Kansas State coach Bill Snyder made waves at Big 12 media days by suggesting that two former conference members wished they could “get back into the conference.”
Snyder didn't say so at the time, but evidently, one of the schools he had in mind was Nebraska. Following up on that statement with ESPN, Snyder said, “I don't want to speak for anybody, but I'm not so sure they're pleased with the decision they made.”
Snyder couched his comments, but it's clear he wasn't speaking for anyone but his self and perhaps longing for better days for the Big 12, which has been a tire fire since Texas launched the Longhorn Network in 2011, spurring Nebraska to join the Big Ten and Missouri and Texas A&M to leave the league for the SEC.
But don't take our word for it. Let's ask Nebraska fans:
Alright. Let's see your preference, #Huskers fans. Would you want Neb. to return to the Big 12 if given the option?
— Erin Sorensen (@erinsorensen) July 21, 2016
That's what you'd call a landslide.
And why wouldn't Nebraska fans be happy in the Big Ten. They're on tap to receive somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 million a year in television money and the Big Ten is well run, with its members working in the best interest of every program. Sure, Huskers fans miss their old rivalries, particularly with Oklahoma, but the Big Ten is night and day compared to the disfunction of the Big 12.
Saturday, Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst took to Twitter to add his two cents:
Proud & privileged to be member of the Big Ten-the oldest & best power 5 athletic conference. Excellence = academics, athletics & life. GBR!
— Shawn Eichorst (@BigRedAD) July 23, 2016
Bill Snyder, you're a legend and one of the finest coaches the game has ever seen. But you wanting something to be true doesn't make it true.
