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Tailgate Guru

Joined: 01/05/2001 Posts: 9457
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I think that is a factor, but not the only factor


The fact of the matter is that virtually all of WVU's long-time rivals and competitors are in other conferences and aren't moving.

Penn State, Rutgers and Maryland in the Big Ten.

Pitt, Virginia Tech, Syracuse and BC in the ACC.

WVU really has no relationship with UConn. They played football together in the Big East for about seven years and WVU dominated the series. The basketball relationship was longer but UConn dominated the basketball side. It's easier to get to Orlando than to Storrs or Hartford and a way better road trip to boot. And UConn is the most distant candidate from the rest of the league. And other than basketball and respectable but not extraordinary academics, UConn really doesn't have a lot to offer. Nobody in Connecticut is going to watch Big 12 football.

Cincinnati's candidacy is almost entirely based on proximity to a good portion of the West Virginia fan base. For many WVU fans, Cincy is an easy road trip. Cincinnati is competitive in hoops and has been competitive in football periodically but it is hard to see a lot of upside. I think Cincinnati is definitely in the conversation but is a long way from automatic.

Apart from Cincinnati, the best travel partner for WVU is likely UCF anyway. Orlando is big enough that there are direct flights to Pittsburgh and good service to Charleston where WVU's non-revenue sports sometimes play. Traveling anywhere beyond Pittsburgh in the northeast is a pain in the butt, whether by land or by air. Plus WVU recruits heavily in Florida, albeit historically in the Miami / Dade County area. Other Big 12 schools would invest in recruiting Florida but won't benefit from trying to recruit in other areas.

I eliminate South Florida just because you probably wouldn't take two Florida schools and I view UCF as the better candidate. Memphis takes one step forward and one step back, and academically it has a long way to go. Tulane is too small and too private, doesn't add a lot and is so far from WVU that you might as well take Houston instead.




(In response to this post by HOO86)

Posted: 04/14/2016 at 5:57PM


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Current Thread:
 
  Orlando Sentinal's Bianchi lobbying again for UCF to Big 12 -- Tailgate Guru 04/14/2016 1:12PM
  Hard to take anyone from Interlachen seriously. But as discussed below -- daveinop 04/16/2016 3:12PM
  I agree, they are better off staying at 10 schools -- VaTechHokiesACC 04/16/2016 01:59AM
  When someone from the Austin American-Statesman calls for UCF to be added.. -- Maroon Baboon 04/16/2016 01:11AM
  And yet again nobody will care... ** -- marcbvtgm 04/14/2016 9:06PM
  On the surface I do agree that Big XII doesn't have a lot of good -- VTHokie2000 04/14/2016 4:14PM
  That's putting WVU back in the AAC. -- HOO86 04/14/2016 4:22PM
  The East would be horrible. ** -- Mr. Touchdown 04/14/2016 9:52PM
  For most scenarios the other division will always be horrible -- VTHokie2000 04/15/2016 12:26AM
  Hell, the Big 12 North was horrible for 10 years ** -- BROman Hokie 04/15/2016 11:08AM
  Oh I realize that the East would have an AAC feel to it. -- VTHokie2000 04/14/2016 4:44PM
  I think looking at it that way, they come to an ACC-Big XII merger result. -- HOO86 04/14/2016 5:05PM
  I agree there would be an attempt at some point for an ACC-B12 merger -- VTHokie2000 04/14/2016 5:37PM
  So you are advocating a 22 team ACC? -- EDGEMAN 04/14/2016 6:25PM
  No, I am not advocating a 22 team ACC. -- VTHokie2000 04/14/2016 8:47PM
  I think those remaining four would have homes. -- HOO86 04/14/2016 5:49PM
  The B1G wouldn't want Iowa State -- UCHusky90 04/15/2016 08:57AM
  Iowa State wouldn't benefit the BTN all that much, BUT -- HOO86 04/15/2016 09:13AM
  SEC interest in Iowa St? Kind of a stretch don't ya think? ** -- CrystalCoveHokie 04/15/2016 09:24AM
  Long border with Missouri, so why not? -- HOO86 04/15/2016 09:48AM
  Here's why not.... -- CrystalCoveHokie 04/15/2016 1:06PM
  Ok. But don't see much difference between Iowa, Iowa St, Kansas. -- HOO86 04/15/2016 2:36PM
  Here are more numbers that matter in my opinion -- lawhokie 04/15/2016 3:14PM
  Can't imagine the SEC getting hung up on AAU status. -- HOO86 04/15/2016 4:13PM
  The SEC touted AAU status of A&M and Mizzou when they were added.... -- lawhokie 04/17/2016 11:29AM
  Assuming the SEC is going to expand to 16 -- VTHokie2000 04/15/2016 5:43PM
  That makes sense. -- HOO86 04/15/2016 6:42PM
  For regional purposes I do think the remaining Big XII schools -- VTHokie2000 04/14/2016 8:58PM
  The Big XII appears to be looking at choices close to WVU. -- HOO86 04/14/2016 3:20PM
  I think that is a factor, but not the only factor -- Tailgate Guru 04/14/2016 5:57PM
  UCF and USF are diamonds in the rough. -- HOO86 04/14/2016 8:34PM

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