College Football 2025

[MichVandal]

One other note- for all of the hype and talk of the lack of 5 star players on IU, hope this can change the whole HS star rating for players... Just watched a video about this and the data shows little correlation between HS star rating and NFL outcomes (outside of running backs, which are barely valued anymore)- and the entire intent of the HS rating is 5 star WILL be a first round draft pick and all 4 star will be drafted.

IU shows that stars and players can be developed in college, add in multiple players not even being close to their star rating in college....

 

[Slap Shot]

Hoosiers fan entered a Gophers chat saying Minnesota should fire Fleck because of what Cignetti has accomplished.

I said I take nothing away from what IU did, but they don't get there without a serious financial investment from both the university itself and donors, and until Minnesota is willing increase their spend, it's hard to expect better recruiting there. I do not suggest Fleck is irreplaceable.

He argued Minnesota would spend more if they had more confidence in Fleck. I said they may in fact lack confidence in him, but if that's all it takes to incentivize an increased budget, why not just replace him?

 

[psych]

Looking back on it- it would have been sweet to have IU kneel it down after getting that first down. But it was slightly sweeter to prevent Miami to have their "Hollywood" ending. And yes, that term was used- as if IU's win isn't a much, much better movie. Literally worst college football program of all time to NC is a way better story than Miami winning again.

In hindsight, I agree it was far better to watch that crybaby Beck throw an INT to end that stupid ass storyline (Beck rising from the ashes- who fucking cares) than IU getting to kneel down and win…but that false start, and the late hit penalty by Landino on 2 and 15, had me thinking IU had blown a 99.9% to win…and they’d never reach such heights again.

Instead…Hoosiers 2 in 2027?

 

[MichVandal]

In hindsight, I agree it was far better to watch that crybaby Beck throw an INT to end that stupid ass storyline (Beck rising from the ashes- who fucking cares) than IU getting to kneel down and win…but that false start, and the late hit penalty by Landino on 2 and 15, had me thinking IU had blown a 99.9% to win…and they’d never reach such heights again.

Instead…Hoosiers 2 in 2027?

I had the same doubts at the time, so I'm 100% with you on that. Whew....

 

[MichVandal]

Hoosiers fan entered a Gophers chat saying Minnesota should fire Fleck because of what Cignetti has accomplished.

I said I take nothing away from what IU did, but they don't get there without a serious financial investment from both the university itself and donors, and until Minnesota is willing increase their spend, it's hard to expect better recruiting there. I do not suggest Fleck is irreplaceable.

He argued Minnesota would spend more if they had more confidence in Fleck. I said they may in fact lack confidence in him, but if that's all it takes to incentivize an increased budget, why not just replace him?

I don't know the specifics of what's going on in Minnesota, or any other B1G school for that matter.

That being said, though, the B1G has a MASSIVE advantage of very wealthy potential donors than all other conferences- maybe other than the Ivy League. But that League hasn't really supported football for almost a decade now.

Lets look at the make up of alumni donors at B1G schools- lots of them are in the very high end research market of the US economy. Don't forget that almost all B1G schools have a research budget that is 500% to 2000% that of the athletic budget. All of that research pumps out some very, very smart alumni into markets that make them a shit ton of money. And since all B1G schools value some kind of athletics- the whole NIL potential debate is weighted toward the B1G.

Then add in the revenue sharing that is allowed- between the media contracts the B1G now has (which BTN is added to by many), the B1G has some of the largest stadiums in the US. So the average revenue of B1G schools is considerably higher than other schools. Meaning that both picking HS talent AND finding and picking up transfer portal talent is considerably easier for any B1G school that wants to. (while I see MN Hockey is struggling, I honestly don't see that lasting long- just use all the resources you can, including taking players that turn out to be good from small schools).

In summary, this is just an indicator that the B1G is very much in the drivers seat for all of college sports, if the school chooses to. IMHO.

Ironically, as a B1G alumni, we are actually looking to back out of our athletic donations because of the above. But I think we are in the minority.

 

[Proud2baLaker]

I don't know the specifics of what's going on in Minnesota, or any other B1G school for that matter.

That being said, though, the B1G has a MASSIVE advantage of very wealthy potential donors than all other conferences- maybe other than the Ivy League. But that League hasn't really supported football for almost a decade now.

Lets look at the make up of alumni donors at B1G schools- lots of them are in the very high end research market of the US economy. Don't forget that almost all B1G schools have a research budget that is 1000% to 2000% that of the athletic budget. All of that research pumps out some very, very smart alumni into markets that make them a shit ton of money. And since all B1G schools value some kind of athletics- the whole NIL potential debate is weighted toward the B1G.

Then add in the revenue sharing that is allowed- between the media contracts the B1G now has (which BTN is added to by many), the B1G has some of the largest stadiums in the US. So the average revenue of B1G schools is considerably higher than other schools. Meaning that both picking HS talent AND finding and picking up transfer portal talent is considerably easier for any B1G school that wants to. (while I see MN Hockey is struggling, I honestly don't see that lasting long- just use all the resources you can, including taking players that turn out to be good from small schools).

In summary, this is just an indicator that the B1G is very much in the drivers seat for all of college sports, if the school chooses to. IMHO.

Ironically, as a B1G alumni, we are actually looking to back out of our athletic donations because of the above. But I think we are in the minority.

In terms of NSF R&D funding for 2024, the Big 10 had #s: 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 14, 21, 25, 27, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 45, 53, 55, and 148. Iowa (53), Nebraska (55) and Oregon (148) are the only outside the top 50.

Florida, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, and Texas are the only SEC schools to crack the top 50.

For what its worth, Johns Hopkins is consistently #1, even if you split out the dollars to the Applied Physics Lab, they would still be #1 most years with the APL being top 5 itself.

 

[MichVandal]

In terms of NSF R&D funding for 2024, the Big 10 had #s: 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 14, 21, 25, 27, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 45, 53, 55, and 148. Iowa (53), Nebraska (55) and Oregon (148) are the only outside the top 50.

Florida, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, and Texas are the only SEC schools to crack the top 50.

For what its worth, Johns Hopkins is consistently #1, even if you split out the dollars to the Applied Physics Lab, they would still be #1 most years with the APL being top 5 itself.

I had to edit my post to be 500% research to athletic- as I just checked Iowa- their athletic budget is about $160M (according to 'The Gazette" and Iowa claims a research budget of $680M.

Still, your data supports the idea that the B1G is set up to make some very successful alumni, and the culture of attending all of them universally includes being interested in some kind of sport. Just happened to watch an ESPN interview with the finebalm- who points out that Alabama has zero billionaires to support them. Now that the B1G can use the same game the SEC has used under the table- the SEC no longer can stock up on talent (that they may never use) to hide from other schools. Let alone using the same mechanism now to attract players via the portal.

It's all about money, and the B1G has a shit ton more than the SEC.

 

[Jimjamesak]

In terms of NSF R&D funding for 2024, the Big 10 had #s: 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 14, 21, 25, 27, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 45, 53, 55, and 148. Iowa (53), Nebraska (55) and Oregon (148) are the only outside the top 50.

Florida, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, and Texas are the only SEC schools to crack the top 50.

For what its worth, Johns Hopkins is consistently #1, even if you split out the dollars to the Applied Physics Lab, they would still be #1 most years with the APL being top 5 itself.

In fairness to Oregon, while they’re not a research institution they are a Nike institution.

 

[Slap Shot]

I don't know the specifics of what's going on in Minnesota, or any other B1G school for that matter.

That being said, though, the B1G has a MASSIVE advantage of very wealthy potential donors than all other conferences- maybe other than the Ivy League. But that League hasn't really supported football for almost a decade now.

Lets look at the make up of alumni donors at B1G schools- lots of them are in the very high end research market of the US economy. Don't forget that almost all B1G schools have a research budget that is 500% to 2000% that of the athletic budget. All of that research pumps out some very, very smart alumni into markets that make them a shit ton of money. And since all B1G schools value some kind of athletics- the whole NIL potential debate is weighted toward the B1G.

Then add in the revenue sharing that is allowed- between the media contracts the B1G now has (which BTN is added to by many), the B1G has some of the largest stadiums in the US. So the average revenue of B1G schools is considerably higher than other schools. Meaning that both picking HS talent AND finding and picking up transfer portal talent is considerably easier for any B1G school that wants to. (while I see MN Hockey is struggling, I honestly don't see that lasting long- just use all the resources you can, including taking players that turn out to be good from small schools).

In summary, this is just an indicator that the B1G is very much in the drivers seat for all of college sports, if the school chooses to. IMHO.

Ironically, as a B1G alumni, we are actually looking to back out of our athletic donations because of the above. But I think we are in the minority.

All of that is true. But even with the league itself raking it in, within the league itself there are winners and losers and right now Minnesota is on the losing end comparatively. And if you can't compete in your conference you can't compete nationally.

Again IU earned the title asfaic so hats off to them. I wish Minnesota would finally make the necessary investment.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Let not lose sight of the important things, the SEC has now gone three seasons without a championship. Everyone needs to be working together to make sure that goes to at least ten.

 

[MichVandal]

All of that is true. But even with the league itself raking it in, within the league itself there are winners and losers and right now Minnesota is on the losing end comparatively. And if you can't compete in your conference you can't compete nationally.

Again IU earned the title asfaic so hats off to them. I wish Minnesota would finally make the necessary investment.

Totally agree. On both parts- super happy for IU and their amazing accomplishment.

But at least the B1G tries to distribute money evenly across the conference, unlike most other conferences where there is significant bias to the payouts. Not perfect, but better.

I'm still not sure how I actually feel about this, to be honest. It's nice and all to put the SEC in their place, but I'm not sure about where this all goes locally.

 

[Bronco]

Let not lose sight of the important things, the SEC has now gone three seasons without a championship. Everyone needs to be working together to make sure that goes to at least ten.

“And now at last it comes. You will give me the Ring freely! In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair!”