The "New" Big 12 Welcomes TCU & West Virginia As Traditions and Rivalries Disband

We're beginning a new era of Big 12 athletics as TCU and West Virginia replace longtime members Missouri and Texas A&M in the conference.  Both Missouri and A&M are forgoing historic and century-long rivalries (Texas-Texas A&M, Missouri-Kansas, Texas A&M-Baylor, Missouri-Iowa State) in joining college football's best conference-the SEC.

Texas-Texas A&M: "The Lone Star Showdown"
As a Texan, I never thought I would see the day when this rivalry was no more.  There's not a more heated in-state rivalry than "The Lone Star Showdown" between Texas and Texas A&M.  The rivalry features some of the most passionate fans in the country, as Texans choose their postion in the rivalry at an early age.

Over the past 99 years, the Longhorns and Aggies have membered four conferences together (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Southwest Conference, Big 12) and had a continued football rivalry from 1915 to 2011.

Although suspended for the present time, the rivalry is considered one of the nation's best sports rivalries.  It was the 3rd longest college football rivalry at 118 meetings and the schools faced off in 222 men's basketball games and 365 baseball meetings.

Other notable suspended rivalries:
1. "The Border War" between Missouri and Kansas was the 2nd longest played rivalry with its 120 football meetings.

2. "The Battle of Brazos" between Texas A&M and Baylor was tied for 15th all time with 108 football meetings.

3. Missouri and Iowa State were involved in 104 football meetings for the Telephone Trophy.

The Big 12 will never be the same without Missouri or Texas A&M, but expect TCU and West Virginia to find their place in the conference and compete for conference championships along the conference elites, as they are great candidates to join the conference.