Big Blue Nation Linkapalooza: And The Beat Goes On...

The "Texas A&M to SEC" meme rolls on. Today, AggieYell.com (a Rivals site) put up a front page report that the move is finalized. All that's left is to dot the i's and cross the t's.

Texas has the Longhorn Network. Texas A&M has the SEC. Aggieyell.com is reporting that the Aggies have cast their lot with the Southeastern Conference.

Unfortunately, the information is behind a pay wall ($), but the subsequent Twitter frenzy indicated skepticism. Matt Hayes of the Sporting News further debunked the report, stating it's "just not true."

While the two sides still could come to an agreement, there are obvious problems—most notably the Texas legislature pressuring the Aggies to preserve longstanding rivalries with Texas and Texas Tech.

A high-ranking SEC source also told SN that if Texas A&M is accepted to the SEC, it likely will include a two-team expansion—leaving the most successful league in college sports with 14 teams. Sixteen teams likely is not an option, and the SEC has yet to identify a 14th team.

And so we continue to wait...

• NCAA committee approves increase in APR cutline

  The NCAA's board of directors approved a measure that would include postseason bans if teams fall below the new Academic Progress Rate cutline. The new mark for the four-year rolling average will increase from 900 to 930. In October, NCAA leaders will consider when the new rules will take effect.

  Showing some teeth, eh?

• NCAA rules that high school games cannot be on school networks
  This is considered one of the main reasons that Texas A&M wants to jump to the SEC.

• A roundup of the SEC's offseason
  ESPN's Diamond Leung has a nice overview of what to expect in next year's SEC. Here's a hint: there's a lot of good players, and not all of them wear blue and white.

• ESPN's College Basketball GameDay schedule released
  Kentucky at Vanderbilt on February 11 selected as one of the sites.

• Big East-SEC Challenge match-ups finalized

  One of the Challenge’s definite highlights. This game will feature the two most buzz-worthy freshmen classes in the country. Kentucky’s group of five-star recruits (Anthony Davis, Michael Gilchrist, Marquis Teague, and Kyle Wiltjer) is superior to Steve Lavin’s noteworthy class on paper. If this match-up was in March, I think Kentucky wins by at least 20. But it’s in December, when the Wildcat pups will have only six or seven games under their belts. I would not be shocked to see the Red Storm steal this one in Rupp.

  Should be a fun matchup of stud freshmen.

• Darius Miller Team USA highlights
  Make us proud, Darius!

• Calipari teaming with banks to promote financial literacy education
  More positive pub for our own Coach Cal.

• Wildcats complete first day of two-of-days
  Stay hydrated, gents.

• Dr. Saturday: Kentucky season preview
  Matt Hinton, one of the best in the biz, has a great brief preview of Kentucky football. Part of his SEC Week.

• Andre Woodson gushes over QB Morgan Newton

  Former University of Kentucky quarterback Andre' Woodson, now a student assistant coach for the Wildcats, expects big things from new starting quarterback Morgan Newton. 'He's night and day from last season,' Woodson said of the junior.

  We're expecting big things too, Andre.

• Closer look at UK’s receivers
  Kyle Tucker debuts for the Courier-Journal, writing about La'Rod King and the Wildcat receiving corps.

• Ex-Cat DeQuin Evans discusses journey from juvenile detention to NFL
  Nice profile on the former Wildcat. Hope he survives the cuts.

• Arkansas starting RB Knile Davis injured
  Tough break for the Hogs. Right now it's a left leg injury of unknown severity.

• LSU's Russell Shepard focusing on his game, not housing controversy
  Controversy and LSU just go hand-in-hand.

• Barry Brunetti finding his way at Ole Miss
  Brunetti on track to start at QB. I'm sure there's a random Houston Nutt joke we can add somewhere.

• CFB off-season review in MS Paint
  Finally, a little humor for your Friday (advance warning: you probably don't want to open via a work computer). For those of you who are avid Spencer Hall readers: it's EDSBS-approved.

Have a great weekend, everyone.