Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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So, this is what we have today...
From orangebloods.com's Chip Brown:
"In a bombshell development that could bring a halt to seismic changes in college realignment, sources tell Orangebloods.com Texas has been convinced by a plan presented by commissioner Dan Beebe to stay in a 10-member Big 12."
From ESPN's Joe Schad:
"The departure of Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to the Pac-10 is imminent, four sources within the Big 12 said Monday. One source said commissioner Dan Beebe's last-minute plan to save the conference has "zero" chance to succeed. Another source said it is "very unlikely" to succeed."
So, how do two reporters citing multiple sources come up with contradictory stories within almost minutes of each other?
One answer may be in the semantics. Brown's report claims Texas is committed to a "ten-member Big 12." What if UT is convinced Texas A&M will bolt for the SEC, leaving only nine members? What if Texas wants to be able to in essence blame the Aggies for the breakup of the Big 12, and then leave for the expanded Pac-10, saying it had no choice?
Another answer may simply be that one of the two reporters has better sources.
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Meantime, a report in L.A. claims that Pac-10 Commissioner Larry Scott will meet with University of Kansas officials tonight.
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As he did on the weekend, Joe Schad continues to report today this his sources indicate Utah has an edge on Kansas if Larry Scott needs a 16th team.
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Not that it means Scott will be on the plane (as he is supposed to be visiting with KU officials tonight), but the private jet he used over the weekend to visit Oklahoma and Texas is scheduled to leave Austin, Texas, headed for Stockton, CA--near Pac-10 headquarters in Walnut Creek--at around noon, Mountain time.
UPDATE: that plane took off from Austin at exactly 12:00pm, MDT.
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