Jim Butta uses his favorite phrase to end the Friends of Coal Bowl game by saying/writing, "the one thing they will never be able to point to will be a Marshall win. Without that, there is no rivalry." He did it again on Sept. 2.
What if Marshall and WVU resume playing the game at some point in time? Butta and all the other WVU fans, which are fearful of the "WVU Rapture"-the Saturday in September if the unthinkable might happen when Marshall would actually win a game against WVU-should take time to study some history about the WVU "rivalry" with Penn State. These games started in 1904. This rivalry shows a record of nine wins for WVU, two ties, and 48 loses to Penn State. From 1956-1983 WVU lost 27 times and tied one game (1958). In the concluding games 1984-92 WVU won two and Penn State won seven times. With 48 wins; nine loses and two ties, I guess by Butta's definition this was a rivalry game to the Penn State faithful fans.
Whatever reason(s) Ollie Luck and WVU fans put forth for ending the Friends of Coal Bowl, be sure to replace the game with a "rivalry" match-up. Like, do not lose a profit making game for the state of West Virginia and all the fans that live within the boundaries. According to Butta, Marshall is not a rivalry game. The opinion of current Morgantown decision-makers is a Marshall game is irrelevant in the current BCS standings. Does a win over James Madison determine the tie breaker for one of the two positions in the BCS Championship game this season?
Pitt is a rivalry. Why not play the Backyard Brawl at the start of each season with Pitt? Will Ollie want to play the Pitt money-making rivalry game instead? Be careful, WVU might lose occasionally. Pitt leads the series 61-40-3.
Joe Smith
Parkersburg
