IN A BIG EAST SENSE: Everything's hinging on A&M at the moment, I feel like. If they go to the Pac-Integer, all problems are solved, and it's a clear path for the Big 12 North orphans to the Big East--Kansas being the most desirable orphan since the resulting basketball league will be the ultimate power in the universe. If A&M finds a way into the SEC--and, speaking objectively, I really think they should if they can, it's a once-in-a-generation chance to get out from under Texas' shadow, even if they're going to a much tougher league--then the Pac-Integer only has 15 teams and they probably will want a 16th. Can they talk Kansas into coming? Then the Big 12 North orphans look less attractive. And a Big East without Kansas is a less stable conference. I hope Kansas and Kansas State (and Missouri, since they're the Kansas archrivals) are a package deal somehow, though I've heard the reverse.