Report: Missouri headed to SEC

Published Oct. 17, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Missouri's decision to apply for membership to the Southeastern Conference is "inevitable and imminent," The New York Times reported Monday, citing an unnamed university official.

The official also anticipated Missouri would have "no problem" acquiring the necessary votes from SEC presidents to allow for the move.

A specific timeframe is yet to be set but the process of leaving the Big 12 and applying for the SEC is reportedly set to begin Thursday and Friday when the school's Board of Curators meet at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Big 12 interim commissioner Chuck Neinas said last week that he expected Missouri to remain in the conference next year, but the move could see the school play in the SEC from 2012.

If the switch is completed, Missouri would become the SEC's 14th member, after Texas A&M was added in September. Fourteen is the preferred number for the SEC as it makes scheduling simpler.

The Big 12 would be left with nine teams should Missouri leave, meaning a likely expansion of one or three more schools and further shuffling of the college landscape.