Conference Realignment: Why Missouri Tigers Are Smart To Covet Big Ten Most

Conference realignment continues to be a hot topic in the world of college football, and we've recently learned that the Missouri Tigers were looking at multiple conferences. 

It's no secret the Big 12 is in shambles, and the conference is in danger of being dismantled should Missouri leave. Lately, all the talk has been about Missouri heading to the SEC, but that wasn't their first choice. 

According to an Associated Press source, the Tigers wanted to be in the Big Ten more than any other conference.

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Missouri hoped to join the Big Ten last year but the league instead chose Nebraska. The university official said the Big Ten remains Missouri’s top choice but that conference “has no interest.” 

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Wanting to be in the Big Ten is a very smart idea on Missouri's part, but unfortunately it's not going to work out.

The Big Ten doesn't need to make any more additions right now, which is why the university official told the Associated Press, "that’s what’s left," when referring to the SEC.

It's not that the SEC would be a bad place for the Tigers because let's be real, the SEC is far and above the Big Ten and will be the best conference in the country for years to come. 

The SEC will be at 13 members with the addition of Texas A&M, and while they aren't looking for a 14th member right now, they'll eventually get one. 

The Tigers would be a good fit, but they would have benefited more by being in the Big Ten. Missouri would have had a better chance of winning if they were in the Big Ten, but if they join the SEC, they will find it much harder to have success.

Since Texas A&M had a hard time departing from the Big 12 for the SEC, the Tigers will probably face the same fate should they go all in for the SEC. 

That wouldn't have happened if they left for the Big Ten, but that type of move is now out of the question. The Tigers were wise to look to the Big Ten first, but now they must settle elsewhere.