Throughout the history of the NCAA schools have changed conferences. Some programs have fared better than others after realignment.
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Why do schools change conferences?
To put it simply, realignment refers to a college athletic program moving from one conference to another. Sometimes programs feel like their present opponents aren’t on the same competitive playing field as their own and want to play against programs that are in their hemisphere of the athletic world. Other times programs want to cash in on the millions of dollars in television contracts they have to offer by playing against tougher programs while also expanding their brand. There are other factors that go into why programs change conferences but these are predominantly the main reasons. This has happened a number of times throughout the history of the NCAA. Some schools have benefited from realignment and have gained more revenue and notoriety from it while others have struggled. Here are some schools that haven’t fared so well in their new homes.
![College Football: Losers of Realignment 2 Scott Frost & Team](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Nebraska-Frost-300x169.jpg)
Nebraska
The Nebraska Cornhuskers have a historic football program. In their heyday they were consistent National Championship contenders and had primetime players up and down their roster. For 30 years Nebraska was a household name and a respected football team with five National Championships. From 2000 to 2010 the Cornhuskers had an overall record of 83-46 and went 53-35 against Big 12 opponents. During this span they won five bowl games in eight appearances, not a bad run by any means for one of the best programs in the country. Things took a different turn once Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011.
While they did have early success in the Big Ten, they have failed to be the consistent winners they once were for decades in their previous conference. Since 2011 the Cornhuskers have accumulated a 71-64 overall record and a 44-49 Big Ten record. They’ve been bowling six times while in the Big Ten but have only produced two victories. Nebraska hasn’t been the powerhouse it was while in the Big Ten and after coming off a 3-9 2021 season, it’ll be a steep hill for the Cornhuskers to climb before Nebraska football is relevant again.
![College Football: Losers of Realignment 3 mizzou](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/mizzou-300x169.jpg)
Missouri
Before joining the SEC, Missouri was a member of the Big 12 where they weren’t a football headliner by any means. The Tigers had three double digit win seasons from 2000-2011 and made a few bowl game appearances where they went 3-5. The football program wasn’t anything to write home about, at best they were decent with a chance to have a better season than one might expect. Then they joined the SEC.
In their first year as SEC members it looked like it would be more of the same for the Tigers after going 5-7. However something magical happened in the next two years. Mizzou won 12 games in 2013 and finished fifth in the AP Post. They went on to play the Cotton Bowl against #13 Oklahoma State and won 41-31. It was an impressive season to say the least and miraculously they were able to do it again. In 2014 Mizzou won 11 games, finished 14th in the AP Post, and won the Citrus Bowl against Minnesota. The Tigers had Missouri fans believing they were on the road for perennial success. Unfortunately no one told them that their excitement would be short lived.
Since 2014, the Tigers have an overall record of 41-44 and a SEC record of 22-36. They’ve made three bowl appearances in that time but have lost all three contests. The future looked bright for Missouri in their first years in a new conference, but they haven’t been able to compete against the top tier SEC schools.
![College Football: Losers of Realignment 4 miami hurricanes football alabama](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/miami-hurricanes-football-alabama-300x200.jpg)
Miami
Similar to Nebraska, Miami was one of the premier programs in the country for over 20 years. They had electric runs from the 1980s to the early 2000s with multiple double digit win seasons and a number of National Championship appearances. In 1991 Miami joined the Big East after being independent since its inception in 1936. From 1991-2003 Miami enjoyed a 128-29 overall record, a 72-11 Big East record, and seven bowl game victories including two National Championships.
In 2004 Miami left the Big East for the ACC in hopes of greener pastures. They sought a bigger share in television contracts and to continue their run of dominance. However things haven’t gone according to plan. Since realignment Miami has been an above average program, holding a 136-90 overall record and a 83-62 ACC record. In bowl games the Hurricanes are 3-11 with their most recent victory coming in 2016. They’ve made the ACC Championship once in 2017 but were obliterated by the defending National Champion Clemson Tigers 38-3. Miami has lost its touch being in the ACC and will need a total program shift if they want to get back to their winning ways.