Big 12 Realignment: Longhorns Will Make or Break Conference Expansion

At this hour it is Texas that holds the keys to whether or not they want to leave the Big 12 for the expanded Pac-10, or to keep everything intact.

Yes, Nebraska has left for the Big 10.

Even Colorado decided to leave and become a member of the Pac-10.

Every conference wants to have Texas as a member because of the power and prestige they hold as a university.

The SEC has made a strong push for them and Oklahoma to join.  The Pac-10 wants to add both of them and others member in attempting to become a sixteen team super-conference.

At the end of the day, Texas is going to do what is best for the University of Texas.

Right now, the President and Board are meeting in Austin, discussing the options that are on the table as far as conference-expansion is concerned.  This has been debated all over the country over the last week and a half.

The power that Texas holds could leave colleges such as Kansas and Kansas State on the outside looking in.  If they want to, they hold the button that could literally self-destruct the Big 12 conference as we know it.

As dangerous as that sounds, it is what College Athletics has come to be today.  It is all about generating revenue and being able to compete on the biggest stage in the country.  Texas is going to do what puts them in the best position to succeed.

There are reports that their joining the Pac-10 is imminent.

Others say they have agreed to keep the Big 12 together as a ten team conference.

Some even say that the SEC is close to getting an agreement with the superpowers Texas, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma.

Something's got to give, because in the end Texas can only be a member of one Bowl Championship Series Conference.

One thing that is sure, there has been no formal announcement yet and the speculation will continue to grow as rumors swirl.

The drama continues.  Texas' final decision could cause an enormous shift in the dynamics of college athletics.

Then again, it could virtually keep everything the way it is right now.

Stay tuned.  The next twenty-four hours will be critical in the conference realignment that continues to be debated.