The West Virginia Mountaineers are headed for the Big 12 as long as the Missouri Tigers go to the SEC. We found that out this morning, but the news continues to pour in, and we are starting to get some more details on the Mountaineers potential move. According to Pete Thamel of the New York Times, the Mountaineers have already applied to join the Big 12 and have already been accepted.
West Virginia is headed to the Big 12, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation, a move that leaves the Big East with five football programs and an uncertain future. The person said Tuesday that the Mountaineers had “applied and are accepted,” leaving only legal entanglements from making the move official. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been formally announced.
According to Brett McMurphy of CBS, once Missouri leaves for the SEC, the invitation to join the Big 12 could come within a matter of days.
The Mountaineers invitation to the Big 12 is contingent on Missouri leaving for the SEC. Once Missouri notifies the Big 12 it is leaving, the Mountaineers' official invitation could come within "24-48 hours," a source said.