Photograph by Amy Bruer.

It’s possible — and bear with me now — that you have heard something about Missouri making the move to the Southeastern Conference. The SEC, you see, is this big conference down South with all of these teams that are really good at football.

Indeed, the Big 12 is in the rearview. Instead of gearing up for the Border Showdown, Missouri fans are ready to travel to places like Little Rock, Ark., Knoxville, Tenn., and Gainesville, Fla., the land of Jorts pride. The Tigers open up at home against Southeastern Louisiana Sept. 1 and welcome their first SEC opponent the very next week when Georgia visits Sept. 8.

But you probably knew all that. The Tigers, though, aren’t the only sports show in town.

Consider catching the future of college football Sept. 21 when Hickman High School and Rock Bridge High School play at Faurot Field. It’s the last time you will be able to catch a truly all-Columbia showdown with Battle High School set to open in 2013.

If your definition of football has an international flavor, there is a nationally ranked soccer team plays just off of Rangeline Street. The Columbia College Cougars men’s team is No. 22 in the preseason NAIA coaches’ poll. The alumni game Friday at 6:30 p.m. might be fun to watch, but they host No. 10 Missouri Valley on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. in a game that counts.

On Sept. 2, you can stretch your legs and get filthy for the fun of it in the Epic Mud Run, or you can keep your sneakers clean and stick to the road in the Heart of American Marathon on Sept. 3.

If Missouri is your only rooting interest, you still have choices. Tigers volleyball is already underway, but they open up SEC play Sept. 12 when they host Tennessee.

Check out the Vox fall preview issue Sept. 6 for more sports and recreation events.