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PAC-10 May Be Firing The First Expansion Shot

Basically I'm just confirming that we saw this because we're pretty sure you already know. From Orangebloods.com and former Dallas Morning News Longhorns beat writer Chip Davis:

It appears the Pac-10, which has its meetings in San Francisco starting this weekend, is prepared to make a bold move and invite Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado to join its league, according to multiple sources close to the situation.

Left out would be Iowa State, Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska and Missouri.

The story itself was unremarkable (except for the part about the PAC-10 of all people being the aggressors), but the various and wildly confusing reactions from people at the Big XII meetings in Kansas City were. You had Colorado's athletic director not denying the rumors before he denied them. Meanwhile, the Big XII was caught so flat-footed by the whole thing that commissioner Dan Beebe twice postponed and then abruptly canceled a press conference before staggering back into an elevator with a gaggle of reporters trying to get something out of him before the doors closed. A bizarre scene all around, which makes this particular rumor seem more plausible than all the others. 

Adding to the plausibility - the PAC-10 must have a pretty good idea that Missouri and Nebraska are headed to the Big 10, because you would figure those two would get invited over Texas Tech, Colorado, or even Oklahoma State.

Adding to the wiggle room - Texas A&M is doing a lousy job concealing their desire to go to the SEC, rather than the PAC-10. They'd prefer to head east for games, instead of being stuck with huge travel problems that bring their students back to campus barely in time for class. And don't forget the Texas Legislature. They've played God with college expansion before, and I'm sure they're not afraid to do it again if it means Texas and A&M stay together somewhere. (Also for a funny visual, imagine one of the Aggie Corps members going to a game in Berkeley. That wouldn't end well.)

So if we are in fact going to plaid, this report is Dark Helmet telling everyone on the foredeck of Spaceball One that light speed is too slow and they're going to have to go right to ludicrous speed. And if plaid comes, like we already explained, it's probably going to end very well for THESOUTHFLORIDABULLS.

Good night, and good luck.