WVU close to leaving for Big 12

[Ran513]

Some of the logic being used is frightening. Please explain how wv being poached would help UC, as opposed to Louisville. I really don't understand why wv is so attractive. What do they add that trumps us or Louisville as far as recent success. ESPN has been pumping wv up all day for recent success, what success, they used the bcs game from 07, while ignoring ours completely. They even went as far as Louisvilles last bcs and act as though no one else has been, I even heard RUTGERS discussed

[swilsonsp4]

You missed the point. WVU had to be the first to go. WVU is the the best program in the BE. Now that the BE has been weakened even further it may just fall apart. Who would want to join with out one of the flagship schools in it? This helps UC and UL get out. Its exciting but scary we could end up in the Sun Belt, but the chance of landing in the Big XII will be worth it.

Why should the B12 wait, then? Why not just invade the BE and get it over with?

Maybe it's because they have no desire to go to 12 in this latest wave of reconfiguration. Most reports (yes, yes, all conjecture for now) point to the B12 staying at 10 teams for the short term, since they can't decide among their membership as to how big they want to be. Until that's settled, we will remain in limbo. And, that's not a stable situation for UC and the other four BE football schools. It means that the BE must proceed with expansion and hope that BSU, AFA and Navy want to join. If that occurs, then UC would incur $5M more in exit fees, should Dr. Williams decide to pull up stakes in a year or two. The last time I heard, the program wasn't exactly wallowing in disposable income. If it doesn't occur, then BE football is decimated.

I'm not trying to be discouraging, but I don't believe UC is recognized in the BCS world as legitimate ... yet. I'm not even sure UC is viewed locally as being legitimate. The fanbase is small and, at least among the long-timers, such as myself, loyal. But, far too many of the johnny-come-latelies who came aboard when the program soared have left. After one lousy year (and it was lousy) in 2010, season ticket sales dropped by 20%. And, according to (I believe) Bob Arkeilpane, the bulk of those who gave up their tickets were among the last to join. That doesn't happen in the BCS world.

Despite that, UC probably is on the B12's radar, at least to some extent. But, if they had bigger available targets, our program wouldn't be given a sniff.

[coach]

folks, there is really not a whole lot any of us can do except support the team by showing up at the games(bb and fball) and show the other conferences that we are here to stay. just as boise has succeeded at it, it's not an impossible task. until these "adds" play out in terms of what they do to the existing paydays of the conference members, it's not likely they are going to run up to 14, 16 etc. i suspect we are in short order going to see this remaining big east, mwest and cusa fball affiliation to be laid out for 2014 and beyond. at that point, who knows. one way or the other, if you put butts in the seats, kids will come and play. that's goal one in all of this. this cannot be lost sight of.

[waterhead]

Why should the B12 wait, then? Why not just invade the BE and get it over with?

Maybe it's because they have no desire to go to 12 in this latest wave of reconfiguration. Most reports (yes, yes, all conjecture for now) point to the B12 staying at 10 teams for the short term, since they can't decide among their membership as to how big they want to be. Until that's settled, we will remain in limbo. And, that's not a stable situation for UC and the other four BE football schools. It means that the BE must proceed with expansion and hope that BSU, AFA and Navy want to join. If that occurs, then UC would incur $5M more in exit fees, should Dr. Williams decide to pull up stakes in a year or two. The last time I heard, the program wasn't exactly wallowing in disposable income. If it doesn't occur, then BE football is decimated.

I'm not trying to be discouraging, but I don't believe UC is recognized in the BCS world as legitimate ... yet. I'm not even sure UC is viewed locally as being legitimate. The fanbase is small and, at least among the long-timers, such as myself, loyal. But, far too many of the johnny-come-latelies who came aboard when the program soared have left. After one lousy year (and it was lousy) in 2010, season ticket sales dropped by 20%. And, according to (I believe) Bob Arkeilpane, the bulk of those who gave up their tickets were among the last to join. That doesn't happen in the BCS world.

Despite that, UC probably is on the B12's radar, at least to some extent. But, if they had bigger available targets, our program wouldn't be given a sniff.

The exit fee would be made up in the first or second year of revenue sharing in the Big 12...not a hard sell. As for why it's not all happening right now...because nobody wants to play their cards. That's why we had not much clue about Pitt and SYR leaving. Until it's signed on the dotted line...it's all rumor. We all knew WVU was a candidate for Big 12...but until now...it was all rumor. We still don't know what's going to happen with MO but we have a good idea. We also have a good idea that if the Big 12 expands to more than 10 UC may be a big part of that. That may be an issue to decide in the Big 12 but most teams in that conference would like to do that by most accounts...TX seems to be holding back. Let's not confuse the Big 12 with TX...they gave up a lot of their power recently. Now that WVU is a part of the conference we may have one more vote.

[waterhead]

In other words "not happening" does not always equal "not in the works".

[red_n_black_attack]

I think WV gets the "Big Time Recognition" as it is the only "Statewide" school in the Big East. WV is to West Virginia what OSU is to Ohio.

All other teams are city teams; Cincy, Louisville, Syracuse, Pitt, etc....

No matter what happens, UC is in good hands with our new AD, and a great college President.

B.C.

Uhhh...UConn, Rutgers, even S. Fla encompasses more area than Tampa/St Pete.

Pitt, 'Ville, UC, 'Cuse are granted city schools; however, 'Cuse does not have big time competition for foot ball in the state. One could argue with the state of UK and Penn State football programs, 'Ville and Pitt don't have much competition either. Only UC with O$U has true competition for talent and fans, but as I pointed out in another thread, I think that has turned into a healthy competition and may give us a leg up in attracting the Big 12. Getting S Fla may be nice, but SE Fla (Dade county) has most of the talent. SW Ohio is a very fertile recruiting territory.

[bearcatd]

So I guess Baylor, TCU, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Texas Tech are their big state schools. As the second largest in Ohio, we could argue the same thing as many of the above schools. I think, between UC, UL and WVU, WVU is the most nationally recognized with the most football history (remember, money is everything in conference realignment) and a game between WVU and Texas will probably get better national ratings, even though UC might (might) put up a better game against Texas. I don't think their academics are as bad as some say (they do have 7 Rhodes Scholars in their history) and their athletic budget is at the top of the Big East. As for culture - the are in the middle of nowhere, like many other Big 12 schools, so maybe that's what the cultural comparison is. Who knows. I hope we are in the running...but if not, maybe we get a bite from someone else

[waterhead]

I am not sure why so many people care WHY WVU was selected by the Big 12. I don't care if UC gets selected because they like our mascot. There are a million different ways to try to reason through this stuff...save yourself the headache.

[binturong07]

It could end up being UofL in the Big XII first...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/sp...f=ncaafootball

[udonkey]

I don't know about you guys, but I wouldn't want to be a UofL fan visiting Morgantown in a few weeks.

[bearcat25]

It could end up being UofL in the Big XII first...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/sp...f=ncaafootball

Seems to me, a lot of s hit is being thrown at the wall. Eventually, something will stick, right?

[ME80]

Rumors that become reality

I guess its a reality that changes from day to day. I truly believe that no one knows the full extent of what is being discussed and I have said that from the beginning. You can not tell me that the Big 12 made a decision to invite WV then backed down when because UL did some late minute politicking. This makes the Big 12 look like they do not know what they are doing either.

Almost seems like all involved are having fun with the media and fans.

[#41]

Seems to me, a lot of s hit is being thrown at the wall. Eventually, something will stick, right?

Still, the silence surrounding Clifton is reaching deafening levels right now.

[1977 BearCat]

Still, the silence surrounding Clifton is reaching deafening levels right now.

Don't worry. There is a back-up plan.

[#41]

Don't worry. There is a back-up plan.

Flag football competitions w/ Mt. St. Joe and Cincinnati State?