The Missouri people have been pretty good and the team's been good, so I hope they do well in the conference. However, for this first year, it's good for us if they struggle some.
1. We want to be the primary addition in this expansion. We already have been seen that way, but if we lose a lot of games this year and Missouri wins a lot, the perception will change.
2. If both of us win a lot of games the first couple of years, we'll constantly hear from the Big 12 fans how this "proves" the Big 12 is better since we can both move over and win. It doesn't matter that we won 9 games the year before last and tied for the division title and beat both teams in the conference title game. It doesn't matter that we have a new coach that actually instills confidence and works on conditioning.
3. Missouri depends on Texas recruits. I don't mind them getting their share, but we need to get off to a better start in the conference to ensure kids are looking at us, not them. We're already going to have to fight against a lot of schools for the recruits as it is.
After a year or two, I hope Mizzou does well in the east.