As expected, Texas A&M informed the Big 12 that the school is exploring its options regarding conference affiliation.

University president R. Bowen Loftin sent a letter to Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe Thursday afternoon asking Beebe to lay out the necessary procedures if the Aggies choose to leave the league. This move was the expected next step necessary to eventually join the SEC.

Last season, Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman sent a similar letter before the Cornhuskers left the Big 12 for the Big Ten. After the exit of the Huskers and Colorado, the league strengthened its exit penalties after inking a new television deal.

While this letter doesn't guarantee a withdrawal so A&M could apply for entry into the SEC, can we really imagine a scenario in which the Aggies weren't a lock to leave the conference?

Here is the letter in its entirety.

Dear Commissioner Beebe:

As you know, the Texas A&M Board of Regents has authorized me to take action relating to Texas A&M University's ("Texas A&M") conference alignment. While this letter is not a notice of Texas A&M's withdrawal from the Big 12 Conference (the "Conference"), we are exploring our options. There has been a great deal of speculation and comment in the media about Texas A&M leaving the Conference, including discussions of other institutions joining the Conference.

If Texas A&M withdraws from the Conference, we want to do so in a way that complies with the Bylaws and is supportive of your efforts to seek a new member of the Conference. We would appreciate your conferring with the other member institutions and outlining for us the process to be followed by Texas A&M should it withdraw from the Conference.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

R. Bowen Loftin
President

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