Why Wouldn't the Missouri Tigers Leave?

The Missouri Tigers are the No. 1 soap opera college team in America these days. Please, let me explain.

Missouri has wandering eyes as it ponders what to do with its athletic future. These wandering eyes began last year when the Tigers really wanted an invitation to join the Big Ten Conference. An invitation that obviously never developed.

So after that snub, the Tigers appeared content to remain in the Big 12. Their president was even trying to hold the leaky-boat league together.

But then developed rumors Missouri had new eyes for the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Well, the Tiger’s President resigned from his Big 12 leadership role and the Missouri curators gave him permission to seek conference membership somewhere else.

Now, apparently Missouri is weighing whether its wants to remain in the Big 12 or jump to the SEC. The SEC hasn’t publicly said it will offer Missouri a spot in its conference, but many believe it will eventually come.

My question is why is it taking Missouri so long to determine its fate? Is there more interest from the Missouri side rather than the SEC side? Does the SEC want to invite someone other than Missouri? Could Missouri end up without a conference if the SEC thing doesn’t come through?

Missouri’s wandering eyes does not bode well for the marriage of the Tigers and the Big 12. It doesn’t appear that Missouri wants the Big 12 Conference and is only waiting for someone else to take them.

Missouri hopes it isn’t a lengthy wait.

Talking Missouri in the Big Ten

According to media reports, Missouri would definitely listen to the Big Ten if it approached the Tigers about membership. That was the public response. I say the Tigers behind closed doors response would be "Where do we sign?"

Missouri apparently feels unloved in the Big 12. One example is that Iowa State received a better bowl game last season than Missouri despite the Tigers having a better record and beating the Cyclones.

Like seeing a beautiful girl from a distance, Missouri does have appeal for the Big Ten. The Tigers are a strong academic institution in the middle of two fairly large media markets of Kansas City and St. Louis. The Tigers offer successful programs in football and men's basketball. They also provide a passionate fan base.

The Missouri-Illinois rivalry is hot now and it could get hotter if the Tigers join the Illini in the conference. Missouri could also look to the University of Iowa for some heated competition. A few years back, Missouri broke a football contract with the Hawkeyes. That may have caused some bad blood.

Missouri would probably lose its rivalry with Kansas. You figure it loses some appeal if the Tigers leave the Big 12. And Missouri and Nebraska have had some close football games over the years. But if Nebraska jumps too, the schools have a natural rival.

But again as I posted previously, Missouri probably needs the Big Ten more than the Big 10 needs Missouri.

What do you think of Missouri in the Big Ten?