If education is SUCH a big deal, then why not consider this as well..

The Rhodes Scholarships were established after the death of Cecil Rhodes, who dreamed of improving the world through the diffusion of leaders motivated to serve their contemporaries, trained in the contemplative life of the mind, and broadened by their acquaintance with one another and by their exposure to cultures different from their own. Mr. Rhodes hoped that his plan of bringing able students from throughout the English-speaking world and beyond to study at Oxford University would aid in the promotion of international understanding and peace.

Each year, 32 U. S. citizens are among more than 80 Rhodes Scholars worldwide who take up degree courses at Oxford University. The first American Rhodes Scholars entered Oxford in 1904.

Rhodes Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship awarded to graduating college students. It is based on academics, leadership, moral and courage. Here are the top colleges over the history.

Ranking College Number of Rhodes Scholars
1 Harvard 323
2 Yale 217
3 Princeton 192
4 West Point 85
5 Stanford 82
6 Dartmouth 60
7 UChicago 45
8 Brown 45
9 Virginia 45
10 Naval Academy 43


11 Duke 39
11 UNC 39
13 MIT 36
14 Air Force Adademy 35
15 U of Washington 35
16 Williams 34
17 Wisconsin 29
18 Cornell 27
18 Swarthmore 27
18 Texas-Austin 27
18 Montana 27

22 Columbia 26
22 Vanderbilt 26
22 Oklahoma 26
25 Washington STL 25
25 Michigan 25
25 U of the South 25
25 Kansas 25
25 Mississippi 25
30 West Virginia 24
30 Minnesota 24

32 Davidson 23
32 Arizona 23
32 Georgetown 23
35 Berkeley 22
35 Amherst 22
35 Utah 22
38 U of Alabama 23
39 Georgia 21
40 Idaho 20
41 Harveford 19
41 Penn 19
43 U of Nevada 18
43 U of Wyoming 18
45 U of New Mexico 16


Also, as far as markets go for viewership Mizzou is definately in a bigger market, but does that really mean anything if noone is watching them? They don't sell out their stadium AND pull 23rd in viewership with 1,084,889 fans against WVU's 29 with 959,403. Not exactly stellar numbers for either team but both are right on par with the majority of the sec.

LINK

S.E.C.
7th Auburn 1,900,389
8th Alabama 1,879,881
9th Florida 1,811,922
16th LSU 1,245,490
21st Tennessee 1,120,175
22nd Georgia 1,098,957
24th So. Carolina 1,067,499
26th Arkansas 990,859
34th Kentucky 907,666
49th Mississippi 602,288
50th Mississippi St.550,779
64th Vanderbilt 379,975

So really the arguments should not weigh as much towards Mizzou as you guys are putting into it.

We sell more apparel, more seats, travel better and bring almost the same amount of fans. Yes we are lower ranked in a BS rating of Universities (read how they are rated, complete bull, there is no real way to weigh the schools that way)

The argument could be made either way for Mizzou or WVU, but when it comes to football, money and fanbase. WVU has way more to offer than Mizzou. And remember, WVU used to be a smash mouth team before the days of RichRod. Not like we can't play like that again.

I for one would like the chance to prove to the big boys in the SEC that we can compete with them (we have a winning record against SEC teams btw) and would love yearly battles with you guys. If it doesnt happen.. Oh well nothing to pout about. I honestly think if WVU did come to the SEC our fan base would grow trememdously as fans of other schools would root for us to beat you guys every weekend.

If not.. oh well Welcome to Morgantown this weekend.