There has been much discussion about whether or not BYU would be a candidate to join the Big 12 now that Texas A&M has given notice it intends to see a new conference home.

BYU is going into its first year as an independent in football, having broken away from the Mountain West. Its other sports will now compete in the West Coast Conference. But perhaps the Cougars would be intrigued with the opportunity to join an automatic qualifying conference.

The school issued a statement late Wednesday night saying, "There is much speculation right now regarding conference affiliation that seems to change by the hour. Commenting on such conjecture is not productive and creates a distraction for our program. As we enter the 2011-12 athletic season, BYU is focused on the opportunities ahead. We are excited about our relationship with ESPN as a football independent and our affiliation with the West Coast Conference."

Of course, there is plenty more that will be in play. Namely, whether or not the Big 12 can survive moving forward, should the college landscape radically shift. BYU is going to have to evaluate the best way to survive and be relevant once all the dominoes are done falling.