We’ve had some interesting stories and conversations here lately, and it’s made me ask some questions and search for some answers. I found this nugget to be, I dunno, surprising. Disarming? Debatable? Probably all of that. Actually, it’s certainly all of that and more.

Anyhow, people make a lot of noise about WVU’s recruiting base and how it has to be broad because there isn’t a reliable talent source within the state borders and there’s a bunch of competition in the border states.

That’s true.

We also know WVU thrives in and relies on Florida and really doesn’t do much in the Big 12 states or against conference rivals, apart from the occasional battle for a junior college target.

Still, there’s been a crutch, of sorts, handed to WVU because it has to go so far to recruit players. There’s a reasonable competitive disadvantage to project there, and people do factor that into their expectations for, the comprehension of and their patience with the Mountaineers and their performances.

Well, it tuns our there are quite a few Big 12 teams that go farther for players on the roster and for players n the most recent recruiting class.