Was in the middle of working on this post. It was going fine. Nearly finished. Exploring the idea of the rumors that both Louisville and WVU were going to announce a move to the Big 12 by next week. What it would mean to Big East survival (or not), that the departures could accelerate chance of Pitt getting to the ACC sooner — or have to wait longer b/c they need the bodies, and whether the possibility of 11 teams in the Big 12 suggested that maybe Notre Dame to the Big 12 in all but football could be a reality.
Then… KABOOM!
West Virginia has been invited to join the Big 12 Conference, college football industry sources told CBSSports.com Friday.
The Mountaineers will accept the invitation, sources said. The Big 12 is expected to officially announce the invitation later today.
The Big 12’s board of directors voted Friday morning and chose West Virginia over Louisville. They will stay at 10 schools, a source said.
So now we are back to where things were on Tuesday.
That’s a shame for Louisville (and for Pitt and Syracuse).
There were a lot of rumors percolating yesterday that with such a divide over WVU and Louisville within the Big 12, that the Big 12 was actually going to take both schools. There was a good deal of logic to it. While the conference would have been at the odd 11, the consensus has been that eventually both schools were going to be invited at some point. With the division by the members on the merits of each, just move up the timetable and finish it. Especially if they do it piece-by-piece it would be more likely that the Big East would insist on keeping the members in the conference for at least one extra year to preserve BCS AQ status. Meaning WVU (and Pitt and Syracuse) won’t leave until at least the 2013 season.
Of course Texas — which was backing WVU over Louisville — was also rather adamant about staying at 10. Keeping the TV money pie smaller. In the end what Texas wants in the Big 12, Texas gets — regardless of who is the conference commissioner.
That still doesn’t change the fact that the Big 12 looked ridiculous. Really, really ridiculous.
Can we please some have some honor in the league? Can we please some have some leadership? Can we please conduct business with just a smidgen of decorum?
Okay, that’s nice in theory, but that ship sailed in expansiopocolypse a long time ago. See, the ACC-Big East in 2003, Pac-10-Big 12-Big 10 in 2010. Or just the past few months.
After this nonsense, it’s clearer than ever that the only the desperate would be interested in the Big 12.
Um, have you seen the Big East? There’s a reason why WVU and Louisville are ready to shank each other in the prison yard that is the Big East to get to the halfway house of the Big 12.
After this nonsense, it’s clearer than than ever that getting anyone to trust this leadership, be it interim commish Chuck Neinas or defacto commish DeLoss Dodds or any school president, is fruitless. After this nonsense, it’s clearer than ever that it’s a waste of time trying to talk Missouri into staying.
Yeah, though the SEC did jump the gun, just a bit (Bad vendor! Bad, bad vendor!).
Talk about turning something good into something rotten. Remember the glee down in Fort Worth when the Big 12 added TCU? Same kind of thing spread over West Virginia on Tuesday; the Mountaineers and their fans were thrilled at the prospect of joining the Big 12. Only to have the brakes applied the next morning.
If West Virginia makes it back to the good graces of the Big 12, rest assured the glee will not be so grand. West Virginia had a revelation. Let this be a lesson learned, Mountaineers. If you get into Conference Chaos, sleep with one eye open.
Just like their sheep and sisters.
There is no doubt that WVU will go to the Big 12 regardless of how humiliated they were and the questions it raises about the long-term (or even short-term) stability of the Big 12. Let me put it this way. If it had been Syracuse and UConn heading to the ACC, Pitt would be jumping to the Big 12 just as eagerly. But they do get to feel wary about the way it has happened. Maybe even a little self-righteous outrage at the treatment. And even getting T.Boone’d:
You liked the addition of TCU to the Big 12. What about the possibility of West Virginia?
Well, I’ve got to be convinced on West Virginia. I haven’t seen anything on the school. But TCU was easy. That was like coming home.
What are your concerns about West Virginia?
Morgantown … as I remember, you’ve got to fly into Pittsburgh and then drive a couple hours. That’s pretty isolated.
West Virginia would like you to know that it is only a 90 minute drive. Not a full 2 hours. Plus, they do so have their own airport. Everyone still uses prop planes to get around the country, right? Don’t worry. Give the invite and WV politicians will find the money to pay for airport expansion.
By the way, how funny is it that T. Boone Pickens. The man who’s school is in Stillwater. The man who’s conference has such other cosmopolitan and easily accessed places like Manhattan, Kansas, Ames, Iowa and Lubbock, Texas finds Morgantown, isolated.
Now the political involvement by Senator Mitch McConnell seemed quite sudden based on early reports. Prompting the measured, calm and non-partisan reactions you would expect from a Senator that while governor of West Virginia meddled in WVU’s coaching contracts, helped hire Bill Stewart, mandated the Coal Bowl between WVU and Marshall, and appointed his puppet as school president. Well, at least after someone apparently told him to shut-up, because he wasn’t helping.
Turns out, Senator McConnell wasn’t acting at the 11th hour. He apparently has been pushing Louisville to the Big 12 for several weeks. Great piece, plenty of details.
Sources familiar with the Big 12 Conference’s deliberations said McConnell has been quietly doing his bidding for Louisville behind the scenes — even as West Virginia was thought to have the inside edge at joining the conference. For weeks, he’s methodically called up top university officials and presidents to make the case for Louisville, talking up the university’s state-of-the-art facilities, how his hometown is a sports friendly city that can easily host visitors for major events, according to people involved with the talks.
Which may explain that for the past couple of weeks, before Texas decided on WVU a sudden change in reports, Louisville was considered the leading candidate to come in to Big 12 to replace Mizzou when they left.
Meanwhile, the Big East — for lack of a better word — leadership has been making its rounds to pitch Air Force, Boise State and possibly BYU to join the Big East. UCF has authorized their president the right to join the Big East (or, you know, anyone else who might call). And just because, a Tennessee congressman took a minute on the House floor to beg the Big East to let Memphis join.
So nothing will happen until the Big East settles itself.
Very funny stuff, Chas.
The difference in the conferences is that the next level in the current BE has Nova, ND, Georgetown and Marquette …. where ACC has Maryland, Clemson and Wake, none of the have been factors as of late.
Good for WVU for finding a home, but not so cool if we are freaking stuck in Big East hell with Cuse while WVU gets a get out of jail free card.
Is it me or is UCONN completely screwed in this deal? Was kind of hoping they landed well in all this…
Rutgers is the one really screwed.
“West Virginia is fully aware that the Big East Conference is committed to enforcing the 27-month notification period for members who choose to leave the conference,” he said in a statement.
Read more: link to postgazette.com
His lack of leadership and vision have doomed big east football forever!
“There’s a reason why WVU and Louisville are ready to shank each other in the prison yard that is the Big East to get to the halfway house of the Big 12.”
Somebody’s creative writing professor back in CAS is very proud, Chas.
Several questions, as has been posted by others, maybe you could shed some light.
1. WVU going next year? I heard what wardapalooza is saying, except, I heard WVU paid the 21 million, that’s why they are going next year.
A.) Some of you are lawyers. Isn’t that some kind of extortion??? Can’t Pitt and Syracuse cause some trouble over that.
B.) Or is WVU just leaving and saying those are by laws of the conference and aren’t really laws?? Are “by-laws” actually laws??
If WVU goes, won’t they have to cancel their game with us???
If Big East would happen to get Air Force, Boise, SMU etc. to join to get to 12, I assume they would have to play next year, to get to the BCS qualifying “8”. Won’t they have to break conference exit rules???
Won’t this cause a nightmare for scheduling??
What if they want to play a 9 game conference schedule??? Won’t we have to break some contracts with the non-conference teams we have scheduled for next year????
Just thought I’d throw some softballs at ya!!!
Good choice, Big 12.
WVU says they are staring play in 2012, and, and, and…….paying the 5 million dollar exit fee!!!
LOL!!!
Big East says it is holding WVU for 27 months.
Ha ha!!! Never thought I’d be cheering for WVU, go ahead hoopies, just effin’ walk.
Pitt and Cuse won’t be far behind!!!
You couldn’t make this stuff up!!!
“what, are these teams just gonna leave now, pay their 5 million, and we’ll see you in court?”
“Mr. Marinatto, just exactly how many teams are you going to have playing football in 2012??”
Friday afternoon entertainment!!!!!!!!! LOL
Yah, OliviaPitt. Pitt has to play Georgetown, UConn, ‘Nova, ND, Marquette, St. John’s, Louisville, et. al in BB. Schools/games in which none of us would have an interest in watching. Pitt is really stuck in hell instead of having a heavenly, exciting schedule against schools like Wake Forest, Clemson, Florida State, NC State, Virginia, Miami, GT and VT.
and Florida State, Clemson, Miami, Va Tech, Syracuse, Ga. Tech, UNC, Maryland et al in football.
In my mind, I’m allready gone!!!!!
As for Bball…its a wash.
Marquette = Virginia
UConn = North Carolina
Nova = Duke
ND = Maryland
etc
Plus, Duke, UNC, Cuse, Maryland, etc. aren’t too shabby in hoops, but you conveniently left those schools out.
In my mind, I’m allready gone”
Dan, you have a point there. Too bad we can’t play Florida State, Clemson, Miami, VT, GT, UNC, MD, et. al next year. Wasn’t it more fun watching Utah kick hell out of us than watching us kick hell out of UConn? Man, now you have me psyched.
Marinatto will be getting the release papers delivered with a farewell bottle of moonshine very soon.
I believe the program is progessing. Top recruiting with the top running back and top 10 QB.
Recruiting will only get stronger in the ACC, being to tap into recruits in those Southern states, and playing against football teams that people have heard of.
Ya, beating UCONN in football has the college football world buzzing!!! LOL
Dan, are you interested in the buzz within the college world or the buzz within the Pitt Nation? I’m inferring that you and many others on this board would be euphoric if Pitt could join the ACC for the 2012 season and finish near the bottom of the conference rather than waiting 27 months and perhaps vie for No. 1 in the BE.
What a negative I am? Perhaps you should go back and read a few threads that were posted after the Utah and Rutgers games and evaluate what constitutes negativity.
Hail to Pitt!
What does #1 in a dead man walking conference mean to anyone??
There is only a buzz in Pitt nation, if we are a buzz in the college football nation.
Moving to the ACC has created the biggest buzz in the Pitt nation in years and years.
Beating UCONN was not a buzz in anyones nation!!!
It got a few more posters on here, but, we all know who we beat.
I stated I think we are moving in the right direction, but, to the average fan, ho-hum, beat someone that matters.
I believe we’re playing better now, and next year will be even better. Getting to the ACC quickly will help with recruiting immediately. Why not go now??
I don’t think we’d be at the bottom of the ACC. I think we’d be a middle of the pack team.
Yes, I’ll say it, I’d rather be middle of the pack in the ACC for a couple years, and start “Pitt ACC” recruiting, than win the BE football championship!! Not even close.
Winning the BE football championship only garners, snickers, late night talk show jokes, and people going over and over on tv and radio about how the BE doesn’t deserve to go to a BCS game.
Financially, from what I’ve heard, going to the game is a financial draw after expenses???
So, what do we get out of it???
And, that’s saying, you can guarantee we win the conference???
Harris, Wanny and Graham (especially with Graham having just started in January) have recruited some excellent football players.
No doubt about that.
There is no way to measure this, but, I can only imagine, how many high school football recruits we’ve lost, and how many didn’t even give us a thought, because we played football in the Big East!
You can have the last word Big Guy, I respect you and your opinion, and enjoyed the afternoon banter. Heading out, have a great weekend!!!
I will cheer for Pitt wherever they are.
A good Friday night to all!!!
“There is only a buzz in Pitt nation, if we are a buzz in the college football nation.”
I don’t know if there was a buzz in the college football nation when Pitt played Cincinnati in December 2009 for the BE title and the right to play in the BCS bowl, but Heinz Field was hopping that day. I question whether there would be the same fan attendance and enthusiasum if Pitt was playing Clemson for 5th place in the ACC.
“Moving to the ACC has created the biggest buzz in the Pitt nation in years and years.”
That may be because nobody from the ACChas beat us yet in conference play.
“Beating UCONN was not a buzz in anyones nation!!!”
The lead up to the game was not a buzz; however, there was a lot of excitement about the win (and chagrin about the injuries).
“to the average fan, ho-hum, beat someone that matters.”
Apparently the average fan doesn’t post on this board. There was a lot of interest that was expressed here when we beat both USF and UConn.
“Getting to the ACC quickly will help with recruiting immediately. Why not go now??”
Pitt will now be able to recruit classes that will send more then seven players to the NFL like we did this past season????
“Yes, I’ll say it, I’d rather be middle of the pack in the ACC for a couple years, and start “Pitt ACC” recruiting, than win the BE football championship!! Not even close.”
Well, maybe you got me on this one. How can we convince players like Graham, McCoy, Lewis, Baldwin, Fitzgerald, Revis, Sheard, McGlynn, Pinkston, Stephens-Howlings, etc. to come to Pitt if we remain in the BE?
“There is no way to measure this, but, I can only imagine, how many high school football recruits we’ve lost, and how many didn’t even give us a thought, because we played football in the Big East!”
Probably high school players with funny-sounding names like Graham, McCoy, Lewis, Baldwin, Revis, Sheard, McGlynn, Pinkston, Stephens-Howlings, Hynoski, Fitzgerald, etc.
1.) Minor buzz nationally, because of what a great game it was, but, most still said, “Big East, Big Deal”
2. ) Wow, the negativity again. So, you are of the opinion, Pitt cannot compete in the ACC, I take it.
3.) Excitement about the win??? Again, some of us regualar posters and a few every once in awhile posters, came on here, and discussed the game.
a.) I’ll give you there was some excitement after the USF win, but, please, most people will do a wait and see after beating UCONN.
4.)No, the average fan does not post on this board. The average fan, does not even know this board exists. We’re a bunch of die hards.
a) To be an average fan, you wouldn’t even look for a blog on Pitt.
5.6. and 7.) My friend, we’ve had maybe one top 25 recruiting class the last 10 years. There have been hundreds of players through here during the players you mentioned.
You may not know this, but it takes 50 or 60 guys to make a team, 22 to start plus place kickers to play a game.
We’ve had some great players, great players that got to the NFL, that’s teriffic.
What you fail to seem to realize, is that you have to have an entire great recruiting class, and do it over and over and over.
Player List….
1. NFL’er
2. NFL’er
3-60. Who are these players??? Comprende???
Most schools in the BCS conference sent some players to the NFL. That’s not a big deal at all.
It’s the starting 22 and the 22 back ups.
If it was about the NFL, we certainly should have been doing a little better the past years, making the top 25 only once???
Or….was it the coaching??? Got to be one or the other, right??? ha ha ha!!!
• Primarily because of mediocre coaching.
• The inability to recruit a sufficient number of high quality players because…well, what self respecting high school player would want to play in the BE?
Now that Pitt has spent the money to secure a non-mediocre coach, Pitt football will do great…but only after they start playing in the ACC. Let’s give TG four years after Pitt becomes a playing member, and Pitt will be spanking Miami, Clemson, VT, GT, Florida State, and Syracuse (of course) year in and year out. Pitt will find a regular home as a BCS participant. Come winter time, no Pitt fan will even be aware that there is a BE BB conference.
You got me excited. I am looking forward to that day.
If the big east lets WVU go than they have to let us go. so they have to keep us all or let us all go.
It’s about consistency/repeatability. We don’t have the depth to “reload” every year. I don’t think we’ll ever have the ability to reload like LSU/Alabama/Ohio State/etc. but we need to get more consistency top to bottom. It’s nice to have one 5-star quality offensive lineman, but we need 7 or 8 4-star guys. The same goes for the other positions. I single out the O-line but I continue to believe that with a top shelf O-line, I can get John PInitte 1000 yards a season.
Will the ACC help recruiting? Meh. It might and it might not. I don’t think it will hurt. It’s on the staff to deliver the consistency PItt needs to be more competitive year in year out, regardless of conference affiliation. If it were that big a deal, you’d think teams like Indiana would be better based on their affiliation with the Big 10, and thats just one example.
That being said, regardless of how bad the Big East perception (reality?) problem was, it just got a whole lot worse. Count you blessing that we found a home. The 27 month departure debacle is far from over. Maybe WVU will just pay the exit fee and take its chances in court. Hard to tell what the damage assessment would be and put a number on it. Was there a number attached to leaving before 27 months? I honestly don’t remember.
Ug.
We allready won one last year, right???? LOL!!!
I think Pitt should pay this fee and move on to the ACC.