SportsNation Blog Archives
West Virginia Mountaineers
Will WVU be a new power?
This particular sign refers to South Florida, but for West Virginia, which finally received clearance to join the Big 12, it could easily be about TCU or, say, Texas.
Can the Big East survive?
The Big East isn't in bad shape, but it's never a good thing when you lose a major football and basketball program. Will it have to combine with another conference like the C-USA/MWC hybrid?
The Big 12 will have two new football powerhouses in 2012 to replace Missouri and Texas A&M, as West Virginia and TCU are set to join the conference. Both teams bring championship pedigrees to the table, but is either the best in the conference? Cast your vote now!
Big 12 Football Schools
Baylor
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
TCU
Texas
Texas Tech
West Virginia
A win for which conference?
West Virginia thumped Clemson 70-33 in the Orange Bowl as the Big East's BCS representative, but it will soon head to the Big 12. "Soon" being a term debated by lawyers at the moment.
Which program is the real prize?
West Virginia wasn't the only future Big 12 member (with Big East ties) to win a bowl. TCU won the Poinsettia Bowl and finished 11-2 in its final Mountain West season.
Is West Virginia a football power?
West Virginia is 70-20 since 2005 and nearly played for a national title one of those seasons. Throw in the glory days of Don Nehlen and Bobby Bowden's roots and what does it equal?
What about the team that gave up 70?
You know who loves Clemson right now? Washington, no longer on the hook for the sorriest defensive performance in a bowl this year.
The Big 12's continued existence looked more than a little shaky after Texas A&M, Colorado and Nebraska left, but with the announcement that West Virginia will leave the Big East and be accepted into the conference after a formal invitation, things could be looking up for the Big 12. Missouri's departure from the Big 12 has been held up somewhat, but conventional wisdom says the school will likely join the SEC very soon.
More: Can the Big East survive its latest loss, or will the conference dissolve?
- "Wise move by both WV and the Big 12... now they should get Louisville and Cincinnati and get to 12 teams and make it a little better geographically..." -- SN commenter 85Bears1972
- "Anyone else think the Big 12 will surpass the SEC in terms of the best league in the country in a couple of years? I think it is very possible." -- SN commenter vehiculized
TCU or WVU?
TCU and West Virginia have been doing good things in football over the past few years, but which program brings more to the table?
Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 1 Alabama at No. 10 Arkansas
- Would you want Ryan Mallet or Greg McElroy as your QB in a tight situation?
- Who is the best NFL prospect in this game?
- Vote on those and other questions about Alabama at Arkansas!
Cash (Arkansas)
Joe Adams is having a great season for the hogs this year. If he has a big game against Bama can he make his way into the heisman watch?
SEC blogger Chris Low
I think Adams is one of the best players in the SEC after the catch. He's terrific in space and making people miss. But it's just so hard for receivers to make a legitimate run in the Heisman race no matter how special they are. Full transcript
Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 24 Oregon State at No. 3 Boise State
- Is Boise State in Oregon State's head?
- Will Boise State run the table if it beats Oregon State?
- Vote on those and other questions about Oregon State at Boise State!
Adam (NV)
Who do you think will win this wknd between OSU vs Boise? Any chance the Beavers keep it close, or even pull the upset?
Pat Forde
Adam: Wouldn't be surprised if Oregon State keeps it close. Would be surprised if Oregon State wins. Like Boise to win. Full transcript
Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 22 West Virginia at No. 15 LSU
- Is Les Miles' job secure?
- How would a West Virginia win shake things up?
- Vote on those and other questions about West Virginia at LSU!
Walt (DC)
What will WVU do to compensate for lack of size going up against LSU's offense and defense lines?
Big East blogger Brian Bennett
I think the Mountaineers will be OK defensively. Offensive line is an issue. They need to get a push up front against what is always a talented defensive line. Perhaps some screens, the shotgun and a little old-fashioned zone read can slow that down. Full transcript
Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 16 Stanford at Notre Dame
- Which school is stronger academically?
- How well does Brian Kelly need to do this season?
- Vote on those and other questions about Stanford at Notre Dame!
Dave (NC)
I've had a bad weekend Andrea. I only care about UNC and Notre Dame sports when it comes to college and I'm from MA so the Pats let me down as well...... give me something to look forward to for UNC and or ND this week.
Andrea Adelson
Oh, Dave. I hope you are staying away from sharp objects ;) Both teams have been competitive, so there is that. Notre Dame is a few plays away from being 3-0, so there is that. I am not sure the Irish can beat Stanford -- the Cardinal have looked awfully good. But UNC can definitely beat Rutgers. From what I have seen of the Scarlet Knights, they haven't looked overly impressive and probably should have lost to FIU. Full transcript
Game 5: SportsNation's burning questions for South Carolina at Auburn
- Which is a tougher place to win on the road?
- Will South Carolina ever play in a BCS game under Steve Spurrier?
- Vote on those and other questions about South Carolina at Auburn!
Sanders Colson (Atlanta)
Auburn won one they probably should have lost to Clemson. How do think they will do against S Carolina?
Mark Schlabach
I think it should be a really good game. Clemson had some success running the ball, so I'd expect to see a heavy dose of Marcus Lattimore. Clemson did a nice job shutting down AU's offense in the first half, too. That's happened twice in the last two games, but give AU credit for coming back. Newton threw the ball well at the end. Full transcript
- Rank 'Em: Who are the nation's best running backs? | Big East Power Rankings
- Chat: Big East blogger Brian Bennett takes your questions, 2 ET
We're only a week away from life once again having purpose and meaning. That's right, college football season is a mere seven days away -- or 168 hours or 10,080 minutes, assuming you read this at precisely 6:30 p.m. ET, the time Wake Forest and Presbyterian are scheduled to kick off on Sept. 2 (live on ESPN3.com).
It may not take long for both the Heisman and national title races to kick into gear either. Boise State and Virginia Tech are getting a lot of love for their Labor Day clash, but next Thursday brings Pitt and star running back Dion Lewis playing on the road at Utah.
But is Lewis even the best back in a conference Big East blogger Brian Bennett says may offer unparalleled depth at the position? Check out the tale of the tape.
hh (Destin)
Is Running Back the deepest position in the Big East this year?
Big East blogger Brian Bennett
Far and away. Not sure there's a better RB league in the country in '10. Full transcript
Submarine Mike (Jackosnville Fl)
Is Noel Devine a sleeper in the Heisman race and is he a possible late 1st rounder
Mel Kiper
I think he is a Heisman candidate. I don't think he's a sleeper. He commands leadership in the lockerroom. He has that explosive first step. Pound for pound, he's the best football player in the country. This is a team that has a chance to win the Big East. Geno Smith is the key. He is the next QB in line. If you look at the defense, all three DL are seniors. The defense would be really good. They have two studs on this defense in Chris Neild and Robert Sands, who is clearly their best NFL prospect. Full transcript
Lynn (Monticello, FL)
Hi Ivan, I like Pitt to win the Big East this season and looking at their schedule I feel they could run the table at having a shot at the National Championship. Your thoughts.
Ivan Maisel
I agree on both counts. The Panthers are ranked high enough at the outset that a climb to the top is plausible. That would be a great story. I pull for the great stories. Full transcript
More games from ESPN Arcade »
- Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
- Vote on big topics: Charlie Weis' future | Auburn at Georgia
- Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
- More wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Mel Kiper | Ivan Maisel | Bruce Feldman
- Special guests: Brad Edwards | Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson
It won't be an easy weekend for BCS Cinderellas, even though they're all playing at home. Cincinnati faces No. 25 West Virginia, TCU gets the pressure of GameDay and No. 16 Utah, and Boise State deals with a surprising 7-3 Idaho (and a visiting AD who doesn't like to fly on planes with Broncos markings).
USC fans still have BCS hope, but know their team can't lose again. Boise State, Cincinnati and Iowa fans wonder what more their teams can do, besides pray for a loss by one of the top 3.
Now that Ohio State has two losses SportsNation thinks Ohio State is using Terrelle Pryor incorrectly. Fans, however, still think Sam Bradford is a first-round pick.
Florida State kicked off Week 8 with a needed win, and Alabama, Florida and Texas face opponents they shouldn't overlook.
- Vote: "GameDay" Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
- Vote on big games: Tennessee at Alabama | Texas at Missouri
- Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
- Other wraps: Brad Edwards | Bruce Feldman | Ivan Maisel | Pat Forde | Mark Schlabach
“Mark Ingram is a good reason for [Alabama's] passing to be less of a factor. Wait until next year for any shot of a Vols upset.
” -- Beano Cook
“I pick Florida to win this game, but to be seen as legitimately No. 1, the Gators should win convincingly, even more so than against Arkansas.
” -- IdahoanTyke
“My ranking: 1. Iowa; 2. Florida; 3. Alabama; 4. Texas; 5. Virginia Tech; 6. TCU; 7. Boise State; 8. USC; 9. Oregon; 10. LSU.
” -- CheezusCrust
Fan blogger predictions for Week 8: nunyabiz81 | jodiemeeks23ppat54 | dfpsports | IdahoanTyke | codywin25 | gbirkem2 | utesfan2 | Sportsguru6
Kordell Stewart, Michael Westbrook and Pat White won't be walking through that door. Major Harris presumably will but only to honor his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. But even if rankings and current relevancy suggest otherwise, Colorado at West Virginia still has at least the ring of a game worth watching.
SportsNation's preseason pick to win the Big East, West Virginia may yet make some noise. The Mountaineers led Auburn through three quarters in their last game before giving way in a 41-30 loss. And just as last week was a showcase for Ole Miss' Jevan Snead (not that it went so well), running back Noel Devine has a national audience to himself if he wants a sniff at the Heisman race.
As for Colorado, well, it could be worse ... for instance, at Texas next week.
- Colorado at West Virginia: Vote on tonight's game.
- Saturday's Games: USC at California | Oklahoma at Miami | LSU at Georgia
“Gold Rush...Retiring Major Harris number. Thats good for 14 points.. WVU stops CU rushing attack and forces Hawkins to throw the ball downfield leading to 3-4 Int's. WVU is a desperate team with a great ground game with speed CU cant contain for 4 quarters..
” -- jdelaw12
“Let's Go BUFFS!!! Beat University of South West New Jersey @ Morgantown!!!
” -- wvmafia
ESPN.com's college football writers and bloggers will be going conference by conference in the coming weeks to preview the season ahead, and we're looking for your rankings along the way. Things roll on with the Big East, where blogger Brian Bennett's rankings suggest good things for fans in New Jersey and hope for the reloading West Virginia Mountaineers.
1. Rutgers
2. Pittsburgh
3. West Virginia
T-4. Cincinnati
T-4. South Florida
Check out Bennett's complete Big East rankings.
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