Never thought I'd say this, but I want the Big 10

[Boomboom521]

I do not think the Big 12 is stable. Seeing Gundys comments today on how he thinks if Texas doesn't give the Longhorn network up, they will end up in the PAC or the SEC, has got me feeling like even those inside know that the ground will shift soon.

The SEC will come calling soon for additional teams (soon meaning 5-10 years), but Texas, Oklahoma HAVE TO be teams they would love to get. Maybe they knock on the ACC door, but include the lack of expansion and I think the BIG 12 is the weakest of all the power conferences.

I think the BIG 10 will eventually land ND (just my hunch). So with OSU and PSU, I think up north would be a good fit for us. I would say the ACC, but I don't think they are as stable. I would LOVE to stay put, but I don't see the BIG 12 expanding in enough time to stabilize. Just my opinion, but I want to feel solid for once in this game of musical chairs!!!!

 

[GetYaNumbersUp]

Of course the Big 12 isn't stable. 4 large, state flagship schools ran like hell to leave the conference. If any of the remaining schools had options, they'd split also.

The Big 10 would be fantastic for us, but it is never going to happen.

 

[MikeinVA]

The first thing Texas would have to do to join any other conference, including the SEC would be to give up its own network. No other conference would let them keep it, when it would greatly diminish their own network value.

 

[MNTN33R1]

I'd rather be playing Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, TCU, Kansas State, Kansas, Texas Tech and Iowa State on a temporary and shaky basis than have a permanent schedule of Rutgers, Maryland, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State (likely East partners) and Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Illinois.

The Big Ten is the Big Two or Three and the Little Others most seasons. The Big 12, except for Kansas, has been great competition for the Mountaineers. And I'd much rather watch TV broadcasts of WVU in Big 12 games than travel to Piscataway and College Park.

 

[xgunnx]

Its just "saber rattling" and that subdued Mid-western arrogance we are seeing from OU. To keep it in perspective, Texas and Oklahoma are bitter rivals so statements like Gundy's are not uncommon.

The LHN needs to go and a Big XII network needs to happen more so then expansion. IMO

 

[Orlaco]

Christmas wishes ?

Well...the Big 12 would have been my 4th choice.

 

[Orlaco]

By the way... ...the Big 10 was never a serious consideration....

....so we actually ended up with our (WVU admins) third fav option.

 

[Cuyahoga Falls Eers]

I'd rather be playing Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, TCU, Kansas State, Kansas, Texas Tech and Iowa State on a temporary and shaky basis than have a permanent schedule of Rutgers, Maryland, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State (likely East partners) and Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Illinois.

The Big Ten is the Big Two or Three and the Little Others most seasons. The Big 12, except for Kansas, has been great competition for the Mountaineers. And I'd much rather watch TV broadcasts of WVU in Big 12 games than travel to Piscataway and College Park.

I agree, except I don't think the Big 12 is going away. Texas can't get the same deal the Big 12 gave them in any other conference.

I love seeing Oklahoma or Texas every year at Mountaineer Field. Big 12 basketball is awesome, too, despite the NCAA results.

And $30 million a year payday isn't hard to take after living on $10 million from the Big East. I'll just enjoy the ride for however long it lasts.

I still think there should be 8 conferences of 8 teams (or 4 conferences with 2 8-team divisions) and let the 8 champs settle it in a national playoff.

 

[skygusty]

The Big 10 neither wants or needs WVU. Same for the SEC. Same for the ACC. Same for the PAC10. The Big12 could replace us easily if they had to. This is reality. My old dad used to say sh*t in one hand and wish in the other and see which one fills up quickest.

 

[Boomboom521]

I'd rather be playing Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, TCU, Kansas State, Kansas, Texas Tech and Iowa State on a temporary and shaky basis than have a permanent schedule of Rutgers, Maryland, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State (likely East partners) and Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Illinois.

The Big Ten is the Big Two or Three and the Little Others most seasons. The Big 12, except for Kansas, has been great competition for the Mountaineers. And I'd much rather watch TV broadcasts of WVU in Big 12 games than travel to Piscataway and College Park.

That's a good point. I guess I see OSU, Michigan, Penn State, MSU, and potentially ND and get caught up in those storied programs. I agree, BIG 10 is not as tough as the BIG 12 right now. I'm just a little concerned we are going to left without a chair. Had this same feeling in the Big East.

 

[Boomboom521]

The Big 10 neither wants or needs WVU. Same for the SEC. Same for the ACC. Same for the PAC10. The Big12 could replace us easily if they had to. This is reality. My old dad used to say sh*t in one hand and wish in the other and see which one fills up quickest.

I think we are an attractive option for any conference other than the PAC actually. We are strong in BB (both men's and women's), soccer (both men's and women's), we are competitive in volleyball, gymnastics, wrestling, and football can be great as well. We have a loyal fan base that travels pretty well, and boosters are starting to spend good money for facility improvements. I think all the major conferences will attempt to go to a 16 team conference in time, and one power conference will be left out in the cold. I always thought it would be the ACC, but I don't see that happening now. If the BIG 10 did decide to add 4 teams.....who would they be? I think WVU would be in the discussion.

 

[skygusty]

Well, a guy can dream.

 

[Cuyahoga Falls Eers]

I think we are an attractive option for any conference other than the PAC actually. We are strong in BB (both men's and women's), soccer (both men's and women's), we are competitive in volleyball, gymnastics, wrestling, and football can be great as well. We have a loyal fan base that travels pretty well, and boosters are starting to spend good money for facility improvements. I think all the major conferences will attempt to go to a 16 team conference in time, and one power conference will be left out in the cold. I always thought it would be the ACC, but I don't see that happening now. If the BIG 10 did decide to add 4 teams.....who would they be? I think WVU would be in the discussion.

As long as Texas and Oklahoma are in the Big 12, then the ACC would be the odd conference out if the other four expand to 16 teams. Football runs the show and I doubt any school would leave the other four conferences to go to the ACC. However, the better teams in the ACC would drool over the prospects of going to the SEC, Big 10 or Big 12. Pac-12 is a bit out there geographically. But so is WVU in the Big 12.

 

[GetYaNumbersUp]

As long as Texas and Oklahoma are in the Big 12, then the ACC would be the odd conference out if the other four expand to 16 teams.

Nah. Duke, UNC, and UVA are much more influential in NCAA athletics than Texas and OU, and they are the anchors of the ACC. Not to mention they have football powers like FSU and Clemson.

Put it this way, the ACC is adding teams, and the Big 12 is losing teams, which one seems more unstable to you?

 

[Boomboom521]

Nah. Duke, UNC, and UVA are much more influential in NCAA athletics than Texas and OU, and they are the anchors of the ACC. Not to mention they have football powers like FSU and Clemson.

Put it this way, the ACC is adding teams, and the Big 12 is losing teams, which one seems more unstable to you?

I agree. So what is the answer? I feel like BIG 12 expansion is the only real way to stabilize? At one point I felt like the BIG 12 needed to go after UCF, FAU, and USF and hope their introduction to a power conference would help them grow quickly. I would LOVE the BIG 12 to poach a couple of big time programs from the ACC, but I just don't see that happening without Texas and OU giving up some power and green (from Gundys comments, it seems like those inside don't feel like that's going to happen).

If we could approach a VT, Louisville, or Miami with a substantial financial benefit for coming into the BIG 12, I think they might consider it, but programs like Clemson and FSU are doing too well financially.

That's my initial point....I don't feel like anyone in the BIG 10 could be poached, and so they seem stable to me. I agree that the ACC would crumble if the SEC came calling....even FSU and Clemson would bolt. But I'm not sure even the SEC could get a BIG 10 team to budge.

Obviously something is wrong in the BIG 12 (UT and OU power?), because they have lost Colorado, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Missouri to 3 different power conferences. I'd love for the BIG 12 to stabilize, but that means expansion and a network. Just doesn't look like that is happening?

 

[Boomboom521]

As long as Texas and Oklahoma are in the Big 12, then the ACC would be the odd conference out if the other four expand to 16 teams. Football runs the show and I doubt any school would leave the other four conferences to go to the ACC. However, the better teams in the ACC would drool over the prospects of going to the SEC, Big 10 or Big 12. Pac-12 is a bit out there geographically. But so is WVU in the Big 12.

What is the SEC comes for Texas and OU? Or maybe the SEC goes for FSU and Clemson. I think the BIG 10 would then go for Texas and OU.

If the SEC goes for FSU and Clemson, the BIG 12 could poach off ACC programs to stabilize. I don't think it's inevitable that the power conferences move to 16, but it does seem likely. If the BIG 10 go after UT and OU, it could get ugly!

 

[TexasforevEER]

Ole Warez 'dreams' of a true Big East conference. Yes, with Syracuse, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Pitt, Boston College, Navy, Army and maybe a couple of others. No, we would not have Villanova or Temple or others.....................for basketball only. Did I leave out any of the other Big East powers? Don't go telling me that WV has 'outgrown' this alignment!

 

[VaultHunter]

As soon as Texas returns to a top 10 program the Big12 won't be considered unstable. The Big12 is the future and I'm glad WVU is already in.

 

[Boomboom521]

Ole Warez 'dreams' of a true Big East conference. Yes, with Syracuse, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Pitt, Boston College, Navy, Army and maybe a couple of others. No, we would not have Villanova or Temple or others.....................for basketball only. Did I leave out any of the other Big East powers? Don't go telling me that WV has 'outgrown' this alignment!

Ole Warez 'dreams' of a true Big East conference. Yes, with Syracuse, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Pitt, Boston College, Navy, Army and maybe a couple of others. No, we would not have Villanova or Temple or others.....................for basketball only. Did I leave out any of the other Big East powers? Don't go telling me that WV has 'outgrown' this alignment!

I imagine this post was all just your pickle-growin sarcasm, but I actually agree with this thought. I still am enraged when thinking about how inept the old Big East commissioner (forgot his name, maybe on purpose) was at being progressive and making intelligent moves for the future. Adding Louisville and making some type of run at ND before we lost UM, BC and VT to the ACC is the thinking that plagues me. However, maybe just maybe something like that could happen again. A network deal struck with ESPN or FOX that could offer substantial financial incentives for teams like UM, Maryland, Navy, Army, BC, Louisville, WVU, PITT , and Penn State could be pulled off? It isn't that crazy is it? Maybe it is....just as crazy as running a pickle farm

 

[Boomboom521]

As soon as Texas returns to a top 10 program the Big12 won't be considered unstable. The Big12 is the future and I'm glad WVU is already in.

I'm happy with the Big 12, just not with the feeling of instability. When fans talk about upcoming realignment....it's one thing....when coaches or ADs talk about it....it's another. If Texas and OU get poached, it would be a dangerous situation once again for WVU. Do you think Big 12 expansion is needed for stability?

 

[steeleer]

Academically, WVU has an entirely different mission than the B10 schools. We will never meet the research/academic markers needed to get through the door to even warrant a meeting.

That being said, I like where Gee is going with WVU academically. Maybe 20 years from now, that statement won't be as silly as it sounds now.

 

[JIMEER86]

Academically, WVU has an entirely different mission than the B10 schools. We will never meet the research/academic markers needed to get through the door to even warrant a meeting.

That being said, I like where Gee is going with WVU academically. Maybe 20 years from now, that statement won't be as silly as it sounds now.

Unfortunately, it's all about TV sets and not fan bases and not athletic success and NOT academics when it comes to the Big 10 choosing teams. If (when?) the Big 12 implodes, our choices of homes in power conferences will be the SEC or the ACC IF either one wants us. But we have several years before that happens so let's hope we have success in all areas and position ourselves as well as we can for the future.

 

[Cuyahoga Falls Eers]

I agree. So what is the answer? I feel like BIG 12 expansion is the only real way to stabilize? At one point I felt like the BIG 12 needed to go after UCF, FAU, and USF and hope their introduction to a power conference would help them grow quickly. I would LOVE the BIG 12 to poach a couple of big time programs from the ACC, but I just don't see that happening without Texas and OU giving up some power and green (from Gundys comments, it seems like those inside don't feel like that's going to happen).

If we could approach a VT, Louisville, or Miami with a substantial financial benefit for coming into the BIG 12, I think they might consider it, but programs like Clemson and FSU are doing too well financially.

That's my initial point....I don't feel like anyone in the BIG 10 could be poached, and so they seem stable to me. I agree that the ACC would crumble if the SEC came calling....even FSU and Clemson would bolt. But I'm not sure even the SEC could get a BIG 10 team to budge.

Obviously something is wrong in the BIG 12 (UT and OU power?), because they have lost Colorado, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Missouri to 3 different power conferences. I'd love for the BIG 12 to stabilize, but that means expansion and a network. Just doesn't look like that is happening?

Big 12 annual paychecks per school are substantially larger than the ACC. At $30 million and heading toward $40 million. So Clemson and Florida State CAN be bought to come into the Big 12 just by upping their annual paychecks to what the Big 12 pays every school. Clemson and Florida State would increate the TV payments to the Big 12, too, so WVU and others wouldn't have to take a pay cut to get them in.

Miami, not so much. Virginia Tech would be the 3rd choice behind Clemson and Florida State. Louisville and Miami wouldn't add much to the strength of Big 12 football, which runs all conferences because it brings in far more money than basketball.

 

[writeon]

Don't expect Texas to surrender anything to the Big 12. I'll never forget a letter a Missouri fan sent to one of the WVU message boards, saying WVU fans will enjoy the B12 once they accept being Texas' bitch.

 

[xgunnx]

Don't expect Texas to surrender anything to the Big 12. I'll never forget a letter a Missouri fan sent to one of the WVU message boards, saying WVU fans will enjoy the B12 once they accept being Texas' bitch.

Unfortunately you may be correct. That still does not alter the fact that a Conference Network is needed, Texas will have too do away with the LHN.

A couple facts about the LHN. It is Hemorrhaging money. The TV rating are well below other sports related channels. Its mainly regional not all Big 12 areas have the LHN.

Texas may be reluctant to give up the LHN but Texas Adminiatrators are not stupid and giving up the LHN will be more profitable in the long term.

 

[LowFatMilk]

Don't expect Texas to surrender anything to the Big 12. I'll never forget a letter a Missouri fan sent to one of the WVU message boards, saying WVU fans will enjoy the B12 once they accept being Texas' bitch.

Yea... ...we had a single better option ?

Who didn't know going in that this conference was all about Texas and the problems they have caused in the past?

 

[Pitt4Life34]

I do not think the Big 12 is stable. Seeing Gundys comments today on how he thinks if Texas doesn't give the Longhorn network up, they will end up in the PAC or the SEC, has got me feeling like even those inside know that the ground will shift soon.

The SEC will come calling soon for additional teams (soon meaning 5-10 years), but Texas, Oklahoma HAVE TO be teams they would love to get. Maybe they knock on the ACC door, but include the lack of expansion and I think the BIG 12 is the weakest of all the power conferences.

I think the BIG 10 will eventually land ND (just my hunch). So with OSU and PSU, I think up north would be a good fit for us. I would say the ACC, but I don't think they are as stable. I would LOVE to stay put, but I don't see the BIG 12 expanding in enough time to stabilize. Just my opinion, but I want to feel solid for once in this game of musical chairs!!!!

Really really dumb post. And, I think we've seen this tread a time or two.

 

[Pitt4Life34]

I think we are an attractive option for any conference other than the PAC actually. We are strong in BB (both men's and women's), soccer (both men's and women's), we are competitive in volleyball, gymnastics, wrestling, and football can be great as well. We have a loyal fan base that travels pretty well, and boosters are starting to spend good money for facility improvements. I think all the major conferences will attempt to go to a 16 team conference in time, and one power conference will be left out in the cold. I always thought it would be the ACC, but I don't see that happening now. If the BIG 10 did decide to add 4 teams.....who would they be? I think WVU would be in the discussion.

Why would the entire Eastern coast of the United States ever be left out of anything? How do you get WVU by the academic perception problem to even sniff the Big10 or ACC. Another dumb post.

 

[Pitt4Life34]

As long as Texas and Oklahoma are in the Big 12, then the ACC would be the odd conference out if the other four expand to 16 teams. Football runs the show and I doubt any school would leave the other four conferences to go to the ACC. However, the better teams in the ACC would drool over the prospects of going to the SEC, Big 10 or Big 12. Pac-12 is a bit out there geographically. But so is WVU in the Big 12.

Funny! Good stuff!

 

[Boomboom521]

Why would the entire Eastern coast of the United States ever be left out of anything? How do you get WVU by the academic perception problem to even sniff the Big10 or ACC. Another dumb post.

Thanks for the great feedback. There is a large need on this forum for post critics like you, there just simply isn't enough name calling and judgement on here. I mean, why would someone just ignore a post? Its so much better for everyone when the intellectual elite, such as yourself obviously with the insightful comments you make, take the time to read a thread and make such constructive comments that add to the depth of the discussion. I only hope I can learn, over time of course, to become such a talented and skilled poster as you. Thank you

 

[Boomboom521]

Why would the entire Eastern coast of the United States ever be left out of anything? How do you get WVU by the academic perception problem to even sniff the Big10 or ACC. Another dumb post.

Are you saying that WVU is NOWHERE NEAR the academic level of Miami,VT, PITT, Syracuse, or Michigan State?? All universities have their areas of excellence, and WVU is very strong in some areas and weak in others. I'm pretty proud of where we are and where we are heading academically. You're not? Of course, with your ultimate intellectual ability, you hold degree(s) from institutions with much better academic reputations than lowly WVU, right?

 

[Charleston Mountie]

Are you saying that WVU is NOWHERE NEAR the academic level of Miami,VT, PITT, Syracuse, or Michigan State?? All universities have their areas of excellence, and WVU is very strong in some areas and weak in others. I'm pretty proud of where we are and where we are heading academically. You're not? Of course, with your ultimate intellectual ability, you hold degree(s) from institutions with much better academic reputations than lowly WVU, right?

It is great that you are proud of WVU as are all of us, but we have to be honest when it comes to some aspects of WVU as well. WVU is not in the same national ranking system academic regard as the other institutions you mentioned. Both Pitt and Michigan State are AAU members. You need to educate yourself on exactly what that means before you post again. Syracuse was an AAU member until 2011 when they voluntarily withdrew over an issue with federal grants. Miami and VT are ranked 51 and 70 by the national rating system of Best Colleges. I personally find many flaws in that system, but it ranks WVU at 175.

The biggest problem for WVU is that not enough research is performed by WVU and WVU has a horrendous washout rate of first years. This is because WVU pretty much lets in any West Virginian if they want to come. The ones that fall out, party their first semester and flunk out, get placed on academic probation their second semester and flunk out again. The one year paid vacation for non-stop partying is over and they go back to whatever holler they came from. So many of them do that that it erodes WVU's efforts in other areas. But, that is not to say that all of them do, just enough of them to do some harm to the rankings.

Still, it is a very noble move on the part of WVU and if I had a vote, I would vote to retain the policy. More West Virginians are helped by this than hurt. A degree from WVU is a solid degree and nothing to be maligned, but truth is, WVU is not well-regarded academically.

If WVU was on the fringe we might get notice by the Big Ten but WVU will never be in the Big Ten. The ACC would probably take WVU now, but that ship has sailed. Louisville has an academic ranking nearly as poor as WVU's but the Cardinals cannot point to a noble reason such as WVU can as for why.

Even the SEC is trying to up their game in academics and this is why President Gee works so hard to improve WVU. I think though that all we are doing is treading water even with all this effort and the future of WVU is much as it has been. The only way to improve WVU's standing is to increase the difficulty of the admission standards and the State is unlikely to go along with that.

 

[Boomboom521]

It is great that you are proud of WVU as are all of us, but we have to be honest when it comes to some aspects of WVU as well. WVU is not in the same national ranking system academic regard as the other institutions you mentioned. Both Pitt and Michigan State are AAU members. You need to educate yourself on exactly what that means before you post again. Syracuse was an AAU member until 2011 when they voluntarily withdrew over an issue with federal grants. Miami and VT are ranked 51 and 70 by the national rating system of Best Colleges. I personally find many flaws in that system, but it ranks WVU at 175.

The biggest problem for WVU is that not enough research is performed by WVU and WVU has a horrendous washout rate of first years. This is because WVU pretty much lets in any West Virginian if they want to come. The ones that fall out, party their first semester and flunk out, get placed on academic probation their second semester and flunk out again. The one year paid vacation for non-stop partying is over and they go back to whatever holler they came from. So many of them do that that it erodes WVU's efforts in other areas. But, that is not to say that all of them do, just enough of them to do some harm to the rankings.

Still, it is a very noble move on the part of WVU and if I had a vote, I would vote to retain the policy. More West Virginians are helped by this than hurt. A degree from WVU is a solid degree and nothing to be maligned, but truth is, WVU is not well-regarded academically.

If WVU was on the fringe we might get notice by the Big Ten but WVU will never be in the Big Ten. The ACC would probably take WVU now, but that ship has sailed. Louisville has an academic ranking nearly as poor as WVU's but the Cardinals cannot point to a noble reason such as WVU can as for why.

Even the SEC is trying to up their game in academics and this is why President Gee works so hard to improve WVU. I think though that all we are doing is treading water even with all this effort and the future of WVU is much as it has been. The only way to improve WVU's standing is to increase the difficulty of the admission standards and the State is unlikely to go along with that.

I agree. Good points, and I know how low our ranking is....I just do not put as much in the ranking as many do. We have expanded substantially in the last decade. Both in facilities and enrollment. I think we are a lot more attractive academically than that ranking indicates. In time, we can get there. I also believe conference expansion is not totally based on academic evaluation, and we look better than many big time programs. I'm also discussing the next round of expansion ( which I stated I felt would be the power conferences moving to 18-20 teams). We hold enough reputation BOTH academically and athletically to warrant being in those discussions.

But seriously, thank you for a legitimate post....that adds to discussion and understanding without being judgmental and degrading

 

[TexasforevEER]

I imagine this post was all just your pickle-growin sarcasm, but I actually agree with this thought. I still am enraged when thinking about how inept the old Big East commissioner (forgot his name, maybe on purpose) was at being progressive and making intelligent moves for the future. Adding Louisville and making some type of run at ND before we lost UM, BC and VT to the ACC is the thinking that plagues me. However, maybe just maybe something like that could happen again. A network deal struck with ESPN or FOX that could offer substantial financial incentives for teams like UM, Maryland, Navy, Army, BC, Louisville, WVU, PITT , and Penn State could be pulled off? It isn't that crazy is it? Maybe it is....just as crazy as running a pickle farm

BoomBoy..................don't you say nothing about that pickle farm!

 

[Pitt4Life34]

Thanks for the great feedback. There is a large need on this forum for post critics like you, there just simply isn't enough name calling and judgement on here. I mean, why would someone just ignore a post? Its so much better for everyone when the intellectual elite, such as yourself obviously with the insightful comments you make, take the time to read a thread and make such constructive comments that add to the depth of the discussion. I only hope I can learn, over time of course, to become such a talented and skilled poster as you. Thank you

Don't give up BoomBoom. You just have to take the homer glasses off then the entire world opens up to you. Hang in there and keep plugging away. God Bless.

 

[Pitt4Life34]

Are you saying that WVU is NOWHERE NEAR the academic level of Miami,VT, PITT, Syracuse, or Michigan State?? All universities have their areas of excellence, and WVU is very strong in some areas and weak in others. I'm pretty proud of where we are and where we are heading academically. You're not? Of course, with your ultimate intellectual ability, you hold degree(s) from institutions with much better academic reputations than lowly WVU, right?

Don't be so insecure BoomBoom. If you don't live under a rock you would know WVU doesn't have a great academic reputation. I didn't make that up. I just responded to your suggestion the Big10 and the ACC could be an option for WVU. Personally I would love for WVU to be in the ACC. I attend a couple games per season in Morgantown. You can patronize all ya like Boom. Have at it