The Long Road of a Big 12 Season
For West Virginia University football supporters, the excitement of cheering on the Mountaineers often comes with a hefty logistical price tag.
The Big 12 Conference schedule forces the team to traverse the continent, with only two opponents within a six‑hour drive of Morgantown and four genuine road contests that stretch well beyond a day's travel; the farthest journey, a 1,899‑mile trip to Utah, exemplifies the distances involved.
Since the Mountaineers entered the league before the 2012 season, they have stood out as one of the most itinerant programs, a situation shared by peers such as Utah, BYU and Colorado, all of whom contend with comparable mileage.
Regional Rivalries as a Solution
Head coach Rich Rodriguez has publicly floated the idea of reshaping the conference’s slate around regional pairings, arguing that Power Four schools could pool resources and revenue while sparing fans long journeys.
The Mid‑American Conference serves as a contrast, its emphasis on nearby matchups allowing supporters to attend games without overnight stays, a model that many WVU fans view as a blueprint for a more sustainable schedule.
While the travel burden remains a reality for Mountaineer backers, the conversation underscores a broader desire for a conference structure that balances competitive ambition with the practicalities of fan engagement.