Quote Originally Posted by TheBeast View Post
I do know for fact that the UT/UK rivalry encompases nearly the whole fanbase of both teams not just the small percentage that lives in the comparatively small area between the two. I can say that from having friends across the state of TN and having a farm in KY and family and friends across that state as well. Yes I also have friends and family on the other end of VA and they could care less about UT/VT.

I have already shown that UT had no real interest in attending or even being in that CFA game. Heck that made like the third time they played in it in 6 years and new they were outmanned and likely to lose. Like I said just because the place looks big and is enormous compared to Lane Stadium doesn't mean much it is still just average as far as college stadiums go. You want to talk about how great VT fan base is, why can't they get more than 10-15,000 to show up for the ACCCG in Charlotte? I have been to the GA dome many times to watch UT in either the SECCG or CFA bowl and every time it was 3/4 UT orange. I will bet when I went and they played LSU in the SECCG and with a win would have been playin for the NC there were more UT fans there than VT even has seats in Lane.

Like I said before I agree that VT is a much better fit than Mizzou.
you summed it up right there. A rivalry encompasses the team's fanbase. Its like that with any rivalry. Thats what a rivalry is and is about the teams fans not the rest of the nation. Im agreeing with you on every point you make about rivalries. Its also why the VT UT game would be that if VT was in the SEC. Lane Stadium is in the TOP 10 just like Neyland stadium on hardest places to win. Thats what would make this game killer! as close as these two schools are and if they were in the same conference and division it would be a killer rivalry. It would encompass all the fans from Knoxville to Blacksburg, which is what rivalries do. and Comment about "not the small area between the two" That is the majority of the fanbase for UK is right around the Lexington and southern KY area just like UT's main fan base is North East Tennessee so that does basicly engulf the small area between the two schools.
Now with all the VT UT beef over with, lets get back to the posts original topic. The SEC will be in the national title picture no matter how its cut now. LSU, Bama, Arkansas pick your poison but these are the best in NCAA football this season. IMO its going to boil down to a Bama LSU rematch with the Swamp cats winning again