That may be, but it's not folks like you that are making the decisions re: conference realignment. It's the university presidents, who care a whole heck of a lot more about academics than athletics.
That's why the academic argument is important when considering conference affiliations. The B1G has a pretty big carrot (CIC) to dangle in front of the university presidents.
No trees were harmed in the making of this post. However, billions of electrons were horribly inconvenienced.
aTm is somewhat of an aberition IMHO. They are akin to Tech during the Vick years. Manziel IS aTm much the way Vick WAS Virginia Tech. Yes, aTm and Tech have/had great supporting casts, but there will be a gigantic hangover after Manziel leaves. And if Manziel gets injured next year???? Sure, aTm could reel off some good seasons after Manziel's departure, but expect LSU and Bama not to take a back seat to aTm.
I loathe Texas, but I fully expect them to rise ahead of aTm again. Both Texas and aTm have tons of cash in their athletic departments, but the Horns have more. Unfortunately, that money will keep Texas over aTm in the end. I would love to be wrong and see aTm take it to the Horns over the next 2 decades, but I don't think that will happen. The SEC is cut-throat and brutal. LSU and Bama will take control of the West Division again very soon... probably next year. Even though Bama plays at College Station next year, Saban has that game circled and I doubt Manziel pulls off a second miracle.
One thing I've learned over the past 40+ years, storied football programs like Bama, ND, Michigan, USC, Texas, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Miami will ALWAYS come back. Every now and then, a BYU, FSU or PSU will get lucky and win it all. Our only hope is to enjoy their down years and take jabs at them when we can. And unfortunately, teams like aTm, Tech, Oregon and Kansas State have their moments in the sun, but eventually get burned by staying out in the sun too long.
[QUOTE=Freddyburg Hokie;685473]That may be, but it's not folks like you that are making the decisions re: conference realignment.
I know I have nothing to do with decisions concerning this expansion! If I did, this crap would be settled or put to rest next monday morning. When are you going to take care of all of it?
I do not know what will happen on this expansion? However in listening closely to these conference commissioners (they do play a big part in decisions concerning expansion). I would bet the farm more is coming! From all I have ever read from people who will not be making the decisions as I. Slive wants a school in NC & VA. That will put the ball in the court of your VT president (let me be perfectly clear on that for you). He will make the decision for VT. He says no! As does the presidents at UVA, UNC and NCST. Maybe Slive will then take FSU and Clemson, my favorites anyhow. You AAU dreamers are not hurting me or the SEC. Only possibly yourselves!
Last edited by WarHog38; Sun Feb 17 2013 at 02:07 AM.
First of all VT was going to BCS games before Vick and after Vick. So to act like we had two good years is ignoring a lot of top 10 finishing teams. Second almost all teams build their championships around catching lightening in a bottle called a QB. The miracle of Bama to me is that NFL teams have not gotten McCarron to come out. The last Miami team to win had a ton of players that were supposed to go Pro come back...including an all American QB. LSU had a great run at the QB position when they won NCs. So VT is no different than the rest, we have to get that once every several years QB to compete for the National Championship. However that is not an abberation it is a reality for all programs.
Third, are you kidding me PSU and FSU was luck, but ND who took a 20 year hiatus is not (and got torched by Bama as they have always done in the BCS level games for the last 20 years). Bama that had one good year from Bear to Saban over again about 20 years, but they will bounce back but FSU and PSU won't?
WADR I hear what you are selling, but I am not buying it? Something tells me you have some heavy bias towards some schools and against others when looking at the overall facts.
Last edited by Stech; Sun Feb 17 2013 at 09:54 AM.
You intellectuals or whatever, do a real good analytic job of just ripping the athletic minded SEC to shreds!
You ask the Blacksburg Chamber of Commerce. Would they rather have VT host 4 or 5 SEC games yearly or have the same number of research conventions? This would apply to the entire Blacksburg business community!
These athletic events are huge draws in the mostly small towns around the SEC. I know as fact that Fayetteville, Arkansas, has benefitted to an extreme degree from the SEC sports experience.
You sell everything short but your own intellectual agenda. There are a lot of other very strong angles that someone as smart as you think you are must and will consider.
The B1G is not presently the Sports draw of the SEC. Population changes, the projections I have seen are not good for the B1G's future. However you can be closed minded about all this!
Last edited by WarHog38; Sun Feb 17 2013 at 07:14 PM.
Believe me, I wish we were in the SEC.
But, I hate the Big 10 as the next person, but those fans travel very well. Heck in New Orleans, Michigan fans far outnumbered the VT fans, and that was a 1st in New Orleans for me.
Either conference would be bigger draws to VT and Blacksburg overall.
I have followed college football for over 50 years and my father was an even bigger fan for 40 years before that. He use to talk to me about driving to all those Texas games in his flivver. As old long deceased dad use to always say to me, "It's the coaching, Boy!"
Coaching is what attributes to these teams and winning cycles you make reference to. It is not just destiny or being in some hotbed of recruits.
Any college you want to pick? ALABAMA - Bear Bryant, Nick Saban. Gene Stallings to a slightly lesser degree. The rest of the Alabama head coaches have sucked the last 50 years and the Alabama football has sucked right along with them.