conferences, however, is a big deal. While these reports are just reports, it seems that teams are already looking for ways to keep up with the latest trends in the game.

We’ve seen this with the Pac-12, and Larry Scott has done a superb job making their brand relevant, lucrative and more meaningful than ever before. One thing can be certain. The NCAA and teams from various conferences all over the country are breaking new ground. Rules will likely be rewritten and it should be fascinating to see how it all plays out.

The Longhorn Network is set to take over college football the universe starting August 26th.

Outside of bringing in buco bucks, Sports by Brooks has reported that Texas will be televising high school games for players both in and out of the state. We knew they’d be focusing in on some of the fine Texas high school ball, but the fact that they can use this as a mega-recuriting tool around the country is certainly substantial news to most.

ESPN Programming VP Dave Brown had this to say on this potential addition. (courtesy of Brooks)

“One other thing, you may see us, I know there’s a kid [unsigned Texas verbal commit] Connor Brewer from Chapparal high school in Arizona. We may try to get on one or two of their games as well so people [Longhorn Network subscribers] can see an incoming quarterback that’ll be part of the scene in Austin.“

This is big. In fact, it’s not only big but it could change the potential outlook of college football for the future. Can you imagine Oklahoma and Texas not only fighting over a recruit, but also trading jabs over who will have rights to televise one of the recruit’s high school games? This scenario is very real and discussions are taking place in board rooms (cough, cough Texas A&M) to determine how to respond and/or compete against such an impressive recruiting tool.

I think those outside of Hook ‘Em nation have their thoughts on this issue, and those thoughts don’t involve poppin’ bubbly to congratulate them on their superb network planning. Plus, the Longhorn Network already has Matthew McConaughey promoting their channel. How can Turner Gill and co possibly respond to this?!

And as good as that McConaughey ad is, we think HornsFan13 has contributed a fantastic, NSFW (not safe for work, y’all) dub of this video that really belongs in a museum of unnecessary, funny as hell, completely inappropriate videos.

Consider yourselves Hook’d.

After getting his conference a monster TV deal last week, Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe stopped by 3 Guys in a Garage to share his thoughts on what exactly this means to the conference now and moving forward.

Outside of shedding some light on what the Big 12‘s deal with Fox Sports means, Beebe was very open and candid on a variety of different topics regarding the state and recent history of the Big 12. After all, at around this time a year ago the Big 12 was a “dead man walking,” a term Beebe used in the interview to describe the public perception of the conference back in early 2010.

Listen to what Beebe had to say about this deal, the Longhorn Network, the recent trouble with the BCS and much more. I can honestly say I have a much different outlook of the commissioner after listening him cover a variety of topics. Translation: Legends and Leaders won’t be happening under his watch…