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

By Ethan Lee

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 03: DeJon Jarreau #3 of the Houston Cougars dribbles against Davion Mitchell #45 of the Baylor Bears in the first half during the 2021 NCAA Final Four semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 03, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 03: DeJon Jarreau #3 of the Houston Cougars dribbles against Davion Mitchell #45 of the Baylor Bears in the first half during the 2021 NCAA Final Four semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 03, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LITTLE ROCK, AR - NOVEMBER 29: Barrett Banister #11 of the Missouri Tigers runs the ball during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at War Memorial Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Little Rock, Arkansas The Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 24-14. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
LITTLE ROCK, AR – NOVEMBER 29: Barrett Banister #11 of the Missouri Tigers runs the ball during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at War Memorial Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Little Rock, Arkansas The Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 24-14. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Would Mizzou ever consider a return to the Big 12? Would they really ever leave the SEC?

It never hurts to see if Missouri wants to come back to the Big 12, right? What on earth do you have to lose by checking in and seeing if the Tigers are happy with the idea of Texas and Oklahoma joining their conference?

The Longhorns and Sooners are really big brands that, with realignment, will likely cast a shadow on certain other programs. Why not ask Mizzou if that bothers them? Why not check to see if they really want to be in the same conference as the Longhorns again?

Why this could work for the Big 12

Reuniting with the Missouri Tigers would be huge for the Big 12. The conference could get a notable program that has a noteworthy brand and is also competitive at multiple sports. Getting the Tigers back in this conference would help erase any unease about its future and also make up for some problems that were caused in the past.

By bringing the Tigers back, the Big 12 could show its current members that the history of the Big 12 is valued and that the conference regrets the actions in the past that led to former members finding more stable conferences.

Why this wouldn’t make sense for Missouri

Good luck getting Missouri to actually come back to the Big 12. Pulling that off would be an absolute long shot. It’d be great for the Big 12 if it happened, but man does that seem unlikely.

There’s a long list of reasons as to why the University of Missouri chose to leave for the greener pastures they’ve found over in the SEC. There’s also one huge, compelling reason Missouri will likely stay in the SEC: money.

Of course, the Tigers also have to consider their future and the stability the SEC offers them. The SEC is obviously growing and has been steady for decades. The Big 12 hasn’t looked anywhere near as reliable or dependable.

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