SEC vs B1G (surprising take from someone who has moved all over)
I moved from NOVA to Charlotte in ‘08 and now it is over-run with people from OH, MI, MN, IA, PA, MD, DC, NY. To a detriment. Go to a Panthers game against the Vikings or Steelers or Green Bay or Bills or Browns…. More opposing fans Granted we suck right now, but the Vikings, Pats, Jets, Bills, Packers, Giants, Lions, Bears (AFC/NFC North) literally take over Bank of America Stadium regardless of record. It’s because Charlotte is a transplant city.
So I just recently moved from Charlotte NC to Charleston SC (tiny compared to CLT). Charleston SC is “Low Country” SC vs “Upstate” SC (Charlotte/Columbia).
Native SC Charlestonians have a real Love/Hate for “Northerners” and for whatever reason specifically target “Ohioans”. They hate them with a passion, and I’m talking just the past 2-3 years (COVID and the impact on traffic, it’s real I promise. I was a Washington DC traffic doubter, but it’s actually a thing down here to a much lesser extent. 7 miles in 18 mins vs 90 mins in 60 miles.
But in CHS they love their property values going up (“No More Apartments in MY great neighborhood!!!! Keep the Northerners and the apartments (transitioners like me) out!!!”)
In Charleston, SC…I currently see as much OSU/PSU/Mich/Minn/Wisc/Mich St, even Iowa gear, not kidding…daily at the gym as I do Clemson/USC-E and that is not an exaggeration. Asked my gym dude where he was from and he said Iowa. I said Go Hawkeyes! He said “wow, how did you know that!” I was like “does everyone not know that!” and he didn’t know how to respond. We have TV in these parts. Kirk Feremtz is a DUDE just like Frank Beamer.
Blacksburg is not a cow field anymore. Ames, Iowa is. Most of the B1G is in a major way, raking in the $$$$$$.
Still plenty of VT and UVA and UNC but not as much as B1G as a whole. And def no FSU or Miami or any other SEC or ACC school.
Yeah, Detroit and Flint and State College and Columbus suck. Blacksburg does not, despite popular belief. People are migrating en masse to the Carolinas (I did/have/no reason to change).
This board thinks Blacksburg is in the middle of nowhere but look at a freaking map. It’s on I-81 and accessible from I-95 and I-77, the busiest interstates in the richest state in the country.
Charlotte and Charleston are amazing. Work from home, live at the best beaches, come here, take over opponents stadiums for cheap (Panthers, Hornets). It’s so cheap down here compared to do DC and the Northeast.
Blacksburg is a 2.5 hour drive from Charlotte and a 5+ from Charleston SC and 4 hours from Washington DC and less to Richmond and 5+ to 757/Virginia Beach…to witness the greatest entrance in all of sports (Lane). “Cow town”, whatever…that was 20+ years ago when we were also “The Most Wired City in the World” before the internet that we know. And a Smart Road before anyone (I’m in IT) knew what the Internet was.
Perspective.
Only “problem” with B1G folks in the South is you won’t get cheap tickets (Duke, Wake) or takeover the stadium…and you will likely LOSE…yet still have the time of your life (Blacksburg).
B1G for the win. It just works better. Let UVA join Vandy and Ole Miss in the equally great SEC. They will bring the academics way up and keep football/basketball great in the richest area in America.
UVA/UNC to SEC and VT/NCSt to B1G makes the most sense.
UNC with UVA…and VT with NC St for the same exact reasons. They will still play OOC. Ohioans and Michiganders moving to Raleigh/RTP is gigantic right now.
Demographics will decide it all, make it happen. Nobody else in the ACC (including Miami and Clemson) are nearly as valuable as the states of VA and NC in demographics and culture and academics and fit. It’s not the same as it was last time (VT-UVA stick together for the ACC), but it was best when we did the previous time (UVA in ACC, VT in Big East). Same now, it’s time we blow the minds and wallets of the two biggest dogs.
2 states, 2 different conferences. Big money for the win. You’re welcome ESPN and FOX…write this down.
VT BABY!!!
** Edited by Hardcore_Hokie at 6/13/2024, 5:24:10 AM
63 Replies
2y
that's like getting in your car, accel to 70 mph in 2 sec, and driving no stop w/o traffic to Tech
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
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MVIII
2y
Sure, traffic changes things but if you time it correctly and just drive straight from gas station to house and you are going to NOVA then 4 hours is standard.
(In response to this post by Windows NT)
2y
(In response to this post by MVIII)
M
MVIII
2y
Without exceeding the speed limit. I understand the other 50% of times it will take longer but it is not that small of a window and sure you could get stuck in traffic. Want to call it a 4.5 hour ride then?
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
2y
Bottom line - as it pertains to travel to football games - PSU is appreciably easier and less stressful to get to for the vast majority of the non-local fanbase. And I consider the NRV local.
But for fans coming from DC, Richmond and Tidewater or likewise Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, for home games, travel to Blacksburg is the bigger impediment to attendance. Most of the trip is either already always heavy with traffic or simply wasn't designed to accommodate the additional volume.
** Edited by marcbvtgm at 6/14/2024, 12:41:25 PM
(In response to this post by MVIII)
2y
I've seen Thursday night game in Blacksburg has traffic backed up at almost a standstill to the Hollins exit on I-81
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
2y
I remember making some very fast time back in the day as a dumb college kid going too fast. But even then we all knew to go slow when passing one area that always had speed traps (I can’t remember the name anymore since it has been too many years).
(In response to this post by Windows NT)
2y
(In response to this post by HokieAl)
2y
it is to today. #old-as-hell
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
2y
alumni as any other conference. Plus anyone who has moved from a Big Ten state is loyal. It's crazy how wide their net truly is.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
2y
Tons of CU and CSU alums as you can imagine. But after that I swear it's all Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan State people. I'm surrounded by them.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
2y
state of Ohio. My family is from Ohio. I couldn't tell you how many people I meet that are originally from there or another MW state. Like you say. There are fans of all Big Ten schools everywhere.
(In response to this post by North Main Hokie)
2y
Lots of people who went to Bowling Green, Kent State, Akron, Miami, Toledo, Dennison, etc., but they are ALL Ohio State football fans.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
2y
MAC school, wherever it was. Anyway, she said they'd tailgate for their own games and then leave and watch Ohio State.
I grew up a fan since my dad's family is from there, but it's nuts how many fans they truly have. When they played at Cal about 15 years ago, it looked like an Ohio State home game.
** Edited by reestuart at 6/13/2024, 5:20:17 PM
(In response to this post by North Main Hokie)
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EDGEMAN
2y
We are probably one of the largest in the ACC now, with (by far) the largest fan base in the Commonwealth.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
2y
Like the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. They have PENN.. Outstanding academic ivy- world class and the flagship university penn state.
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
Just making VT more generic
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
2y
I honestly don’t know where their heads are at. But, my outsider view would be shocked if they wanted the SEC. I would think that they would be 90% aligned on wanting the BIG. Assuming they left the ACC, UVA should easily prefer the BIG.
Better academic reputation
More “peer” academic schools
More money for athletics with current contracts
No pressure on the football side (BIG has their top tier locked in)
I get that they might want to stick with UNC (who could go anywhere). But I just don’t see why UVA would want the SEC at all (except for maybe some non-revenue sport competition).
Across both academics and athletics:
VT I see as 65% better fit in SEC
UVA I see as 90% better fit in BIG
UNC I see as 50/50
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
2y
bet they're nowhere near the Big Ten's radar. VT would make a lot more sense, and I don't know that VT is on their radar.
(In response to this post by HokieAl)
2y
Not too mention a contiguous large new state AAU school with access to the south. The Big 10 would love to have them.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
2y
and have a tiny following. The Big Ten doesn't need any good schools that don't bring eyes. UVa isn't a bigger draw than Maryland. They have 150K + fewer living alumni. There's no upside at all. Maybe if it was a Maryland OR UVa thing. But that's not the case. And the Big Ten went after Maryland and not UVa way back when.
(In response to this post by Sunsetunderground)
2y
on the make up of their pod. Academics may mean something to the BIG, but not to the target schools, as I believe academic reputations will not change. I would favor SEC, which would increase football attendance, basketball would neutral between BIG and SEC, and baseball would become a revenue sport with an SEC schedule (which would mean an expansion of seating at the Dish). Personally, I would prefer the SEC if the ACC dissolves.
(In response to this post by HokieAl)
2y
Charlottesville is a great town and UVa is a great school, but UVa has always struggled to fill that stadium since it was enlarged form the 42,000 or so it used to be. Both the Big Ten and SEC have a few schools whose fans travel in big numbers regardless of location and success of their team (Nebraska being the best example). But do you really see 6000 Florida or Arkansas fans showing up in Charlottesville the way they might show up in Auburn or Oxford? I can see UVa regularly drawing good visiting crowds from Penn State, Ohio State, Tennessee and South Carolina, but otherwise? And honestly, I think the typical Hoo is more likely to get interested in going out to see the Big Ten heavyweights than Bama or LSU or Oklahoma. But apart from the obvious answer - winning (which is not going to get easier in another conference - how does UVa get 50,000 of its own people to show up for football six or seven times every fall, regardless of who is on the opposite sideline?
Understand I'm not intending to be critical, I'm just wondering what UVa can really do to get a consistent football falling when it never really had a strong feeling in its best George Welsh days.
(In response to this post by manassashoo)
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EDGEMAN
2y
...bus service to/from the games?
(In response to this post by Tailgate Guru)
2y
Basketball, baseball, and Lax have great attendance. The common denominator is winning. Miss St sold all their allocated tickets to the baseball regional and others were scattered throughout the stadium. Surprising to me, was a great majority of Miss St fans had Virginia and Maryland license plates on their cars. I think the SEC has more fans in the DMV then people think, but UVA must win back the fans they lost with re-seating and London.
(In response to this post by Tailgate Guru)
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2hhoop3
2y
for the B1G and the SEC are similar for all teams and if they had to choose it comes down to how they rank the criteria. Money and academic rep go to the B1G with the money difference being close. Overall athletic quality goes to the SEC along with geographic proximity and weather and it is not close. The other differentiator, at least IMO, will be the individual sport offerings. The B1G gets the nod in lax and wrestling and soccer. The SEC gets the bat sports and tennis and golf. The others are likely less to be major pulls one way or the other in terms of choosing a conference. It will be interesting to watch, if/when the ACC splits, how schools choose as in terms of sport fit neither the B1G or SEC is as good of a fit as the ACC is for its present member schools.
(In response to this post by HokieAl)
2y
UVa and UNC really value all of those non-revenue programs that drive up their Director's Cup standings. They offer more sports programs than most in the ACC but, more importantly, they offer a lot more than the SEC sponsors.
It's common for Big Ten schools to sponsor 25-plus programs. But most SEC schools keep it close to the minimum number - 18, or whatever it is. Men's soccer, which most in our part of the world would view as a relatively important non-revenue sport, is not offered in the SEC. Kentucky and (I think) South Carolina play men's soccer in the Sun Belt with schools like Marshall and WVU (the Big 12 does not offer men's soccer either).
So if UNC or UVa were to move to the SEC, they would have to find a home for a lot of sports that are sponsored by the ACC, the great majority of which are also sponsored by the Big Ten. And my take is that if they left the ACC for the SEC, whatever is left of the ACC might not be so keen on letting UNC men's soccer or UVa men's lacrosse have a home in the "new ACC," whatever it might look like.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
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2hhoop3
2y
The SEC does offer fewer sports but, they compete in what they offer. The same cannot be said when it comes to baseball, softball, tennis and a few others for the B1G. Soccer, both men's and women's, is important to UNC. Baseball is important to UVA. The only answer that means anything is what the schools value and you hit on another relevant consideration, that being alternative homes available for sports not offered by a particular conference. They might also consider their ability to dominate in an individual sport as opposed to another. Both UNC and UVA have good baseball and would be highly competitive in the SEC but, they likely dominate the B1G at least out of the gate. Then there is the recruiting impact of the various conferences.
The B1G has money. They have academics. I think more people than not consider them marginal in athletics aside from wrestling and volleyball when compared across common sports to both the SEC and ACC. Given the revenue and demographic differences the ACC is playing above their weight athletically.
** Edited by 2hhoop3 at 6/13/2024, 12:09:23 PM
(In response to this post by Tailgate Guru)
2y
is a terrible cultural fit for VT. And the geography makes no sense whatsoever, its like the B12 with better programs.
And from a pure scheduling/matchup standpoint, the bottom half of the B10 is loaded with BC-level snoozefests (NW, Purdue, Rutgers, IN, IL, MN, etc). At least the bad matchups in the ACC have some level of regionality to them (minus BC and the Pac 12 exiles).
** Edited by HokieNoVA at 6/13/2024, 9:43:58 AM
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
2y
Teams you play sports with makes a difference to anything. What changes negatively for VT if they make a "cultural misfit" move?
** Edited by Pylons at 6/13/2024, 11:22:47 AM
(In response to this post by HokieNoVA)
2y
I grew up in West Virginia and though my loyalties lie with Virginia Tech, I've followed the Mountaineers since I was a kid.
Athletically, there are some great schools in the Big 12 and schools that I imagine are a lot like both Tech and WVU. I respect schools like K State and Oklahoma State and Iowa State and the handful of fans I've met from those schools over the years were great. And my impression is that Big 12 fans have been very accepting of WVU.
But the fact of the matter is that most of the folks who are old enough to buy tickets and donate to the Mountaineer Athletic Fund never gave much thought to those schools in their formative years, when they became a real fan of college football. They think about Pitt and Tech and Maryland and Syracuse and, if you're old enough, Penn State. It was neat to see all of those Big 12 teams come to Morgantown the first time but the novelty wears off, probably because it's highly unlikely that the core Mountaineer fan actually knows a single soul who went to TCU or Kansas or even Texas or OU. It's hard to be passionate about or develop a rivalry with something or someone you really never get to know.
So there are Wake Forests and Boston Colleges and Minnesotas and Indianas and Baylors and Houstons in every conference. But if the heart of your fanbase is in Virginia, you "get" Wake Forest. If you're from Ohio, you may have a connection to Indiana. If you're from Kansas, you may have a connection with folks in Oklahoma, north Texas or even Iowa. And that makes all the difference. Because if you are WVU in the Big 12, Texas or Oklahoma will never be your true rival, as cool as it is to see those uniforms in your stadium. If you are Virginia Tech in the Big Ten, Michigan and Nebraska and USC and Ohio State will never be your rival. Tech never developed much of a rivalry with Maryland or Rutgers when they were fellow conference members in the past.
On the other hand, if you are Virginia Tech in the SEC, now you have more connections and a least a few possibilities. South Carolina. Tennessee. Kentucky. Maybe Auburn or Georgia. So if you can develop some rivalry with USC (east), UK or even Vandy, eventually get the Vols to admit they care, and then sprinkle in your annual rotation of games against the Bamas and LSUs, those games against Missouri and Mississippi State don't seem so generic.
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)
2y
brainer for the SEC. None of the Southern schools are a "fit" in the Big 10. WVU should be in a conference with their historic rivals, not playing at Texas Tech. SMU, god love them, should be in the SWC - but alas, the shuffling of the deck for money has created what we have now.
I think many B12 fans would be shocked playing an away game in Lane, but I also think that many ACC fans would be shocked how difficult a road win at ISU would be.
(In response to this post by Tailgate Guru)
V
VTCALS72
2y
They don't want to be second fiddle in their home area. But they know their "home" advantage in DMV stops at the Potomac. With the fast growing presence and the type of presence VT is now growing in NOVA, MD just doesn't want to have to fight that period. Just like Fla and FSU or USCe and Clemson or what UVA and UNC would do if they could.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
2y
It would be different if Tech was proximate to one of the B1G's big dogs like Ohio State or Penn State or Michigan. Those are the programs whose voices really matter.
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
2y
(In response to this post by Tailgate Guru)
D
dayooper
2y
Michigan has as much clout as OSU. PSU? Not so much.
(In response to this post by Big12 guy)
2y
(In response to this post by dayooper)
D
dayooper
2y
I played ball for NMU in the ‘90’s. Currently live, teach and coach in SE Michigan, but Marquette will always be my wife and my happy place so I guess I’m more of a Yooper at heart. We get back every so often.
Manistique is beautiful! Lake Michigan has some of the prettiest beaches in the world and those beaches are right up there. Nothing beats the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior for me, though.
(In response to this post by Oscar the American)
2y
I am actually headed up next week for a week and then taking my boys in July when my younger son has a week off before his HS football camp starts.
We try to get up to the lakehouse about 6-7 times a year.
And agreed - the shores of Lake Superior are phenomenal. We go to Marquette or Grand Marais usually. What years were you at NMU? I played at Findlay until injured beyond repair from 87-89.
(In response to this post by dayooper)
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dayooper
2y
Blew my shoulder out in practice and decided I was done. I knew I wasn’t going pro and my body was already beat up. Had a blast but was happy when I was finished.
If you are ever in Marquette during late summer, take a jump off the Black Rocks. That cool refreshing 55 degree water will wake you up!
(In response to this post by Oscar the American)
2y
regular. We'll be up there in about a month with a 2 night stay on the way in Detroit to catch a ball game.
People don't believe me when I tell them just how beautiful it is up there. We probably put 1000 miles on the vehicle once we get there hitting different towns--Leland, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and a brewery in Suttons Bay that's a must. I can't wait.
(In response to this post by dayooper)
2y
.. Traverse City area / Platte River is outstanding. That area is great for morel mushrooms in the Spring as well if you're into that sort of thing.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
2y
a kayak trip down the Platte this time. We did it a few years ago and the whole family is itching to go again. My son and I did a charter in the east arm of Grand Traverse Bay two years ago. First fish we brought in was an 18# Salmon. There's so much up there to do and see. I think if we ever get a 2nd home it will be up in that area.
(In response to this post by Oscar the American)
2y
The Washington Post may disagree but it’s reality. VT owns NOVA. Just drive through Tyson’s or Reston. Maryland does not represent like we do.
Hokies run NOVA/DMV, second to absolutely no one.
VT BABY!!!
** Edited by Hardcore_Hokie at 6/13/2024, 8:03:55 AM
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
E
EDGEMAN
2y
Virginia Tech is "Virginia's university."
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
2y
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
I like and agree with your conclusion.
I've been saying on here for a while now that VT needs to be back channel lobbying to get in the B1G. I say this regardless of what UVa does. I think VT to B1G and UVa to SEC would be great for the Commonwealth.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
E
EDGEMAN
2y
Hopefully he's courting both the SEC and B1X.
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
2y
They want enticing regional matchups.
As a VT fan, give me VT vs Penn State, WVU, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, UNC, UVA. Marshall,, NC State, ECU, Clemson, South Carolina, etc,
This is too hard for VT execs with no common sense…while also figuring out normal logistical details. Call me, Whit, I’m available.
VT BABY!!!
** Edited by Hardcore_Hokie at 6/13/2024, 4:54:27 AM
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
O
ombandit
2y
I’ll take VT vs Auburn, South Carolina , Mississippi State any day as opposed to Purdue, Rutgers and Minnesota.
Gimme a break!
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
2y
I said the B1G wants VT more than the SEC does. And that UVA is actually a better cultural fit with Vandy/FL/Ole Miss/GA.
The culture thing could go either way and I actually believe VT/UVA/UNC have more power right now than people believe (perhaps more than even Clemson and FSU who are embarrassing themselves publicly)
(In response to this post by ombandit)
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VTCALS72
2y
(In response to this post by ombandit)
D
dayooper
2y
October? Maybe. Would you pass up playing Penn State in November? OSU in November?
Maybe it’s just the Northerner in me, but I would much rather play Minnesota in November than Miss State in early September. Swamp crotch sucks.
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
2y
We needed to bond together to survive when things went crazy (where’s UMASS basketball?)
The BigEast was gonna die, VT survived with the ACC invite.
The states of Virginia and North Carolina and South Carolina are now some of the most populated trending UP, with folks moving here EVER. They’re coming from the North to the South. I-81 and I-77…and I-95 connect the dots. Blacksburg as a cow town is histarical.
People are moving this way (South) after COVID and in general. Blacksburg is super easy to get to for those that pat attention.
Driving NY to MIA on I-81 you’re probably getting a hotel in Christiansburg and checking out VT.
Cow town my ass.
VT BABY!!!
** Edited by Hardcore_Hokie at 6/13/2024, 5:08:02 AM
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
E
EDGEMAN
2y
...those hotels are overpriced and the facilities lacking. Go to any medium size city, and you'll find much nicer hotels for at least 20% less than what you'll pay in the Blacksburg/Christiansburg area.
IIWII
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
2y
…driving from the DMV to Charleston, SC. Have been living in hotels in CHS since.
Would take the Christiansburg one in a heartbeat right now TBH. The I-81 corridor is honestly underrated. Winchester VA, for example, has become a great little VA town that I used to just ignore and stop for gas. Harrisonburg as well and a few in between.
Virginia is one of the nicest places to live on the planet and if you disagree, grab a hotel a few hours away in SW West Virginia or TN or KY for some perspective.
VT BABY!!!
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
Loved the rivalry during our Big East days. Good times, good times.
I have no problem being a separate conferences as UVa, as long as we aren't left behind in a second-rate conference making way less money in the end.
Color me crazy, but if the B1G wants to go all in on big time football moving south, FSU, Clemson and VT would be a great trio. And for my money, throw in NC State as well. And/or if they want to get into the state of Georgia and Atlanta, I've always had a soft spot for Georgia Tech (bring back the TechMo Bowl).
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)