SEC should be thanking Missouri for leaving the Big 12

Three years after leaving the Big 12 for the SEC, it’s the SEC who should be thanking Missouri Tigers for joining the conference, not the other way around.

They are back-to-back SEC East Champions, 23-5 in the last two seasons, and they were the Cotton and Citrus Bowl Champions. In addition, they have several first round NFL Draft Picks. No, it’s not Georgia, Florida, or even Tennessee. I am referring to the Missouri Tigers who were the “other” team to join the SEC three years ago along with Texas A&M.

Since joining the SEC back in 2012, Mizzou has proven not only do they belong in the conference, but they are the “team to beat” in the East. Even with the success of their last two years, the team from Columbia, Missouri has yet to garner the respect which they so richly deserve; but I imagine head coach, Gary Pinkel wouldn’t have it any other way.

Pinkel is no stranger to success and he has quite a resume. Pinkel, the current SEC Coach of the Year, is the 25^th winningest coach in FBS history. He is also winningest coach in Mizzou history, having spent the last 15 years in Columbia. Both in the Big 12 and the SEC, Pinkel led the Tigers to five division titles in the last eight seasons. Simply remarkable, when you think about the teams they have played. With the season just around the corner, Pinkel has his boys believing they are primed to do it again.

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The Zou will be roaring this year and after looking at their 2015 schedule, it’s possible the Tigers could pull off a three-peat. Their biggest tests will come in the form of the Georgia Bulldogs whom they play in Athens this October and their game at Arkansas, which closes out the regular season.

Regardless of whether they win the division or not, Missouri is poised to have another winning season behind returning quarterback Maty Mauk. Mauk will be joined in the backfield by Russell Hansbrough, who ran for 1,084 yards last year. Both of them will benefit from having four senior starters on the offensive line. Although leading receiver Bud Sasser has gone to the NFL, the Tigers should have no problem grounding and pounding their way to the end zone.

However, it wasn’t necessarily the offensive power, which led to all those wins these last couple of years, it was mainly the defense. The Tigers have wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks with some of the best defensive ends in the game these past two years. Among them was SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Michael Sam in 2013, and current Denver Bronco, Shane Ray in 2014. Combine that with the talented OLB, Markus Golden, now with the Arizona Cardinals and it’s no wonder the Tiger defense led the team to an 11-3 mark last year.

Although it’s hard to look at a map and picture the state of Missouri as being in the Southeast, make no mistake about it, this football team will thrive in the SEC. They have the makings of a champion with great coaching, tremendous playmakers, and consistent recruiting success. Respect is earned in all major sports, especially football. I would say they have earned it. Three years ago it was welcome to the SEC, but now it’s the Missouri Tigers saying, you’re welcome.

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