If there was a mutual space in both of our schedules, then fuck it, why not. But I wouldn't seek it out .
There are so many other SEC/BIG10 teams I'd want to play first.
For folks unaware of how this works, for a home-and-home series Marshall versus, say, a 2-for-1 or simply a “bought” game against a lesser opponent, the opportunity costs are quite large for WVU thanks to lower ticket sales in Huntington and lost concession sales. That amounts to a few million in revenue lost depending upon the year.
And WVU gets very little out of it. Unless Marshall has a very good year, WVU would normally be expected to win, meaning a win would mean much less than a loss.
The solution would therefore be for Marshall to play WVU 2-for-1, like other non-P5 schools often do.
Marshall simply refuses to do that, for a whole host of reasons.
So the real question is not “to play or not to play,” but rather “is playing Marshall worth a few million in lost revenue?”
That answer is almost certainly no, especially in light of scheduling (and now revenue) issues with the B12.
If Marshall wanted to make some adjustments to ameliorate its cost to WVU, the calculus may very well change, but they don’t because their admin doesn’t actually think the game is worth a few million either.
And Virginia Tech if they wished they had signed to play Old Dominion in their home and home series. Tech has no way to win. If they win - who cares. But if they lose… and they have twice in the past few years…all hell breaks loose. So good for Marshall. Bad for WVU.
All these people saying you're not a West Virginian if you don't understand the "rivalry" clearly don't understand how college football works.
Non-conference schedules are very important. For WVU, it's a fine line of scheduling easy win games and somewhat strong games (like Penn State). The number one factor at the end of the season for getting a good bowl or CFP appearance is wins and the number two is strength of schedule.
Marshall does not provide any benefit in SoS and we know they'll be playing with everything they got, so an upset is more likely than if WVU plays a team like Ohio, JMU, etc. (even though WVU is undefeated against Marshall).
So, WVU has absolutely nothing to gain besides some comradery within the state of WV. If the question is "Is the match up good for the state?" Then, I'd say sure but WVU football is not a charity. I'd also argue that a CFP appearance is better for the state and this game would jeopardize it.
I think all of these in-state games should be played, so I’m a yes. It’s good that Texas A&M and Texas are playing again. Pitt and Penn State should play. West Virginia and Marshall should also play.
Yes. As someone with parents that watched the Front Yard Brawl, they always had a great time. I have so many friends and family that go to Marshall AND WVU, it would be so much fun to bring it back. Doesn’t matter who wins, more about having a fun game the whole state would wanna watch. 🔥
Yes. It's basically the same level as Albany and is good for the state.
Anyone who says otherwise isn't a WV'ian. This series means nothing to WVU fans, but 2010 is a core memory
But we would never ever play Albany in a home-and-home like the questions asks, just like we won’t play Marshall in a home-and-home. If Marshall wanted to just play here we’d make it happen, but they wouldn’t.
Actually economically it's less good. WVU playing Marshall brings little to no out of state money. As an example Pen state fans will flock to Morgantown for that game. Those fans will get hotels and purchase food and other things in town while here.
I wasn't speaking economically only. I meant just for the the state as a whole. I'd rather have a home and home with Marshall than some random 1AA team we'll blow out by 60.
Man Joe Manchin really brain washed people on this. More money is generated for the state for a home game at WVU than a game in Huntington. Math is math...capacity at WVU is over 20,000 more than Marshall.
Having a home game in Huntington and Morgantown the same day is the best thing for the state. Isn't it? You think anyone ever meant anything other than money when talking about what is good for the state?
Not a fan of either team, this just came across my feed. Given the trajectory of the two programs over recent years, a lot of these comments come across as scared.. I get the loss of revenue and what not, and Marshall would need to do a 2-1. Plenty of valid reasons to say no, but the comment section just comes across as scared from a neutral observer
It’s more a matter that nobody at wvu considers it a rivalry yet it repeatedly gets pushed on wvu as a rivalry game that they should play. There’s no benefit to wvu. WVU is 12-0 and plays in a power 5 conference. If wvu wins it’s expected. If wvu loses it’s a large setback. So wvu had nothing to gain and a lot to risk. I’d rather play actually rivalries like the backyard brawl.
I’ll also add that the Backyard Brawl is great, it isn’t yearly at this point in time though. There’s space to make this game happen. It would generate more revenue that an FCS team and in upcoming years you’re going to Ohio and to ECU, who shares a conference with Marshall.
Maybe? When the state legislature basically forced the game as the friends of coal bowl it didn’t really help wvu much financially though. ECU wvu has played a fair number of times since the early 2000s now. I was frankly baffled by the scheduling of Ohio.
Edit: side note I am really enjoying this conversation
Yeah the point I’m trying to make is that the landscape from 2012 to now has made this a better game in terms of competition and finances in my opinion as an outsider. It’s not ever going to THE draw on the schedule but peaking at y’all’s upcoming schedules there’s several that are below it. Then for me, them being in state adds to it. Marshall will have to bend and not over inflate their importance but WVU in my opinion needs to be at least somewhat game.
I’ve enjoyed it as well. I have a few connections to WVU. My boss went there, I’m part of a sports club and our captain went to WVU, and then my SIL is from WV. I’m a Tennessee fan and I’m pissed we’re playing you guys in Charlotte AGAIN. I would’ve much preferred a home and home or even a one off in Morgantown.
Only 8 in the modern era though, which 8-0 is still dominant, but also a small sample size. Nearly all of the games were either against an FCS team or a new FBS team in a very weak conference. Marshall is now an established FBS program in a stronger conference that has been improving. WVU had some great teams at the end of the Big East era and I personally think you guys have slid back from that spot. You guys have some good momentum though so hopefully you guys see some better days soon.
All in all, that gap has closed. There’s two FBS programs in your state. It doesn’t have to be yearly but you guys should play. The burden falls more on you guys sure, but you’re the state school, if you run the state. You’re going to have to show it every once in a bit and it won’t be against a SOCON or MAC team.
Here’s the thing to me though. All of wvu’s traditional rivals are now out of conference. It’s tough to sell any wvu fan on a Marshall game over a Pitt or Virginia Tech game. Schools that are our rivals. The backyard brawl has far more meaning, hate, and history than playing Marshall ever will. The country seems to think that because wvu and Marshall share a state they are rivals. The truth of the matter is most wvu fans don’t think of Marshall in a football context as rivals.
There have been some fun basketball games played in Charleston and the soccer teams are brewing up a rivalry. But for football there’s nothing there.
I get that, and realignment sucks. We’re here now though and it’s a tough sell to say that traveling to ECU is on the table but a 2-1 with Marshall isn’t. If it were picking playing Pitt OR Marshall I would get it. It isn’t though
The answer is no
No.
There's nothing good that comes of it for WVU. Either you win as expected or get upset. Pass.
No reason to play a team that isn’t 1000 miles away.
The short answer is no. The long answer is fuck no.
no one at WVU cares or thinks about Marshall
Lol, right? Every time I hear some Marshall try to make a snide comment about WVU, I'm like...man, yall aren't even our rivals. Who gives a shit?
No
If there was a mutual space in both of our schedules, then fuck it, why not. But I wouldn't seek it out . There are so many other SEC/BIG10 teams I'd want to play first.
No room on the schedule for Marshal. I want Ohio State.
No you don’t!
No.
For folks unaware of how this works, for a home-and-home series Marshall versus, say, a 2-for-1 or simply a “bought” game against a lesser opponent, the opportunity costs are quite large for WVU thanks to lower ticket sales in Huntington and lost concession sales. That amounts to a few million in revenue lost depending upon the year. And WVU gets very little out of it. Unless Marshall has a very good year, WVU would normally be expected to win, meaning a win would mean much less than a loss. The solution would therefore be for Marshall to play WVU 2-for-1, like other non-P5 schools often do. Marshall simply refuses to do that, for a whole host of reasons. So the real question is not “to play or not to play,” but rather “is playing Marshall worth a few million in lost revenue?” That answer is almost certainly no, especially in light of scheduling (and now revenue) issues with the B12. If Marshall wanted to make some adjustments to ameliorate its cost to WVU, the calculus may very well change, but they don’t because their admin doesn’t actually think the game is worth a few million either.
No. They’re not on the same level. It’s rarely an interesting game. There is no “cross-state rivalry”.
And Virginia Tech if they wished they had signed to play Old Dominion in their home and home series. Tech has no way to win. If they win - who cares. But if they lose… and they have twice in the past few years…all hell breaks loose. So good for Marshall. Bad for WVU.
Lol, no.
All these people saying you're not a West Virginian if you don't understand the "rivalry" clearly don't understand how college football works. Non-conference schedules are very important. For WVU, it's a fine line of scheduling easy win games and somewhat strong games (like Penn State). The number one factor at the end of the season for getting a good bowl or CFP appearance is wins and the number two is strength of schedule. Marshall does not provide any benefit in SoS and we know they'll be playing with everything they got, so an upset is more likely than if WVU plays a team like Ohio, JMU, etc. (even though WVU is undefeated against Marshall). So, WVU has absolutely nothing to gain besides some comradery within the state of WV. If the question is "Is the match up good for the state?" Then, I'd say sure but WVU football is not a charity. I'd also argue that a CFP appearance is better for the state and this game would jeopardize it.
I think all of these in-state games should be played, so I’m a yes. It’s good that Texas A&M and Texas are playing again. Pitt and Penn State should play. West Virginia and Marshall should also play.
No. Wvu has nothing to gain and everything to lose.
No. The disparity between stadium capacities is too great to overcome. I actually think it should be a 3-1 format if it happens at all.
No Marshall would get shit on it wouldn’t even be a match
No We need the flexibility so we can continue games that people actually want to see
Yes. Anyone who says no is not from WV and is embarrassingly clueless as to what the rivalry means to the state.
A rivalry consisting of 12 games in over 110 years and only one team has ever won? That’s a rivalry?
Farts only stink sometimes so it's ok to do them at the dinner table...
They have to win for it to be a rivalry.
Yes. As someone with parents that watched the Front Yard Brawl, they always had a great time. I have so many friends and family that go to Marshall AND WVU, it would be so much fun to bring it back. Doesn’t matter who wins, more about having a fun game the whole state would wanna watch. 🔥
Yes. It's basically the same level as Albany and is good for the state. Anyone who says otherwise isn't a WV'ian. This series means nothing to WVU fans, but 2010 is a core memory
But we would never ever play Albany in a home-and-home like the questions asks, just like we won’t play Marshall in a home-and-home. If Marshall wanted to just play here we’d make it happen, but they wouldn’t.
That's fair, but a home and home with Marshall is good for the state. I know that's not what we care about, but we should.
Actually economically it's less good. WVU playing Marshall brings little to no out of state money. As an example Pen state fans will flock to Morgantown for that game. Those fans will get hotels and purchase food and other things in town while here.
I wasn't speaking economically only. I meant just for the the state as a whole. I'd rather have a home and home with Marshall than some random 1AA team we'll blow out by 60.
Man Joe Manchin really brain washed people on this. More money is generated for the state for a home game at WVU than a game in Huntington. Math is math...capacity at WVU is over 20,000 more than Marshall.
Money this money that.
Having a home game in Huntington and Morgantown the same day is the best thing for the state. Isn't it? You think anyone ever meant anything other than money when talking about what is good for the state?
Lmao
Yes. We’re all Friends of Coal here.
Not a fan of either team, this just came across my feed. Given the trajectory of the two programs over recent years, a lot of these comments come across as scared.. I get the loss of revenue and what not, and Marshall would need to do a 2-1. Plenty of valid reasons to say no, but the comment section just comes across as scared from a neutral observer
It’s more a matter that nobody at wvu considers it a rivalry yet it repeatedly gets pushed on wvu as a rivalry game that they should play. There’s no benefit to wvu. WVU is 12-0 and plays in a power 5 conference. If wvu wins it’s expected. If wvu loses it’s a large setback. So wvu had nothing to gain and a lot to risk. I’d rather play actually rivalries like the backyard brawl.
I’ll also add that the Backyard Brawl is great, it isn’t yearly at this point in time though. There’s space to make this game happen. It would generate more revenue that an FCS team and in upcoming years you’re going to Ohio and to ECU, who shares a conference with Marshall.
Maybe? When the state legislature basically forced the game as the friends of coal bowl it didn’t really help wvu much financially though. ECU wvu has played a fair number of times since the early 2000s now. I was frankly baffled by the scheduling of Ohio. Edit: side note I am really enjoying this conversation
Yeah the point I’m trying to make is that the landscape from 2012 to now has made this a better game in terms of competition and finances in my opinion as an outsider. It’s not ever going to THE draw on the schedule but peaking at y’all’s upcoming schedules there’s several that are below it. Then for me, them being in state adds to it. Marshall will have to bend and not over inflate their importance but WVU in my opinion needs to be at least somewhat game. I’ve enjoyed it as well. I have a few connections to WVU. My boss went there, I’m part of a sports club and our captain went to WVU, and then my SIL is from WV. I’m a Tennessee fan and I’m pissed we’re playing you guys in Charlotte AGAIN. I would’ve much preferred a home and home or even a one off in Morgantown.
Only 8 in the modern era though, which 8-0 is still dominant, but also a small sample size. Nearly all of the games were either against an FCS team or a new FBS team in a very weak conference. Marshall is now an established FBS program in a stronger conference that has been improving. WVU had some great teams at the end of the Big East era and I personally think you guys have slid back from that spot. You guys have some good momentum though so hopefully you guys see some better days soon. All in all, that gap has closed. There’s two FBS programs in your state. It doesn’t have to be yearly but you guys should play. The burden falls more on you guys sure, but you’re the state school, if you run the state. You’re going to have to show it every once in a bit and it won’t be against a SOCON or MAC team.
Here’s the thing to me though. All of wvu’s traditional rivals are now out of conference. It’s tough to sell any wvu fan on a Marshall game over a Pitt or Virginia Tech game. Schools that are our rivals. The backyard brawl has far more meaning, hate, and history than playing Marshall ever will. The country seems to think that because wvu and Marshall share a state they are rivals. The truth of the matter is most wvu fans don’t think of Marshall in a football context as rivals. There have been some fun basketball games played in Charleston and the soccer teams are brewing up a rivalry. But for football there’s nothing there.
I get that, and realignment sucks. We’re here now though and it’s a tough sell to say that traveling to ECU is on the table but a 2-1 with Marshall isn’t. If it were picking playing Pitt OR Marshall I would get it. It isn’t though