SEC Media Day One: Arkansas talks rivalry with Missouri
At the end of the first SEC Media Day, all was pretty quiet for Missouri, except for mention of its newfound rival game with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Missouri won’t take the stage for SEC Media Day until Wednesday, but that’s alright. Until then, we’re keeping an open ear for any rumblings about Mizzou.
There has been much criticism of the Tigers from at least one media outlet, from SEC Media Day program banter to the hindsight of conference realignment. For now, it was exciting to hear a little chatter from Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema, who responded to a question about the new rival series with Missouri.
Ever since Missouri left the Big 12 for the SEC, it lost its big game rival with Kansas. Since 2012, Mizzou has been seeking a rival to face on a yearly basis, and it’s hoped that Arkansas will fill that role, in time.
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On Monday, Bielema responded to Dave Matter of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, when asked his thoughts on the series with Missouri. Bielema responded that he wants to se the rivalry grow. It won’t happen overnight, but in time, it could become something big.
"I think the Missouri rivalry, both Barry (Odom) and I said, even going back to Coach (Gary) Pinkel, anything we can do to flame that fire is a good thing for anybody.It’s hard to create a bunch of history overnight, but that’s happening. If losing in the second half helped stoked that fire, God bless them. All for it. But we didn’t do it for that reason obviously."
The “canned” rivalry with Arkansas hasn’t settled well with me. I understand the notion that a rivalry is good for programs, and it’s also a point of inclusivity that the SEC is making for Missouri. Maybe it will grow into something, but I really feel like if there is to become a rivalry – with any school – that it should come naturally.
Missouri’s rivalry with Kansas grew naturally. It wasn’t born of the purest intentions – there’s a nasty history there – but it wasn’t shoved in fans’ faces, either. It was a natural progression of events which, in time, carried over to the two institutions’ athletic teams.
Arkansas defensive back, Kevin Richardson, II responded, that while LSU and Arkansas was the rivalry when he was growing-up, he will take what the conference gives him.
"Growing up the rivalry was LSU versus Arkansas. That’s still my rivalry. At the same time if they want to do the new rivalry between us and Missouri, I’ll take it – if that’s that what they want to give us. They’re a talented football team. I honestly don’t see them as our rivalry game. It’s during rivalry week, but I feel like it should still be LSU."
I agree with Richardson, that there has never been a rivalry between Arkansas and Missouri – it’s always been between LSU and Arkansas. But college fans love rival games, and in time it’s possible that this series could grow into a rivalry.
The biggest hurdle Missouri has to overcome is not one that it created, but this preconceived perception among other SEC fans and pundits, who say that Mizzou isn’t an SEC school. In order to overcome that hurdle, Mizzou must continue winning.
Missouri, which has won two SEC East titles over the five years it’s been a member institution, has proven that in time the Tigers can become the prototypical SEC school on the football field, and on the basketball court.
Geographically, that “not an SEC school” debate can be made. In terms of athletics and academics, Missouri competes well with most of the conference. In football, the Tigers aren’t on the same wavelength as an Alabama or a LSU, but Mizzou has held its own against other member institutions.
Right now, Missouri is on the edge of returning to its basketball roots, which is great! The Tigers will build on competing well against Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida – perennial NCAA Tournament contenders.
Next: Missouri must win in 2017
While Monday was mostly quiet, it should lead up to a nice day of interviews and events on Wednesday. After all, this is the best conference in the country, of which Mizzou is a member.