Pac-10 poised to become 16-team conference

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The Pacific 10 Conference will be no more.

Soon, it will have 16 members -- or at least 12.

With Nebraska reportedly headed to the Big Ten Conference, the Pac-10 is poised to extend offers to six current Big 12 Conference members, ramping up its numbers to 16.

Pac-10 Conference officials declined to talk about the deal on the record because of the sensitive nature of negotiations, but one with knowledge of the plan said, “It’s locked and loaded.’

Joining the Pac-10 in 2012 would be Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Colorado.

The new Pac-16 would divide into divisions, with the original Pac-8 schools aligned in one division and Arizona and Arizona State joining the six Big 12 schools in the other division.

Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott said last week that the league was working on possibilities that could be revolutionary.

Texas Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds reportedly told his coaches Wednesday that the Big 12 was breaking up and the Longhorns were likely headed to the Pac-10.

Even if Texas and others decide to stay in the Big 12, the Pac-10 would still make a move to expand by two schools, sources said, with Colorado being the No. 1 target.

-- Chris Dufresne