Ouch

[ozark trout fisher]

No, I don't want Mizzou to join any conference besides the Big 12. I just said that I would prefer the ACC if we had to make a move, which we didn't. I would prefer either the ACC or the Big East to the SEC honestly for selfish reasons...I'm a basketball guy. But I don't think we should have moved at all.

And no, travel costs are not minimal in the grand scheme of things. Sure, the travel costs for the football or basketball team aren't going to matter. But Mizzou does have 15 other sports, who are now going to be traveling to Gainesville and Tuscaloosa instead of Lawrence and Manhatten KS.

And by the way, even though it sucks I think Bill Self is right in his stance about not playing Mizzou in the future. If that rivalry ends, and it will at least for awhile, it's our fault. Because if Kansas ends up getting left out in the cold without a competitive conference, it's gonna be partially our fault.

But now I'm going fishing.

[stlfisher]

No, I don't want Mizzou to join any conference besides the Big 12. I just said that I would prefer the ACC if we had to make a move, which we didn't.

And no, travel costs are not minimal in the grand scheme of things. Sure, the travel costs for the football or basketball team aren't going matter. But Mizzou does have 15 other sports, who are now going to be traveling to Gainesville and Tuscaloosa instead of Lawrence and Manhatten KS.

And by the way, even though it sucks I think Bill Self is right in his stance about not playing Mizzou in the future. If that rivalry ends, and it will at least for awhile, it's our fault. Because if Kansas ends up getting left out in the cold without a competitive conference, it's gonna be partially our fault.

You can't compare the farthest places in the SEC to the closet places in the Big 12.

A more accurate comparision would be Lawrence and Manhatten to Knoxville and Lexington. Columbia, SC and Gainsvile to College Station and Austin. Farther yes, but millions more ugh...no. Enough to spend all the extra revenue...ugh no. Mizzou actually researched this remember. If it was so much they wouldn't haved moved.

So MU is responsible for the future of KU? Really last I checked there were two completely different instituitions. Nebraska, Colorado, or A@M share no blame? The would have to under your philosophy. Texas no blame either while they hold the conferance hostage? Why should any univeristy put up with that?

Blame the uneven playing field in the big 12 for these instuitions leaving. That is the issue.

[Guest]

I can promise you, that I will be yelling the Mizzou fight sound (fill in the blank) during all SEC games.

Ya'll are a good bunch.

Please beat alabama or at least start a Bounty system to take out the their best RB. LOL jkg

[ozark trout fisher]

You can't compare the farthest places in the SEC to the closet places in the Big 12.

Okay, point taken...That wasn't exactly fair.

No we're not responsible for KU, and it's not like we should have made our decision based on their well being. But if you are a coach at KU or any of the other schools in the Big 12, you're going to realize that Mizzou, Nebraska, Colorado, and A&M all really damaged the Big 12 Conference. If I were them I wouldn't want to have anything to do with the schools that left the Big 12 either.

I don't think it's really accurate to blame the uneven playing field. The Big 12 stated that they were willing to take steps to fix that in order to keep us around, but we left before we gave them a chance.

[ness]

Texas holding the conference hostage?

Bill Self continually crying?

Staying in B12 was a huge risk?

KU had no options if B12 fell apart?

Conference alignment is critical for a university?

No penalty for leaving?

C'mon, man. It's hyperbole, spin and half-truths.

It is what it is -- greed, plain and simple. Mizzou wanted more, couldn't get it and jumped for the money, flushing your pride, regional ties, traditions, and history. You don't fit down there, you never will. Short-term gain, long term bust. Enjoy the ride.

[Guest]

Hey Ness,

thats funny man, its all greedy universities and their presidents

Petrino took our program to the elite level, only to crash the train.

I sure hope the veteran players can keep this thing rollin, man.

What do I care? Coach or not, I will always call them hogs.

[Al Agnew]

I think what some are overlooking is the likelihood that conference realignment WILL continue in the future. The way things are going, there will probably end up being four "super conferences" where most or all the major college programs will end up, and everybody else will be in the mid-major conferences that don't emphasize football. And I expect that the Big 12 is one of the most likely to be left out in the cold, either disbanding or becoming a mid-major. A lot of people expect the four super conferences to be built around the Pac 10 or 12 or whatever it is now, the Big 10, the SEC, and one of the eastern conferences, probably the ACC. That makes sense regionally, and it opens the door to some type of playoff system in football. Assuming that's what will happen eventually, Mizzou would fit into either the Big 10 or the SEC, anyway. I really don't expect the Big 12 to last forever as a major conference. It has, in the last few years, been the most unstable of the major conferences. Maybe if they can get out from under Texas' thumb and work out an equitable revenue sharing program, the Big 12 will settle down. But they have now lost four of their teams and I'm pretty sure there are other schools that are considering jumping ship.

[ozark trout fisher]

I think what some are overlooking is the likelihood that conference realignment WILL continue in the future. The way things are going, there will probably end up being four "super conferences" where most or all the major college programs will end up, and everybody else will be in the mid-major conferences that don't emphasize football.

You might end up being right, but I sure hope not. For anyone who cares even the slightest bit about tradition, rivalries, and regional ties that would be nothing short of a disaster. I know to some that just sounds cliche and outdated, but I don't care.

[joeD]

Let me get this straight. Many of you boo-hoo about the "loss" of "rivalries" and the "purity" of college competition. Because, of course, the "past" was better. It was more "real" and "meant something." And somehow we're all degraded because of the universities naked pursuit of money.

So what? Why does it matter to the general populace, who have absolutely no stake in the matter, that an entity seeks to make money? Isn't that what we all do? Why is it so distasteful that universities do it? Don't they have an obligation to stay solvent and relevant for future generations?

"it's all about the money." Good grief, I'm tired of hearing it. No kidding it's about the money. That's how we survive and thrive, personally, corporately, and culturally. There is absolutely nothing wrong about it. Random moralizing is of no use and is immaterial to any argument about monetary decisions universities make.

Also. Please. How can a fan of college football seriously say that they would prefer to watch, say, Iowa State (now THAT'S a rivalry. They've been in the conference for DECADES!) at Faurot Field , than, say, LSU? What about Alabama? Tennessee? Florida? South Carolina? Gimme a break.

Just because it's old, and just because it's the past, doesn't unequivocally make it better. Get on board. You don't take a horse to work, so don't take it personally, when we want to move forward.

[KCRIVERRAT]

Geez. I sure wish Mizzou would have stayed put to continue our "tradition rich" rivalries with West Virginia and TCU.

And when Texas, Oklahoma, Okie St., and Tech all bolt (Oh wait... they're tied to the Big XII with the new 6 year contract! No way they can afford those exit fees!) So...

IF they bolt, I get downright starry-eyed dreaming of future match-ups against the likes of SMU, Rice, School of the Ozarks, and the University of Phoenix.

And really... why should Mizzou care if the Big XII were to lose it's BCS accreditation a few years down the road? Good gosh... we've got "rivalries" to maintain!

The nerve...