article ranking FBS teams desirability in further expansion

[oc_ute]

we appear to at least be on the map to some folks. i hope i did the link correctly.

football scoop article

[PhiladelphiaUte]

Looks like 2 “Utah(s)” = 1 “Ohio St”.

[LOL @ TSPP, who’s dead last in the P4, and behind 4 other midmajors]

[ORute]

Its an interesting conversation starter but this is all sorts of bass akwards. If the most heavily weighted category includes “Fan Support and Facilities” and Stanford is still ranked 15 then something’s wrong. Same with UCLA. Those are 2 programs with mediocre historical football success and absolutely zero fan base. So both those programs who draw zero interest from their own fan bases are ranked ahead of Tenn, FSU, Clemson? On what planet is a TV exec saying they’d rather have Stanford than those three in their Football ‘league’? No planet I live on. However they did get byu correct, go figure.

[ProudUte]

I agree. This list does not make any sense. I like that Utah is in the conversation, but …

[UteNamedOg]

I wondered about that too. Prefacing this by saying I just skipped to Utahs spot in the list, but it is possible that these schools are boosted because every swimming, rowing, tandem bicycling, etc. Olympian with a degree and a dozen gold medals seems to come from these schools.

[ORute]

Oh no doubt, Stanford wins more directors cups and swimming titles than anyone. But does that make them attractive for Football TV viewership? Chip Kelly had it right–just break Football off. If we start to include other non-football metrics for a new league, we’ll have games featuring Vanderbilt vs Stanford and no one is watching that.

[radioUte]

I’d caution everyone to pay no attention to this. It is coming from Tony Altimore. During the Pac12 disaster he showed himself as a shill at best and a troll at worst (or maybe the other way around). Either way, these days he posts only for reaction. I’ll tip my cap to him because he goes out of his way to target BYU, but in this sense he is basically BigGameBoomer – just trolling for reactions.

[MDUte]

I thought this video clip’s ranking was funny…going to a 68 team league and still leaving TSPP just on the outside looking in while Utah comes in at #32. Sorry Zoobs, you’re just not worth what you all think you’re worth.

68 Team Super League: who would be in/out

[Uteanooga]

It is interesting to consider but it will all depend on how many teams are invited to the next party.

If they only invite 20- Utah will be on the outside looking in.
If they invite 30- Utah will be a bubble team. There will be some quality programs left out in the cold.
If they invite 40- Utah should be safely in.

40 or 50 programs have facilities that merit inclusion but the bigger the number the more the pie is sliced. I guess it will be either 30 or 40 with some significant financial incentives for the teams who win. This will allow a lot of teams in but still allow teams like Ohio St. to get more $ than the rest. I base this on absolutely nothing.

It will be a nail biter for Utah fans.

[FountainofUte]

If the magic number is 40. Based on these rankings and trying to build four geographical groups of 10, here’s what it might look like:

EAST
Duke
North Carolina
Ohio State
Michigan
Michigan State
Penn State
Pitt
Maryland
Kentucky
Tennessee

SOUTH
Alabama
Georgia
Florida
LSU
Florida State
Clemson
Arkansas
Auburn
Texas
Texas A&M

MIDWEST
Notre Dame
Oklahoma
Wisconsin
Iowa
Minnesota
Illinois
Ok State
Indiana
Purdue

WEST
TCU
Nebraska
USC
UCLA
Stanford
Washington
Cal
Oregon
Utah
Arizona State

Any of those you’d swap? Kentucky and Tennessee feel wrong in the east vs south, and Clemson feels like a floater between the east and south. Midwest looks the weakest. The South would be a bloodbath.

Otherwise, the west would be an absolute dream for Utah, And I’d probably swap #35 TCU for #41 Colorado. Just for geography’s sake. Would be a pretty even trade.

[ORute]

I think Utah is really well positioned for the new era of CFB. Obviously a little biased, but our program has a ton going for it–more than many bluebloods. Here’s why:

-50 or whatever straight sellouts–shows consistently dedicated and passionate fanbase. Fanbase and engagement will be a huge factor for a new league–even if a team is historically good, an empty stadium is not an attractive product for TV. Some teams like say Miami can fall into a lull and so does their fanbase–making down years a really unattractive product. How many programs can measure an earthquake during their games? Big, loud crowds, regardless of current record make the TV product a lot better.
-Scrappy, blue-collar mentality–Utah’s program is known for doing more with less, making them easy to root for. Contrast to a USC–top talent and always underperforming. I think the country prefers a scrappy overperformer and its easier to root for.
-Great geo location in the heart of the west–makes travel easy for Western teams, growing UT population, proximity to Vegas–now a sports hub.
-Growing academic rep–although not what people tune in for fb games, having a well respected school only helps our football program and vice versa.
-Modern era success–contrast to say a Nebraska who hasn’t been able to compete in the modern era–for whatever reasons, we’ve so far been able to find success despite not having the deepest pockets, flashiest name or South Beach type location.
-A program that does it right–Whitt’s built a culture other programs strive for–this creates a desirable pipeline for recruits which is going to be the key for long-term success.
-NFL talent–we’ve produced top NFL players, huge factor for those wanting to watch top talent play in college fb games.

Yes, we’re not a historical blueblood, not a 100k stadium, but I think we’re very well positioned to be in the top tier of whatever new league CFB forms.

[PhiladelphiaUte]

FWIW, our sell out streak is currently at 14-yrs, 83-games.

[MDUte]

Thank you Dr. Chris Hill for not allowing Utah to overbuild RES!! He was so smart to talk to his peer ADs, listen, and not rush into expansion!

[CityCreekUte]

4×12 makes more sense than 4×10 to me.

Also I think geography plays in which can hurt some of teams we would be in competition with in the south and mid west for spots because I think Utah will benefit in some small ways by being easily the most desirable team in the Mountain time zone. Granted it’s the smallest time zone but it does help I think.

[FountainofUte]

If you go out to 12, it looks something like this:

EAST
Duke
Kentucky
Maryland
Michigan
Michigan State
North Carolina
Ohio State
Penn State
Pitt
Tennessee
Virginia
Virginia Tech

SOUTH
Alabama
Arkansas
Auburn
Clemson
Florida
Florida State
Georgia
LSU
Miami
NC State
Ole Miss
Texas A&M

MIDWEST
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Minnesota
Missouri
Northwestern
Notre Dame
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Purdue
Texas
Wisconsin

WEST
Arizona
Arizona State
California
Colorado
Nebraska
Oregon
Stanford
TCU
UCLA
USC
Utah
Washington

There are definitely some weird things if you look closely. The three Texas schools are each in different divisions. Nebraska is on a bit of an island in the west division, but they’re with Colorado.

Though, I agree, 12 seems like a better number than 10. And if you go out as far as 16, I think you start to get a pretty inclusive and fun cfb universe put together.

[OldAsDirtUte]

ULM?

One of Alabama’s most memorable losses.
ULM is picked dead last?

[Author]

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