Is the decisive domino in the second wave of expansion — superconference madness! — about to fall? The SEC released a statement Monday from commissioner Mike Slive stating his conference has ”started to look at schedules for 2012-13 for 13 teams,” which would include Texas A&M. Slive’s statement also included this: “When Texas A&M joins our conference, we don’t have immediate plans for a 14th member. We aren’t thinking in terms of numbers. We think about the strength of the SEC and the attractiveness of Texas A&M as an institution.” The important part for Pac-12 folks is the “when” that starts the sentence. “If,” is a word that was available but not chosen for a carefully-worded statement. Further, Texas and Oklahoma administrators met over the weekend . While Texas is believed to be trying to keep the Big 12 together, it’s also likely the topic of both jumping to the Pac-12 came up. The Big 12 will try to sell the idea to Oklahoma that the conference can survive by replacing Texas A&M with a team like BYU. Oklahoma, weary of the upheaval, is considered a strong lean toward the Pac-12 — its regents are expected to vote on the matter next Monday – and that almost certainly would mean Oklahoma State following along. If Oklahoma opts to bolt, it’s hard to imagine the Big 12 surviving. And if the Big 12 implodes, a mad scramble could ensue, with other BCS conference picking over the remains. Texas will remain the big prize, though it no longer operates from a position of strength. The Longhorns would have to make compromises to join the Pac-12 and they don’t like doing that. But they might not have much choice.

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Another inch toward expansion?