West Virginia and Virginia Tech will renew their rivalry

The West Virginia Mountaineers and Virginia Tech Hokies haven't met on the gridiron since 2005. The schools were once Big East football rivals, but the Hokies departed for the ACC in 2004 and the Mountaineers left for the Big 12 in 2012.

The two schools have decided to renew the battle for the Black Diamond Trophy in 2021. The Mountaineers will host the Hokies that season before returning to Blacksburg in 2022.

"During my three years as Athletic Director at West Virginia University, I have heard from legions of Mountaineer fans, particularly those in the Southern part of the state, who have expressed their strong sentiments to renew the football rivalry with Virginia Tech," West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck said in an official release. "This game is great for college football. We all know that the two schools have extraordinary fan bases, and both schools will be counting down the days until the Hokies and the Mountaineers meet again.

"I want to thank Virginia Tech Athletic Director Jim Weaver and Coach Frank Beamer for their efforts in helping to get the two teams back on the football field. It will be a great day for all involved when the rivalry is renewed."

Right now the only way the teams will meet is in a bowl game. The series has been played 51 times, beginning in 1912 with West Virginia holding a 28-22-1 advantage. When the series ceased in 2005, the Hokies and Mountaineers had played every year since 1973.

This is a good East coast football rivalry, but since rampant realignment has kicked in a lot of rivalries are going bye-bye.

Can You Really Go Home Again?

Could ex-West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez come back home and lead the Mountaineers back to the brink of national prominence? Maybe. It would be strange, controversial, and there would have to be a lot of ass kissing and tears shed (by Rich Rod) for that to happen. It could be what West Virginia needs after the Bill Stewart era and smear campaign.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying kiss and makeup and everything will be alright in Morgantown. If he were to come back they might need the national guard to clam down the angry mob that probably is still angry from the mention of his name. But just listen to why this could work.

First there is the Dana Holgorsen situation. The first sign of trouble he incurs off the field and he'll be gone. Granted, he was a hot name for coaching jobs and highly sought after as a coordinator. So yes West Virginia has the man that waas going to take over for Stewart after this year anyway. Now if Holgorsen is successful he's gone. He has no loyalty to the program or the state of West Virginia. I know loyalty is a dirty word in the business of sports because there isn't any, but do you really think he's going to want to stay there if he starts to win big. That answer is no. He'll be out the door pretty fast. You ask me why. Because in my opinion West Virginia is a stepping stone for Holgorsen. He won't say it personally, but to me he seems like the type that will bolt as soon as something better comes up. And probably will trash you guys on the way out the door.

Another thing is who wants to stay in West Virginia? I'm not trying to be funny or rip the state in general. It just doesn't seem like a destination except for a select few, like Don Nehlen or Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a hometown guy and would love to go back. He admitted it was a mistake to leave and go to Michigan. Also remember he did come back after leaving for Alabama briefly. Yes he did have an eye on a bigger job, but deep down he probably wanted to stay and there were probably some problems that I or the public don't know about which may have led him to go to Michigan. When he was in Morgantown, Rodriguez was West Virginia. He loved the state and they loved him back. Until he left for Michigan.

Lastly, he was the most successful coach in Mountaineer history. The Mountaineers were always a team that won between 7 and 9 games with a surprise undefeated run mixed in. Rodriguez brought them to a brink of a national championship and smoked Georgia and Oklahoma in BCS games. True, Stewart coached them in the Fiesta Bowl against the Sooners, but that game plan had Rodriguez all over it. He won Big East titles and got them to BCS games. He had them in the national championship mix. Easily the most successful run in Mountaineer history. Also he loved West Virginia, no matter what the locals there think.

There was a messy divorce and a lot of drama after leaving Morgantown. But all parties need to get over it. More the natives of West Virginia than Rodriguez. You see Holgorsen will leave you high and dry and once again you'll be feeling like a scorned woman and once again be angry. Bring Rich Rod back and have him be the hero. Maybe he could bring you the national championship you guys covet so bad. It may not be ideal, but if you guys want to remain relevant after three years of mediocrity and another year of uncertainty, bring back your native son.

West Virginia's Stewart To Be Bought Out?

There has been some high drama at West Virginia in the past week. Starting with coach in waiting Dana Holgorsen's alleged alcohol related run-ins to coach Bill Stewart and his wife starting a smear campaign on Holgorsen.

The next twist in this story is a report on Sportingnews.com saying that Stewart may be getting a buyout and Holgorsen getting bumped to head coach. This story hasn't been confirmed or denied.

Athletic director Oliver Luck was asked if there was a buyout on the horizon and Luck replied “I can’t comment” in a text to Sporting News.

This is certainly one of the more bizarre stories of the college football offseason, next to Ohio State's problems. Luck is a rock in a hard place. He can't keep Stewart around, especially after pretty much showing him the door after this season has ended. And if the allegations of Holgorsen's activities are even half true, he really can't keep him around either.

How would the players respond to a coach trying to discipline them for off-field problems, wen he has some skeletons of his own?



 

West Virginia Player Leaves Game

This is something you'd expect from the NBA not college basketball. West Virginia backup forward Dan Jennings left the game during the Mountaineers win over South Florida.

I find it strange that someone on scholarship would pull this kind of stunt, especially playing for Bob Huggins. Being a fan of Cincinnati when Huggins was there, he probably had a good reason to have Jennings sitting on the bench. Huggins called the absence "unexcused".

Jennings was dressed for the game but didn't play today. He appeared in 14 games and averaged 2 points and 2.5 rebounds. That included four starts. Like I said, knowing Huggins there was a reason he wasn't playing. I guess he felt he should be getting more time, but isn't that the case with everyone?

You know Huggins had his usual "candid" response ready when asked about Jennings. "Unexcused, inexcusable. Never to be seen again, I guess.”


You know Huggs, quick and to the point. I would guess that he probably won't be returning to the team anytime soon, but Huggins has been known to give players second chances.