Realignment gives some rivalries new life

The GIST: The ramifications of conference realignment aren’t only about money and power — there are new, fascinating on-field and fandom dynamics, too. Some epic rivalries will find new life in this year’s altered landscape — plus, who knows what new blood feuds will ignite?

Texas vs. Texas A&M: The Lone Star Showdown is one of college sports’ oldest and most contentious rivalries, and they’ll be reunited as conference foes for the first time in 12 years when Texas starts SEC play next month. Everything’s bigger in Texas…including the hatred.

• Texas’ SEC membership also means becoming conference pals with Alabama, one of the few fan bases that takes football as seriously as the Longhorns. If the last two seasons’ nonconference games are any indication, this could become the spiciest rivalry of all.

National championship rematches: Realignment has thrust two reigning champs into conference relationships with their runners-up. Although both rosters will be completely revamped, Washington football will seek revenge on CFP victors Michigan on October 5th. And Florida State and Stanford women’s soccer don’t meet in the regular season, but they’ll likely see each other in the ACC ’ship.

• Oklahoma’s SEC move also brings together women’s sports powerhouses: The Sooners spent years becoming softball’s and gymnastics’ “It Girl,” and now they’re joining arguably the nation’s toughest conference in each sport. Delicious.

Old rivalries preserved…for now: As fans mourn beloved rivalries torn apart by realignment, some squads have promised to keep the heat alive — at least for a few years. The Apple Cup between Washington State and Washington and Oregon’s beef with Oregon State will survive on the gridiron.

• On the diamond and the hardwood, Bedlam between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State also lives on. There’s always time to battle your sworn enemy, after all.