In the latest Mizzou to the SEC rumors, a New York Times report says that votes are there and an invite from the powerhouse football conference is closer to being a sure thing.

The newspaper cited an official familiar with Missouri’s decisions involving conference realignment who said the school is confident there will be enough votes among SEC presidents for Mizzou to become a member. However, Mizzou would still need a formal invitation.

Missouri Curators met earlier this month and approved authority for Chancellor Brady Deaton to explore conference realignment. The Board meets this Thursday and Friday again in Kansas City.

The Big 12 has given no hard deadline for Missouri to decide, but does want an answer by the end of the academic year so they the rest of the conference can decide whether to stay at 10 schools or expand back to 12. TCU recently accepted an invite