Is the Big Ten going after Texas?

Is the Big Ten poised to become the new Big 12?

According to a report, Big Ten officials, eager to expand their conference to 12 teams, have contacted Texas about the possibility of joining up.

A source told the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World that "there have been preliminary exchanges between the Big Ten and Texas. People will deny that, but it's accurate."

The Big Ten refused to comment on the report, but mentioned in a statement released Thursday that "The Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors ... has asked the conference office to obtain, to the extent possible, information necessary to construct preliminary options and recommendations without engaging in formal discussions with leadership of other institutions."

Texas Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds told the Austin American-Statesman last month that his program was "where we have to be."

"I don't see the Big Ten impacting the Big 12. I think the Big Ten would turn to Notre Dame or the East. We're in a good place."

Big 12 school Missouri and the Big East's Pittsburgh have also been linked to Big Ten expansion.

-- Austin Knoblauch