AMES, Iowa (AP) — Sipping a beer with friends on a weekday afternoon at Wallaby's Bar and Grille, Chris Clough explained life as an Iowa State fan.

"You have to know that you're going to see so many painful years and you just have to get over it," he said, "and when you get those years when we're good, you have to hold onto them."

Cyclones fans also know the other shoe could drop any time.

It did just over a month ago when the Big 12's flagship schools, Oklahoma and Texas, announced their intention to join the Southeastern Conference. The move will take place in 2025, if not sooner.

"We finall...