I don't think WVU ever had a realistic shot of getting into the SEC. Even then, Missouri has had some decent teams in football and they have shown signs of being an improvement in basketball.
WVU had two things working against them in the SEC:
1. TV sets. WVU added nothing new to the SEC that it didn't already have. The major news carrier for the area is based out of Charleston and Huntington (which shares a border with Kentucky) and UK games are aired on these stations.
2. Recruiting. Even though Missouri doesn't add much here, Texas A&M was a gift. WVU doesn't offer any talent pipelines for teams to recruit into and like other SEC schools (Kentucky) has to draw talent from other states.
I view WVU in the same light as Nebraska. Rich football tradition and passionate fans, but nothing more. If anything, the move to the Big 12 likely exposed WVU and the lack of talent needed to compete with the top teams in the conference. Imagine what that would have been like going against Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and likely Texas A&M and some of the teams in the SEC West?
I have always hated the TV set debate, because for example you hear about aTm putting the SEC on in the "state of Texas" when WVU is closer to Pittsburgh, DC, Virginia, Ohio than aTm is to most of Texas and WVU has a large number of alumni all across the eastern US that we don't get credit for. New Markets for SEC games if they can find someone for coverage even if they dont land UNC/NC State. We have a wider following than just the state of West Virginia, look at the numbers when we are on prime time and the fact we have among the highest ratings on ESPN's midweek games all time, meanwhile Missouri grabs what? maybe 1/10 of potential tvs and when was the last 5 times they were in prime time spots?
Putting the SEC on the doorstep of Western PA, Ohio, Tidewater when most of them don't even need the extra recruiting grounds.
It's fair to bring up depth. When I saw the media day prediction of 2nd in the Big 12 I thought we were in trouble. We always seem to do better when we are the underdog and can sneak up on people.
Given time to recruit walking into places and able to say "Come play the best college football has to offer and be close enough to home for your family to see" in Tidewater, western PA, etc and I almost guarentee you we would see an expansion of recruiting. Our recruiting this year with the big 12 has been better than the last 5 or 6 years.
We may never be king year in and out but I feel we with time would have become a team that could compete at an extremely high level year in and year out.
Originally Posted by teamselig
I haven't read through much of this thread, all I have to add is that the realignment is a joke. San Diego State... in the Big East? Really. HAHA.
Congrats to Louisville getting into the ACC hopefully it fits well and you all have an escape route if it does. Always liked Louisville they stepped up and started being a rival until the Big East finished unravelled. I wish UC, UConn, USF, and Louisville would all find other shelter before this is done because each did what they needed and felt none really slacked while in the Big East.
Originally Posted by teamselig
Have you read this article? My favorite read out of the latest realignment mess.
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/...ryland-rutgers
Hate to say it, but even if you're now partially creeping into the PA, Virginia, DC, and (minimally) Ohio recruiting grounds, you probably aren't getting enough to close the gap with guys like Texas and Okla/State. You guys are secretly my favorite team in the B12 now. I'm rooting for you, but I think it's going to be a tough road.
How do we know he's not Mel Torme?
Thats the thing we've been exceeding expectations for years. First it was lil ole WVU could never compete (Enter Nehlen), then after the first raid WVU is going to get drug down with the ship (3 BcS victories) to buy time, then it was SEC or Bust... Enter Ollie and here we are, and "you'll never get a highly sought cordinator/coach that doesn't have ties (like Rod) again. I still have faith that Holger mania is going to run wild in Morgantown for many years, he didn't inherit the depth needed to compete but thats more on the previous administration only getting like 17-20 rather than 22-25 like most of the Big 12 schools.
*Edit*
Before we were competing against Ohio State as a Big East school, we shall see what happens when with the Big 12 association. Or if we continue to look toward Florida and more towards Texas.
Last edited by Slyder; 11-28-2012 at 10:30 PM.
Originally Posted by teamselig
I love the enthusiasm, I really do. In fact, I think it's almost unmatched in college sports (c'mon, is it THAT hard to root for Ohio State or Alabama in football or UNC or UK in basketball?). That being said, the story only ends well if that enthusiasm meets the cold, hard reality of college football these days. I wish you the best and hope you continue to overachieve. I'm cautiously optimistic on that front.
How do we know he's not Mel Torme?
And that was a very excellent read. I thought for years Maryland would make a great fit for Big 10 and why I think if/when they try to expand again Ga Tech may jump UNC and Virginia if for any other reason than demographics with Miami (if they aren't completely decimated by NCAA as a real dark horse. I (secretly) use to enjoy watching Big 10 games, while usually more traditional style you still saw speed guys like Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson, etc on the field but any more the Big 10 had become boring. Where have the coaches gone? I use to really enjoy watching Purdue throw it around when they had Drew Brees it was ahead of its time. If you give me a choice right now to have to watch between the conferences Big 10 Ranks above ACC but below about everyone else.
ACC made the same mistakes not worrying about their on field product and just grabbing the biggest markets they could. The one difference is the Big 10 had the foresight to setup the tv network FIRST and then go for the markets. The ACC has no way to market the fact they got Boston and Miami in the first raid. The only reason they remained relevant on the national stage was a little school from little ole Blacksburg, VA whom they didn't want in the first place. They've had to sale about everything just to try and keep up and still fail (~17 mil per team compared to 25 mil for big 12). It's why I don't think the ACC survives the SEC and even Big 12 have laid the ground work for money making machines with a good on field product, the ACC still thinks that basketball is most important. Its the same mistake the Big East made a decade ago.
Originally Posted by teamselig
http://articles.courant.com/2012-11-...conn-officials
ACC Adds Louisville, Snubs UConn
November 28, 2012|By PAUL DOYLE, pdoyle@courant.com, The Hartford Courant
ACC Sports Journal reported the UConn, Louisville, Cincinnati, Navy and South Florida pursued the ACC, but only Louisville has the votes needed from the 11 current members.
Pittsburgh and Syracuse are future members, while Notre Dame will bring all of its sports but football to the conference. There has been speculation the ACC could invite three candidates, expanding to 16 members in football. But ESPN.com reports the conference will add only one member because the other Big East candidates (UConn, Cincinnati) have not other landing spots and will be available at a later date.
An ACC source told the ACC Sports Journal that Wednesday’s vote will likely be for one candidate.
Last edited by Gallen5862; 11-29-2012 at 02:57 PM.
I would certainly hope UC would trump U Conn
I don't know. If it comes down to UConn v. UC, the big question is whether the ACC is willing to compromise on academics for a second time. The Louisville choice was clearly a nod to FSU and Clemson. Does the next round then become a choice for tobacco road? If that's the case, I think UConn wins hands down.
How do we know he's not Mel Torme?
I'm sure UConn is an okay school, but no one views UConn as any sort of academic powerhouse.
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