Are we currently still 30 program?

[Hogwild]

If we aren't a top 30 program how what to we need to do to get there? What areas, aside from winning, are we lacking? Recruiting and geography have been discussed on this board, but are we that worse off than Nebraska, BYU, Ok State, Washington?

The Houston Chronicle ranked the top 20 programs currently:

The top 10 was based on the following criteria

1. Facilities.

2. History (recent and past).

3. Money (that a school spends -and not on recruits).

4. Recruiting (the area from which to draw).

5. Conference.

6. Attendance/game day atmosphere/campus geography.

7. Brand name/prestige.

8. Exposure/TV.

9. NFL draftees.

10. Coaching (stability)
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/college-football/article/Rating-the-country-s-top-20-college-football-12419219.php?utm_campaign=twitter-premium&utm_source=CMS%20Sharing%20Button&utm_medium=social

The top 10 were
1. Alabama (146)
2. Ohio State (133)
3. Texas (100)
4. Oklahoma (97)
4. Southern Cal (97)
6. Michigan (90)
6. Notre Dame (90)
8. Clemson (78)
9. LSU (68)
10. Texas A&M (59)
11. Florida State (54)
12. Florida (39)
13. Georgia (37)
14. Auburn (31)
15. Miami (26)
16. Oregon (25)
17. Penn State (18)
18. Wisconsin (6)
19. Nebraska (5)
20. UCLA (4)

Also receiving votes: Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Louisville, BYU, Boise State and Washington.

[Wooderson]

We have not won a conference championship in 29 years.  That is all that needs to be said.

[DeltaBoy]

We have not won a conference championship in 29 years.  That is all that needs to be said.

Correct I was 22 years old and Hatfield was the Coach.

[DukeOfPork]

I can't really argue with that list.  Nebraska and UCLA are the only schools that you could even debate whether we should be ahead of them.

Recruiting, demographics, and lack of a winning tradition in the modern era are our main shortcomings. 

[RME]

We have not won a conference championship in 29 years.  That is all that needs to be said.

Is that the only criteria for being a top 30 program? Winning a conference championship in the last 29 years?

That out of the way, I don't disagree with the Chronicle's rankings or rationales.

[Wooderson]

Is that the only criteria for being a top 30 program? Winning a conference championship in the last 29 years?

That out of the way, I don't disagree with the Chronicle's rankings or rationales.

If you are not relevant in your conference then how can you be relevant nationally?

[Atlhogfan1]

If we aren't a top 30 program how what to we need to do to get there? What areas, aside from winning, are we lacking? Recruiting and geography have been discussed on this board, but are we that worse off than Nebraska, BYU, Ok State, Washington?

The Houston Chronicle ranked the top 20 programs currently:

The top 10 was based on the following criteria

1. Facilities.

2. History (recent and past).

3. Money (that a school spends -and not on recruits).

4. Recruiting (the area from which to draw).

5. Conference.

6. Attendance/game day atmosphere/campus geography.

7. Brand name/prestige.

8. Exposure/TV.

9. NFL draftees.

10. Coaching (stability)
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/college-football/article/Rating-the-country-s-top-20-college-football-12419219.php?utm_campaign=twitter-premium&utm_source=CMS%20Sharing%20Button&utm_medium=social

The top 10 were
1. Alabama (146)
2. Ohio State (133)
3. Texas (100)
4. Oklahoma (97)
4. Southern Cal (97)
6. Michigan (90)
6. Notre Dame (90)
8. Clemson (78)
9. LSU (68)
10. Texas A&M (59)
11. Florida State (54)
12. Florida (39)
13. Georgia (37)
14. Auburn (31)
15. Miami (26)
16. Oregon (25)
17. Penn State (18)
18. Wisconsin (6)
19. Nebraska (5)
20. UCLA (4)

Also receiving votes: Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Louisville, BYU, Boise State and Washington.

Based on this criteria, our problem areas:

2.  recent history - as you said winning would take care of
4.  recruiting - can't fix but some dream Texas is the answer
6.  campus geography although Fay games have improved greatly
7.  somewhat faded - win more
10. although we've only had 3 full time coaches since 1998 and gave BB 5 seasons, perception with the BP to JLS to BB to CM is one of instability - CM needs to win


Ok St - higher because of lesser competition leading to more recent success, coaching stability

Nebraska - history, brand from it and stadium/gameday - we can't make up for the difference in history, can't change our geography for gameday atmosphere - NU is a has been program whose only real hope is they play in a division with other programs who recruit in the upper MW wasteland

Washington - history, very recent success, great stadium/gameday, we can't build a lake outside the NEZ, brand right now

BYU - history, brand - not better than ours, stadium setting - doesn't get much better but smaller - this is a program which has really faded

VT - biggest frauds in college football, but ESPN built them a strong brand and hyped their gameday atmosphere

Boise - second biggest frauds, brand will fade, must have put a lot of weight on their recent "success" and maybe the blue field

Lou - another product of schedule, new stadium being expanded, good brand


We start winning again, these will be easy to pass if this poll is done again with this criteria with the exception of Nebraska because people will weigh their (fading) history so much and Washington as they'll keep winning in the PAC 12 North and have the other categories mostly covered.

[RME]

If you are not relevant in your conference then how can you be relevant nationally?

You're only relevant in your conference if you win the conference championship?

[Hugo Bezdek]

If we aren't a top 30 program how what to we need to do to get there? What areas, aside from winning, are we lacking? Recruiting and geography have been discussed on this board, but are we that worse off than Nebraska, BYU, Ok State, Washington?

The Houston Chronicle ranked the top 20 programs currently:

The top 10 was based on the following criteria

1. Facilities.

2. History (recent and past).

3. Money (that a school spends -and not on recruits).

4. Recruiting (the area from which to draw).

5. Conference.

6. Attendance/game day atmosphere/campus geography.

7. Brand name/prestige.

8. Exposure/TV.

9. NFL draftees.

10. Coaching (stability)
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/college-football/article/Rating-the-country-s-top-20-college-football-12419219.php?utm_campaign=twitter-premium&utm_source=CMS%20Sharing%20Button&utm_medium=social

The top 10 were
1. Alabama (146)
2. Ohio State (133)
3. Texas (100)
4. Oklahoma (97)
4. Southern Cal (97)
6. Michigan (90)
6. Notre Dame (90)
8. Clemson (78)
9. LSU (68)
10. Texas A&M (59)
11. Florida State (54)
12. Florida (39)
13. Georgia (37)
14. Auburn (31)
15. Miami (26)
16. Oregon (25)
17. Penn State (18)
18. Wisconsin (6)
19. Nebraska (5)
20. UCLA (4)

Also receiving votes: Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Louisville, BYU, Boise State and Washington.

Financially we are. Ten years ago Darren McFadden was a two-time Heisman finalist and Doak Walker Award winner and eleven years ago we played in the SEC championship game. We've also had a Top 5 finish, a Sugar Bowl and a Cotton Bowl prior to our most recent coach so I'd say it depends on what timeline you're looking at. And it's easy to forget given how we finished in 2016, but we were even ranked in the Top 25 most of the season in 2016 before collapsing. Our lows have been pretty low though and that's where we are now so we're easy to discount.

[Wooderson]

You're only relevant in your conference if you win the conference championship?

Pretty much.  You're either first, or you're last.  I guess you could say we get a participation trophy every year with that big ole' SEC check.  Does so much for us fans.  16 conference championships in our history, and yet not one in the last 29 years.  Very little to be proud of except we are "Long on integrity".  It gets us so much.

[Pig in the Pokey]

If we aren't a top 30 program how what to we need to do to get there? What areas, aside from winning, are we lacking? Recruiting and geography have been discussed on this board, but are we that worse off than Nebraska, BYU, Ok State, Washington?

The Houston Chronicle ranked the top 20 programs currently:

The top 10 was based on the following criteria

1. Facilities.

2. History (recent and past).

3. Money (that a school spends -and not on recruits).

4. Recruiting (the area from which to draw).

5. Conference.

6. Attendance/game day atmosphere/campus geography.

7. Brand name/prestige.

8. Exposure/TV.

9. NFL draftees.

10. Coaching (stability)
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/college-football/article/Rating-the-country-s-top-20-college-football-12419219.php?utm_campaign=twitter-premium&utm_source=CMS%20Sharing%20Button&utm_medium=social

The top 10 were
1. Alabama (146)
2. Ohio State (133)
3. Texas (100)
4. Oklahoma (97)
4. Southern Cal (97)
6. Michigan (90)
6. Notre Dame (90)
8. Clemson (78)
9. LSU (68)
10. Texas A&M (59)
11. Florida State (54)
12. Florida (39)
13. Georgia (37)
14. Auburn (31)
15. Miami (26)
16. Oregon (25)
17. Penn State (18)
18. Wisconsin (6)
19. Nebraska (5)
20. UCLA (4)

Also receiving votes: Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Louisville, BYU, Boise State and Washington.

any list that has A&M as a top 10 program is a tainted list.

[RME]

Pretty much.  You're either first, or you're last.  I guess you could say we get a participation trophy every year with that big ole' SEC check.  Does so much for us fans.  16 conference championships in our history, and yet not one in the last 29 years.  Very little to be proud of except we are "Long on integrity".  It gets us so much.

I do agree with you on the "S-E-C!" mindset, and I will never pull for our opponents (who want to kick our head in every year) to have success.

But I don't think you have to win your conference championship to be nationally relevant.

[RME]

any list that has A&M as a top 10 program is a tainted list.

A&M checks off highly on 8 if not 9 of the 10 items on that list.

Facilities
Money
Recruiting
Conference
Attendance
Brand Name
Exposure
NFL Draftees

[Hoggish1]

Just wondering why you didn't use my poll of top 30 programs?

[pghawg1]

 I would say we were relevant when we went 21-5 in Petrino's last 2 years.# 5 in the nation before the motorcycle wreck.

[hogsanity]

Recruiting, demographics, and lack of a winning tradition in the modern era are our main shortcomings. 

And recruiting and demographics have directly lead to no winning tradition in the modern era.

[NaturalStateReb]

If we aren't a top 30 program how what to we need to do to get there? What areas, aside from winning, are we lacking? Recruiting and geography have been discussed on this board, but are we that worse off than Nebraska, BYU, Ok State, Washington?

The Houston Chronicle ranked the top 20 programs currently:

The top 10 was based on the following criteria

1. Facilities.

2. History (recent and past).

3. Money (that a school spends -and not on recruits).

4. Recruiting (the area from which to draw).

5. Conference.

6. Attendance/game day atmosphere/campus geography.

7. Brand name/prestige.

8. Exposure/TV.

9. NFL draftees.

10. Coaching (stability)
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/college-football/article/Rating-the-country-s-top-20-college-football-12419219.php?utm_campaign=twitter-premium&utm_source=CMS%20Sharing%20Button&utm_medium=social

The top 10 were
1. Alabama (146)
2. Ohio State (133)
3. Texas (100)
4. Oklahoma (97)
4. Southern Cal (97)
6. Michigan (90)
6. Notre Dame (90)
8. Clemson (78)
9. LSU (68)
10. Texas A&M (59)
11. Florida State (54)
12. Florida (39)
13. Georgia (37)
14. Auburn (31)
15. Miami (26)
16. Oregon (25)
17. Penn State (18)
18. Wisconsin (6)
19. Nebraska (5)
20. UCLA (4)

Also receiving votes: Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Louisville, BYU, Boise State and Washington.

Nebraska, UCLA, Tennessee, Louisville, BYU, and Washington shouldn't have spots on that list.  VT and Wisconsin are marginal and Notre Dame, as usual, is too high.  Michigan State probably should be on this list near the bottom.

[steveaustin69]

Based on this criteria, our problem areas:

2.  recent history - as you said winning would take care of
4.  recruiting - can't fix but some dream Texas is the answer
6.  campus geography although Fay games have improved greatly
7.  somewhat faded - win more
10. although we've only had 3 full time coaches since 1998 and gave BB 5 seasons, perception with the BP to JLS to BB to CM is one of instability - CM needs to win


Ok St - higher because of lesser competition leading to more recent success, coaching stability

Nebraska - history, brand from it and stadium/gameday - we can't make up for the difference in history, can't change our geography for gameday atmosphere - NU is a has been program whose only real hope is they play in a division with other programs who recruit in the upper MW wasteland

Washington - history, very recent success, great stadium/gameday, we can't build a lake outside the NEZ, brand right now

BYU - history, brand - not better than ours, stadium setting - doesn't get much better but smaller - this is a program which has really faded

VT - biggest frauds in college football, but ESPN built them a strong brand and hyped their gameday atmosphere

Boise - second biggest frauds, brand will fade, must have put a lot of weight on their recent "success" and maybe the blue field

Lou - another product of schedule, new stadium being expanded, good brand


We start winning again, these will be easy to pass if this poll is done again with this criteria with the exception of Nebraska because people will weigh their (fading) history so much and Washington as they'll keep winning in the PAC 12 North and have the other categories mostly covered.

Don't tell me I have to educate Hogville on how Virginia Tech was a national power for well over a decade again

[hog of steele]

If we aren't a top 30 program how what to we need to do to get there?

Win games. Get top 25 finishes. Its simple enough, even if it isn't easy.

[steveaustin69]

Pretty much.  You're either first, or you're last.  I guess you could say we get a participation trophy every year with that big ole' SEC check.  Does so much for us fans.  16 conference championships in our history, and yet not one in the last 29 years.  Very little to be proud of except we are "Long on integrity".  It gets us so much.

Alabama didn't win a conference championship this year, and could win the national championship. By your logic they are not relevant this year.

[Busta_Nutt]

Don't tell me I have to educate Hogville on how Virginia Tech was a national power for well over a decade again

You aren't alone in this argument, Steve. VT was, in fact, a national power for many years under Beamer.

[Cinco de Hogo]

All one can say about this discussion is it makes me sick!!!  Look we can blame coaches all we want but the problem is with the administration and always has been.  Terrible terrible job they have done for a long time now and since it's business as usual I'm not getting excited about a coach until he does something special and the administration doesn't fire him with (be)cause...he wins!

[hawgdavis]

The list will also change a lot over the next 5-8 years, most of the names that are on there will remain but what I noticed is some names that moved into that list that would not have been there 10 years ago. My point being is that if you put together a consistent run over a period say the next 7-10 years you will be on the list and let's say Saban retires and USC falls back off LSU keeps Coach O they will fall way down or off a list like this. History repeats itself in sports big time so we do have a shot.

[bphi11ips]

And recruiting and demographics have directly lead to no winning tradition in the modern era.

Yeah, because football was integrated in 1992.   

You force your schtick into every thread.  Atlanta is pretty close on this one.  Some of the teams on this list have no business being ranked ahead of Arkansas, but it is the grand culmination of the opinions of 10 employees of the Houston Chronicle.  Texas number 3?  Texas A&M number 10?  Right.

Arkansas has had one head coach since 1992 equal to the three it had from 1958-1989.  He had the Hogs at 5 to end his last season.  They were ranked 8 in preseason after he was fired.  It has been about coaching.  Arkansas won 10 straight with Malzahn as OC.  It's about coaching. 

Arkansas has the potential to be a top 20 program based on the HC's criteria.  It would have been 5 years ago.  You don't judge college football programs based on the most recent five years. 

Arkansas needs to win more.  We will.  That is all.

[Uncommon]

I think we're a Top 20 program. Top 25 at worst. Just need the right leader to get us there and stop making excuses.

[Beached]

Yeah, because football was integrated in 1992.   

You force your schtick into every thread.  Atlanta is pretty close on this one.  Some of the teams on this list have no business being ranked ahead of Arkansas, but it is the grand culmination of the opinions of 10 employees of the Houston Chronicle.  Texas number 3?  Texas A&M number 10?  Right.

Arkansas has had one head coach since 1992 equal to the three it had from 1958-1989.  He had the Hogs at 5 to end his last season.  They were ranked 8 in preseason after he was fired.  It has been about coaching.  Arkansas won 10 straight with Malzahn as OC.  It's about coaching. 

Arkansas has the potential to be a top 20 program based on the HC's criteria.  It would have been 5 years ago.  You don't judge college football programs based on the most recent five years. 

Arkansas needs to win more.  We will.  That is all.

Yes, and

I think we're a Top 20 program. Top 25 at worst. Just need the right leader to get us there and stop making excuses.

Yes. 

[Razorstubble]

5 years of Bert and Long hurt us bad. Real bad.  Hopefully we can change that with the new regime.

[hogsanity]

Yeah, because football was integrated in 1992.   

You force your schtick into every thread.  Atlanta is pretty close on this one.  Some of the teams on this list have no business being ranked ahead of Arkansas, but it is the grand culmination of the opinions of 10 employees of the Houston Chronicle.  Texas number 3?  Texas A&M number 10?  Right.

Arkansas has had one head coach since 1992 equal to the three it had from 1958-1989.  He had the Hogs at 5 to end his last season.  They were ranked 8 in preseason after he was fired.  It has been about coaching.  Arkansas won 10 straight with Malzahn as OC.  It's about coaching. 

Arkansas has the potential to be a top 20 program based on the HC's criteria.  It would have been 5 years ago.  You don't judge college football programs based on the most recent five years. 

Arkansas needs to win more.  We will.  That is all.

I did not say I agreed with the list, but I agree Arkansas is not a top 30 program. Have not won a conf title in almost 30 years, and the last one was in a dying swc. Have only played for the sec title 3 times, and were blown out in tow of those 3 seccg appearances. Played in one bcs bowl ( 50 other fbs programs played in at least one fbs bowl ). And are coming off the worst 5 year stretch in the program in my lifetime ( I am 47 ).

I also did not say it could not become a top 25 or top 20 program, but I have serious doubts it can be maintained at that level.

You can try to act like the recruiting problems are not real, and I suspect you do so because you know they are very real and are not going to be overcome in the near future, but your denial of those things does not mean they do not exist.

[hogsanity]

I think we're a Top 20 program. Top 25 at worst. Just need the right leader to get us there and stop making excuses.

a program is not a top 20 or 25 program just because the fans think it is. A program becomes a top 20, 25 program by winning games and being in the top 25 every year for several seasons.

[carolinahogger]

If these teams are currently in the teens then we are way outside the top 30:
11. Florida State (54)
12. Florida (39)
13. Georgia (37)
14. Auburn (31)
15. Miami (26)
16. Oregon (25)
17. Penn State (18)
18. Wisconsin (6)

[Beached]

I did not say I agreed with the list, but I agree Arkansas is not a top 30 program. Have not won a conf title in almost 30 years, and the last one was in a dying swc. Have only played for the sec title 3 times, and were blown out in tow of those 3 seccg appearances. Played in one bcs bowl ( 50 other fbs programs played in at least one fbs bowl ). And are coming off the worst 5 year stretch in the program in my lifetime ( I am 47 ).

I also did not say it could not become a top 25 or top 20 program, but I have serious doubts it can be maintained at that level.

You can try to act like the recruiting problems are not real, and I suspect you do so because you know they are very real and are not going to be overcome in the near future, but your denial of those things does not mean they do not exist.

I can just envision the day to day unhappiness that just follows you around. 

hogsanity - generally characterized as a pessimistic, gloomy, depressed, anhedonic, old grey bitch on Hogville.

Personality: Negative, Dismal, Pessimistic, Sarcastic, Depressed, Gloomy, Cynical

[247Hog]

If these teams are currently in the teens then we are way outside the top 30:
11. Florida State (54)
12. Florida (39)
13. Georgia (37)
14. Auburn (31)
15. Miami (26)
16. Oregon (25)
17. Penn State (18)
18. Wisconsin (6)

I think Miami is crap on the list. This was the first year they have done anything in football in a LONG time. Even being in the top 25 this year, the fan turn out still sucked.

[hogsanity]

I can just envision the day to day unhappiness that just follows you around. 

hogsanity - generally characterized as a pessimistic, gloomy, depressed, anhedonic, old grey bitch on Hogville.

Personality: Negative, Dismal, Pessimistic, Sarcastic, Depressed, Gloomy, Cynical

Ah the tried and true "cant dispute what he said so lets just call him names" approach.

[Uncommon]

a program is not a top 20 or 25 program just because the fans think it is. A program becomes a top 20, 25 program by winning games and being in the top 25 every year for several seasons.

It's not my opinion, it's a fact. Our program has a value in the Top 20. We should be there. Petrino proved it. Just because there was incompetence here for the last two seasons doesn't mean our program is less valuable. So that means Tennessee and Texas have lower values as well then with their mediocrity the last 5 seasons too. Well that's pure BS.

[HotlantaHog]

Clemson seems underrated at 8th compared to Michigan, Southern Cal, Texas and Notre Dame... what have any of those schools done lately?

Texas A&M at 10? Ahead of Florida State, which won a championship not long ago and is regularly in the top 4-5? Give me a break...

[Atlhogfan1]

If these teams are currently in the teens then we are way outside the top 30:
11. Florida State (54)
12. Florida (39)
13. Georgia (37)
14. Auburn (31)
15. Miami (26)
16. Oregon (25)
17. Penn State (18)
18. Wisconsin (6)

Not based on the criteria for this ranking. We are strong or at least good in multiple areas. 

Don't tell me I have to educate Hogville on how Virginia Tech was a national power for well over a decade again

http://www.tiptop25.com/overrated_ap_poll_era.html

"#2 Virginia Tech is the better threat to one day supplant Brigham Young at the top. VT was actually underrated 4 times in the 1990s, when Frank Beamer first built them up, but ever since they played in the national championship game for the 1999 season, they have been overrated 7 times. Of course, maybe their problem was joining the ACC-- that conference has 3 teams on the list, and #11 Maryland was also in the ACC for most of its history. Whatever the reason, since 2000, Virginia Tech has been the king of overrated teams."

They were a great underdog story for ESPN in the 1990s and willing to play weeknight games to help ESPN build an audience for those broadcasts.  In turn, ESPN helped greatly in promoting and inflating their brand.  One season in 1999 does not make a national power.  Our fans thought two did (2010 and 11) so I can understand some would be confused by the concept.  VT has been a consistently good, competitive program playing in weak conferences.  Not a national power.  A good story from where the program once was and a narrative that has been oversold. 

[hogsanity]

It's not my opinion, it's a fact. Our program has a value in the Top 20. We should be there. Petrino proved it. Just because there was incompetence here for the last two seasons doesn't mean our program is less valuable. So that means Tennessee and Texas have lower values as well then with their mediocrity the last 5 seasons too. Well that's pure BS.

So now it is a top 20 program because it has a top 20 value? Funny since so many absolutely hated Jeff Long for always emphasizing the business side of college athletics, and talked about how winning games was all that really mattered to them, but now they want to say we are a top 20 program because we have a top 20 value.

[Atlhogfan1]

Clemson seems underrated at 8th compared to Michigan, Southern Cal, Texas and Notre Dame... what have any of those schools done lately?

Texas A&M at 10? Ahead of Florida State, which won a championship not long ago and is regularly in the top 4-5? Give me a break...

History,brand and TV exposure of those programs. 

Probably inflating the worth of A&M's SEC brand is why they are just ahead of FSU.  Money and facilities perhaps as well. 

[hogsanity]

Not based on the criteria for this ranking. We are strong or at least good in multiple areas. 

http://www.tiptop25.com/overrated_ap_poll_era.html

"#2 Virginia Tech is the better threat to one day supplant Brigham Young at the top. VT was actually underrated 4 times in the 1990s, when Frank Beamer first built them up, but ever since they played in the national championship game for the 1999 season, they have been overrated 7 times. Of course, maybe their problem was joining the ACC-- that conference has 3 teams on the list, and #11 Maryland was also in the ACC for most of its history. Whatever the reason, since 2000, Virginia Tech has been the king of overrated teams."

They were a great underdog story for ESPN in the 1990s and willing to play weeknight games to help ESPN build an audience for those broadcasts.  In turn, ESPN helped greatly in promoting and inflating their brand.  One season in 1999 does not make a national power.  Our fans thought two did (2010 and 11) so I can understand some would be confused by the concept.  VT has been a consistently good, competitive program playing in weak conferences.  Not a national power.  A good story from where the program once was and a narrative that has been oversold. 

VT in the 90's was the Boise of the 2000's. A team not in one of the main conferences, a cinderella story that tv could use to push weeknight or late Sat night games. Both in leagues with maybe one other good team, at most.

[IronHog]

A&M checks off highly on 8 if not 9 of the 10 items on that list.

Facilities
Money
Recruiting
Conference
Attendance
Brand Name
Exposure
NFL Draftees

And football on par with Arkansas


Talk about less with more

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

I can't really argue with that list.  Nebraska and UCLA are the only schools that you could even debate whether we should be ahead of them.

Recruiting, demographics, and lack of a winning tradition in the modern era are our main shortcomings. 

When does the modern era begin..?

[IronHog]

Ah the tried and true "cant dispute what he said so lets just call him names" approach.

Your little man syndrome is obvious

[RME]

And football on par with Arkansas


Talk about less with more

While I don't disagree with you, the Chronicle writers who did this looked at all of the criteria, not just wins and losses.

[IronHog]

While I don't disagree with you, the Chronicle writers who did this looked at all of the criteria, not just wins and losses.

Getting your teeth kicked in by LSU every Thanksgiving was obviously not a criteria



They have Texas #3.

While that is true historically currently Texas is playing zero relevant football and hasn't for some time.

[Busta_Nutt]

I think we're a potential Top 20 program. Top 25 at worst. Just need the right leader to get us there and stop making excuses.

FIFY

[Uncommon]

So now it is a top 20 program because it has a top 20 value? Funny since so many absolutely hated Jeff Long for always emphasizing the business side of college athletics, and talked about how winning games was all that really mattered to them, but now they want to say we are a top 20 program because we have a top 20 value.

How am I a "many fan"? I'm my own person. I wanted Long fired only because he had us in cuffs over Bielema's buyout and giving a more than generous contract extension for a mediocre 6-6 season when we should've won more games than that. Long was the best business AD we might ever had. But he was poor with coaching contracts.

We're absolutely a Top 20 worthy program. The media has just driven us down because we're from a small southern state to make us think we don't have the ability to produce a consistent winner. Again, does Texas's last 5 or 6 years make them less of a valuable program?

[Uncommon]

FIFY

NOPE. Was right the first time.

[IronHog]

So now it is a top 20 program because it has a top 20 value? Funny since so many absolutely hated Jeff Long for always emphasizing the business side of college athletics, and talked about how winning games was all that really mattered to them, but now they want to say we are a top 20 program because we have a top 20 value.

Teams outside the top 20 can't pay 7million per for a coach


Arkansas can be as high on that list as it's boosters want it to be

[mizzouman]

If we aren't a top 30 program how what to we need to do to get there? What areas, aside from winning, are we lacking? Recruiting and geography have been discussed on this board, but are we that worse off than Nebraska, BYU, Ok State, Washington?

The Houston Chronicle ranked the top 20 programs currently:

The top 10 was based on the following criteria

1. Facilities.

2. History (recent and past).

3. Money (that a school spends -and not on recruits).

4. Recruiting (the area from which to draw).

5. Conference.

6. Attendance/game day atmosphere/campus geography.

7. Brand name/prestige.

8. Exposure/TV.

9. NFL draftees.

10. Coaching (stability)
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/college-football/article/Rating-the-country-s-top-20-college-football-12419219.php?utm_campaign=twitter-premium&utm_source=CMS%20Sharing%20Button&utm_medium=social

The top 10 were
1. Alabama (146)
2. Ohio State (133)
3. Texas (100)
4. Oklahoma (97)
4. Southern Cal (97)
6. Michigan (90)
6. Notre Dame (90)
8. Clemson (78)
9. LSU (68)
10. Texas A&M (59)
11. Florida State (54)
12. Florida (39)
13. Georgia (37)
14. Auburn (31)
15. Miami (26)
16. Oregon (25)
17. Penn State (18)
18. Wisconsin (6)
19. Nebraska (5)
20. UCLA (4)

Also receiving votes: Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Louisville, BYU, Boise State and Washington.

The criteria is crap.  What matters is wins, losses and championships.  Everything else is junk.

[Wmhog]

How can you take a poll seriously that says Texas is the 3rd Best Program in the country.  What have they done lately.