Mizzou Could Announce Departure At Big 12 Meeting Today
October 24th, 2011 10:35 AM║ Posted By: John Pennington ║ Permalink ║ Tags: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton is planning to personally attend a Big 12 board of directors meeting today in Dallas. There’s a growing belief in the Show-Me State that Deaton did not announce a full split with the Big 12 last weekend because he wanted to handle the breakup in person. (Considering the back door deals and double-crosses of the expansion/realignment game, it’s almost shocking to see such a display of principles.)
PowerMizzou.com — the Rivals site covering the Tigers — reports that “the expectation is that Missouri will withdraw from the Big 12 at that time.” (For the record, Gabe DeArmond of PowerMizzou is the son of Mike DeArmond of The Kansas City Star.)
Both sites believe Missouri will be welcomed into the SEC by the end of the week. The Rivals site also includes the following in its report: “Multiple sources have indicated that Missouri is likely to be placed in the Eastern Division of the SEC.”
On Saturday morning, we reiterated our previously-stated conclusions – based on what we’ve heard from sources at multiple SEC schools:
1. Missouri will be in the SEC by the end of the week (with an announcement likely coming Wednesday, Thursday or Friday).
2. The Tigers will be slotted in the SEC East. (The why is something we also covered here on Friday.)
3. And we stand by our view that the SEC will eventually go to a nine-game league schedule.
Nothing’s happened since Saturday to change our opinions. In fact, what’s being reported in Missouri seems to confirm what you read here first.
"In fact, what’s being reported in Missouri seems to confirm what you read here first."
Why is it important that you read it here first? Isn't the idea to be right instead of first?
Just Wondering…
Yes. And in this case, it appears again that we were both.
John
Suppose this is the case. What does that even mean? Do you get some sort of prize?
John
Do you think teams from the East that do not play Texas AM annually will have a benefit in recruiting and see a greater number of players on their roster from Texas?
I would say potentially as East Texas recruits will become more and more familiar with SEC football in general. I don't particularly see this as a boon to Georgia or Florida who already have a plethora of elite in-state prospects to target year in and year out. UT, SC, KY may realize a greater benefit. On the flip side though, if Auburn, Alabama, etc in the West start pulling more kids from Texas, they may not recruit and poach some of our players as hard as usual.
gatormoss…
Obviously, the bigger impact will be for those teams in the West who'll get A&M on a regular basis. But, yes, I do believe East Division teams who choose to go into Texas should find a few more open doors. By adding the Aggies, the SEC guaranteed that it will now be talked about on a regular basis across the state of Texas. The constant chatter and increased viewership of television games should make athletes in the Lone Star State even more familiar with the SEC's programs… even those to the East.
Florida and Georgia have quite a bit of homegrown talent, so they will probably attempt to cherry pick top recruits — like ex-Dawg QB Matthew Stafford — from time to time. Steve Spurrier has said that he doesn't eye Texas much and that would probably be the toughest sell simply due to distance.
Vanderbilt already recruits nationally, but they go after a different type of student than the other SEC squads. That leaves Tennessee and Kentucky as the two schools — I believe — will be the most likely to try to put down some roots in Texas. And it should be easier for Tennessee (another school that tends to recruit nationally) than Kentucky to do so.
Whoever from the East gets A&M as a permanent cross-divisional rival will get a nice bounce as well… if that's not Missouri who already heavily recruits the state.
Many thanks for reading,
John
Thank You! Be interesting to to see how long and effective the SEC Brand will take-off in Texas and Missouri
I certainly hope this follows the trajectory your sources have suggested. I'm a Missouri alumnus and 33-year football season ticketholder and have also been a long-time follower and fan of SEC football. I've long admired the SEC football culture both on and off the field and I'm looking forward to my school being a part of that, assuming the SEC accepts our bid. I firmly believe the SEC affiliation will strengthen the Missouri football brand and that we will be able to build a program that SEC traditionalists would consider peer-worthy.
Sure, as a decades-long MU guy, the departure from the Big XII is somewhat bittersweet, and I would prefer to focus on the positives of this transition. The Big 8 days hold some great memories but that's history. Here's hoping that this coming Saturday's MU-A&M contest concludes with a Black, Gold, Maroon and White cheer of "S-E-C, S-E-C!"
Howdy @YaleHollander,
This Aggie shares the bittersweetness of your perspectives as it relates to A&M and the old SWC. And as you expressed your desire for MU to join the SEC, I am elated that A&M was welcomed last month. I'm glad it lokks like you'll be coming too. We can share the trial by fire together next fall just as I think we will chant "S-E-C, S-E-C" in unison on Saturday.
Gig'Em!
John…enjoy the site and the quality of the analysis on conference expansion has been superb. I don't understand the constant need, however, to point out your excellent prognostication skills or the fact that this site first floated the idea, etc. Perhaps it's needed to keep the site's reputation where it should be….as a high-level source of information. But anyone with an ounce of common sense can figure that out on their own without being reminded.
FGr…
It's simple promotion. There are sites out there who copy our reports days and weeks after we post them and claim that they are first to the table. We have to say this type stuff to make sure first-time readers realize who said what and when.
It's the same reason every local television and radio station runs spots saying "first, fast and accurate" or some variation. It's the same reason CNN and Fox quickly put together spots promoting their coverage of big events.
If you read the site, you know that there's no one more self-deprecating than me. But part of the business is self-promotion, unfortunately. And when we're right and we said something first, we have to make sure everyone's aware of that. Lest some other site claim that they were the first to talk about Missouri to the SEC — when in fact we did so in May of 2010. And that example, has already happened. Ditto talk of an SEC Network… and unfortunately, another site has even been credited with that revelation though we suggested it well in advance of their first mention.
If you're frustrated by reading one line in a story about how we broke said story or first thought of an idea, imagine how frustrated we become when someone credits another site for writing something that we had already written and posted days earlier.
Thanks for reading the site,
John
Thanks for the clarification. Makes all the sense in the world and shows my naivety as it relates to the new age of news distribution.
FGr…
Trust me, I know how annoying it is for our regular readers to see, "I told ya so," on our site. But we're writing it for the non-regular readers. Because everyone else is also walking around shouting "I told ya so," even if they really didn't.
Thanks for understanding,
John
sec shoulda taken wvu..thye decision must be based on bad info, the slotted east vs wet quandry.. or being too far down the road to change but i bet that if the sec had to do it over in 5 years they would have to conceed that wvu was a better addition. and now wvu will end up in the big 12. its not a major disaster but the sec shoulda taken wvu
Unless West Virginia suddenly has an influx of 6 million people and WVU starts being referred to as the Harvard of the Appalachians, I don’t think the SEC will lose any sleep over it.
According to the Collegiate Licensing Company, WVU merchandise out sells Missouri merchandise – check it out (didn't want to link).
Their fans are fenatical & also travel very well. I'm guessing they actually watch the games too.
Can't wait to get this last step over with and move on to see how divisions and permanent opponents will be handled. Tony Barnhart said this weekend that everything he was hearing is Mizzou to the East with A&M as their permanent opponent.
Unlike many others, I think major conference realignment dies down for a few years now and the SEC stays at 14 for awhile. Every school now knows what it is worth and accepts that it is in the best realistic conference spot.
I'm on board with Mizzou to the East but it seems like a missed opportunity to develop a strong natural rivalry by not making Arkansas your permanent cross-division rival. They'll be your closest conference opponent and you'll hardly ever get to play them.
Agreed. Ark vs Mizzou just naturally makes sense. Surely A&M would gladly take SC as a new rival.
As a Gamecock living in Houston, I would love to have TAMU and USC play against each other every year.
Howdy Gene,
This Aggie would be glad to take either South Carolina or Mizzou (or any other SEC school) as a cross division rival. I'm sure the SEC will make a good decision on this for all concerned.
Gig'Em!
Barnhart implied that the choice was Mizzou's for taking one for the team and going to the SEC East, but I have no idea if that was just his guess. The general feeling seems to be that Mizzou's coaches would prefer an A&M permanent to help maintain a presence in Texas state recruiting.
MIZ_SEC…
That wasn't just a guess on Tony's part.
We wrote last week that Missouri would be in the East and would have a lot of say in who its foe would be. We said A&M — because of recruiting — would likely be their choice — and that is what people are murmuring across the league's schools — but Arkansas remains a possibility.
Tony is a super reporter and he's been quite kind toward me as I've joined him a few times on CSS television shows. I'm glad his sources are saying the same things that my sources are saying. That gives me even further reason to trust my sources.
John
While WVU does add a lot to whatever conference they end up in, I'm not sure how you could say picking Mizzou would only be based on bad info.
John did a good analysis on here as well:
http://www.mrsec.com/2011/10/expansion-by-the-num…
Gator…
I guess I'll not nuke a link back to our own site.
Thanks for reading,
John
I would've loved to see my tigers moved to the east and stick the little tigers in the west where they belong. Welcome to the Sec mizzou! Now you get to lick Alabama's bootstraps instead of Texas.
Shaking my head at why SEC is settling for MIzzou….if Mizzou wins more than 2 games in the SEC I will be surprised…..thats some long road trips for the Big 12's little tigers and their fans! Should have raided the ACC Silve
All things considered, Missouri was the best team on the western/northern side of the SEC. Due to the Big 12 fiasco, timing dictates signing them now. If the SEC goes to 16, expansion to the east side makes more sense, assuming availabilty.
As a hokie you certainly are very aware that VT had their chance and said no thanks. With that in mind, I'm shaking my head at why you feel the need to criticize Missouri or the SEC for doing what VT didn't have the foresight to do?
A&M saw the need to leave the UT stable and took action . VT isn't near ready to be weaned from UVA. That's your real issue. Work on solving the problem and you won't find the need to rip someone for doing what you can't.
Wow, not ripping A&M or SEC, but just hate to see a diluted product that i grew up watching every Saturday. Politically the VT President says no…but that doens't always mean no. Hell, there was no doubt about they way I feel, I just don't get to make the calls. Don't hear a lot of rejoincing about the choice from anyone but Mizzou or A&M fans.
Racing Hokie…
Remember, people thought Arkansas and South Carolina would dilute the SEC, too. Instead, they've helped make the SEC stronger. And Missouri has been far better in football and basketball recently than Carolina was when the Gamecocks joined the league.
Thanks for reading,
John
Mizzou will be a good fit for the SEC. I like the East placement for now too. Border games against the Vols and Wildcats (and Vanderbilt) and I hope a cross-divisional rival in Arkansas, though I realize it will probably be aTm. I know a lot of SEC fans think this is a strange fit, but if you check into the culture of the state (south of the Missouri River) and the traditions at Mizzou you'll see it isn't that much of a stretch. And, the SEC is doing the right thing expanding in the middle part of the country. I live in KC, and Kansas City is a rabid college sports town – having the SEC as part of the mix only adds to things. Sure, KU rules in Kansas City, but anyone who isn't a KU fan hates them and naturally gravitates toward Mizzou. I go way back with Mizzou and I remember beating Notre Dame then having Bear Bryant and Alabama coming to Columbia in '78. The Tide won that game, then went on to a National Championship. I know somebody who was trying to queer this deal put out that comment about the SEC being "what's left," but I assure you that this move for us is fan driven, and the SEC is where we want to be. For years Mizzou fans wanted the Big 10, but that's only because the SEC didn't seem like an option for us. But being a part of the greatest sports conference in the country is like winning the lottery for us. You can say what you want, but this move is creating a lot of rabid SEC fans. Can't wait to go to Oxford, Tuscaloosa, Gainesville, Knoxville, etc. We do travel, by the way. It will be awesome to seek out the cold beer and hot pizza in those towns and when you all come to Columbia, check out Shakespeare's, Harpos, the Columns and Marching Mizzou parading across campus and into Memorial Stadium onto Farout Field.
John why you lie?
Im a Mizzou alum too. We would rather be in the Big 10 too.
It's gotten to where almost every article includes a 'you read it here first' or 'as we reported weeks ago' statement. You pat yourself on the back so much that you sound like Fox news. I realize that a lot of people would view that as a compliment, but honestly, I read your articles for the news. Brag to your wife about how good you are. I don't need to hear it.
Bee…
I answered this in a comment above. It's called promotion. We have to do it just like every tv and radio station and website out there. We have people rip off our stories and claim to have reported them first.
Our "we told you first" comments are for first-time readers, not for you.
Plus… Does reading that one line — one sentence! — really have that much of an impact on your day? On your life? I read these types of things on other sites all the time and just zip right by them. I don't get mad. It's a nanosecond of my day.
Then again, I would never go to someone else's site — a site that was providing me with free information — and complain about the free info I was being given. Just me.
John
give it a break bee i come to this site becuse i know mr sec will have the info first and that the info will be right and i like fox news best . what i want to know now is it WVUto big 12 or byu.