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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Buckaineer" data-source="post: 129489006" data-attributes="member: 1428007">Oklahoma's departure would devastate the BIG 12.  The conference would not survive such a departure and you can bet that right after they left, Texas wouldn't be far behind.  Also, these schools have some political connection to other schools in their states, so deals probably need to include other programs.None of that needs to be an issue for Iowa State, Kansas State, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Baylor, TCU or WVU however.  The conference can adopt a comprehensive plan to improve and no one is going anywhere.  Texas has made comments now stating support of the BIG 12 and OU has made it clear the BIG 12 is where they want to be.  The problem isn't so much with Texas or OU though it is with outside forces that, unlike some of the voices inside the conference, are coveting BIG 12 programs day and night and aren't afraid of change to benefit themselves and their conferences.  The other conferences are pro active for themselves and therefor are working behind the scenes to eliminate the competition.  Whether via message boards or blogs feeding up the chain, or actions such as last minute amendments to NCAA legislation, or behind the scenes discussions with schools about changing conferences, things are in the works and the BIG 12 schools that will be destroyed by this can't sleep on that action by other conferences.If you are a fan of WVU, you should think about what this means.  What if Oklahoma does leave the BIG 12?IF they do then OSU probably goes with them, and Texas is going to depart and probably take at least Texas Tech with them.  So now the conference is down to 6 schools none of which are traditional powers.  Kansas has a power basketball team and they are an AAU school--they can probably get themselves into another conference in the P5.  So now you have a collection of WVU, Baylor, TCU, Kansas State and Iowa State.WVU is far from those other schools.  Baylor and TCU are in Texas (population and recruiting =MONEY).  They have top ten level programs in football.  They may have great options.  Iowa State is an AAU school and has the backing of Iowa politicians to help their cause via the university of Iowa. Now some think that the ACC at that point brings in WVU--but as some say, its about money and that isn't the only thing--its also about academic standing.  Its also about what schools in a conference think of you and want to be associated with.  The ACC has partial member Notre Dame which is virtually guaranteed to join the ACC should further growth in the Big Ten and SEC happen.  That leaves ONE slot available in the ACC.  But there are other schools vying for that slot.  UConn has more people in their state, is adjacent to NYC.  Has great basketball programs and very high academic and research standing.  Other schools like Cincinnati also can tout decent academics and very high research, football recruiting hotbed, major population center, etc.  WVU is not going to be the slam dunk some want to believe (and largely why as Athletic Directors have explained WVU fit best in the BIG 12 and that was the option if the Mountaineers were to be in the P5).These issues are critical to the future of WVU athletics.</blockquote>

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