2012 SEC Football Schedule: Texas A&M Faces Plenty of Changes in SEC Debut

It got to a point where the Texas A&M Aggies just couldn't stand being in the Big 12 anymore. 

So they decided to take their ball and go to the SEC, by far the toughest college football conference in the nation.

Agree or disagree with the move, the deed is done. The Aggies will play their first season in the SEC in 2012, and it won't be long now before we know what their conference schedule looks like.

In fact, the word from the SEC is that we're going to know for sure on Wednesday:

As far as what the Aggies' conference schedule will look like, we can rest assured knowing that it will be loaded with SEC West opponents. That means Texas A&M will get to play Alabama, LSU and Arkansas, three of the best teams in the country in 2011.

Per Tommy Hicks of the Press-Register, the word around the campfire is that the Aggies will at least get to host Alabama and LSU. If that is true, the Aggies could ask for worse welcomes to the SEC West.

Playing Arkansas is nothing new for the Aggies, but it's a little up in the air whether or not the Southwest Classic will continue to be played at Cowboys Stadium. The Eagle reported on Christmas Day that the event hasn't been much of a financial success, and because of that it may not be able to persist as an annual battle at a neutral site.

As such, it is reasonable to conclude that Texas A&M and Arkansas will go back to keeping their rivalry confined to their respective stadiums, and it has been speculated that A&M will host Arkansas at Kyle Field in 2012.

This is where I get a little skeptical, as I just have a hard time seeing Texas A&M hosting games against all three of their foremost SEC West rivals. Surely at least one of them will be a road game.

If you believe Mr. SEC, the game against Alabama will be on the road. At least, such was his conclusion after crunching the numbers.

Both Harris and Mr. SEC agree, however, that Texas A&M will host LSU and Florida, a rival from the SEC East.

For now, all we can do is read the signs and speculate on their meaning. 

One thing that's for sure is that the Aggies are going to be in for a bit of an adjustment period during their first season in the SEC. They will be heading into the conference with a new head coach in Kevin Sumlin, and they will be under the leadership of a new quarterback with Ryan Tannehill headed to the NFL.

It's going to be a challenge, make no mistake about that. Hopefully, Texas A&M will not be caught off-guard when the challenges present themselves.