May be a factor, but not something that couldn't be overcome. I still think part of the issue was #12 school. It may have been more about OU not caving to TX and adding Houston.
On the other hand - it still wouldn't surprise me if Thamel was the puppet to create leverage for OU. I'm not convinced TX wants to go to PAC when it gets down to it. Later time zone, give up playing neighboring states / in state games for travel to West Coast. Different story going to SEC...which, I guess could be on the table.