Conference Expansion: Missouri makes sense for SEC

Word is Texas A&M is still very much interested in joining the SEC, and the SEC is interested right back.

The same article states the SEC is attempting to woo Oklahoma to join as well, but Oklahoma is reluctant to leave behind their rivalries with Texas and Oklahoma State.

If the SEC is looking for another Big 12 companion to join with Texas A&M, Missouri could be a good fit.

Missouri borders SEC states Tennessee, Kentucky, and Arkansas. In addition to a storied football as well as a string of recent successful seasons, Missouri boasts a strong basketball program, and is competitive nationally in a broad range of athletics. Perhaps most importantly for the SEC, the University of Missouri would bring with it the St. Louis and some of the Kansas City television markets.

Expansion into both Texas and Missouri would give the SEC more power when renegotiating an already-enormous television contract with ESPN. And were the conference to explore new eastern markets as well, perhaps by adding Virginia and Virginia Tech, the SEC would likely maintain its dominance no matter how much other conferences expand.

For Missouri, entering the SEC with Texas A&M would solve one issue that had many fans grumbling about leaving the Big 12: losing the ability to recruit in the state of Texas.