SEC coaches say Texas A&M and Missouri additions have been a success

quote:

---

When Texas A&M and Missouri began SEC play a season ago, few doubted the addition of the two schools would bring more television viewers to the league’s games from Texas and Midwest. Still, there were questions about whether adding a pair of Big 12 teams would dilute the quality on the field in the mighty SEC, winner of seven straight football national titles.
Apparently not.

Just last weekend, the Aggies and their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Johnny Manziel, pulled out a thriller at Mississippi, while unbeaten Missouri did what No. 6 LSU could not: upended Georgia in Athens. Halfway through the 2013 season, the Aggies and the newest Tigers to join the SEC have one loss between them: A&M’s one-score loss to No. 1 and two-time defending national champion Alabama.

“It made our league better,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said when asked about the results of expansion on the field.

“It doesn’t shock me at all,” said Florida coach Will Muschamp, who was familiar with both former Big 12 programs from his time as a defensive coordinator at Texas.

South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier said he always thought Missouri and Texas A&M had “outstanding traditions at their places.”

Spurrier said he had no doubt Missouri now has its “sights on playing for the (conference) championship in Atlanta,” and that the Aggies’ Manziel is “the toast of the league.”

Added LSU coach Les Miles: “Both Texas A&M and Missouri are much improved from when I was in the Big 12 at Oklahoma State.”

---