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West Virginia football program
Posted on 9/2/22 at 2:08 pm
Posted on 9/2/22 at 2:08 pm
WVU is an interesting program to me. Historically, they were a solid independent in the 70s and 80s before joining the Big East in 1991. They had a great 20-year run in the Big East, winning the conference 7 times during that span. When the Big East folded, the natural fit would have been the ACC or B10, but for whatever reason they ended up in the Big 12. They have gone 49-47 in B12 games, compared to 93-51-1 in the Big East.
The state of West Virginia does not have good HS football. They produce a very small number of elite college and NFL players.
However, WV is bordered by fertile recruiting grounds on three sides: Ohio to the west, Pennsylvania to the north, and Virginia to the east. Pittsburgh is an hour's drive from Morgantown. Cleveland and Baltimore/DC are both 3 hours away. For this reason, I don't think they are doomed the way Nebraska is.
So where does WVU stack up as a program - taking into account both its history and its potential?
To me, they should be an above average program with the capability of challenging within the top 15-20 every few years. They need to be playing games in those neighboring states the way Arkansas needs to be playing games in Texas. They need to get OH PA & VA eyeballs on them. Rekindling the Backyard Brawl is a great start, and joining the B10 or ACC is where they should be focused.
The state of West Virginia does not have good HS football. They produce a very small number of elite college and NFL players.
However, WV is bordered by fertile recruiting grounds on three sides: Ohio to the west, Pennsylvania to the north, and Virginia to the east. Pittsburgh is an hour's drive from Morgantown. Cleveland and Baltimore/DC are both 3 hours away. For this reason, I don't think they are doomed the way Nebraska is.
So where does WVU stack up as a program - taking into account both its history and its potential?
To me, they should be an above average program with the capability of challenging within the top 15-20 every few years. They need to be playing games in those neighboring states the way Arkansas needs to be playing games in Texas. They need to get OH PA & VA eyeballs on them. Rekindling the Backyard Brawl is a great start, and joining the B10 or ACC is where they should be focused.
This post was edited on 9/2/22 at 2:09 pm
6
Posted on 9/2/22 at 2:10 pm to RidiculousHype
quote:
So where does WVU stack up as a program - taking into account both its history and its potential?
To me, they should be an above average program with the capability of challenging within the top 15-20 every few years.
So exactly what they have been for the last 2 decades?
Posted on 9/2/22 at 2:21 pm to Mingo Was His NameO
quote:
So exactly what they have been for the last 2 decades?
Pretty much, but they are slowly fading and I don't think remaining in the Big 12 is doing them any favors. They've only finished ranked twice since they joined the Big 12 in 2013. Not terrible, but the ranked finishes are gradually becoming further apart.
Posted on 9/2/22 at 2:23 pm to RidiculousHype
The Big12 move just killed the program. Bunch of irrelevant games vs Kansas State that not even their own fans care about
Posted on 9/2/22 at 3:46 pm to ChiGator
Definitely an East Coast team completely out of their element having to travel halfway across the Country to play in a meaningless conference that their fanbase cannot relate to.
Posted on 9/2/22 at 3:48 pm to OchoDedos
Jake Kelchner
Posted on 9/2/22 at 3:58 pm to ChiGator
quote:
The Big12 move just killed the program. Bunch of irrelevant games vs Kansas State that not even their own fans care about
Nebraska 2.0? Nebraska went to another conference and same for WVU, but WVU had no other place to go. Then you have B1G
adding USC and UCLA. That will expand even more with teams from the Westcoast. Traveling is going to be a nightmare for that conference.
Posted on 9/2/22 at 4:12 pm to ChiGator
If they didn’t join the Big 12, the next option was the American. ACC didn’t want them for whatever reason. Programs like WVU being left behind is another reason why “realignment” in CFB has been cancer.
This post was edited on 9/2/22 at 4:13 pm
Posted on 9/2/22 at 4:14 pm to RidiculousHype
CSB, I watched the backyard brawl at Walk-on’s in LC last night. A dude at the bar played for WV when Tavon Austin and Geno were there. He’s a coach at McNeese now
Posted on 9/2/22 at 4:37 pm to mattz1122
quote:
If they didn’t join the Big 12, the next option was the American. ACC didn’t want them for whatever reason. Programs like WVU being left behind is another reason why “realignment” in CFB has been cancer.
They don't have a large city for T.V. market and/or good recruiting ground to get into one of the better conferences.
Posted on 9/2/22 at 4:38 pm to mattz1122
quote:
If they didn’t join the Big 12, the next option was the American. ACC didn’t want them for whatever reason. Programs like WVU being left behind is another reason why “realignment” in CFB has been cancer.
I believe certain ACC schools took issue with WVU academic rankings - where it is ranked 249 according to US News.
Posted on 9/2/22 at 4:52 pm to RidiculousHype
WVU historically is able to make a decent run once a decade when all the stars align. 88/93/07/18.
Unfortunately for us, that loss to Pitt in 07 along with RR leaving killed all the momentum the program was experiencing. If we win and RR stays, there's a chance we get Terrelle Pryor to pick up where Pat White left off etc etc.
As a fan, I just hope for a Top 25 finish every year but those seem to be few and far between now. Cant get the coaching hire right and although we have had some decent QB play, it never lines up with a good defense and we ultimately cant keep up with OU/Baylor etc.
Unfortunately for us, that loss to Pitt in 07 along with RR leaving killed all the momentum the program was experiencing. If we win and RR stays, there's a chance we get Terrelle Pryor to pick up where Pat White left off etc etc.
As a fan, I just hope for a Top 25 finish every year but those seem to be few and far between now. Cant get the coaching hire right and although we have had some decent QB play, it never lines up with a good defense and we ultimately cant keep up with OU/Baylor etc.
Posted on 9/2/22 at 4:53 pm to RidiculousHype
Absolute state of West Va
Announce mid table
Announce mid table
Posted on 9/2/22 at 5:23 pm to BeYou
quote:
I believe certain ACC schools took issue with WVU academic rankings - where it is ranked 249 according to US News.
So it should be better at football.
No surprise Alabama is the lowest ranked University that has been National Champs in the last 30 years.
The lower your standards, the better in football. Can't read? Come on in.
I think Auburn had a few legitimately illiterate players who admitted they were just passed along in H.S. in the State of Alabama's school system just because they were good at football.
This post was edited on 9/2/22 at 5:27 pm
Posted on 9/2/22 at 6:08 pm to ChiGator
quote:It was that or Group of 5
The Big12 move just killed the program
B10 and ACC never had interest in them due to academics. Still don’t.
This post was edited on 9/2/22 at 6:09 pm
Posted on 9/2/22 at 6:54 pm to TrueLefty
I don’t buy that as much. Nebraska is not much different to an Iowa, Illinois etc. Nebraska just has zero patience and has made terrible coaching hires.
Posted on 9/2/22 at 7:38 pm to RidiculousHype
OP clearly has never been to a football game at West Virginia.
TL;DR -> frick West Virginia Football and every one of their fans.
TL;DR -> frick West Virginia Football and every one of their fans.
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