Report: Texas A&M Accepts Invitation to the SEC

The next domino may be falling.

AggieYell.com, covering Texas A&M for Rivals.com, is reporting that Texas A&M has accepted an invitation to join the SEC, although an official announcement cannot be made until August 22.

"Texas has the Longhorn Network. Texas A&M has the SEC," Aggie Yell's front page reads.

Neither Texas A&M nor the SEC have confirmed these reports, but it does appear to be just a matter of time before the news is confirmed on either end. Multiple sources have indicated that the Aggies could playing in the SEC as early as 2012 even though the deadline for filing to change conferences has already passed for 2012 (July 1, 2011). Though the deadline has passed it is believed that if it is a possibility for Texas A&M than the university, SEC and Big 12 would be able to arrange a settlement, perhaps with a larger exit fee for the Aggies.

If Texas A&M does follow through with a potential move to the SEC, then the state of the Big 12 would be much different than it was said to be just weeks ago during Big 12 media days. Commissioner Dan Beebe and many representatives from within the Big 12 said they felt comfortable with the state of the Big 12, despite recent tensions related to the Longhorn Network, the new Texas-only sports network. Plans to carry high school games raised many eyebrows and drew verbal assaults from College Station. It is believed that the Longhorn Network may have been the last straw for Texas A&M, who resumed working out a plan to join the SEC as quickly as possible.

Orangebloods.com's Chip Brown reports that Texas A&M regents will meet on August 22 to review the application process to join the SEC, and that SEC presidents could meet this weekend for an emergency meeting to discuss the idea of adding Texas A&M on a formal basis. But this appears to all be a formality at this stage.

It appears as though this is all but a done deal, and we will have to wait to see what impact it has on the Big 12. If Texas A&M leaves, then Oklahoma may begin listening to offers from other conferences, the SEC will be on the search for a 14th conference member and the ripple effect may be felt in each BCS conference, from the Pac 12, Big Ten, ACC and Big East.

Buckle your seat belts college football fans. This could be a bumpy ride.

We will continue to monitor this news and await any confirmation from the university and conference.

Kevin McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com. Follow his college football discussion on Google+ and Twitter. Become a fan of him on Facebook.