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Big 12 will release 2012 schedule by Feb. 1

Posted on: January 25, 2012 1:20 pm
Edited on: January 25, 2012 3:16 pm
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Expect a Big 12 football schedule for 2012 by next Wednesday.

Contracts with partners ESPN/ABC and Fox mandate that a schedule be released by Feb. 1 according to a league spokesman. That suggests there will be some finality in a process that has been up in the air since West Virginia was welcomed into the conference on Nov. 4.

“That’s the deadline [Feb. 1] we’re working off of,” the Big 12’s Bob Burda said Wednesday morning.

While there could be shifting of dates for TV purposes after that date, the schedule – with or without West Virginia – would probably be released publicly at the same time, “given where we are on the calendar and the sensitivity of people wanting to plan,” Burda said.

He added that the league had schedule contingencies both ways with West Virginia in or out of the Big 12. A Rhode Island judge has directed West Virginia and the Big East into non-binding mediation to resolve their lawsuits. The two sides have sued each other over a Big East bylaw that requires 27 months’ notice before leaving the league. West Virginia wants to join the Big 12 in 2012. The Big East bylaw would keep it in that conference through the 2013-14 school year.

Asked Tuesday when a 2012 schedule for his conference might be released, Big East commissioner John Marinatto said: "I’m really not going to give up a comment on that at this time."

Big 12 interim commissioner Chuck Neinas has long said it has received assurances from the school that West Virginia will be in for the 2012 football season. Earlier Monday, he told a Lubbock, Texas radio station that the 2012 football schedule would be out by Feb. 1.

If West Virginia is not in for 2012, that would put the Big 12 at nine teams and likely trigger network contract language regarding payouts if membership falls below 10 teams. Additionally, the nine teams would be put in a scheduling bind having to find an extra non-conference game at a late date.

Putting the current schedule delay in perspective: The base schedule for the 2011 season was completed in September or October 2010.  After adjustments by networks and schools, it wasn’t out publicly until March and April 2011. The Big 12 has lost four teams since June 2010 (Nebraska, Colorado, Texas A&M, Missouri). It has added TCU and West Virginia beyond the 2011 season.

The SEC and Pac-12 have already announced their 2012 schedules, both between late December and early January. 

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Category: NCAAF
Tags: Big 12, ESPN, Fox, West Virginia
 
Comments

Since: Sep 22, 2011
Posted on: January 27, 2012 3:28 pm
 

Big 12 will release 2012 schedule by Feb. 1

Fair enough, there are two BCS Busters that have won the same number of bowls that the entire ACC conference has.  The difference, they haven't had 15 chances to get 2 BCS Bowl wins like the ACC has.



Since: Nov 27, 2007
Posted on: January 27, 2012 2:39 pm
 

Big 12 will release 2012 schedule by Feb. 1

LOL boy I blew that comment up, I need to credit the ACC for it's two BCS wins since 1998.....never post before the second cup of coffee. But I think everyone gets the point or should anyway.
Easy mistake to have made Jo. I mean really, when was the last time any team in the ACC has won anything relevant in a BCS Bowl?
It is rather taxing to recall.

Since: Nov 3, 2006
Posted on: January 26, 2012 12:26 pm
 

Big 12 will release 2012 schedule by Feb. 1

 If you really wanted to improve the competition level of your conference which has not won a BCS game yet, why wouldn't you take the school that has already proven it is able to win in the BCS? Instead you take sPitt and Syracuse? sPitt has maybe 100 loyal followers and Syracuse is average at best. (Sure, insert here that yes, WVU lost to Cuse badly this year, SO WHAT?).  We just saw the level of difference between WVU and ACC Champion Clemson.  The ACC blows when it comes to BCS games. Need I say more


LOL boy I blew that comment up, I need to credit the ACC for it's two BCS wins since 1998.....never post before the second cup of coffee. But I think everyone gets the point or should anyway. 

Since: Sep 22, 2011
Posted on: January 26, 2012 12:12 pm
 

Big 12 will release 2012 schedule by Feb. 1

I think you are correct on that one.  WVU will leave prior to 2014 that is for sure but they will pay through the nose for it. 



Since: Mar 8, 2008
Posted on: January 26, 2012 12:06 pm
 

Neinas - WVU will be on Big XII 2012 schedule

Chuck Neinas in an interview yesterday (1/25/12) with the Charleston Gazette emphatically stated that WVU will indeed be in the Big XII this fall and that they are on the schedules being released on or before 2/1/12.  He also stated that there is no "backup" schedule for the Big XII without the Mountaineers.

Chuck also stated that he has conversations with Marinatto as well but would not elaborate on these discussions or the pending lawsuits between the Big East and WVU.  Neinas was asked if the Big XII conference had discussed helping West Virginia financially depending on the size of the potential settlement with the Big East and he stated that this would be an internal matter for the Big XII board of directors to decide.  When asked if the issue of financial relief to WVU is an agenda item before the board, Neinas said "that's a matter that's internal in nature."

Here is the link for the actual article:

My feeling is that the penalties will be substantial but that this will not deter the Mountaineers from playing in the Big XII this fall. 



Since: Nov 3, 2006
Posted on: January 26, 2012 11:50 am
 

Big 12 will release 2012 schedule by Feb. 1

Just a few short years from now, WVU will be looking to exit the Big 12 and either join the SEC or ACC. The problem will be that WVU will not have a legitimate rival game every year in the Big12. Will it be exciting for Texas, OKState and Oklahoma to visit Morgantown every other year, absolutely. But who can get excited over playing Kansas, Kansas State, Texas Tech or Iowa State? Rivalries are built because the schools lose recruits to other local schools. WVU will not lose recruits to Oklahoma or Texas on a regular basis, like they lose recruits to Pitt, Maryland, Virginia Tech and Miami.


I'll be the first to say WVU wanted and would love a chance to play in the SEC. I doubt they will solicit to exit the BXII anytime soon.  But when/if superconferences happen and when/if the SEC asks WVU to join, you can bet they will consider it.  The Big XII itself may prefer a more regional flavor and want to get more schools geogrphically closer, we won't know until that happens. As for K-State, Texas Tech, Kansas, coming to Mountaineer Field, I am more excited they will be playing then as opposed to seeing Marshall, Ball State and Nevada come rolling in to Milan Puskar.  

That is one of the main reasons that schools develop rivalry games. The kids know each other and they battle over local bragging rights. A bigger stretch comes from the WVU baseball team competing against Texas in baseball. What kid goes to WVU to play against Texas or Kansas State. Can you imagine a conversation between a baseball recruit and his parent when considering attending WVU? Hey dad, maybe you can come to a couple of our conference away games. Uh, oh! Your nearest conference school opponent will be 700 miles away. How will WVU fund all this additional travel?


Baseball has never been really big for WVU but I am sure that will change.  Soccer right now probably is more of a draw for WVU than baseball is at the moment.  They haven't had a schedule with teams like Texas coming in regularly.  Now they will.  Baseball should build in popularity.   

I am sorry. I personally like WVU, but their AD panicked and took the first offer that came along, instead of waiting patiently for the right offer. Let's face it. There will be four and possibly five major conferences with 16 Teams in each. The ACC, SEC, Big 10 and others will need to fill out their respective conferences with colleges that can compete. WVU would have been a good fit and that is why I think that they will only last three years in the Big 12


I disagree - our AD Oliver Luck ever panicked.  In fact, he's handled just about all of this conference issue like a pro. He's been trying to make a conference move, among other moves, since the day he took the reigns and that is no secret.  Luck knew the days of the Big East were numbered and WVU needed to move to something, anything, better than the arrangement in place.  sPitt and Cuse departing was the perfect opportunity to make the move. He would have loved the SEC, Big XII or even the ACC.  The Big XII worked out.  It's clear the ACC wanted mediocre programs to come in over WVU.  They made every excuse (academics, number of TV sets, blah, blah, blah) under the sun NOT to take WVU but when you look at their arguments, reality is they didn't want a team to come into their pathetic league and be an immediate challenger to FSU, Clemson and Va Tech, they wanted some patsies to put on the schedule and fill out their league. Put yourself into a conference commissioners' shoes and think about it -  If you really wanted to improve the competition level of your conference which has not won a BCS game yet, why wouldn't you take the school that has already proven it is able to win in the BCS? Instead you take sPitt and Syracuse? sPitt has maybe 100 loyal followers and Syracuse is average at best. (Sure, insert here that yes, WVU lost to Cuse badly this year, SO WHAT?).  We just saw the level of difference between WVU and ACC Champion Clemson.  The ACC blows when it comes to BCS games. Need I say more?  

Since: Nov 3, 2006
Posted on: January 26, 2012 11:28 am
 

Big 12 will release 2012 schedule by Feb. 1

Sig, I still think WVU is going to pay the 12.5 million and leave immediately via the new arrangements and is going to be on the BXII schedule this year. BXII Commish Chuck Neinas just issued a statement yesterday saying WVU will be on the schedule starting July 2012 - I don't think he'd do that if he didn't have some knowledge of what is happening.  I think you and I are interpreting the same things differently which is fine, we'll see how it all plays out. I'm not personally interested in "being right" how this all falls out, I simply posted an article that was passed to me by a good friend who I know has inside info on the whole thing and is very close to the WVU program. 

I don't know why a few people on here are attacking me for blogging what I heard and read.  Just because CBS or ESPN didn't pick up on something doesn't make it non-factual.  Both entities have had major fubar'd reports before, most recently CBS threw egg all over itself for reporting Joe Paterno dead when he had in fact not died.  If the stuff I posted turns out to be wrong, fine, I'll be the first one to say my source told me something wrong - it would be the very first time he's ever given me bad info. But don't come on here just blabbing I'm wrong when no one has yet posted anything to factually refute the story I posted. I see Mickchicken people posting out of their rage over RichRod, people railing about "contracts are contracts", other WVU haters mouthing off just because they can.  That's also fine, post what you want to people, you're just going to look silly when you're proven wrong and exposed as simply haters with nothing better to do but sit at your pc and post idiocy.

Since: Apr 11, 2007
Posted on: January 26, 2012 10:48 am
 

Big 12 will release 2012 schedule by Feb. 1

I understand the frustration of WVU fans with the Big East, but contracts are contracts and if you want to break yours, you're going to have to pay.  Now I fully believe WVU will be in the Big XII this year.  No court is going to force a school to play in a conference, but they will enforce monetary damages.  I think the breaking point is going to come sooner than later and WVU will either settle with the Big East, or leave and ask for the Big East to send a bill.  Either way, it's going to be expensive.  

I also want to clear up a point that some people keep getting wrong:

TCU was never a member of the conference - not for even one day.  They had signed a contract to join and broke that contract.  There is a distinct difference between how TCU left and how WVU is leaving - one is a member and one was not.  So saying TCU leaving is precedent for how WVU can leave is incorrect. 

TCU's leaving also inspired the Big East to increase the exit fee once Navy or Air Force signed a contract to join - which Navy did this week.  Because WVU, Pitt, and Syracuse all submitted their withdrawl before Navy signed, their exit fee is still only $5 million.  The new $10 million exit fee would apply to anyone who wants to leave between now and whenever the Big East loses its AQ status (even if AQ status goes away entirely) and has no bearing on WVU.  The 27-month exit notice still applies. 

Also, even if WVU settles, it does not mean Pitt or Syracuse will leave early, nor does it mean Louisville gets out either.  The ACC is not in any hurry to add Pitt or Syracuse and they would have to sue the Big East too, which it doesn't seem likely that either team does. 

IMHO, the Big XII doesn't want to kill the Big East.  They still need their vote for the BCS and they aren't going away.  If the Big XII were to take Louisville and Cincinnati and/or any other Big East team, the Big East would not cease to exist and would likely sue the Big XII for tortuous interference.  Plus, it doesn't want to be the bad guy. 




Since: Oct 23, 2011
Posted on: January 26, 2012 8:44 am
 

Big 12 will release 2012 schedule by Feb. 1

I agree with Sabshire. But wanted to make a couple more points about dhuffdaddy commits.

First off Luck never panic, he and the WVU officials had to make a decision, and with all the uncertainties of the BCS & AQ status. Their decision is looking pretty damn smart to me.
And non of the existing teams in the Big 12 will be leaving for a least 6 years after signing over their 1st. Tier TV rights to the conference and WVU will have to do likewise. And also I believe this talk of 16 teams conferences is cooling off. I don't think you will see it happen. And forget about WVU ever going to the ACC or the Big 1O it will never happen.    

And as for rivals, give it some time, sure right now there is no rival game for WVU, but in time it will come, but you could see the biggest rival game come from different schools for football and for B-Ball. And honestly there has never been the excitement and build up for a Pitt B-Ball game compare to the Backyard Brawl in football. And if the Big 12 picks up Louisville, than we will have our rival school. And say what you like about Kansas, KSU, Iowa St. but i think for the first 2 or 3 times that these schools will play at WVU will bring good attendance #'s at Mountaineer Field.    Lets go Mountaineers & Big 12



Since: Jul 22, 2008
Posted on: January 26, 2012 7:43 am
 

Big 12 will release 2012 schedule by Feb. 1

@dhuffdaddy

The only way I see WVU looking to join another conference after joining the Big12 is only if the Big12 conference breaks up.  WVU historically hasn't bounced from conference to conference seeing that the only two conferences that they were ever members of were the Southern and the Big East. 


Sure travel is going to be rougher than it is now but with the exception of Pitt, Cincy and Louisville most people have to jump on a plane anyway for away games.   Especially with gas prices being what they are now you just have to compare driving to South Florida to flying to a game with the USF. 


The Mountaineers currently fill their stadium with close to 60,000 fans watching USF, UConn, Louisville, Pitt, Cincy, Rutgers and Syracuse why wouldn't they do it for the teams you mentioned?  As for the question about baseball, I don' t know but I do believe that all sports will benefit being in the Big12 so it's kind of moot point. 


Actually I'm not so sure AD Luck or the university president panicked in this situation.  The Big East has shown a clear lack of leadership in making this conference a viable one on a national stage.  Getting out and going to the Big12 was their only option, which to be honest, is one of the premier conferences in the country. After watching the Mountaineers play one season in the Big12 and you were a 4 or 5 star recruit living on the east coast wouldn't you love a chance playing at a higher lever than the ACC or Big East to join the Mountaineer football team to play those Big12 schools every year? 


Whatever the case it ought to be an interesting 2012 season for WVU in all sports. 


From the Charleston Gazette:       


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