I don't buy it. The 10 team issue is a simple one, our TV money gets split so many wasys, we don't get extra money if we add extra teams, so we are not adding them. THe other side was add teams for better choices now and more stability. WHen our tv deal is up, we likely will have to get 2 more teams and put our title game back to get the best deal. Right now we are paid like a 12 team league, but splitting it 10 ways. That was done to preserve the league, but they are not paying us more to go back to 12, which is what they paid for in the first place.
As for WV, it makes perfect sense, but the geography is truly awful for their kids. The sens is we needed the most credible program we could get. They have really good football and basketball Frankly, in the 2 sports that matter, they net out better than Mizzou. Football is defintely better, basketball is a wash (but they do have some final fours, unlike Mizzou). Now academically, they are not even clsoe to Mizzou. They do have a great fan base, but the state is smaller and poorer, but they hvae nothing else there (not 2 NFL teams, etc.). Due to Geography, Acaddemics and the fact that Mizzou is our rival, I don't like the rtrade, but it was the best choice given the options.
INterestingly, Academics was claimed to be "ignored" in realignment, but, it was actually a HUGE factor. the conferneces that REALLY had a choice, mostly took AAU schools. CU, NEBRASKA, Mizzou, A&M, Pitt and Syracuse all really had a choice and so did their hosts. 5 of the 6 are AAU schools (and SYracuse is not, but is a good school). Utah went to the Pac 12 because Scott's plan fell apart, TCU (A good school by the way, but not AAU) and WV were the BI12 trying to keep their conference athletically credible and still in "control" of Texas. THe Big 12 just did not have the choices, nor did the Pac 12, when certain choices came up. The teams and conferences that really "chose", took great schools.
Finally, still btter the Border War is temporarily wrecked and likely forever diminished. Sucks. Sucks. Sucks.
Good luck to Mizzou. I understand why you left, but wish you didn't. Not real sure you will come out ahead, but at least you managed your risk and can now just look forward. Best wishes and I hate you all.
