Mountain West Connection,

Texas A&M -- not Texas -- could be the key to a Pac-16 conference. ... sources say Texas A&M is still seriously exploring joining the Southeastern Conference. That charge is being led by A&M regent Gene Stallings, who, of course, won a national title in 1992 at Alabama as head coach. SEC Commissioner Mike Slive appears to be pulling out every enticement he can to lure Texas and Texas A&M to the SEC, including possibly moving two teams from the SEC West to the SEC East to allow Texas and Texas A&M in the SEC West, one source with knowledge of the SEC said. Utah could remain a long shot to join the Pac-10 if Texas A&M goes to the SEC then either Utah could be the 16th team and join the rest of the former Big XII members, or just join Colorado for a Pac-12. That would leave two spots open in the Big XII and that could bring back the BYU and Air Force to the Big XII.

So much news but here is something regarding Texas A&M to the SEC. A source confirmed to SI.com late Wednesday that emissaries from the SEC initiated discussions with Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne months ago, and while the SEC is just one of several potential options for the Aggies, it remains an option heading into Thursday's meeting between Texas A&M and Texas officials. At the meeting, power brokers from both schools will discuss a last-ditch effort to save the Big 12, even if Nebraska's Board of Regents votes Friday to leave for the Big Ten. "It's on life support," the source said of the Big 12. "But people have come off life support before."