POND GAP, W.Va. (AP) — In seven decades of following West Virginia football, little has gotten in the way when Terry Keenan wants to see his beloved Mountaineers.
Conference realignment promises to be a headache.
College sports and the traveling fan are on course for a big reset in 2024. TV money has lured Southern Cal, UCLA, Oregon and Washington to the Big Ten. Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah will join the growing Big 12. And Oklahoma and Texas will head to the Southeastern Conference.
Although a few regional rivalries have been created or preserved, longer trips will be the norm.
How long? A trip between Oregon and Rutgers is more than 2,400 air miles, would require a stopover and take at least 7.5 hours if things go perfectly. It’s less for schools like Southern Cal, UCLA or Washington that would have nonstop flights available.