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The Big 12 is once again at the center of the conference realignment, and their decision on who to replace Missouri could have a domino effect that reverberates all the way down to the University of Houston's move to the Big East.
West Virginia was widely reported to have received an invitation to join the Big 12, but the New York Times' Pete Thamel reports that the conference is still trying to decide between them and Louisville, another Big East school:
PeteThamelNYT Pete ThamelJust filed to NYT: After being told it was accepted to Big12, WVU in holding pattern. Its "50-50" and "too close to call" with Lville.
The pecking order has become clear: the SEC adds Big 12 schools (Texas A&M, Missouri), the Big 12 adds Big East schools (TCU and now either West Virginia or Louisville) and the Big East adds schools like Houston from non-AQ conferences.
Regardless of which school is picked, the question now is whether the Big 12 stays at 10 schools or tries to go back to 12 in order to hold a conference championship game.
If they do go to 12, they are likely to target the Big East again, jeopardizing the conference's BCS status and forcing Houston and the other newly invited members (SMU, Central Florida, Boise State, Air Force and Navy) to scramble.