Missouri Football SEC: Big 12 Future Lies in Hands of Brady Deaton

Remember the name Brady Deaton because he is about to decide on what the Big 12 will look like in the near future. 

The nation is abuzz with conference realignment. The term has come to mean more to people than Alabama's defense or Russell Wilson's pocket presence. 

The Missouri Tigers are currently pondering the question: To leave the Big 12 or to not leave the Big 12? The man tasked with weighing all options and making a decision is Brady Deaton. 

USA Today reports Missouri's curators gave chancellor Brady Deaton free reign to decide the course of action concerning Missouri and a possible move to the Southeastern Conference. 

The reports cites a statement read by Warren Erdmann, chair of the curators, who stated:

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The authority to take any and all actions necessary to fully explore options for conference affiliation, and contracts related thereto, which best serve the interests of the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Missouri system.

"

Deaton had no choice but to step down as chair of the Big 12 directors as the conflict of interest would have been enormous. 

The Big 12 is dwindling in numbers. Colorado and Nebraska have already left, and this year Texas A&M decided to bolt effective next year. 

The loss of Missouri would put the number for the Big 12 at eight, making it prudent to search for a few teams willing to step up to a bigger conference. 

There is a silver lining for a conference that is in near shambles. The report cites interim Big 12 commissioner Chuck Neinas, who left a statement of his own after a Missouri curators meeting held on Tuesday. 

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The University of Missouri is a member in good standing in the Big 12 Conference, and I anticipate the University will continue to be a member of the Big 12.

"

This of course means little as Missouri is set to take their time to gauge how fruitful the future will be in either conference. 

While Missouri is merely in an exploration phase, it doesn't help that the Big 12 is in the middle of the most tumultuous time of their existence. 

The momentum is clearly on the side of the SEC if it pilfers the Tigers from their current home in the Big 12. If that happens, there is no telling where the altered conference will go from there.