West Virginia, c’mon down! You’re the next contestant in the Big 12!
At least, that’s the case if Pete Thamel of The New York Times is correct in his report today that the Big 12 would accept WVU as its newest member. Of course, this is all contingent upon Missouri leaving the conference for the blood-stained football battlefields of the SEC, but trust me, the Tigers are gone.
The biggest upside to the move will undoubtedly be the opportunity to watch the Texas Longhorns hold their noses in the company of their new Appalachian conference mates. Fans who like to party will definitely enjoy the occasional road trip to Morgantown, where liberal attitudes toward drinking during the day may remind some visitors of Dublin without the brogue. And, hey, who doesn’t relish the prospect of regular visits from Huggy Bear and Holgo the Destroyer?
Unfortunately, though, in this blogger’s eyes, we’ve reached the point in the conference shuffle where everyone is choosing the “least-worst” option.
The Big 12 will continue to limp along like a three-legged dog led on a leash by ESPN. (Until the World Wide Leader and Texas decide to euthanize it, of course.) Fans of legacy Big 12 programs will think back longingly to the days when their schedules included dates with the likes of Nebraska and Texas A&M, while at the same time counting their blessings that they didn’t get saddled with Rice and Houston.
West Virginia can count on some extra loot and some measure of security for the next six years or so, until the Big 12 declaration of rights runs out. Meanwhile, Mountaineer fans will enjoy a slight step up in competition in exchange for not having road games anywhere within driving distance and manufactured rivalries with all new opponents. They’ll also get the chance to learn what it’s like to hook up with another conference at last call. (Here’s a hint: They’re using you for the inventory.)
And a few years from now, everyone will look back and miss the way it all used to be. Hell, I already do.
