10 teams the Big 12 should consider pursuing as it navigates conference realignment

The Nebraska Cornhuskers haven’t done so hot in the Big Ten. Would they ever consider a move back to the Big 12?

Look, if you’re the Big 12, you have to try calling the Nebraska Cornhuskers, right? Nebraska is a team that hasn’t really been great since the early days of the Big 12 and it’s really struggled since it made the move to the Big Ten.

Prior to the start of a messy 2020 season that was a huge disappointment for the Huskers, the Big Ten and the Huskers didn’t appear to be seeing eye-to-eye.

At the time, the conference seemed committed to skipping football in the fall and Scott Frost seemed to indicate that he would be comfortable if Nebraska didn’t play a Big Ten schedule. Things were eventually resolved and Nebraska had a rough year, but the Big 12 should be asking if he and the Huskers would be willing to do that permanently.

Why this could work for the Big 12

If you’re the Big 12, going after Nebraska and actually convincing the Cornhuskers to come back would be huge. Nebraska is down right now, but the Huskers have a lot of history behind their name and branding and that could be a huge benefit for a conference that is seeking someone to help anchor it.

Of course, it’d be nice if the Huskers were actually good at football right now. But, even if football is down right now, this is an athletics department that is fairly well rounded and has the potential to thrive at multiple things.

There’s also a HUGE group of Nebraska fans out there. This fanbase is loyal and intense and that’s always a benefit for a conference to have.

Why this wouldn’t make sense for Nebraska

The story here for Nebraska is similar to the other former Big 12 member on this list, Missouri. Why on earth would Nebraska leave the stability of the Big Ten for the mess and baggage that the Big 12 brings?

There are a lot of logistical hurdles the Huskers would have to hop over to get back in with their former conference and, without Texas and Oklahoma, would the Sooners even want to go back to their old neighborhood? There’s a lot of old, hard feelings between the Huskers and the Longhorns and Sooners.

Oh, and there’s a lot of pride in Nebraska. Would the Cornhuskers really want to be where Texas and Oklahoma wouldn’t? Nebraska has deemed itself to be too good for the Big 12 before. It seems unlikely that they’d want to go back.