As SEC adds Texas and Oklahoma, who's the bigger prize? Making case for Longhorns, Sooners

The move that put the realignment carousel into motion three years ago finally is complete. Oklahoma and Texas are members of the SEC, and the nation's most powerful conference literally partied for days in celebration of a massive seizure.

The realignment of this conference and these brands was enough to shake up college sports. This marks the third SEC expansion in the past four decades, while the conference grew from 10 members to a 16-team super league. Oklahoma and Texas are the SEC's best-ever expansion prize.

But, who's No. 1?

On this edition of "SEC Football Unfiltered," a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate which of these two powers is the top plunder for the SEC. On this, they agree: Oklahoma and Texas outweigh any of the SEC's past additions, but they disagree whether the Sooners or Longhorns rank as the signature prize.

When the clock struck midnight Central Time on July 1, the SEC tweeted first to welcome Texas. Then, it welcomed Oklahoma. Also, the SEC Network visited Austin for a live broadcast on Sunday before maneuvering to Norman a day later. Should we make anything of that? Is Texas the top add?

Here's how we see it:

Is Oklahoma or Texas a better addition for SEC?

ADAMS: Oklahoma is the top prize. As impressive as Texas' across-the-board athletics success is, I look at realignment through a football lens. And Oklahoma is a true football blue blood, rich in tradition and success. I'm old enough to remember OU's 47-game win streak in the 1950s. The Sooners dominated again in the 1970s and '80s. Its 2000 team remains its last to win a national championship, but the Sooners made the four-team College Football Playoff four times. Yes, Texas qualified last season and is probably a stronger bet to make the playoff this year. But, I trust OU's track record. And, if we're expanding the conversation beyond football, the Sooners' softball sweetens their case for being the SEC's top addition.

TOPPMEYER:How Oklahoma football, Texas can survive in the SEC (Hint: Alabama helps)

ADAMS:Two schools I believe belong in the SEC. They aren't from the ACC.

TOPPMEYER: Texas is the top prize. The sarcastic jokes about Texas being "back" are passé. I think the Longhorns are for real this time. Steve Sarkisian is a top college football coach, and he showed his commitment to UT when he stayed put after Nick Saban's retirement. OU football will be a nice addition, too, but Texas football appears to have the higher ceiling in this moment. The Longhorns are a revenue giant. A school that had its own television network is a brand made for NIL. Their athletics department is robust from top to bottom. The Longhorns will uplift the SEC in all sports.

Where to listen to SEC Football Unfiltered

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's SEC Columnist. John Adams is the senior sports columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Subscribe to the SEC Football Unfiltered podcast, and check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.