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Conference Realignment Board
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Joined: 01/05/2001
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Tailgate Guru
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There's an excellent podcast about how bogus USN&WR rankings are

Search for a podcast by Malcolm Gladwell. There may be a written article as well. The upshot is that students worked on a project that ultimately figured out how the USN&WR ranking "formula" works. And it is driven almost exclusively by peer ratings, generally by people who have no first-hand information about most other schools. So rankings are motivated by who is friends with who; i.e., who would you invite to a cocktail party. The tie between Virginia Tech and Pitt is indicative in some ways. I live in Pittsburgh (after living in West Virginia most of my life) and graduated from Tech. Both Tech and Pitt are excellent schools. Pitt is an AAU member; Tech is not. Pitt has an outstanding history of medical research going back at least as far as Jonas Salk. Tech has not had a medical school until recently. Pitt is located in the middle of a Rust Belt city. Tech could not be located in a more rural setting. Both are public schools; although public schools in Pennsylvania like Pitt have a weird quasi-public quasi-private status. If push came to shove, I would say both Tech and Pitt lean towards the sciences versus the liberal arts, but otherwise, they could not be more different. So how can one rank them on the same scale? And why does it matter? Just like some folks at Tech folk and others are UVa folk, the same could be said about people who prefer or thrive at either Tech or Pitt. Every school has a somewhat unique mission. They should be accepted as they are; not compared.
Posted: 06/02/2023 at 04:04 PM ET
(In response to this post by VT ChemE 1986)

Thread Replies (122)

Full Thread →
B1G expansion candidates evaluated…
CrystalCoveHokie • 06/02/23 07:13 AM ET
BFD, it’s just some local paper in PA.**
marcbvtgm • 06/03/23 07:06 PM ET
And not highly regarded here either
PaNDalum • 06/04/23 11:29 AM ET
Perception of Virginia Tech....
Old Line Hokie • 06/02/23 12:55 PM ET
Perception of UVa - in terms of B1G membership - isn’t what many think
marcbvtgm • 06/03/23 07:19 PM ET
I am surprised and somewhat alarmed that the B1G hasn't taken UW.
Maroon Baboon • 06/03/23 09:52 PM ET
I agree with you. But I would also say that the ACC has three schools
Maroon Baboon • 06/04/23 08:52 PM ET
Being the best ACC choices doesn’t mean they don’t at least 1 big drawback
marcbvtgm • 06/05/23 09:50 AM ET
More than wildly optimistic. More like ignoring reality.
marcbvtgm • 06/04/23 07:54 PM ET
How do you value UW.......
2hhoop3 • 06/04/23 08:08 PM ET
Read Maroon Baboon’s post.**
marcbvtgm • 06/05/23 09:41 AM ET
He identifies......
2hhoop3 • 06/05/23 11:28 AM ET
His post answers your question. If you have a different question, ask it.
marcbvtgm • 06/06/23 10:55 AM ET
It did not answer it.....
2hhoop3 • 06/06/23 11:34 AM ET
It does. Go back and re-read your question. Do you have another question?**
marcbvtgm • 06/07/23 10:50 AM ET
No I still have the....
2hhoop3 • 06/07/23 11:46 AM ET
I don't think the B1G will leave UCLA and USC out on an "island".
pine52x • 06/04/23 11:16 AM ET
This "island" thing is quite the talking point
mrcaniac • 06/04/23 06:54 PM ET
It's not just distance. Time Zone factors-in for scheduling TV.**
33laszlo99 • 06/04/23 07:29 PM ET
PAC schools are tired of "PAC12 After Dark"
mrcaniac • 06/04/23 11:38 PM ET
Only if the money is there. it won't be to make it easier for USC/UCLA
Big12 guy • 06/04/23 03:37 PM ET
I hear ya. But I think if that's the strategy, it's garbage.
Maroon Baboon • 06/04/23 01:34 PM ET
I can't imagine there are any "unknowns" among the PAC teams and B1G.
33laszlo99 • 06/04/23 05:22 PM ET
The B10...
LonghornHokie • 06/04/23 03:06 PM ET
On Point 1. Taking USC and the LA market all but killed the Pac-12.**
Maroon Baboon • 06/04/23 04:00 PM ET
I think the B1G already severely damaged to Pac-12...
Old Line Hokie • 06/04/23 03:34 PM ET
B1G had little choice in the matter. When USC/UCLA came knockin'...
33laszlo99 • 06/04/23 06:50 PM ET
Fair point. SEC had the same problem when Texas and OU came calling.
Maroon Baboon • 06/04/23 08:54 PM ET
Question on point #2.....
2hhoop3 • 06/04/23 03:21 PM ET
Everybody has........
2hhoop3 • 06/03/23 02:51 PM ET
Exactly that is why im leary of thess types articles
Mercury • 06/03/23 01:39 PM ET
This is why I always vouch for West Virginia as well
OrlandoHokie • 06/02/23 02:18 PM ET
We are middle of the road as far as institutional rankings go. And we love
RoswellGAHokie • 06/03/23 09:04 PM ET
True, True, True. Excellent post! We all need to keep that in mind. **
pine52x • 06/04/23 11:21 AM ET
Sorry but in football terms, WVU’s academic/research rep isn’t P5.
marcbvtgm • 06/03/23 07:22 PM ET
At least your opinions of WVU are consistent
Tailgate Guru • 06/04/23 10:34 AM ET
If by “consistently hostile”, you mean toward weird WVU sycophants, yep.
marcbvtgm • 06/04/23 07:22 PM ET
I'm glad they produced an excellent doctor
Vippie1 • 06/03/23 08:56 AM ET
It ranks last, or nearly last, in every metric of measurement
ancient alien 2018 • 06/02/23 10:07 PM ET
No way the current ACC membership ever admits WVU
LeadingEdge • 06/02/23 09:25 PM ET
They need to add. Would they support Connecticut instead?
HOO86 • 06/04/23 02:56 PM ET
What do you mean the ACC needs to add?
Maroon Baboon • 06/05/23 02:17 PM ET
You can’t just ignore academics either. Neither is likely a net plus.**
marcbvtgm • 06/05/23 10:15 AM ET
I would think VT would be a "yes" vote on a WVU ACC invitation.
Maroon Baboon • 06/04/23 01:57 PM ET
So, what makes any of you think that WVU would go to the ACC? They had
Big12 guy • 06/04/23 03:44 PM ET
The P2 are dealing in the realm of Texas and USC, and you are talking about
Maroon Baboon • 06/04/23 04:14 PM ET
You are right, neither one of them are game changers, but given
Big12 guy • 06/04/23 04:39 PM ET
If the top 4 ACC schools go, the ACC is dead anyway. I won't fret over
Maroon Baboon • 06/04/23 09:49 PM ET
I'm not excited about any of those schools either, but the basketball, as a
Big12 guy • 06/05/23 01:01 PM ET
If the Big12 gets UCONN, it will be another missed opportunity for the ACC.**
Big12 guy • 06/04/23 03:45 PM ET
Nope.
RJHokie • 06/04/23 03:48 PM ET
Well, they said something similar about WVU. The BB brand is "blue blood"
Big12 guy • 06/04/23 03:52 PM ET
UConn football could have gone up, but that ended when it decided to
VTHokie2000 • 06/04/23 08:14 PM ET
Then that reinforces my point. UCONN football has only one way to go
Big12 guy • 06/04/23 09:15 PM ET
Actually, UConn football can go in three directions; up, down, and continue
VTHokie2000 • 06/05/23 06:29 PM ET
Good points.
RJHokie • 06/05/23 07:01 PM ET
The one thing the state of CT did right was to build the stadium so that it
VTHokie2000 • 06/05/23 07:17 PM ET
"UCONN football has only one way to go and that is up" isn't exactly
Maroon Baboon • 06/04/23 10:55 PM ET
UCONN is a national brand - a NATIONAL brand. The football team
Big12 guy • 06/05/23 11:41 AM ET
UConn doesn't want to put any effort into it and that's the part you are
VTHokie2000 • 06/05/23 06:47 PM ET
This is about football, if you haven't figured that out yet. Otherwise KU
Maroon Baboon • 06/05/23 12:08 PM ET
You are looking at the here and now. The football pie
Big12 guy • 06/06/23 10:11 PM ET
Lots of straw man arguments here.
Maroon Baboon • 06/06/23 11:14 PM ET
In fairness, you are not the only one posting
Big12 guy • 06/07/23 04:53 PM ET
Yeah, but there’s no money for the ACC with WV as a member.**
RJHokie • 06/04/23 04:26 PM ET
Wake me up when the BigXII invites UConn for football 🏈.
Maroon Baboon • 06/04/23 04:20 PM ET
If they are invited, it will be for all sports. You guys
Big12 guy • 06/04/23 06:54 PM ET
Half the schools in the ACC are trying to leave, so I doubt
WBGV • 06/03/23 02:38 PM ET
!/2 the schools in the ACC are negotiating. No one wants to leave
Big12 guy • 06/03/23 08:29 PM ET
Sounds good, but....
TerryD • 06/04/23 08:36 AM ET
Agree with this with one caveat
RTFC • 06/06/23 10:00 AM ET
A few things.
Maroon Baboon • 06/03/23 10:14 PM ET
The proposed "cure" is the same as the "disease"
TerryD • 06/04/23 08:43 AM ET
What are your defining......
2hhoop3 • 06/03/23 09:08 PM ET
Hell...the ACC was elitist toward VT for decades **
Tuckahokie • 06/02/23 02:49 PM ET
Never wanted us - UNC especially - then UNC leadership ran the ACC aground
ValveHokie • 06/02/23 03:03 PM ET
My Heel sports dislike is strong and old...**
Tuckahokie • 06/02/23 03:34 PM ET
Latest US News University Rankings are relevant to this conversation...
VT ChemE 1986 • 06/02/23 01:09 PM ET
Where would UVa be if it had 35k undergrad and 15-20k grad enrollment?**
marcbvtgm • 06/03/23 07:25 PM ET
If we are talking about conference membership, it is not, nor is the OP
Vienna_Hokie • 06/03/23 12:53 PM ET
You may be correct about "talking heads and elitists... feed their over-
33laszlo99 • 06/03/23 01:22 PM ET
No, they won't add those schools because they bring absolutely 0 money
Vienna_Hokie • 06/03/23 01:49 PM ET
But remember one thing. Once in, the new schools are siblings
VTCALS72 • 06/04/23 07:32 AM ET
Either UVA or Tech would give value to the B1G or SEC...
Old Line Hokie • 06/04/23 07:10 AM ET
There's an excellent podcast about how bogus USN&WR rankings are ◄
Tailgate Guru • 06/02/23 04:04 PM ET
“Tech could not be located in
GCHokieof91 • 06/03/23 12:10 PM ET
Or Emory and Henry?**
RJHokie • 06/03/23 12:16 PM ET
But E&H is right next to
GCHokieof91 • 06/03/23 01:12 PM ET
Still, there’s not much in that area unless you consider Glade Spring
RJHokie • 06/03/23 02:12 PM ET
Oh I agree**
GCHokieof91 • 06/03/23 06:34 PM ET
Elites make the rankings. When the rest adapt to the rankings and begin to
Maroon Baboon • 06/02/23 11:44 PM ET
Here is the link to that podcast
WBGV • 06/02/23 07:06 PM ET
Thanks for posting. Eye-opening! Yet, next year I will still look at
pine52x • 06/03/23 11:12 AM ET
I’ll probably look at them too, but only to see how the hot sauce strategy
WBGV • 06/03/23 01:24 PM ET
thanks again. I listened to this podcast too. Will keep it in mind
pine52x • 06/03/23 07:28 PM ET
1000 👍**
Stech • 06/02/23 12:58 PM ET
I think Wes Durham has it right, UVA & VT and UNC NCSU are a package
Stech • 06/02/23 10:44 AM ET
Both states together add a lot. Would be...
HokiePail • 06/03/23 03:47 PM ET
I'd favor UVA / UNC to one conference and VT / NCSU to the other...
jesuisvtguy • 06/02/23 02:31 PM ET
I could easily live with that for 🏈, but with other sports I like regional
Stech • 06/03/23 08:59 AM ET
Precisely why lack of foresight is ruining all of college sports...
BUGGZY • 06/03/23 09:33 AM ET
Question is if the courts or Congress decide that revenue players be paid?
Stech • 06/03/23 12:52 PM ET
I loved when we were in the Big East and they were in the ACC.
Maroon Baboon • 06/02/23 10:39 PM ET
Only been conference mates for 35ish years
mrcaniac • 06/03/23 12:41 AM ET
Offering themselves as a Boxed Set might be a good idea.
33laszlo99 • 06/02/23 01:25 PM ET
I don’t think it will take the nuclear option for 🏀 to expand the tourny,
Stech • 06/02/23 05:12 PM ET
I don't see all 4 going to the same conference unless the rubric of
Maroon Baboon • 06/02/23 01:24 PM ET
Hardly any 2 states are as big as Cali.....
HokiePail • 06/03/23 03:53 PM ET
You are finally coming around to what I have been saying for a while now re
133193Hokie • 06/02/23 11:27 AM ET
It's not the Daytons that the P6 basketball schools objected to
mrcaniac • 06/02/23 09:21 PM ET
NCAA should have used tourney money to start the +1 bowl decades ago.
Truthahn • 06/03/23 07:10 AM ET
It isn't possible under the current (or previous bylaws). Remember the
VTHokie2000 • 06/03/23 04:22 PM ET
I don't understand your "finally coming around", I've been sayin bball is
Stech • 06/02/23 11:59 AM ET
Lots of reasonable......
2hhoop3 • 06/02/23 11:38 AM ET
I agree with that as well. It would set a huge boundary also....
hokieZ71 • 06/02/23 10:46 AM ET
Cant disagree with just about anything he wrote. While he addresses AZ and
133193Hokie • 06/02/23 09:55 AM ET
Only issue with this article is Georgia Tech
Alpharetta Hokie • 06/02/23 09:51 AM ET
GT can’t even access top Georgia talent. **
RoswellGAHokie • 06/02/23 11:35 AM ET
Academics is one big reason for that,
RJHokie • 06/02/23 12:28 PM ET
You can forgot about any reasoning on Ruts in the B1G. In today's world
133193Hokie • 06/02/23 09:59 AM ET
I'm waiting on Rutgers to get voted out. They have zero place in the B1G**
hokieZ71 • 06/02/23 10:44 AM ET
FSU and Clemson too low. Louisville and Stanford too high IMO.
Maroon Baboon • 06/02/23 09:39 AM ET
Thanks for posting. For the most part I agree with the article. Reasonable**
pine52x • 06/02/23 09:26 AM ET