Brigham Young Reportedly Being Courted By Big 12 With Loss Of Texas A&M To SEC

The rumors have been circulating and apparently there's enough truth underneath all of the conjecture for the Brigham Young Cougars to issue a statement concerning the state of their conference affiliation. This move comes in response to the rumors that have been swirling that BYU could become the next member of the Big 12 in the wake of the anticipated exit of the Texas A&M Aggies to the SEC.

Today BYU issued an official statement that didn't do anything but add to the credibility of the rumors, since the statement only affirms that there's lots of talk without denying anything. It reads as follows:

There is much speculation right now regarding conference affiliation that seems to change by the hour. Commenting on such conjecture is not productive and creates a distraction for our program. As we enter the 2011-12 athletic season, BYU is focused on the opportunities ahead. We are excited about our relationship with ESPN as a football independent and our affiliation with the West Coast Conference.

Note that they're only aligning themselves with their independence and the WCC for the upcoming athletic year -- a given no matter what the university decides. The statement itself leaves the doors wide open for Brigham Young to make moves toward the Big 12 as soon as 2012-13, the very point they've been rumored to enter in.

It seems as if we're beginning to see the reality of the college football landscape as it comes together. Nothing might be official now, but it's clear the Aggies are headed for the SEC and that the Cougars might be replacing them soon thereafter. Of course, that still leaves a lot of mystery as to what will happen in other conferences in response.