West Virginia: The Mountaineers were once on the verge of becoming a national brand and even saw some success while a member of the Big East, winning two league titles between 1993 and 2011 on top of multiple shared Co-Championships. Before leaving the Big East, WVU tried desperately to get into the ACC and SEC, being rejected by both repeatedly. The most likely situation for the Mountaineers is a reunion with former Big East members in the American Athletic Conference if the Big 12 can't stay afloat.
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders call Lubbock home and if you don't know where that is, you're not alone. That's a big reason Tech should be doing everything it can to nudge the league towards expansion and stability. The Double T sits over 5 hours west of Dallas in what equates to a desert, with sand storms and everything. Things have gone downhill since Mike Leach was run out of town and if the Big 12 can't expand and survive, the Red Raiders will likely take one of the biggest hits and could land in the MWC. That's an optimistic outlook.
Oklahoma State: Unlike WVU and Tech, the Pokes have some things working in their favor. T. Boone Pickens is one of the most well-known and wealthiest boosters in the Big 12, ensuring "big time" facilities and support. There is also speculation that oSu may be able to tag along with Oklahoma wherever the Sooners decide to go - as long as the Big Ten isn't where OU lands. The situation in Stillwater isn't nearly as dire as Morgantown or Lubbock, but there is still plenty of reason for concern at "the other Oklahoma school" if the Big 12 folds.
Kansas State: Much like Okie State, the Wildcats shouldn't be freaking out yet. With speculation that the other four power conferences will each expand to 16 teams when the Big 12 implodes, there are essentially ten spots available (2 each in the ACC, Big Ten, SEC and 4 in the PAC). However, much like the Pokies from OK State, K-State has to hope for a package deal with its in-state partner, Kansas. And if speculation of KU and OU going to the Big Ten and reuniting with Nebraska is at all accurate, the Wildcats could end up in the same boat as oSu - looking for a home.
http://www.bcsnn.com/big-xii/777-big-12-...-asap.html
If the Big XII does implode, I'd rather go independent and try to build a good schedule year in and year out rather then go to the AAC. If that means we get disqualified from the playoffs, so be it. At least we could schedule close teams and former rivals and also try to nab a decent bowl game most years.
(07-03-2015 06:07 PM)Otacon Wrote: [ -> ]If the Big XII does implode, I'd rather go independent and try to build a good schedule year in and year out rather then go to the AAC. If that means we get disqualified from the playoffs, so be it. At least we could schedule close teams and former rivals and also try to nab a decent bowl game most years.
So Cincinnati, Temple and Navy aren't close enough for you?
Careful with that highbrow attitude. It may make it even harder to except your landing spot. Anyway, you'd best hope that UT departs and OU stays. You'd then have the option to create a Conference network and still have the clout to raid the AAC. If OU and UT depart, you'll be left out in the cold just like the rest of us.
Yes, Cincinnati, Temple, & Navy are close enough for me. I wouldn't have a problem with home and away games...But only as an Indy, not in a conference were we were forced to play them every year. I did not know I was coming off with a "highbrow attitude". Again, this is my personal opinion, I would rather go Indy and try to get a football schedule that fans would love to have. I know we don't have as much clout as Notre Dame, but I would want to emulate their football schedule. They play good, tough teams all over the country. I'd want WVU to try to schedule the same types of opponents, except east of the Mississippi, and with an occasional west coast/ mid west game every now and then.
The biggest reason I love playing in the Big XII is that we get so many top 25 teams coming to our place now. Off the top of my head, the past what, four years in the Big XII we've played more ranked teams at home then eight years in the Big East. That's just a guess though. It is a fun and exciting time to be a fan of WVU. I personally like the philosophy of playing the toughest schedule you can make. No FCS teams. I like seeing how well we stack up against the big boys. We haven't beaten as many as I would like, but I feel we have played most of them pretty close.
(07-04-2015 11:41 AM)Otacon Wrote: [ -> ]Yes, Cincinnati, Temple, & Navy are close enough for me. I wouldn't have a problem with home and away games...But only as an Indy, not in a conference were we were forced to play them every year. I did not know I was coming off with a "highbrow attitude". Again, this is my personal opinion, I would rather go Indy and try to get a football schedule that fans would love to have. I know we don't have as much clout as Notre Dame, but I would want to emulate their football schedule. They play good, tough teams all over the country. I'd want WVU to try to schedule the same types of opponents, except east of the Mississippi, and with an occasional west coast/ mid west game every now and then.
The biggest reason I love playing in the Big XII is that we get so many top 25 teams coming to our place now. Off the top of my head, the past what, four years in the Big XII we've played more ranked teams at home then eight years in the Big East. That's just a guess though. It is a fun and exciting time to be a fan of WVU. I personally like the philosophy of playing the toughest schedule you can make. No FCS teams. I like seeing how well we stack up against the big boys. We haven't beaten as many as I would like, but I feel we have played most of them pretty close.
Fair enough. My point was that WVU was not so recently in the same conference with UC, Temple (Though a while ago), UConn and USF, some of the same teams they'd be playing again but, now they aren't good enough. See where I got the "Highbrow attitude", from.
I'd remind you that many of the teams you've played are ranked higher at the beginning of the season based solely on the basis of their conference affiliation. Half the Big 12 would be middle of the road in the AAC. Now granted the top of the AAC could be middle of the road for the Big 12 but, we may never know that.
Unless they treat all conferences equally, there is no true and accurate means of ranking teams. That's a fact. Anyway, best of luck to WVU where ever they land.
Honestly, every XII school not named Texas or Oklahoma should want the conference to succeed/be concerned if it doesn't. WVU would be the one school that would jump when the GOR are up/regardless of the kind of success the league does have if the right offer came.
Jackson
(07-03-2015 06:07 PM)Otacon Wrote: [ -> ]If the Big XII does implode, I'd rather go independent and try to build a good schedule year in and year out rather then go to the AAC. If that means we get disqualified from the playoffs, so be it. At least we could schedule close teams and former rivals and also try to nab a decent bowl game most years.
Where would they place all of their non football sports if WVU went Indy?
MAC...Big East... Spread them all out, that'd be fine with me
Big 12 will either expand or contract in the very near future. Or perhaps an eight (8) team playoff is in the very near! B12 teams have a fear of being left out of the NCS playoffs.
I wished WVU felt that fear....
(07-22-2015 11:01 AM)Wilkie01 Wrote: [ -> ]Big 12 will either expand or contract in the very near future. Or perhaps an eight (8) team playoff is in the very near! B12 teams have a fear of being left out of the NCS playoffs.
And perhaps one day the ACC suddenly become a good football conference, fans will care enough to show up at games, and their network will finally become a reality.
But I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for either to come to pass.
Welcome to the ACC in the near future
Stability in the conference has to come from the bottom up.
Schools like Iowa State, Texas Tech, K-State and OSU need to work on their OOC's in both fb and bb, finish their facilities renovations and continue to expand their branding efforts.
That's how the conference will become more stable.
These schools need to stop worrying about what Texas and OU are doing....and move their schools BRAND forward at warp speed.
Once the bottom four in the conference bring their whole system up to the level of top tier P5 schools...then, the conference will be able to withstand any realignment situations or suggestions.
So far....TCU and Baylor have been the only ones to really capture some national exposure with their efforts. And, much congratulations should be given to those schools...especially if they can keep it going for a long stretch.
A strong Big 12 is made up of strong schools across the board...not just two schools at the top.
Even if a school departs the Big 12...I would still like to see WVU stay with the remaining group. WVU brings so much enthusiasm to the playing field. I really enjoy watching them match up with the core Big 12 schools. I have even caught myself rooting for them when they are playing some of my favorite schools. They are just fun to watch.
I hope that the Big 12 adds Cincinnati to be a rival for WVU, if that's what would make WVU happy.