http://youtube.com/watch?v=LZBPu7jJbJU
For weeks, almost every WVU fan has been dreaming of life as a member of the SEC.
It’s pretty clear that dream won’t be realized. It’s not quite as bad as losing to Pittsburgh 13-9, but it is another slap in the face to a very proud program and even prouder fan base.
For those few fans who are holding out hope for an SEC invite … well, the time is right to move on and embrace the inevitable. Missouri is going to get that 14th spot in the SEC, eventually.
Once again, WVU is denied a shot at the big time. Yep, it hurts. I think the Mountaineers would be a great fit in the SEC.
So what happens next?
Well, there’s still the hope that once Missouri leaves for the SEC then the Big 12 will come calling. But is the Big 12 really that good of a fit for WVU? Probably not, but is staying in the Big East a better option?
Tough call.
But this doesn’t just impact WVU. Louisville, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Rutgers and South Florida are clinging to the hope that when all of the expansion moves are made that they have a suitable home.
The Big East is trying its best to replace Syracuse and Pitt, and even expand to 12 teams in football in a feeble attempt to save that automatic BCS status.
But if the Big East get an automatic right now, I’d argue adding Boise State, Air Force and Navy as football-only members and UCF, Houston and SMU as full-time members makes the league even stronger. So retaining the the automatic status should be automatic right?
Unfortunately, most experts believe the Big East doesn’t deserve it right now. So with more defections means the time is right to strip it of the perk.
Boise would be the big get, but right now it’s not clear the Broncos will leave the Mountain West, which just agreed to join forces with Conference USA in football. It also appears Navy has some concerns about joining the Big East, which is currently on life support. A league with West Virginia, Boise, Cincinnati, Louisville and South Florida is no Big 12, but there’s enough there to earn the BCS spot.
If the remaining six decided to stay and the new six made the leap of faith, the Big East could actually be a much stronger football conference in two years. It’s not as good as it was when Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College were members … but it’s better than the current formula.
There’s still a lot to work out, and no one would blame WVU, Louisville or Cincinnati for leaving for the Big 12. There’s more money and potentially more security.
But sometimes big risks return big rewards.
Is West Virginia willing to roll the dice on the Big East?
AD Oliver Luck and the Mountaineers may not have a choice.
