The Big XII apparently believes the Aggies are likely to bolt for the SEC.  Late yesterday the Austin American Statesman reported just how seriously the conference takes these latest rumors.  In the Statesman article they cite a Big XII member official talking about potential replacements for the Aggies should they leave.

The Big 12 school official told the Statesman he had heard that the Big 12, to survive in the event of A&M’s departure, would consider inviting Notre Dame and Arkansas to join, but he admitted those schools were unlikely to be interested.

Saying Arkansas would be “unlikely” to have interest gives this line of thought too much credibility.  Let’s be clear:  Arkansas would have ZERO interest to move to the Big XII – especially if A&M has moved to the SEC.  My hunch is this “Big 12 school official” has a 512 area code and likes an odd shade of orange.

And Notre Dame?  Really?

The key takeaway from this story, though, is that the conversation appears to be shifting.  More and more I hear it’s a matter of “when” and not “if” the Aggies move to the SEC.  The university has a Board of Regents meeting scheduled for August 22, which also happens to be the week athletic director Bill Byrne returns from Europe after travelling with the Aggie basketball team this summer.

Also of note…  The Longhorn Network is set to launch later that week on August 26.  You think the Aggies would like to give the Horns a big ol’ Texas-sized middle finger the week LHN hits the air?  Yeah…me, too.

UPDATE I (8:44 AM, 8/11):  Unconfirmed reports this morning that Texas Tech has escalated talks with Pac-12.  If anyone has tips/information, please email to bloghawgs@gmail.com.

UPDATED II (8:52 AM, 8/11):  MrSEC.com has a full rundown (finally) of the events of the week.  Lots of links to various stories on the Aggies-to-SEC topic.