Conference Realignment 2011: Reports say WVU first in line for Missouri's Big 12 Spot

With Missouri potentially making a conference decision soon, the Big 12 is preparing for either scenario. The conference will be proactive if Mizzou does make the split to the SEC. Soonernation's Brandon Chatmon writes...

If Missouri leaves, (Oklahoma AD Joe) Castiglione said the Big 12 has a "Plan A" and "Plan 1-A" but did not discuss specific teams outside of BYU. He also said he was hopeful Missouri would remain in the Big 12.

"I think our intent would be to move as quickly as we could," Castiglione said. "There may be other issues that hinder our ability to move as quick as we want. Behind the scenes we will be doing as much as we can as quick as we can to resolve it."

So, what is the potential Plan A or 1-A? It's not public yet, Chatmon writes that West Virginia could be the first team called.

West Virginia could be the top choice to replace Missouri if the Tigers left the conference, a source with direct knowledge of the Big 12's expansion plans told ESPN.com's Andy Katz on Satuday. The source said the league is more inclined to go to 10 teams in the short term while it assesses the pros and cons of 10 or 12 teams.

We have heard this before from Katz, and you wonder if it starts to gain steam this week, especially with Missouri possibly leaving.

Chatmon also includes quotes from an Austin American-Satesmen story, where a Big 12 official said WVU would be an upgrade over Missouri. In that article by Kirk Brohls, a Big 12 official claims that...

“West Virginia has better football than Missouri, better basketball than Missouri, a better budget than Missouri and more passion among its fans than Missouri. They’re better, anyway you turn ‘em. The travel’s not good (to Morgantown, W. Va) but that’s it.”

So, as we head in to another week of uncertainty, maybe the light at the end is getting closer and closer...and that light is more South and heartland than Southeast.