Conference realignment is something we haven't really talked much about on POST ROUTE, primarily because every day we hear something new about who is or isn't going to what conference. But things are looking pretty serious for Mizzou and the SEC. Here's former guest writer Bill Bishop's thoughts on the potential shift, and I must say I agree with him:
My two cents: I would much rather be in the Big 10 than the SEC. The academic reputation of the SEC sucks, with the exception of Vandy. I'd rather my daughter had a degree from a Big 10 school than a SEC school. In terms of athletics, I'd much rather travel to The Big House and The 'Shoe. MN is about as far away as it gets and you can drive there. All of our teams would be immediately competitive in the Big 10. In the SEC, we will never be competitive consistently with Bama and LSU in football, just like we are not consistently competitive with TX and OU now. It's a different world. We would slide into the middle of the pack looking up, as we do now. Regular games at Gainesville and Charleston would be crazy. I'd love to see Mizzou kick some Gator tail, but I don't drive down for FSU games anymore and can't see many other people making the journey for Mizzou games. In the other sports, we can compete. Basketball, baseball, track, etc. Women's sports. We'll be fine, but tired from traveling.
I, too, am sick of bending over for Texas and OU. As commissioner, I'd kick Texas out. Let them take their network and go independent. OU will shape up after that. There are other Texas schools who would love to join a revamped Big 12. It's not that the big 12 is not a viable product, it is. Everyone is tired of dealing with Texas. It's the same reason the old Southwest Conference blew up. If 16 team conferences are the future, it could be done, but it won't happen for a while due to the length of current Tier 1 and Tier 2 television contracts. Give Texas the boot, add Houston, BYU and one other (Pitt, TCU, SMU, Louisville, etc.) and sit back and enjoy the ride. We would still have a significant footprint in all TX markets as well as Denver/Salt Lake. That's bargaining power. For those of you scratching your head over Houston, read the following:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/sportsmoney/2011/09/01/big-12-should-snap-up-the-university-of-houston/
ESPN is reporting the Big 12 offered up an invite to TCU. The new commissioner is obviously reading my notes, too.
ReplyDeleteTCU can't save the Big XII...only UT can, and they won't for selfish reasons, and I don't blame them. The other members of the Big XII don't have the intestinal fortitude to do what is best for the Big XII (kick TX to the curb) and recreate a true Midwest conference. Now it is time for Mizzou to have the intestinal fortitude and foresight to see the greener pastures of the SEC, and by greener I mean $$$. We'll compete just fine too.
ReplyDeleteAnd to continue, the SEC rule that anyone leaving at half-time must purchase another ticket to re-enter is brilliant! Can't wait to have that enforced at Mizzou. Our second half-attendance is atrocious most of the time, and yes, I am guilty of sometimes leaving at half-time. I look forward to the day that that isn't an option.
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