Report: Big 12, which is considered the linchpin of whether the SEC plays, is 'split' on decision

The SEC has never been a bigger Big 12 fan, as the Big Ten and the Pac-12 have both announced that they have canceled college football this fall. Both intend to “try” to play in the spring; however, most everyone is skeptical of their intentions.

So, that leaves the SEC, ACC and Big 12 having to make a final decision on the season. The SEC, through commissioner Greg Sankey, has said it will be patient and will wait to make a final decision, while the ACC is holding firm, too.

That leaves the Big 12, which consists of 10 institutions that include Oklahoma and Texas, as the linchpin and swing vote. Reports have surfaced the the SEC would want both the ACC and Big 12 to play, along with a Group of 5 Conference. The Sun Belt Conference has already stated it will mirror the SEC’s decision.

Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger and Pat Forde report that the Big 12 is very much split on a decision. Some schools are for playing, while others are against playing. A larger group also wants to delay.

Sources tell @ByPatForde and I that the Big 12 – the linchpin in today’s events – is very much “split” on a decision.

A small group wants to cancel, a small group wants to play, a larger group wants to delay.

ADs meet today and then ADs & presidents meet jointly around 6 ET.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 11, 2020

Yahoo! Sports Pete Thamel is reporting that his Big 12 source is saying they will likely try to play.

Here’s the @YahooSports on the Pac-12 cancelling fall sports. Included: The Big 12 can be looked at like a swing state in an election. A Big 12 source in wake of B10/P12 news: “There’s an increasing sentiment that we’ll play,” the official said. https://t.co/GZXLsuCROH

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 11, 2020

This one is going to come down to the wire.