SEC Expansion: What Texas A&M Exit, Baylor's Legal Threats Mean for Big 12

The Texas A&M Aggies' SEC wishes have finally been granted, but legal threats from one Big 12 school have put the move on hold.  

According to Joe Schad, SEC officials met last night to accept the Aggies' invitation to become the conference's 13th member. The quest for a 14th member begins, which could be more difficult than originally thought since one Big 12 school isn't too pleased with the SEC.  

The Baylor Bears are threatening to issue a lawsuit against the SEC because they know that, with the Aggies departure, the conference is sure to collapse even further than it already has.

In order for Texas A&M to leave for a new conference, it needed confirmation from all remaining Big 12 schools that none would take legal action against the SEC.

Apparently Baylor withdrew its confirmation yesterday, prompting the SEC to issue this statement. Per CBSSports.com: 

"

After receiving unanimous written assurance from the Big 12 on September 2 that the Southeastern Conference was free to accept Texas A&M to join as a new member, the presidents and chancellors of the SEC met last night with the intention of accepting the application of Texas A&M to be the newest member of the SEC.

We were notified yesterday afternoon that at least one Big 12 institution had withdrawn its previous consent and was considering legal action. The SEC has stated that to consider an institution for membership, there must be no contractual hindrances to its departure. The SEC voted unanimously to accept Texas A&M University as a member upon receiving acceptable reconfirmation that the Big 12 and its members have reaffirmed the letter dated September 2, 2011.

"

The letter that was sent on September 2 basically told the SEC they had the OK to get accept the Aggies into their conference.

Now there is a bit of a holdup, and it's unclear how long it will last. The Aggies want to be in the SEC, and the SEC wants the Aggies. But the Bears are creating a big problem.

Baylor issued a statement on its website indicating just how serious the school is about taking legal action. They're urging the schools in Texas to keep the conference as is because nobody should "mess with Texas football." 

These threats from Baylor show just how weak the Big 12 truly is now. It's a little sad that Baylor needs to cling to Texas A&M so much.

The Aggies aren't a powerhouse in the Big 12, but they're bigger than Baylor. And Baylor knows it.

Even though Texas A&M hasn't been very successful over the years, Baylor is threatening the Aggies' move for selfish reasons. Texas A&M hasn't won a bowl game since 2001; it's not like the Aggies make the Big 12 a spectacular conference. That would be the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners–something Baylor is failing to realize. 

I get that Baylor doesn't want the Big 12 to collapse. However, the SEC isn't at fault here, and Baylor shouldn't place blame on the stronger conference. The true collapse of the Big 12 began last year when Colorado and Nebraska left. The Aggies are simply part of the domino effect.

And Baylor is in denial.  

Eventually, things should work out for the SEC and the Aggies, but nobody knows when that will happen. The goal is for the Aggies to play in the SEC next year, but Baylor's spiteful actions could delay the process.

In the meantime, the SEC should be actively pursing a 14th member. Baylor's threats will more than likely prevent the SEC from attempting to add another Big 12 team such as Oklahoma, Oklahoma State or Missouri, which means it's time to look to the ACC or the Big East. 

According to Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com, West Virginia could become the SEC's 14th team, but there is no guarantee. Florida State and Virginia Tech should also be on the SEC's radar.

For now, the SEC will wait for the Big 12 to pacify Baylor, and they'll hope this issue is resolved.