Flying Dub-V Top 25, Week 7

Here is a look at this week's Flying Dub-V Top 25

1. LSU (7-0)

2. Alabama (7-0)

3. Oklahoma (7-0)

4. Wisconsin (6-0)

5. Oklahoma State (6-0)

6. Stanford (6-0)

7. Boise State (6-0)

8. Clemson (6-0)

9. Oregon (5-1)

10. Arkansas (5-1)

11. West Virginia (5-1)

12. Nebraska (5-1)

13. Kansas State (6-0)

14. South Carolina (6-1)

15. Michigan State (5-1)

16. Virginia Tech (6-1)

17. Michigan (6-1)

18. Georgia Tech (6-1)

19. Texas A&M (4-2)

20. Houston (6-0)

21. Auburn (4-2)

22. Illinois (6-1)

23. Notre Dame (4-2)

24. Washington (5-1)

25. Arizona State (5-2)

Conference Realignment 2011: ESPN Report says WVU and Louisville are Two of the Top Choices for Big 12

West Virginia and Louisville are two of the top candidates to replace Missouri, if the Tigers indeed depart for the SEC. That's the word from ESPN's Andy Katz.

Katz writes...

A source with direct knowledge of the Big 12's expansion panel's plans told ESPN.com's Andy Katz that if Missouri departs, the Big 12 still must decide if it wants to go to 10 or 12 members. The source said Louisville and West Virginia are two of the top candidates to replace Missouri if it leaves.

Not a huge surprise. Both schools have a solid resume for athletics, fanbase, and television ratings. Louisville has the edge in geography, but WVU has the more suitable program. It may not matter if the Big 12 goes back to 12 teams, because both schools would probably be in.

The bigger question is what happens to the Big East? The conference surely can't keep it's AQ status if they lose two or three more schools. Hell, they may not even have a conference left.

Missouri is expected to meet later this week about its invitation to the SEC. This means we could start hearing more information about WVU and/or Louisville in regards to their future with or without the Big 12 soon.

Conference Realignment 2011: The Big East Strikes Back?

This could be a busy day for the Big East. Conference President, John Marinatto has a teleconference with the media scheduled for this afternoon. It is expected that he will announce the increase of the exit fee and possibly the announcement of invites.

The Big East may be proactive for the first time in a long time, but possibly too late. With the news of Missouri potentially on their way to the SEC, that leaves the door open for WVU, Louisville and/or Cincinnati to defect to the Big 12. And without one or more of those teams, it seems unlikely that the Big East will be able to keep its AQ status, let alone stay in business.

The rumors have Boise, Air Force, Navy, Houston, UCF, and SMU as the potential new teams. That's actually not a bad group of schools. Boise has been a BCS contender for years, Houston is undefeated, SMU seems to be back, UCF brings more attention to Florida, and the service academies bring some prestige. With these 12 there could be a pretty good chance of the conference retaining its AQ status.

However, the belief that nobody else will be defecting from the Big East over the next few years seems naive. Even if the Big 12 wants nothing to do with this conference watch for Rutgers and UConn to continue their push out.

Yes, the future is still incredibly unstable for the Big East, and may always be until SuperConferences are running the world. Keep that seatbelt on folks, this trip won't be over for a long time.

Former Mountaineers in the NFL, Week 6

Ellis Lankster, CB, Jets: Signed earlier this week, Lankster registered one tackle in his season debut. The Jets were victorious last night.

Pat McAfee, P, Colts: Four punts averaging over 52 yards per, in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Corey McIntyre, FB, Bills: Two total tackles, including a crushing hit on special teams. The Bills did end up losing to the Giants.

Ryan Mundy, FS, Steelers: A very good day for Mundy, who finished with five total tackles in a win over Jacksonville.

Chris Neild, NT, Redskins: Registered one tackle in loss to the Eagles.

Robert Sands, FS, Bengals: Inactive once again this week. Has yet to dress for Cincinnati this year.

Owen Schmitt, FB, Eagles: Didn't register an stats in Eagles' win over Washington. Did have a nice block to clear the way for a Shady McCoy touchdown.

Steve Slaton, RB, Dolphins: With Daniel Thomas healthy, Slaton was inactive Monday night against the Jets.

Injuries:

PacMan Jones: Cleared to start practice. Could be back after the bye week.

Brandon Hogan: Will be coming off the PUP, and starting practice this week.

J.T. Thomas: Injured Reserve

Conference Realignment 2011: Missouri inching closer to the SEC

It looks like WVU's only way out of the Big East now is the Big 12, following Pete Thamel's report in thes New York Times that Missouri's application to the SEC is "inevitable and imminent." This comes after the news earlier today that WVU is expected to vote "yes" to double the Big East exit fee.

Thamel goes on to write that once Missouri sends the application, it should be a done deal.

He writes...

After Missouri applies, the person said that it expects “no problems” with gathering enough votes among SEC presidents to become a member.

The Missouri board of Curators is expected to meet later this week, writes Thamel.

So, things are starting to move quickly, and expect the Big East to send out invitations this week. WVU will now have to either wait to become the 15th or 16th member of the SEC when the conferences go SUPER. They can hope for an invitation to the Big 12, which certainly looks better now. Or, they could stay in the Big East, with an uncertain future. The plot thickens...

Conference Realignment 2011: WVU to vote yes for increasing Big East Buyout

Dave Hickman is reporting that WVU will indeed vote in favor of increasing the Big East buyout to $ 10 million. It was originally $ 5 million.

So, what does this mean for WVU? It could mean that WVU isn't going anywhere. They will be the football anchor in a conference with incredible instability, and one that may not have a future. Of course, the Big East looks much better with the Mountaineers, so this is huge news for the much beleaguered conference. A much easier case to keep its AQ status.

However, this could also mean that WVU doesn't want to burn any bridges. You would think that the school could spend the 10 million if they actually were invited to the SEC or the Big 12. Maybe they stay in the Big East, maybe they make the move. At least this way may keep it clean.

The only true info to take from this is the fact that the Big East could be sending out invites this week. Stay tuned...

It's Gameweek! Week 8 Primer

Matchup: West Virginia at Syracuse

When: Friday, 8p, ESPN

Line: WVU -14.5

West Virginia Players to Watch:

Geno Smith, QB: 2159 yards, 16 TD, 3 INT

Tavon Austin, WR: 42 rec, 562 yards, 2 TD, 1 return TD

Stedman Bailey, WR: 34 rec, 634 yards, 5 TD

Terrence Garvin, S: 38 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 INT

Syracuse Players to Watch:

Ryan Nassib, QB: 1294 yards, 11 TD, 4 INT

Antwon Bailey, RB: 663 total yards, 4.5 YPR, 5 TD

Nick Provo, TE: 22 rec, 265 yards, 2 TD

Phillip Thomas, S: 46 total tackles, 2.5 TFL, 3 INT

Storylines:

How do both teams respond to a bye week? WVU has been on a roll. Will the bye week slow the Mountaineers down, or will hitting the film room bring a more efficient offense? Meanwhile, Syracuse has struggled to put a full game together. A week off may have been a welcome sight for the coaching staff, and the banged up defense.

Will the Mountaineers go right back to the air? They probably should. Syracuse is allowing nearly 300 pass yards a contest. However, the Orange are also giving up around 100 rushing yards per game too, so WVU will have options. Look for Dana Holgorsen to mix and match early on. If the running game gets going it's hard to think that Geno can be stopped.

Have Special Teams turned the corner? The unit was fantastic against Connecticut. Punting improved, coverage improved, placekicking was outstanding, and the return is fine. After five-plus years of futility has a light finally turned on? Or, was it just one of those "good" days? Only time will tell. Even an average performance against Syracuse would be a good sign of things to come.

Playing in the dome is always a treat. If Syracuse can get a good crowd, WVU will have to deal with some solid noise. The Mountaineers will have a lot of people lining up who haven't played in the dome, including Geno. And, let's not forget that the Orange won in Morgantown last year. The rivalry may be dying soon too, with Syracuse going to the ACC, so look for both teams to get after it early.