Big 12 Must Expand with Louisville, Pittsburgh to Give West Virginia, Cincinnati Realignment Rivals

[@wtk6069]

With the ACC perhaps on its last legs, it would also firmly establish the B12 as the third new power conference. It would be a smart move all around.

[@tarheel7406]

The third wouldn't matter at that point.

[@earlhargett2896]

Thank you for bringing up WVU doing this for a decade. Time to head East in expansion.

[@shawnmorris906]

Im ready to see a UL V WVU game at L&N Stadium again! I am ready to travel to Morgantown for the first time!

[@idkjames]

Cincy is closer than UofL to WVU how is no where drivable?

[@aaronjensen8455]

I'm a Utah fan and I completely support adding ACC schools. It makes perfect sense, make the conference stronger.

[@basementhorrorsreview]

As a Cincy fan I am 100% for Pitt and Louisville. Both are our rivals, that would give us 3 regional rivals in the Big 12 and would help a ton with travel for the Bearcats. I hate that away games (outside of WV) are impossible for me to go to.

[@tarheel7406]

a) When the TX/OK news broke ~2.5 years ago, many analysts stated that everyone knew that they would leave but didn't know when or to where. b) The current ACC is worth far more than the new BIG12 and CLEMSON/FSU worth more therein than in the B12. FSU may end in the B12 due to certain factors, but CLEMSON is extremely unlikely. c) As long as UNC remains in the ACC, the only likely flight risk is FSU and the ACC easily gets a renewed media deal. d) Drake apparently still doesn't know the difference between a GOR and media deal.

[@heartbreak25]

How can FSU be the only flight risk if Clemson has filed a lawsuit where they specifically state they want to start talking to other conferences to join? The ACC will be renewed for a media deal at what amount and by what networks? ESPN is not going to pay the ACC more than what it's currently paying without FSU, Clemson, and Irish football. Welcome to the wonderful world of Amazon where no one will see your games. But it's not like anyone was watching UNC, NCST, WF, Duke, GT, UVA, and VT football in the first place. Oh yeah, please tell us ignorant people how the four North Carolina, two Virginia schools, and one Georgia school are worth more than the top B1G schools which are all in "negative migration trend" states? Can you stop avoiding the question and please tell us which networks will pay the ACC anchored by those teams more than the Big 12, let alone the B1G?

[@tarheel7406]

@@heartbreak25 Why would CLEMSON go to the BIG12? The B1G is unlikely to have interest in CLEMSON. CLEMSON so far is just filing for a dec judgment request from my reading, which burns no/fewer bridges. The SEC is unlikely to expand at all unless UNC is either secured or lost to the B1G, meaning 3 minimum leaving if CLEMSON is gone. Again, the ACC's media deal is already heavily discounted down to the Tier 2 level. If "just" FSU/CLEMSON left, the ACC would still be worth more or at that amount. UNC had ~half of its games last season on one of the major national channels, similar to CLEMSON.

[@FillGaps]

Think they should bring in Cal, Stanford, SMU, Or St and Wash St and move Cincy, WVU and UCF to ACC and you would have a great 4 conferences. If FLa St and Clemson move they will go to SEC for football.

[@tarheel7406]

CAL & STANAFORD wouldn't agree.

[@josephcernansky1794]

Boat trip down the Mon to the Ohio to the Mississippi....Cool football schedule.... What other Conference cab do THAT???!! Add Memphis and Tulane along with it all. Create The Rivers Division

[@jasonmilly3320]

Getting some of the Big East gang back together. Love to see it

[@lorenzohaynes3886]

Long-term this new Big 12 is going to be way better than people think. And if you add the schools that are talked about, it'll be that much better. The long-term future of this conference is phenomenal.

[@doughurst7831]

VT, Louisville, NCSt and UNC make the most sense for the B12, unless FSU or Clemson would happen to make themselves available, then there are several advantages or opportunities. My best guess would be,if the ACC implodes, is that we pick up Pitt, Louisville, NCSt, Miami and VT. I see FSU and Clemson going to the SEC, with UVA and UNC going to the B10. And with all the speculation flying around, I would say my guess is about as good as anybody’s.

[@tarheel7406]

In context, the BIG12 has already imploded. It has already lost its top 6 (net), just over time.

[@JustSomeDude_.]

As a louisville fan i fail to see the supposed perks of the Big 12. If clemson and FSU leave than the ACC still has better numbers than the Big 12. They could also add washington/Oregon state, Memphis and SDSU who add value to supplement the losses. Duke, NC, NC state look to be locked in together and miami looks like they have thrown their wieght into staying in the ACC. It just seems like a lateral move to me that dosen't earn louisville anything

[@JustSomeDude_.]

Also yall arnt getting FSU/Clemson they are still gonna have to pay a massive buyout even if they negotiate it down and they arnt gonna do that to join a conference where agian they would earn LESS money

[@tarheel7406]

I had earlier pegged L'VILLE as the most likely ACC remainder to move to the new BIG12, but it reportedly was among the strongest supporters of adding CAL, etc. The ACC will lose more than CLEMSON & FSU, but the revenue difference to the new BIG12 will have to be very material for an ACC school president to leave an association with DUKE, UVA, STANFORD, etc.

[@heartbreak25]

Are we going to acknowledge that Utah is basically the FSU of the Big 12. They don't want to be there and will always be looking for a way out.

[@jayballer5477]

well we can show all Utah fans the way out-personally Utah isn't squat lmao

[@heartbreak25]

@@jayballer5477 I just think it's funny watching Utah fans try to fake enthusiasm with anything related to the Big 12. They'll take less than what they're earning in the Big 12 to jump to one of the P2. They wanted to sink with the PAC-12 until everyone else left.

[@brandonh5360]

We should also add in the UCF-USF rivalry to the conference

[@patrickdougherty684]

absolutely correct about Clemson, totally irrelevant 15 years ago, they went 'all in with Dabo' in 2008, riding the Texas hold em wave, hell WVU annihilated them 70-33 in 2012 Orange Bowl then proceeded to shit the bed in the Big 12, we've gotten better but it was kinda embarrassing

[@MichaelDeWolf-jq4vq]

Realistically add Pitt., Louisville, Duke, and G.T.

[@tarheel7406]

Why is that realistic?

[@SpencerWilliams-h1s]

New life goal: Brazenly drink beer in the morning while at work.

[@skylersadventures]

If it makes us more money then I love it. We need the money

[@ChrisJones-jn5rb]

WVU fan here. I say invite Louisville, Virginia Tech, NC State and GT (or Miami) if available. Let Pitt continue to Eat S***

[@Scottwvu]

Who cares how they feel about expanding east? Look at the arrogant Utah fans complaining they’re in the conference. They already moved football media days to Las Vegas.

[@adamcz3183]

I agree. Utah is lucky there even in this conference they should have been sent to the mountain west

[@Patrick-sg7cm]

​@@adamcz3183The Big 12 should have brought in Oregon State instead.

[@JoeyAugustine]

Makes no sense why Utah and them join the Big 12!!! They should have stay in the PAC and wait for the invite they are waiting for

[@Patrick-sg7cm]

@@JoeyAugustine Oregon State or Washington State would be happy to have Utah's spot in the Big 12.

[@rfrmac1]

Some of these comments make me smile. Let’s make a couple of points clear. First, Utah is happy to be in the Big 12. Second, we look forward to playing and seeing other schools and their home towns. Third, whether you like us or not it doesn’t make any difference, we both need each other. We all need to work together to survive and the commissioner knows that and that’s why we are here.

[@MisterDigDug]

Heck Houston basketball wins if they just make their free throws. How do players go 3/8 & 1/4 in D1 basketball?

[@ryanaw87]

I have a feeling Utah will have a rude awakening in the Big 12. Especially with Ok St, ISU, TCU ,and BYU (Rivalry Game). None of these games are give me games.

[@tarheel7406]

UTAH's football program will wane as will all that will be left outside of the eventual P2.

[@connecticutfan]

How about the B12 expanding with Louisville and University of Memphis? Pitt can stay in ACC.

[@scammers4prison37]

Pitt and wvu are in the same media market; adding pitt would be great especially since there no nba team in the sports crazy Pittsburgh market.

[@basementhorrorsreview]

As someone whose team just spent a decade in a conference with Memphis you do not want them. It’s a shit school with shit athletics in a shit city. Pitt and Louisville bring back regional rivalries with UC and WV. It only makes sense to give those two schools regional teams for travel and viewership. Those old UC vs Pitt and UC vs Louisville games were always crazy and packed.

[@dfivash]

The mega conferences were whispered about over a decade ago. It went to two instead of four as people thought.

[@StanEngland]

Why not just one conference - the Big 1000? The entire season can be one big conference championship, lose and snooze.

[@naujelbr]

Big 12 KZbinrs should start writing scripts for the WWE. They literally create fantasy storylines about conference realignment for a living.

[@theserkiller3730]

The Big 12 is in a good spot to be the third conference. Lets get down to 3 and then focusing on catching up to the big and sec. As Al Davis said “Just win baby!”

[@tarheel7406]

There is no feasible path to a peer P3.

[@Rodkicks88]

⁠​⁠@@tarheel7406multiple championships (2 or more) in a ten year span would have them on B1G level. Big12 has a long game plan to execute but there is definitely opportunity for a P3

[@tarheel7406]

@@Rodkicks88 No new BIG12 team has won a football natty in over 25 years. Only one has made an appearance in the title game over that time. The BIG12 is already waning in men's basketball and has been the 2nd worst since the tournament was expanded to 64. It's the worst in non-revenue sports. The least prestigious. The worst academically. There is now no feasible path to a peer P3.

[@SvdSinner]

People need to call a spade a spade: The SEC and B10 are trying to change the rules to not have to actually win to be considered "the best"

[@jansonroberts2616]

The SEC’s numbers over the past two decades totally debunk your argument. Good luck this season.

[@SvdSinner]

@jansonroberts2616 However, the rule changes they are pushing are to keep them "best" even if they stop winning. SEC plays great football. But changing the rules so that next year's team gets an unfair advantage because of last year's team is simply asking for special rules to favor yourself. Sports should always be about which team is good THAT season, not about giving perennial winners special treatment.

[@CulturePROVOCATEUR]

B12 should be expanding east. Truth of the matter is that there are more people east of the Mississippi than west. Go where fans are.

[@jakerice468]

don’t need to watch to give this one a like and comment😂 love the new found respect for wvu since our chat haha

[@sammyvillena9777]

Virginia Tech Miami Pitt Syracuse Endgame.

[@Size-11]

Also, are you a representative of the big 12 conference because sometimes I’m confused because I hear you speaking from as if you’re Pro other conferences which I would like to know where you stand and why are you not optimistic or should I say doing research on what the big 12 plans are for growing as a conference

[@tarheel7406]

Frankly, if offered, the BIG12 should release WVU to the ACC so that the B12 can better focus on and brand as a Plains/Southwest conference.

[@Rodkicks88]

That’s suggesting that WVU wants to go to a dying ACC which is a hard sell

[@jansonroberts2616]

@@Rodkicks88anything outside the P-2 for expansion is a hard sell at this moment.

[@tarheel7406]

@@Rodkicks88 The BIG12 is already dead in context. The question is where WVU would prefer to play within the Tier 2.

[@Rodkicks88]

@@tarheel7406 the best conference outside of the P2 isn’t a dead conference in any context. WVU is currently comfortable. Not being accepted in the ACC in the past turned out to be a great deal given the imminent crumble of the ACC. However when the B1G/SEC calls of course they will answer.

[@tarheel7406]

@@Rodkicks88 The current new BIG12 is the worst P4 athletically and academically. It has the lowest prestige and lowest average media value. It's seen as the option of last resort for non-SEC/B1G P4 schools. The ACC appears to be managing its decline to the BIG12's Tier 2 level with a goal to retain some academic and overall athletic branding. An WVU invite is unlikely, hence my original "if offered". WVU culturally and athletically is a classic BIG12 type school, but the ACC has made academic/brand exceptions for compelling reasons.

[@Size-11]

The schools that the big 12 must get in this next round of realignment consist of these 4 to 6 schools starting with both Virginia schools Virginia Tech and University of Virginia next they must get Miami to pair with UCS. They also should consider Pittsburgh and Louisville. The six schools should add value to the big 12 opening up Newmarket, and helping with travel, keep your eyes out for the big 12 obtaining these 4 to 6 schools

[@JoeyAugustine]

Florida State and Clemson are not going to the Big 12 they would just drop ESPN and renegotiate the tv deal makes no sense to travel from Florida to Utah making the money the Big12 is making!!! B1G and SEC have the money to do that stuff not the Big12 and ACC better off making it more regional for all the schools in the Big 12 and ACC and PAC 12

[@Joe-sm9qj]

Not so sure about Clemson. Bowling Green generated as much revenue until they Clemson got good. A few down years in big 10 and they're dead weight.

[@scammers4prison37]

Clem and fsu have an legit argument and better than a 50/50 shot to get out of the GOR deal, let's look at the bottom of the acc that they are carrying: Wake-non factor in everything for a few years Syracuse- ditto Boston College- ditto, town could care less about college sports + the flutie factor wore off a long time ago NC State- little bit of a flare up the last couple years, but won't sustain it Pitt- ditto Louisville- just can't pull it together Duke- will never invest in football Miami- see Boston college above The bigger point is clemson and fsu are carrying a lot of dead weight and have a decent argument to get out of the GOR

[@tarheel7406]

@@scammers4prison37 "The bigger point is clemson and fsu are carrying a lot of dead weight and have a decent argument to get out of the GOR" So TX/OK could have done the same?

[@scammers4prison37]

Can't believe my comment got deleted, agreed; texas and Oklahoma did do the same thing, but a 3-8 WVU, okstate, kstate, etc. will still draw 50,000 fans to a home game. Check out the crowd at BC, Syracuse, Wake, ect. even when they are having a winning season and they probably max out at an averageof 25,000. The revamped B12 can and is trying to build culture of schools that are located in some of the classic college towns in the US-Stillwater, Waco, Morgantown, Lawrence and so on. These are enthusiastic tv markets as well, largely because of the lack of nearby pro sports. Before the NHL expanded to Columbus, OH, it was a longstanding joke that Columbus did have a pro- sports team, they just happened to play in the B10, hence the horseshoe selling out for decades. But mucho respect to the Tarheels, I look for them to definitely get a B10 or SEC invite and as WVU fan, I know it's been rocky for us so far in the B12, but hopefully our climb is getting started.

[@tarheel7406]

@@scammers4prison37 "texas and Oklahoma did do the same thing" T/O did not get out of a GOR by arguing that they were carrying dead weight.

[@jaymcclanahan353]

I think WV can be a key to attracting other teams like Pitt, Louisville, VT and others as they have strong ties to those schools already.

[@tarheel7406]

It's my understanding that some (or perhaps all) former BIGEAST schools were among the most hostile to the ACC inviting WVU when considered. Moreover, those schools were among the strongest supporters of adding CAL, etc.

[@scammers4prison37]

All the acc did was what there frenemy ND told them to do

[@doughurst7831]

@@tarheel7406, my memory tells me that, like the B10, the original ACC teams didn’t want WVU due to a lack of academic credentials. In the following years we saw a serious lack of integrity from 2 or 3 of those “elites of academia”. It would be poetic justice if Pitt, Miami and VT were to join our conference largely because of WVU’s position in the B12. Personally, I would like to see UVA, Duke, BC, Syracuse and Miami left out. The conference probably made a mistake with ASU and UU as I believe they have no appreciation for the “lifeline”.

[@tarheel7406]

@@doughurst7831 a) The objections to WVU were broad, which included T-Road and the former BIGEAST members. b) WVU is dropping curriculums left and right. It is regressing academically. c) Again, PITT and L'VILLE were among the schools most strongly supporting the recent expansion. They don't want to move to the new BIG12.

[@shawnmorris906]

@@tarheel7406 I imagine at the moment Louisville is just trying to stabilize financially, but given a legit opportunity the fanbase and likely the school would love to be back in the mix with WV. Some of my favorite games! We also have different administration now.

[@pistolpete8819]

Basically, it is the old big east and we are supposed to by this is on the same level as SEC or BIG10 ???

[@basementhorrorsreview]

Cincinnati and WV were both top 10 teams in the Big East…. Also it has nothing to do with competing with the other 2 it has everything to do with bringing back regional rivals and expand east to help Cincinnati and UCF with travel.

[@jakerice468]

no way in hell would I watch the big 10 or sec if they broke away from the big 12 and other conferences. BIG 10 football is the most boring football in the nation to watch … SEC would be a little challenging to quit watching

[@RagedContinuum]

B10 hasn't matched up to the excitement of SEC ball but I like the throwback quality of it - no ads in Michigan or ND stadiums, script ohio, the northwestern/Michigan student game outside of the stadium during the game inside.. it's good to have it

[@richardoneal1055]

If a basketball game was played in the woods, would anyone care?

[@stevemoserify]

nah that would be too difficult to dribble the ball in the woods, need a basketball court to play on, dipshit

[@jansonroberts2616]

Are there portable toilets in said woods? 20 oz. Coke Zero for sale there?

[@gregsonger7221]

Fl.St. and Clemson. The Big XII needs one or both of them. Also Louisville and Pitt. Need to get to 16 teams. 8 in the east and 8 in the west. 2 divisions, cross divisional rivalries and a Big XII Championship game.

[@stevemoserify]

oh good the guy who covers Utah again lmao