Yahoo Sports: The rise of college football’s middle class

[TopFrog]

Yahoo Sports: The rise of college football’s middle class

By Dan Wetzel

... Take a look at the BCS Top 10 and you won’t see a lot of true blue-blood programs (Alabama and Oklahoma) but rather a string of either traditionally solid, but rarely great major conference programs or flying-high upstarts from outside the game’s power circles. Auburn, Oregon, Boise State, Texas Christian, Michigan State, Missouri, Utah and Wisconsin are all part a new money rush toward the top. ...

... It’s no different at Mizzou or Wisconsin or Auburn or even Utah. TCU breaks ground on an impressive $105 million stadium renovation next month. Oregon, of course, may have the most opulent facilities of all.

The trend of dispersing recruits hasn’t just driven up the middle; it’s weakened – at least in depth – the old top. Texas, Michigan, Penn State, Notre Dame, Florida and other powerhouses aren’t in the current BCS rankings. There’s no longer an endless well of talent to dip into. Some of those guys are on other campuses, some lining up against them. ...

 

[Burner1]

Interesting theory. How is it then that Texas, OU, Florida, et al still have the highest-rated recruiting classes every year, year after year?

Also, can it be possible that Missouri and Michigan State have only signed one 5-star recruit in their histories? Aren't they members of power-house conferences that are supposed to be vastly better at everything?

 

[pcf]

Interesting theory. How is it then that Texas, OU, Florida, et al still have the highest-rated recruiting classes every year, year after year?

Because the top is relatively weaker and still have to grow up QBs.

 

[Duquesne Frog]

Interesting theory. How is it then that Texas, OU, Florida, et al still have the highest-rated recruiting classes every year, year after year?

Because recruiting ratings are a textbook example of a tautology. Recruits are 5-star because they're recruited by the "top" programs. If they're not recruited by "top" programs, they can't, by definition, be 5-star ...

 

[Gunner]

Yahoo Sports: The rise of college football’s middle class

By Dan Wetzel

... Take a look at the BCS Top 10 and you won’t see a lot of true blue-blood programs (Alabama and Oklahoma) but rather a string of either traditionally solid, but rarely great major conference programs or flying-high upstarts from outside the game’s power circles. Auburn, Oregon, Boise State, Texas Christian, Michigan State, Missouri, Utah and Wisconsin are all part a new money rush toward the top. ...

... It’s no different at Mizzou or Wisconsin or Auburn or even Utah. TCU breaks ground on an impressive $105 million stadium renovation next month. Oregon, of course, may have the most opulent facilities of all.

The trend of dispersing recruits hasn’t just driven up the middle; it’s weakened – at least in depth – the old top. Texas, Michigan, Penn State, Notre Dame, Florida and other powerhouses aren’t in the current BCS rankings. There’s no longer an endless well of talent to dip into. Some of those guys are on other campuses, some lining up against them. ...

Does anybody really remember the last time Notre Dame or Penn St were dominant. I'm old as dirt, and I can hardly remember that.

 

[Delmonico]

Does anybody really remember the last time Notre Dame or Penn St were dominant. I'm old as dirt, and I can hardly remember that.

10 months ago.....Penn State has finished the last 2 years in the Top 10......

 

[Duquesne Frog]

10 months ago.....Penn State has finished the last 2 years in the Top 10......

Won the Big 10 and went to the Rose bowl in 2008, 51-13 from 2005-2009. Five years in the last two decades where they haven't won at least 9 games, Finished 3rd in the AP in 2005 ...

 

[TopFrog]

I'm old as dirt, and I can hardly remember

This appears to be a major problem for you.

 

[frog9999]

Because recruiting ratings are a textbook example of a tautology. Recruits are 5-star because they're recruited by the "top" programs. If they're not recruited by "top" programs, they can't, by definition, be 5-star ...

+1

 

[JugbandFrog]

You also have to take into consideration the fact that while they recruit the top players aand are listed at the top in recruiting rankings, the class itself isn't what it used to be. Take for example the old Monday Night Football ratings. It still is a Top 10 watched show. However, if you look at the actual ratings from the 70s, 80s and such, it is not what it used to be, but it still is a top 10 show.

 

[Froggy Style]

Because recruiting ratings are a textbook example of a tautology. Recruits are 5-star because they're recruited by the "top" programs. If they're not recruited by "top" programs, they can't, by definition, be 5-star ...

Always refreshing to see someone of such knowledge having attended TCU. This is the correct answer. That and a growing population ensures more good players to chose from; thus, there are fewer "levels" of recruits.

 

[macaroni]

When did the 85 scholly limit go into effect? I would think that would be a bigger factor than fancy locker rooms and the internet...

 

[Delmonico]

When did the 85 scholly limit go into effect? I would think that would be a bigger factor than fancy locker rooms and the internet...

The number of scholarships was set at 95 from 1977-91; at 92 in 1992; and 88 in 1993. It has been at 85 since 1994.

 

[toadallytexan]

The number of scholarships was set at 95 from 1977-91; at 92 in 1992; and 88 in 1993. It has been at 85 since 1994.

thanks...that's why I love this board.

then, some wiseacre chimes in..."except at Wyoming"

 

[researchfrog]

But it was 85/25 and the Nutt rule that leveled the field.

 

[LVfrog]

Tautology indeed. Very well done Duq.

BTW, we also have very good coaches and an administration backing them up.

 

[joejordan]

I wonder if there is any correlation between the 'levelling' of the playing field, and the timing of the public schools ( plus perennial weakling/political son Baylor) leaving to form a larger conference with the Normanites. I choose to think so.