Big 12 Football: 4 programs that would benefit by joining the conference

1. Arkansas Razorbacks (SEC)

There is no single program that struggled in the SEC more so than the Arkansas Razorbacks over the course of the last four seasons, outside of maybe the Vanderbilt Commodores. And while Vanderbilt would be an interesting addition to the Big 12, it wouldn’t benefit them all that much compared to staying in the SEC East.

However, Arkansas making a move to leave the SEC West (while it would shock the college football world) could actually be a surprisingly positive shift for their football program. Arkansas is coming under the direction of a new regime under first-year head coach Sam Pittman. It didn’t work out for them under the direction of former head coach Chad Morris (who is now on staff with Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers).

But maybe Pittman can at least give the Razorbacks the floor they had under former head coach Bret Bielema. He brings a similar scheme and coaching style to the table to that of Bielema, at least compared to Morris. It is still a very difficult feat to compete in maybe the deepest division in the nation, in the SEC West.

Arkansas would clearly be a valued addition to the Big 12, but they would be able to reignite some old rivalries and possibly have a more clear path to at least get bowl eligibility year in and year out. They would also be in a more competitive position in terms of the national prominence of their men’s hoops program. Arkansas jumping to the Big 12 probably would not happen anytime soon, but they are a former member of the Southwest Conference along with the likes of Texas, TCU, and Texas A&M up until the early 1990’s.