This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
It appears that BYU's hopes of joining the Big 12 — at least in the very near future — have been dashed again. Several news outlets — including the New York Times and CBSsports.com — are reporting that West Virginia will become the Big 12's 10th member and a replacement for Missouri when the Tigers leave for the Southeastern Conference. Pete Thamel of the Times wrote that WVU has "applied and [has been] accepted" to the Big 12, citing a source with direct knowledge of the situation. Thamel also notes that the Big 12 will stay at 10 teams for now, another blow to BYU's hopes of perhaps being the 11th or 12th member. Brett McMurphy of CBSsports.com also reported this morning that WVU will be extended the invitation to the Big 12, citing college football industry sources. McMurphy also noted that the Big East's possible future members — Boise State, Air Force, Houston and SMU — want the Big East to pursue BYU. "It is unknown if the Cougars, which had talks with the Big 12, would be interested in joining a 12-team Big East," McMurphy wrote.