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The Big 12 has drawn a line in the sand for at least two member schools. The conference, amid a...

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The Big 12 has drawn a line in the sand for at least two member schools. The conference, amid a chorus of story lines that would all significantly change the face of big-league college sports, has imposed a deadline of Friday for Nebraska and Missouri to state their intentions on whether they intend to bolt for the Big Ten, with the possibility of an extension for a decision by next Tuesday, The Austin American-Statesman has reported, citing two sources. "Nebraska has until 5 p.m. on Friday to tell us what they're going to do," one school official said, according to the The American-Statesman. "The same deal for Missouri. They have to tell us they're not going to the Big Ten."

ESPN: Huskers, Mizzou face ultimatum This one looks to be moving quickly. I find the sense of urgency within the Big XII very telling. I think they know that if both Nebraska and Missouri leave, they suddenly have to question whether or not they can even remain a viable conference moving forward. If they fall down to ten teams then they have to scramble to add two more (remember, you cannot have a conference championship game with ten games) and in that case the odds are probably that more of their teams either go to the Pac-10 or the SEC and that the conference as a whole crumbles. And also, I think if the Big Ten can legitimately get Nebraska and Missouri, moving to 16 teams is an inevitability, which will undoubtedly push the hand of the SEC to expand as well. In the grand scheme of things, getting teams from the East -- like Pitt, Rutgers, and whoever else -- will be a relative breeze compared to snagging Nebraska and Missouri, so if they can get those two then this whole deal is signed, sealed, and delivered.