The Big 8 hasn’t existed since 1996, when it admitted the Texas schools. Before Mizzou’s departure, the conference saw Colorado and Nebraska leave: 1 blue state, 1 red state. That left Missouri in the company of Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Missouri has not been able to align themselves with any politically-uncertain, northern states for decades.
A move to the Big 10 would have made more sense politically and academically, but these decisions are driven by football ticket sales and smoky backroom dealings.
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