Pardon us if we’re not surprised: A new poll shows 76 percent of football fans in Big 12 states disapprove of any athletic conference realignment that busts up cherished rivalries. Talk about a no-brainer. After all, traditional rivalries — and not multi-million-dollar network deals — are what got the blood pumping in Texas sports back before sports networks even evolved.

KRC Research, a global marketing firm in Washington, D.C., surveyed 1,500 college grads in Big 12 states in a study commissioned by Baylor University. The results might surprise some other university officials huddled in back rooms: Given the choice between “superconferences” formed “irrespective of geography” and familiar leagues based on regional competition, 75 percent of those surveyed — and 80 percent of football fans — chose the latter.

That flies smack in the face of what some regents, presidents and chancellors at taxpayer-supported universities are doing. A&M is already forsaking its old regional rivals in the Big 12 to join the Southeastern Conference. Now Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are discussing doing the same, possibly landing in the Pac-12 — and months after the Big 12 signed a $1.1 billion contract with Fox Sports at their behest.

It’s hard not to lose complete faith in those plotting these actions, including gubernatorial appointees among Texas A&M, Texas and Texas Tech regents. Such realignments are not in the best interest of our state. Conference competition spread across half a nation isn’t good for the alumni and students, and it’s sure not fiscally prudent for institutions of higher learning. It’s not good for student-athletes’ academic pursuits. And far-flung conferences sure don’t benefit the economies of Texas cities. Alas, state leaders either don’t care or lack the political courage to do anything about this.

The skullduggery plaguing the Big 12 must leave Baylor fans disillusioned at the state of college athletics. We urge optimism, even as college officials elsewhere break vows to strengthen the Big 12 and instead conspire to bring about its demise.

College athletics may be different from the good old days, but new and exciting scenarios may yet arise. One could bring the rest of the Big 12 into the Big East, ensuring passionate contests with such institutions as Texas Christian University. No matter what happens to TCU and Baylor football, we saw sparks fly when these old rivals played on Sept. 2.

Central Texans should be confident of Baylor’s viability in any conference. Since Ian McCaw became athletic director in 2003, Baylor has won 33 Big 12 championships in eight sports, behind only Texas and A&M. It has invested heavily in competition, with an athletic budget of $60.8 million for this school year, ranking fifth among universities of the Big 12. (It ranked 12th in Big 12 athletic budgets just eight years ago.) Over the last six years, $110 million has been raised in support of BU athletics. Academically it’s also a contender, rising four spots to No. 75 in the current “Best Colleges” ranking compiled by U.S. News & World Report.

So whatever happens next in this saga, Baylor and those who support it should take heart. The very fickleness of this day and age notwithstanding, Baylor’s versatility in all arenas should win it respect, new prospects and the confidence of all.

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