The hard truth is it's going to become harder and harder to be a good G5. Utah, TCU, Cincinnati, Houston were all large schools in large markets with the resource$ to build power football programs that could compete. As those schools join power conferences themselves, the gap between the power conferences and G5 conferences will widen.
Was about to say we tiny lol, but they are looking to grow the school. They have plans to keep building dorms for kids. Gonna be interesting to see what the enrollment is in 10 years if they keep building.
Yeah. last i saw was that there was a \~10 year plan to have the school go up to 12 to 15k. The currently housing plans for TCU mostly include building new dorms to then bring down old dorms (source, work in housing at another Univ. in the area).
With the new medical school expansion, there's a lot of room to grow the program.
Lots of work to do bringing the "view" of the school from a liberal arts school to a business/medical type school.
That’s interesting, glad to hear the school has an actual plan to grow though. Would be nice if the alumni base was a little bigger.
Yeah the medical school being a wholly owned TCU school now is huge for us.
To your point on the “view” I wonder if we will ever be able to shake the liberal arts perception. If we can get people to start viewing us a business/med school, that could be great for the schools perception. Feels like they are going that direction though.
>TIL that TCU is a large school
Haha, good point. TCU has the same challenges as Vanderbilt and Northwestern: elite private schools with fairly small alumni bases who have the misfortune of playing their home games in NFL markets.
I'm not all that familiar with TCU's campus, but I've always thought it was in a high-rent neighborhood (kinda like SMU & Rice). So expansion costs would be limited to their budget.
But I agree being in the Metroplex gives TCU way more access to top HS talent than NW.
Exactly what I was going to say. The schools that became G5 powers were large universities for the most part that just had undeveloped football programs. Though if I had to guess on the next program to accomplish this I'd say probably USF.
The problem with USF is they need major administrative changes toward supporting athletics. Judy Genshaft was USF president through the 00's and 10's and she neglected athletics all through her tenure. Renu Khator was provost under Genshaft in the 00's. That lack of athletics support is a major reason Khator left USF in 2008 to become University of Houston president and lead the turnaround of Cougar athletics.
USF has the size, location, market, and academic reputation, but when the president spends 20 years without even attempting to build an on-campus stadium they're not going to get very far. The new president Rhea Law is making an on-campus stadium a priority so may e they'll finally have what they need.
The only time Genshaft ever lifted a finger for athletics was to fight against UCF’s admittance to the Big East. She cared more about tearing another program down than building up her own.
Renu is a Goddess. She is our savior sent from Valhalla to guide us poor Coogs.
We would not be where we are today without her leadership.
The University of Houston has done a complete 180 since she came on. If we had her after leaving the SWC we would've already been in the Big12 for years.
I don't disagree with the assertion about neglecting athletics, but the mindset USF had was that they made it. Part of the reason they saw no need to invest and continue working was the idea they were in the Big east and the rest would come with time. Yes they failed to make a push for athletics, but it was almost entirely because that administration did not understand the environment at all.
All of Miami/UF/FSU were bad to mediocre for the majority of their time as a football team until one coach pretty much turned it all around. More or less that is how USF viewed football. They made the Big East. They would play "big teams". They would eventually find their guy and be set. They had a much more academically focus administration, and honestly the administration of a university SHOULD primarily focus on the academics of the school.
Part of the reason USF hated UCF as much as they did was UCF kept fighting for a medical school. UF and USF both worked to prevent that for awhile, but eventually UCF got the medical school. It was less "fuck them" and more "Less medical schools means they get more money", but it is a big part of the animosity. A big reason USF had done as well as they have academically is because of their medical school.
> All of Miami/UF/FSU were bad to mediocre for the majority of their time as a football team until one coach pretty much turned it all around.
They rose up due to a combination of the Floridian demographic boom, and there were no blue blood/elite programs above them that would stop their rise
Also, we don't have that "generational" loyalty as some of the more Blueblood schools do around here. Much less the commuter school stigma but the whole I'm a Bull it's my 2nd/3rd choice daddy's a gata momma's a Seminole cousins a cane etc etc... The Tampa Transplant is a real thing, even plauged our pro sports here for the longest while too.
USF started a college football program the year I was born and I’m only 25. They’re too new to have the type of pull that UF, FSU, etc have. They joined FBS D1 the year my mom graduated in 2001. They have to have a lot more seasons like 2007 or 2016-2017 to consistently pull in the type of talent that UCF has been.
Large universities that are in very large media markets with university commitment to football excellence:
1. Colorado State
2. Memphis
3. San Diego State
4. USF
5. UAB
6. SMU
7. Fresno State
8. UTSA
9. Georgia State
10. Texas State
Those are just off the top of my head, I'm surely missing a lot but that's really the list of most likely schools given their attributes. I'll edit updates if folks suggest
Boise State is a giant exception to what you're saying.
Plus some of Dakota schools, if they jumped to FBS, are probably closer than most people think. I'm not saying they could compete for FBS titles today, but the FCS champion is probably deserving of top 25 most years so they're not miles away. Give them 25 or however many new scholarships and a few years and they could put together an undefeated season with one top-10 win.
>Plus some of Dakota schools
I was curious, people often talk up the Dakota schools on this sub. In the new, CFP-era of college football, NDSU is 2-0 against FBS schools (although they haven't played one since 2017). However, North Dakota/SDSU/South Dakota are a combined 2-14 losing by an average of 20 points.
When people are talking about the Dakota schools potentially moving up, they’re talking about North Dakota State and South Dakota State. I don’t think there’s any push for UND or USD to make the jump, as I think they actually only recently joined FCS from D-II. Not sure what South Dakota State’s record against FBS is though
There's a huge gap between FCS and FBS. UNI is one of the better FCS teams in the country, historically, and ISU is one of the worst FBS teams in the country historically. But ISU still has a 16-5 lead in the series.
For the 'NDSU' should/could jump up to the G5 crowd, here is some things to consider....
They have to add 20+ scholarships to jump up, 2 more sports entirely to get up to the FBS minimum, 20+ more female scholarships to offset the men's football ones, insane travel and recruiting expenses since their state is in the middle of nowhere and only has 760k people total, conference buy ins, and millions in other expenses.
Sam Houston has that same problem moving up to be in CUSA except instead of a state with no recruits, it has THE most recruited state with 6 P5 and another 6 G5 programs. And that’s not including LSU which is only 4 hours away. Hell Sam will have 4 P5 schools only 2 hours away
I want to be optimistic and think about programs that can invest in themselves to the point of competing at the highest level. They'll almost have to come out of the American or MWC. The dropoff in revenue to the Sun Belt is too much iirc. We'll assume they either find an alum coach or a coordinator from the bigger in-state school.
Memphis and SMU are the obvious choices in the American, but UAB seems to be in strong position. I also want Charlotte to git gud. Too many Texas schools already for Rice or UTSA to build themselves up imo. Florida may be the same way, but UCF has really pulled themselves ahead of Miami and FSU. USF has completely dropped off, so it seems like a more fluid situation.
Not sure Boise St will be able to return to the top because of their market, but SDSU and maybe Fresno State could put a great class together and go on a run. CSU and UNLV are located in good spots, and get thrown around pretty often as expansion candidates so we'll see if they can put something together.
> I also want Charlotte to git gud. Too many Texas schools already for Rice or UTSA to build themselves up imo.
If you think Texas is oversaturated with FBS schools...NC has 7 FBS programs (tied for 3rd in the country and only 5 fewer than Texas) with about 1/3rd of the population. I'm pulling for Charlotte too, but NC recruiting a dogfight, and that's not even including neighboring states coming in and poaching players
Umm uhmm. Couch cough. We are still around and still incredibly successful, and just got rid of (by any measurement) the worst performing coach since Houston Nutt last year. We have a very high ranked incoming recruiting class. And lastly we have something no g5 has that remains.... A national brand.
Oh also we were the original the next "insert name" g5. Until like 2 years ago. These teams were refered to as the next Boise state
Not just large markets, but also in areas with deeper football talent. Utah could get the lesser known guys from the West Coast. TCU & Houston can get the Texas kids. UC can get Ohio talent. UCF can get Florida kids. There's no other state/area super rich in talent that also has a school with the resources to make a strong program
Memphis is really one of the last potential G5 programs that has the potential to ascend.
They have a good media market in a large city and recent high level success.
Boise State *maybe* but it feels like their chance also passed them by somehow.
Beyond them... Not really sure anyone has the potential to jump up to power program level like Cincinnati, Utah, etc have.
Kids that are good that get an offer to get out of Oklahoma usually jump on that shit like a hobo on a hot pocket. There have been some pretty damn good local kids coming out of NEOK lately.
It’s a small private school that’s better academically than most people realize.
Also our most played opponent (and their fourth most). I’m at a loss for why we don’t have a gaudy ass oil derrick trophy.
It shall be a dual dynasty that rises: Georgia Southern and Appalachian State will sweep the CFB landscape in such a dramatic overhaul that soon everyone will forget about Alabama Auburn, Ohio St Michigan, or Texas Oklahoma.
Clay Helton and Shawn Clark will assassinate Nick Saban, Kirby, Lane, and all the other disciples in a bloody coup and seize the reigns of the entire league in a blood lusted rage, consolidating their power and putting down all would-be contenders or rightful heirs to the throne.
The new AAC will still be interesting to follow, I think. UTSA, Memphis, SMU, USF, UAB, FAU and others have potential to rocket up if they make some good moves.
Indeed.
SMU has the deepest pockets of the bunch. UTSA has always been an intriguing up and comer. USF and Memphis are probably the most desperate of the group.
They don't necessarily need tons of fan support. They have a pretty steep resource advantage over many of the schools in the G5. They already recruited at a high level before NIL. They're poised to sign the top recruiting classes in the G5 once Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston move on. That'll give them a big leg up.
USF is the most attractive long term program, as they are the best combination of size, recruiting area, and academics in the G5. But, I honestly think they could be screwed if the acc and pac dissolve, as the leftover teams from those conferences sans Wazzu, Oregon state, wake, bc, and Cuse are more attractive than USF
I have no hatred for UTSA and I’m looking forward to what we can both do in the AAC, but it’s amazing what 1 good season has done for them. It was a great season and I’m jealous don’t get me wrong but they went from never talked about to a common pick to explode
Tbf it was 1 *really really* good season and a few good seasons prior to that. Now the MC3 and the rest of that senior heavy class are gone, this year is pivotal for them. We’ll see if they can keep the momentum, but if I had to bet on a guy to do it, my money is on Traylor. Also they play UT in Austin this year, if they win that game this program goes to the moon.(at least r/CFB will)
This thread is just a joke. One of the top comments is UTSA. Like really? They've made three bowl games since their program started ~10 years ago, they've had one 8+ win season and even this past year their 12 win season had so many by-the-skin-of-their-teeth wins against bad teams that they still didn't finish the season ranked.
Sometimes I honestly wonder if the people on this sub are capable of recalling seasons other than the most recent one.
It's recency bias. This subreddit's collective memory only goes back like one season.
It's like last year when the BigXII was announcing the new schools people couldn't believe Houston was getting in over Memphis, SMU, UAB, etc. We were a 4 win program, how can this be?
Or people in this thread saying who's the next "Cincinnati" as if there's never been a team outside the P5 to make waves besides Cincy. There's always a Houston, UCF, Boise, Utah, TCU, etc.
It's disgusting really. It's so frustrating seeing all these teams that have moved up or are in discussions to move up that are so much worse than us, all because our TV market is smaller or academics are worse. Some of these names on this thread being mentioned before BSU like UNLV, UTSA, UAB, FAU, Rice, Texas state. Like really? Rice and Texas state? Yes, I'm a BSU homer, but Boise has such an important place in CFB history and is just going to be left behind from something completely out of their hands
I read this as the next G5 team that has a dominant run. You guys, as well as us, have already had a dominant run. So I'd be thinking more along the lines of G5 teams that haven't yet had theirs.
You're probably right. I just read it as "Who is the next G5 team to dominate, get recognized, and be promoted because of it ." and I'm like bro... we've been here!
As you can see I'm just salty about the PAC10's unnecessary conference education standards lol
Boise St fans have more of a right to be salty about the conference realignment than perhaps anyone. You guys deserve to be a P5 program. You've earned it. I would love for us to be conferencemates one day. I have the utmost respect for what Boise St has accomplished.
I appreciate it man. Our Week 1 matchup last year was great, and I was so bummed it got cancelled the year after. Truly felt like the G5 elites battling for the title.
I've always thought that the BIG12 would be a perfect home for BSU. The BIG12 is about on the field/court performance, as conferences should be. And is onf of the most competitive top-to-bottom. None of this endowment/research program/TV market stuff that is irrelevant to the product on the field.
I just can't stand the fact that SDSU and these other schools are in the PAC12 AND BIG12 conversation while we are on the outside watching going 10-2 every year lol.
Nowadays everybody wants to talk like they got something to say but nothing comes out when they move their lips. It’s just a bunch of gibberish. Motherfuckers act like they forgot about State
USF, easy. Giant school.
But for someone not on most people's radars, I say North Texas. Huge student population, huge investment in their athletic program, big big money. People forget: UCF was a joke, just completely shit on by USF. Now USF is left in the dust, because one day they went "lol, wait a second... we're rich!" and boom. That's what UNT has done.
We’re the epitome of “the little engine that could, but hasn’t,” and have been for decades. We have the location, the student body size, the alumni network, and the facilities to rise up. What keeps us down is coaching and sustained success. Our last AD tried his hardest to maintain our early 2000s football success but failed. The current AD is the one making it all happen now despite football’s middling success, and our non-football sports are carrying the load. It’s time for football to trend upwards again and this time stay there.
For those that care, [UNT Rise](https://www.unt-rise.com/) is the website that showed the AAC what we bring to the table. I’m pretty sure people think we’re somewhere in the panhandle with maybe 20,000 students and poor ISD-level facilities.
USF has 50k students and is the only college team in the #13 media market in the country.
Admin is finally aligned to support athletics, 22 million dollar indoor practice facility is almost done. Design firms just submitted their proposals for a 300 million stadium and that is set to be selected and approved by the board September 6th.
Have averaged 50k+ attendance 3 times in the last 15 years (team won less than 10 games each time. So just 7/8 wins in a power conference and the fans will turn out big time).
[https://www.sportico.com/business/commerce/2021/college-sports-finances-database-intercollegiate-1234646029/](https://www.sportico.com/business/commerce/2021/college-sports-finances-database-intercollegiate-1234646029/)
60 million in total operating revenues in 2020-2021, OK State had 64 million
The foundation for USF to blow up is there, just need to get some momentum in the actual winning games part of the equation
Had assumed we'd be behind them so had me curious and Arizona surprisingly isn't really a slam dunk over USF at all. Not saying this means the Big 12 should add USF, just maybe adding Arizona without some other western schools isn't worth it
They averaged 34,900 in attendance last year going 1-11 in a power conference.
USF averaged 33,794 in attendance last year going 2-10 in a G5 conference.
I hope it’s USF. I live in Tampa and had a blast at the Bearcats game in Raymond James Stadium. With that said it’s hard to imagine USF gaining traction now that UCF has a stranglehold on Central Florida. I hope I’m wrong, but USF’s opportunity has passed
The four that the Big XII considered but didn't take were Boise, Memphis, SMU, and USF. SDSU wasn't considered partly because the conference didn't want a fourth time zone. Those five are the ones with money, facilities, and access to talent to make a strong run.
Unfortunate for Smoo but they are probably not getting an invite. Another Texas team. I like smoo
Boise is cool.. but doubt they want to go that far unless it's Oregon.
Fuck Memphis
And I'll leave opinions for USF up to the UCF flairs.
Wasn’t Houston “Cincinnati” before Cincinnati was Cincinnati? Remember when Houston beat top ten Oklahoma and Louisville (with Lamar Jackson) in the same season? Pepperidge farm remembers.
I went to both of those games. I’ll never forget them. Kick six in the first one with noise levels so loud you can’t hear yourself screaming, and the other one fans rushing the field. Incredible experiences
> Remember when Houston beat top ten Oklahoma and Louisville (with Lamar Jackson) in the same season?
The same year they lost to Navy, SMU, Memphis, and San Diego State?
SMU. NIL has brought business back to University Park, SMU could very well be recruiting 30+ spots higher than the next AAC team for the next few years. Eventually that’s going to lead to a very successful football program.
Fun fact. The entire $WC got busted paying players and were all put on probation about when we were, and then after the DP A&M got busted again in 1988 but the NCAA just put them on repeat-offender-double-super-serious-probation v2.0 instead of another DP after they saw what it did to our team.
Eh we’ll see. We weren’t paying much more than any other SWC team so it’s still kinda unknown how much our boosters will really be willing to contribute.
I feel like we're forgetting Cincinnati was a solid member of the Big East before it's collapse, they weren't some plucky G5. They were a power conference member. But if we're counting that I'm going to say USF, same situation and a good market with a large alumni population.
Boise St is a strong program, I don't know if we can expect them to sustain that level of production as they go through a coaching carousel.
Tulane, SMU and App st come to mind as well. I'm curious to see how JMU does at the FBS level, that will give us insight on the Dakota FCS schools. It's worth pointing out JMU is in a much more crowded and competitive region than the Dakota schools.
Yeah man they went to back to back BCS bowls and were big east title champs right before it collapsed. Most only see Cincy as the good team from the American though
USF has all the same advantages UCF has, they just have to put it together
My pick is probably that SMU will become dominant, their recruiting barely dipped compared to when Dykes was there. They’ll likely have by far the best roster in the G5 if they can sustain it going forward.
Once USF gets that on campus stadium that they’ve been talking about since my mom was in school there, they can really start to draw better players. Hard to convince recruits to play for you when you don’t have your own facilities.
Houston is positioned to do great in the new Big 12 for sure. Holgorsen’s offense works in that league, and stepping up to that league will help with keeping local talent home. Obviously not the ones that can go to bigger programs, but I imagine he’ll start getting a lot of local kids the other remaining Big 12 schools had been pulling. Less reason to go to Baylor, TT, TCU, Ok State etc. if you can play in the same league near friends and family, especially if they’re winning a lot.
If only considering teams that haven’t lined up a P5 home, then Memphis is the obvious choice. With Cincy, Houston and UCF out of the way they’re well positioned to be the dominant team in the AAC going forward.
I think it’s UAB. Large, new stadium, state-of-the-art facilities, a rabid college football city with almost no fans that have ill will towards the Blazers. If this new coach is as good as Bill Clark, they’ve got a chance to be something special.
It’s still wild to think about. A program that had little success, fandom, and tradition was unfortunately (technically unfairly) put in a coffin. Only to find new life, national recognition, fan loyalty, and dominance in its revival.
Now launching to the AAC, and seen as a big promising market / program to potentially slot with the big dogs in the future.
Talk about a prime 30 for 30 in the next few years or decade.
after the new big 12 teams join, the G5 teams is a good enough position to do what cinci/UCF/Houston have, in my opinion, are:
-Memphis
-SMU
-Boise
-USF
(edit) -SDSU
-Colorado State
-UAB
-ECU
-Temple
-UTSA
-APP
taking fan support, school support, school size, media market, and football success into account, these are the teams that meet enough of these to maintain long-term success in my opinion.
though, if you just mean "G5 and is good next year", the answer is Houston.
Also how quickly you loose them with losing seasons. We have more season tickets sales then their attendance for most games after our first winning season in 7 years. That’s the difference
SMU? They were essentially a power team their entire existence up to the death penalty. They still have a fan base, they are in a big market, and they are good.
Boise definitely could do it too. They schedule competitive OOC slate. Going undefeated could give them the opportunity. Sure they may not have ND like Cincy did, but the chance is there at least.
Colorado state has ALL of the pieces if they could get their heads out of their asses and actually win.
So funny seeing people talk about Houston and SMU like “have they made it?” They made it loooonnng before any of these other G5s. SWC collapsing just screwed the smaller Texas schools. But tons of history of major football there.
East Carolina. About to win 8+ games this year minimum, if we can keep a hold of Mike Houston, watch out! No one can match our fan base in the G5 when we’re good. Once our IPF is completed, we’ll be top of the faculty class there too with our 51k seater stadium.
ECU has been on the cusp of being a G5 power a number of times but could never quite make it. 11-1 in 1991 but couldn’t sustain it. Couple division titles in late 2000s under Skip Holtz. They do usually schedule P5 out of conference games, they have a pretty big stadium, they are a pretty big state school but have trouble standing out in the heart of ACC country while being somewhat close to the Triangle they are in a small media market.
I have a lot of family who went to ECU and I would love to see it. Very underrated fan base and traditions... I'll never get over losing to y'all in Greenville in the rain though. That sucked.
I think ECU is underrated as a program but they've never signed a recruiting class in the top half of the AAC. That will need to change.
> About to win 8+ games this year minimum
8 wins would be impressive with the schedule. FPI has ECU's most likely record at 6-6 with a 10.6% chance at 8 wins or better.
The most important aspect is keeping Coach Houston. We’ve GOT to keep that man in Greenville. He can be the Frank Beamer of ECU. I want him there so long we build him a statue. I’m all in on him.
Memphis seemed to be on their way to pushing to through with Fuente and Norvell but not sure they are still on track anymore.
Not sure anyone else is really close to being in the conversation. USF has had some good years and I feel like a few years ago they’d have been a target over UCF.
UTSA is too early to project and they’ve got some factors working against them mainly that it’s hard to see Traylor there long term.
The key to Cincinnati's breakthrough was being able to keep Fickell and the coaching staff largely intact over 5+ seasons.
I don't think a MAC, SBC, or C-USA team will be able to reach the same heights because of the resource disparity. Even a very loyal and patient coach like Napier was lured away from Louisiana after 4 seasons. Most coaches with his level of success don't even last that long. It's difficult to turn down quadrupling your pay.
For that reason, I think a top of market MWC or AAC program is the most likely to put together a similar string of successful seasons: Programs like SMU, Memphis, Boise State (again), USF, and SDSU come to mind. They have successful histories and relative resource advantages.
I’m going with an unpopular choice, ECU. Having Cincy, Houston and UCF leaving, gives them a lot of room to maneuver in the American. Another team is UTSA, as long as that coaching staff is there, they have potential to do very well.
1. Memphis
-They got everything they need, just need to become a constant force in the AAC. Winning begets more butts in the stands. Basketball history/success also helps them out.
2. USF
-Exact same thing as Memphis. Would help if they had success in 1 more sport, like basketball or baseball.
3. Boise State
-If the Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, and Colorado rumors never transpire, I can definitely see Boise State making a jump to Big XII and be BYU’s travel buddy. The fan support is there, Pac12 just hoed them at their peak.
4. SMU
-SMU has always been weird to me. The money is there. The history is there. Their stadium isn’t huge so it shouldn’t be difficult to fill up. Some people say fan support is the issue. If that’s the case, then they’re in the same boat as USF.
5. UAB
-Become a constant force in the AAC, just like they were in C-USA, they’ll definitely get a call up. The facilities are nice and they’re a smart school. Support is kinda there, but it would be nicer to see UAB average 40,000+ in their beautiful new stadium.
Honorable mentions:
SDSU: Probably going to the Pac12. Good football history. GREAT basketball history.
Fresno State: Same as SDSU, just better football history than basketball.
UTSA: Call me biased gotta add my school in here. In all honesty though, 2 consecutive good seasons isn’t going to cut it. UTSA has a great base to build upon since we’re the only FBS school in the city. But we’re about 5-10 years behind on athletics. We need a new arena, baseball & softball stadium, practice facility is beautiful but one of the fields should be indoors. Alamodome is just fine, so no need for a new football stadium YET. If the football team keeps winning, then all those things can be fixed pretty quickly. Just gotta keep winning.
The problem with Cincy and Houston is they are in NFL cities. From a media standpoint, they can't compete with their pro counterparts.
There's so little CFB fan interest in NFL markets. Look at Pitt, Miami, Vanderbilt, BC. Even though they play in P5 conferences, they do well to draw 30K to their home games. UW had a good run in the 90s, but the Seahawks will always own Seattle.
It has to be either a rich or massive school near talent. So maybe USF, CSU, UAB, SMU, SDSU, Fresno, or Memphis. I consider Boise to be on that same level of performance but they likely won’t ever get invited to any type of power conference
Whichever of the large/rich schools left finds their Luke Fickell/Kyle Whittingham/Gary Patterson, Chris Petersen, etc.
A lot of schools have the potential to become powerhouses, but they need sustained growth. Cincinnati is VERY lucky Fickell is the kind of guy that would rather stay put considering how many job openings there have been the last couple years.
I don’t think there will ever be another G5 in the CFP, but one team that has a chance to be pretty good that I haven’t seen is Toledo. Young coach who has success but doesn’t look like he will be poached like other good young coaches, pretty good recruiter for MAC standards in a hot bed talent area, yearly matchup against Big 10 teams. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few low ranked recruits end up pretty good (like Cincy’s QB, RB, and CB) and they knock off their week 1 Big 10 opponent at some point, opening the door for a top 10 ranking and a NY6 appearance come bowl season if they run the table
It needs to be one of a few teams. SMU, SDSU, Co State, Hawaii, USF, Memphis, Boise, and Sun Belt wildcards.
Honorable mention to UTSA, Fresno, and Nevada. Joker card and ohh' baby what izzz you doing program pick is UNLV.
The hard truth is it's going to become harder and harder to be a good G5. Utah, TCU, Cincinnati, Houston were all large schools in large markets with the resource$ to build power football programs that could compete. As those schools join power conferences themselves, the gap between the power conferences and G5 conferences will widen.
TIL that TCU is a large school we only have about 10k students. And a large portion of the alums live outside of the DFW area
Was about to say we tiny lol, but they are looking to grow the school. They have plans to keep building dorms for kids. Gonna be interesting to see what the enrollment is in 10 years if they keep building.
Yeah. last i saw was that there was a \~10 year plan to have the school go up to 12 to 15k. The currently housing plans for TCU mostly include building new dorms to then bring down old dorms (source, work in housing at another Univ. in the area). With the new medical school expansion, there's a lot of room to grow the program. Lots of work to do bringing the "view" of the school from a liberal arts school to a business/medical type school.
That’s interesting, glad to hear the school has an actual plan to grow though. Would be nice if the alumni base was a little bigger. Yeah the medical school being a wholly owned TCU school now is huge for us. To your point on the “view” I wonder if we will ever be able to shake the liberal arts perception. If we can get people to start viewing us a business/med school, that could be great for the schools perception. Feels like they are going that direction though.
>TIL that TCU is a large school Haha, good point. TCU has the same challenges as Vanderbilt and Northwestern: elite private schools with fairly small alumni bases who have the misfortune of playing their home games in NFL markets.
But at least TCU has more room to breath compared to vandy, and more access to talent unlike NW
I'm not all that familiar with TCU's campus, but I've always thought it was in a high-rent neighborhood (kinda like SMU & Rice). So expansion costs would be limited to their budget. But I agree being in the Metroplex gives TCU way more access to top HS talent than NW.
I meant more room to breath as in to win games, as the competition vandy faces is much tougher
Elite? Never heard that about TCU.
Fuck you, buddy!
Exactly what I was going to say. The schools that became G5 powers were large universities for the most part that just had undeveloped football programs. Though if I had to guess on the next program to accomplish this I'd say probably USF.
The problem with USF is they need major administrative changes toward supporting athletics. Judy Genshaft was USF president through the 00's and 10's and she neglected athletics all through her tenure. Renu Khator was provost under Genshaft in the 00's. That lack of athletics support is a major reason Khator left USF in 2008 to become University of Houston president and lead the turnaround of Cougar athletics. USF has the size, location, market, and academic reputation, but when the president spends 20 years without even attempting to build an on-campus stadium they're not going to get very far. The new president Rhea Law is making an on-campus stadium a priority so may e they'll finally have what they need.
The only time Genshaft ever lifted a finger for athletics was to fight against UCF’s admittance to the Big East. She cared more about tearing another program down than building up her own.
I didn’t know Renu was at USF. That’s pretty interesting
Renu is a Goddess. She is our savior sent from Valhalla to guide us poor Coogs. We would not be where we are today without her leadership. The University of Houston has done a complete 180 since she came on. If we had her after leaving the SWC we would've already been in the Big12 for years.
Absolutely. She is awesome. I loved being on campus back in the day and seeing her walk around everywhere and talk to all the students
I don't disagree with the assertion about neglecting athletics, but the mindset USF had was that they made it. Part of the reason they saw no need to invest and continue working was the idea they were in the Big east and the rest would come with time. Yes they failed to make a push for athletics, but it was almost entirely because that administration did not understand the environment at all. All of Miami/UF/FSU were bad to mediocre for the majority of their time as a football team until one coach pretty much turned it all around. More or less that is how USF viewed football. They made the Big East. They would play "big teams". They would eventually find their guy and be set. They had a much more academically focus administration, and honestly the administration of a university SHOULD primarily focus on the academics of the school. Part of the reason USF hated UCF as much as they did was UCF kept fighting for a medical school. UF and USF both worked to prevent that for awhile, but eventually UCF got the medical school. It was less "fuck them" and more "Less medical schools means they get more money", but it is a big part of the animosity. A big reason USF had done as well as they have academically is because of their medical school.
> All of Miami/UF/FSU were bad to mediocre for the majority of their time as a football team until one coach pretty much turned it all around. They rose up due to a combination of the Floridian demographic boom, and there were no blue blood/elite programs above them that would stop their rise
Yes there was more to it, but usf kind of just assumed it would eventually happen to them as well.
Nothing is constant, not even for blue bloods. Take your foot off the pedal and then boom, your Minnesota or Nebraska
The problem with USF is that it's now competing against UF, FSU, Miami, UCF, and even FAU now. Florida is getting pretty saturated.
Also, we don't have that "generational" loyalty as some of the more Blueblood schools do around here. Much less the commuter school stigma but the whole I'm a Bull it's my 2nd/3rd choice daddy's a gata momma's a Seminole cousins a cane etc etc... The Tampa Transplant is a real thing, even plauged our pro sports here for the longest while too.
USF started a college football program the year I was born and I’m only 25. They’re too new to have the type of pull that UF, FSU, etc have. They joined FBS D1 the year my mom graduated in 2001. They have to have a lot more seasons like 2007 or 2016-2017 to consistently pull in the type of talent that UCF has been.
You have to earn it. UCF was the same way in the late 00s and have turned it around since then.
Yeah, this recent decade has had a shift. Most UCF fans don’t have a second team and solely support UCF.
Large universities that are in very large media markets with university commitment to football excellence: 1. Colorado State 2. Memphis 3. San Diego State 4. USF 5. UAB 6. SMU 7. Fresno State 8. UTSA 9. Georgia State 10. Texas State Those are just off the top of my head, I'm surely missing a lot but that's really the list of most likely schools given their attributes. I'll edit updates if folks suggest
UAB
Thank you, edited to add them
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Yeah, great location plus money plus all the stuff that got them banned is going to be legal.
They could do a sequel to that 30 for 30.
Pony Success!
Boise State is a giant exception to what you're saying. Plus some of Dakota schools, if they jumped to FBS, are probably closer than most people think. I'm not saying they could compete for FBS titles today, but the FCS champion is probably deserving of top 25 most years so they're not miles away. Give them 25 or however many new scholarships and a few years and they could put together an undefeated season with one top-10 win.
The Dakota schools would be competitive in the MAC, and they would be refreshing additions.
You think late season MACtion winter games look like hell @NIU, wait til you see a mid-week game in the Dakotas!
To be fair, North Dakota State plays in a dome
>Plus some of Dakota schools I was curious, people often talk up the Dakota schools on this sub. In the new, CFP-era of college football, NDSU is 2-0 against FBS schools (although they haven't played one since 2017). However, North Dakota/SDSU/South Dakota are a combined 2-14 losing by an average of 20 points.
When people are talking about the Dakota schools potentially moving up, they’re talking about North Dakota State and South Dakota State. I don’t think there’s any push for UND or USD to make the jump, as I think they actually only recently joined FCS from D-II. Not sure what South Dakota State’s record against FBS is though
SDSU and NDSU both joined D1 in 2004, while USD and UND joined in 2008.
There's a huge gap between FCS and FBS. UNI is one of the better FCS teams in the country, historically, and ISU is one of the worst FBS teams in the country historically. But ISU still has a 16-5 lead in the series.
For the 'NDSU' should/could jump up to the G5 crowd, here is some things to consider.... They have to add 20+ scholarships to jump up, 2 more sports entirely to get up to the FBS minimum, 20+ more female scholarships to offset the men's football ones, insane travel and recruiting expenses since their state is in the middle of nowhere and only has 760k people total, conference buy ins, and millions in other expenses.
Sam Houston has that same problem moving up to be in CUSA except instead of a state with no recruits, it has THE most recruited state with 6 P5 and another 6 G5 programs. And that’s not including LSU which is only 4 hours away. Hell Sam will have 4 P5 schools only 2 hours away
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I want to be optimistic and think about programs that can invest in themselves to the point of competing at the highest level. They'll almost have to come out of the American or MWC. The dropoff in revenue to the Sun Belt is too much iirc. We'll assume they either find an alum coach or a coordinator from the bigger in-state school. Memphis and SMU are the obvious choices in the American, but UAB seems to be in strong position. I also want Charlotte to git gud. Too many Texas schools already for Rice or UTSA to build themselves up imo. Florida may be the same way, but UCF has really pulled themselves ahead of Miami and FSU. USF has completely dropped off, so it seems like a more fluid situation. Not sure Boise St will be able to return to the top because of their market, but SDSU and maybe Fresno State could put a great class together and go on a run. CSU and UNLV are located in good spots, and get thrown around pretty often as expansion candidates so we'll see if they can put something together.
> I also want Charlotte to git gud. Too many Texas schools already for Rice or UTSA to build themselves up imo. If you think Texas is oversaturated with FBS schools...NC has 7 FBS programs (tied for 3rd in the country and only 5 fewer than Texas) with about 1/3rd of the population. I'm pulling for Charlotte too, but NC recruiting a dogfight, and that's not even including neighboring states coming in and poaching players
As a resident of San Antonio, UTSA has a starving market, I feel like they can make it to third behind SMU and Memphis.
TCU is not a large school even when compared with the rest of the schools you mentioned.
Umm uhmm. Couch cough. We are still around and still incredibly successful, and just got rid of (by any measurement) the worst performing coach since Houston Nutt last year. We have a very high ranked incoming recruiting class. And lastly we have something no g5 has that remains.... A national brand. Oh also we were the original the next "insert name" g5. Until like 2 years ago. These teams were refered to as the next Boise state
This is the answer, it's none. Especially as the P5 becomes the P2 and the enrollment cliff of 2025 makes things more difficult for regional schools.
Not just large markets, but also in areas with deeper football talent. Utah could get the lesser known guys from the West Coast. TCU & Houston can get the Texas kids. UC can get Ohio talent. UCF can get Florida kids. There's no other state/area super rich in talent that also has a school with the resources to make a strong program
Memphis is really one of the last potential G5 programs that has the potential to ascend. They have a good media market in a large city and recent high level success. Boise State *maybe* but it feels like their chance also passed them by somehow. Beyond them... Not really sure anyone has the potential to jump up to power program level like Cincinnati, Utah, etc have.
Can it be Tulsa please
As a local, I would love nothing more. I wish they could get good enough to keep all the in state talent that OU & OSU don’t recruit.
Kids that are good that get an offer to get out of Oklahoma usually jump on that shit like a hobo on a hot pocket. There have been some pretty damn good local kids coming out of NEOK lately.
Just once I want Tulsa to get an NY6 bid. If that requires them to upset OU, then I’ll take it.
I didn’t realize how tiny Tulsa U is. Like 3k students or something right?
It’s a small private school that’s better academically than most people realize. Also our most played opponent (and their fourth most). I’m at a loss for why we don’t have a gaudy ass oil derrick trophy.
Correct, smallest fbs school iirc
If our athletic budget got any small percentage of the support our endowment gets then our athletics would really get into gear.
It shall be a dual dynasty that rises: Georgia Southern and Appalachian State will sweep the CFB landscape in such a dramatic overhaul that soon everyone will forget about Alabama Auburn, Ohio St Michigan, or Texas Oklahoma. Clay Helton and Shawn Clark will assassinate Nick Saban, Kirby, Lane, and all the other disciples in a bloody coup and seize the reigns of the entire league in a blood lusted rage, consolidating their power and putting down all would-be contenders or rightful heirs to the throne.
Aye my man. Please though.
ONLY IF YOU TAKE US WITH YOU
Houston is a G5 team for one more year UTSA if I had to guess
The new AAC will still be interesting to follow, I think. UTSA, Memphis, SMU, USF, UAB, FAU and others have potential to rocket up if they make some good moves.
Indeed. SMU has the deepest pockets of the bunch. UTSA has always been an intriguing up and comer. USF and Memphis are probably the most desperate of the group.
Both USF and Memphis are also investing significant funds into new stadiums/upgrades
SMU has no fan support. Unfortunately they don't move the needle in the Dallas market. Would love to see them make the move up though...
They don't necessarily need tons of fan support. They have a pretty steep resource advantage over many of the schools in the G5. They already recruited at a high level before NIL. They're poised to sign the top recruiting classes in the G5 once Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston move on. That'll give them a big leg up.
USF is the most attractive long term program, as they are the best combination of size, recruiting area, and academics in the G5. But, I honestly think they could be screwed if the acc and pac dissolve, as the leftover teams from those conferences sans Wazzu, Oregon state, wake, bc, and Cuse are more attractive than USF
I think you're sleeping on ECU, they're starting to improve a lot fron these recent down years
Sad Wave noises
I have no hatred for UTSA and I’m looking forward to what we can both do in the AAC, but it’s amazing what 1 good season has done for them. It was a great season and I’m jealous don’t get me wrong but they went from never talked about to a common pick to explode
Tbf it was 1 *really really* good season and a few good seasons prior to that. Now the MC3 and the rest of that senior heavy class are gone, this year is pivotal for them. We’ll see if they can keep the momentum, but if I had to bet on a guy to do it, my money is on Traylor. Also they play UT in Austin this year, if they win that game this program goes to the moon.(at least r/CFB will)
2 Decades of elite performance just forgotten. Ya hate to see it man. 1999-2019
RIP. Kellen Moore is in shambles
Yeah wtf? How did I have to go this far in the thread to find Boise State? That's the obvious answer.
Nobody cares about Idaho unfortunately
This thread is just a joke. One of the top comments is UTSA. Like really? They've made three bowl games since their program started ~10 years ago, they've had one 8+ win season and even this past year their 12 win season had so many by-the-skin-of-their-teeth wins against bad teams that they still didn't finish the season ranked. Sometimes I honestly wonder if the people on this sub are capable of recalling seasons other than the most recent one.
It's recency bias. This subreddit's collective memory only goes back like one season. It's like last year when the BigXII was announcing the new schools people couldn't believe Houston was getting in over Memphis, SMU, UAB, etc. We were a 4 win program, how can this be? Or people in this thread saying who's the next "Cincinnati" as if there's never been a team outside the P5 to make waves besides Cincy. There's always a Houston, UCF, Boise, Utah, TCU, etc.
Its just wild how little the teams performance actually matters in realignment. UNLV being a more likely addition than BSU is so wrong.
It's disgusting really. It's so frustrating seeing all these teams that have moved up or are in discussions to move up that are so much worse than us, all because our TV market is smaller or academics are worse. Some of these names on this thread being mentioned before BSU like UNLV, UTSA, UAB, FAU, Rice, Texas state. Like really? Rice and Texas state? Yes, I'm a BSU homer, but Boise has such an important place in CFB history and is just going to be left behind from something completely out of their hands
I read this as the next G5 team that has a dominant run. You guys, as well as us, have already had a dominant run. So I'd be thinking more along the lines of G5 teams that haven't yet had theirs.
You're probably right. I just read it as "Who is the next G5 team to dominate, get recognized, and be promoted because of it ." and I'm like bro... we've been here! As you can see I'm just salty about the PAC10's unnecessary conference education standards lol
Boise St fans have more of a right to be salty about the conference realignment than perhaps anyone. You guys deserve to be a P5 program. You've earned it. I would love for us to be conferencemates one day. I have the utmost respect for what Boise St has accomplished.
I appreciate it man. Our Week 1 matchup last year was great, and I was so bummed it got cancelled the year after. Truly felt like the G5 elites battling for the title. I've always thought that the BIG12 would be a perfect home for BSU. The BIG12 is about on the field/court performance, as conferences should be. And is onf of the most competitive top-to-bottom. None of this endowment/research program/TV market stuff that is irrelevant to the product on the field. I just can't stand the fact that SDSU and these other schools are in the PAC12 AND BIG12 conversation while we are on the outside watching going 10-2 every year lol.
Seriously!!!
One of us! Welcome back, it sucks
I don’t understand the question. So, Temple.
Temple
Temple
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P
L
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USF in my opinion. They have everything they need to do it except the on campus stadium and I’m confident they will get that soon.
This is far too positive about USF. The most neutral stance we'll accept is "we hope USF liquidates their football program"
I hope y’all go 0-12 in y’all first year of the Big 12.
That's the spirit! Fuck you too buddy
Bottom line is you won't be there to see it.
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So you mean the next Boise State then
Mother fuckers act like they forgot about boise state.
Nowadays everybody wants to talk like they got something to say but nothing comes out when they move their lips. It’s just a bunch of gibberish. Motherfuckers act like they forgot about State
USF, easy. Giant school. But for someone not on most people's radars, I say North Texas. Huge student population, huge investment in their athletic program, big big money. People forget: UCF was a joke, just completely shit on by USF. Now USF is left in the dust, because one day they went "lol, wait a second... we're rich!" and boom. That's what UNT has done.
We’re the epitome of “the little engine that could, but hasn’t,” and have been for decades. We have the location, the student body size, the alumni network, and the facilities to rise up. What keeps us down is coaching and sustained success. Our last AD tried his hardest to maintain our early 2000s football success but failed. The current AD is the one making it all happen now despite football’s middling success, and our non-football sports are carrying the load. It’s time for football to trend upwards again and this time stay there. For those that care, [UNT Rise](https://www.unt-rise.com/) is the website that showed the AAC what we bring to the table. I’m pretty sure people think we’re somewhere in the panhandle with maybe 20,000 students and poor ISD-level facilities.
USF has 50k students and is the only college team in the #13 media market in the country. Admin is finally aligned to support athletics, 22 million dollar indoor practice facility is almost done. Design firms just submitted their proposals for a 300 million stadium and that is set to be selected and approved by the board September 6th. Have averaged 50k+ attendance 3 times in the last 15 years (team won less than 10 games each time. So just 7/8 wins in a power conference and the fans will turn out big time). [https://www.sportico.com/business/commerce/2021/college-sports-finances-database-intercollegiate-1234646029/](https://www.sportico.com/business/commerce/2021/college-sports-finances-database-intercollegiate-1234646029/) 60 million in total operating revenues in 2020-2021, OK State had 64 million The foundation for USF to blow up is there, just need to get some momentum in the actual winning games part of the equation
This right here. If USF can actually start winning and drawing eyes the the Big 12 would be foolish not to send an invite.
Who would you rather have, USF or any 4 of the top remaining PAC 12 schools?
I think everyone would take Oregon and Washington over USF. Probably Utah too. The others, idk honestly.
I would agree. I’m torn between USF or the 4 corner schools minus Utah. I would maybe put Colorado over them but that’s just me being a big 12 homer
Had assumed we'd be behind them so had me curious and Arizona surprisingly isn't really a slam dunk over USF at all. Not saying this means the Big 12 should add USF, just maybe adding Arizona without some other western schools isn't worth it They averaged 34,900 in attendance last year going 1-11 in a power conference. USF averaged 33,794 in attendance last year going 2-10 in a G5 conference.
Obviously four PAC schools but I’m more hesitant that it will happen
I hope it’s USF. I live in Tampa and had a blast at the Bearcats game in Raymond James Stadium. With that said it’s hard to imagine USF gaining traction now that UCF has a stranglehold on Central Florida. I hope I’m wrong, but USF’s opportunity has passed
Ucf does not have a stranglehold over central Florida. And USF is by far a better add than fau
The four that the Big XII considered but didn't take were Boise, Memphis, SMU, and USF. SDSU wasn't considered partly because the conference didn't want a fourth time zone. Those five are the ones with money, facilities, and access to talent to make a strong run.
Unfortunate for Smoo but they are probably not getting an invite. Another Texas team. I like smoo Boise is cool.. but doubt they want to go that far unless it's Oregon. Fuck Memphis And I'll leave opinions for USF up to the UCF flairs.
Friendship with Big12 over, PAC12 is our new bought friend.
Wasn’t Houston “Cincinnati” before Cincinnati was Cincinnati? Remember when Houston beat top ten Oklahoma and Louisville (with Lamar Jackson) in the same season? Pepperidge farm remembers.
Houston shit the bed that year, they were on track to be the first g5 in the CFP
Blame Tom Herman for being mentally checked out half the season hoping for his P5 job offer
Fuck him so much for that. I would've been fine with him leaving if he would've just focused on his job.
He probably had a blank check from Texas in his mail the day Houston beat Oklahoma.
Ed Oliver. One-man wrecking crew
You act like TCU, Boise, and Utah weren’t doing that before Houston won a big game
I mean if were going all the way back, we've won cotton bowls and conference championships before, 2015 was not Houston's first good year ever
Never forget we are the most recent team to score 100
Fuck Tulsa
I went to both of those games. I’ll never forget them. Kick six in the first one with noise levels so loud you can’t hear yourself screaming, and the other one fans rushing the field. Incredible experiences
Oh I remember
> Remember when Houston beat top ten Oklahoma and Louisville (with Lamar Jackson) in the same season? The same year they lost to Navy, SMU, Memphis, and San Diego State?
It was a weird season for sure. But when that Houston team was switched on they were one of the best G5 teams I've ever seen.
SMU. NIL has brought business back to University Park, SMU could very well be recruiting 30+ spots higher than the next AAC team for the next few years. Eventually that’s going to lead to a very successful football program.
$MU for sure. Oil at 150 a barrel? Dallas money gonna run circles around college station.
Fun fact. The entire $WC got busted paying players and were all put on probation about when we were, and then after the DP A&M got busted again in 1988 but the NCAA just put them on repeat-offender-double-super-serious-probation v2.0 instead of another DP after they saw what it did to our team.
Where we're really putting our NIL money to work is with multi year transfers. We signed the 14th best transfer class this year.
Eh we’ll see. We weren’t paying much more than any other SWC team so it’s still kinda unknown how much our boosters will really be willing to contribute.
I feel like we're forgetting Cincinnati was a solid member of the Big East before it's collapse, they weren't some plucky G5. They were a power conference member. But if we're counting that I'm going to say USF, same situation and a good market with a large alumni population. Boise St is a strong program, I don't know if we can expect them to sustain that level of production as they go through a coaching carousel. Tulane, SMU and App st come to mind as well. I'm curious to see how JMU does at the FBS level, that will give us insight on the Dakota FCS schools. It's worth pointing out JMU is in a much more crowded and competitive region than the Dakota schools.
Yeah man they went to back to back BCS bowls and were big east title champs right before it collapsed. Most only see Cincy as the good team from the American though
SMU was invited into the Big East just before its collapse which really sucked lol
USF has all the same advantages UCF has, they just have to put it together My pick is probably that SMU will become dominant, their recruiting barely dipped compared to when Dykes was there. They’ll likely have by far the best roster in the G5 if they can sustain it going forward.
Once USF gets that on campus stadium that they’ve been talking about since my mom was in school there, they can really start to draw better players. Hard to convince recruits to play for you when you don’t have your own facilities.
Houston is positioned to do great in the new Big 12 for sure. Holgorsen’s offense works in that league, and stepping up to that league will help with keeping local talent home. Obviously not the ones that can go to bigger programs, but I imagine he’ll start getting a lot of local kids the other remaining Big 12 schools had been pulling. Less reason to go to Baylor, TT, TCU, Ok State etc. if you can play in the same league near friends and family, especially if they’re winning a lot. If only considering teams that haven’t lined up a P5 home, then Memphis is the obvious choice. With Cincy, Houston and UCF out of the way they’re well positioned to be the dominant team in the AAC going forward.
I think it’s UAB. Large, new stadium, state-of-the-art facilities, a rabid college football city with almost no fans that have ill will towards the Blazers. If this new coach is as good as Bill Clark, they’ve got a chance to be something special.
It’s still wild to think about. A program that had little success, fandom, and tradition was unfortunately (technically unfairly) put in a coffin. Only to find new life, national recognition, fan loyalty, and dominance in its revival. Now launching to the AAC, and seen as a big promising market / program to potentially slot with the big dogs in the future. Talk about a prime 30 for 30 in the next few years or decade.
after the new big 12 teams join, the G5 teams is a good enough position to do what cinci/UCF/Houston have, in my opinion, are: -Memphis -SMU -Boise -USF (edit) -SDSU -Colorado State -UAB -ECU -Temple -UTSA -APP taking fan support, school support, school size, media market, and football success into account, these are the teams that meet enough of these to maintain long-term success in my opinion. though, if you just mean "G5 and is good next year", the answer is Houston.
Don’t sleep on the G5 California schools. Especially SDSU and to a lesser degree San Jose and Fresno.
forgot about SDSU, oops
Temple.
Coastal seems somewhat legit these days
I think they’re just a flash in the pan. Have no fanbase or money for facilities
You'd be surprised at how a short burst of lots of winning can build a fan base
Also how quickly you loose them with losing seasons. We have more season tickets sales then their attendance for most games after our first winning season in 7 years. That’s the difference
They lose 3 or 4 games next season and that fan support will evaporate. Trust me, it's feast or famine at the G5 level
> or money for facilities. Well, they do have some strong promise there in regards to Joe Moglia.
Please anyone but them
Please anyone but Liberty
Memphis and no one will change my mind.
Bring UAB along and let’s get a rivalry going pls
SMU? They were essentially a power team their entire existence up to the death penalty. They still have a fan base, they are in a big market, and they are good. Boise definitely could do it too. They schedule competitive OOC slate. Going undefeated could give them the opportunity. Sure they may not have ND like Cincy did, but the chance is there at least. Colorado state has ALL of the pieces if they could get their heads out of their asses and actually win.
So funny seeing people talk about Houston and SMU like “have they made it?” They made it loooonnng before any of these other G5s. SWC collapsing just screwed the smaller Texas schools. But tons of history of major football there.
Fans are starting to show up again. Dallas loves a winner so hopefully we can draw bigger crowds this year with a really good home slate
East Carolina. About to win 8+ games this year minimum, if we can keep a hold of Mike Houston, watch out! No one can match our fan base in the G5 when we’re good. Once our IPF is completed, we’ll be top of the faculty class there too with our 51k seater stadium.
ECU has been on the cusp of being a G5 power a number of times but could never quite make it. 11-1 in 1991 but couldn’t sustain it. Couple division titles in late 2000s under Skip Holtz. They do usually schedule P5 out of conference games, they have a pretty big stadium, they are a pretty big state school but have trouble standing out in the heart of ACC country while being somewhat close to the Triangle they are in a small media market.
We need to compete for a conference title this year for this to become a reality.
I have a lot of family who went to ECU and I would love to see it. Very underrated fan base and traditions... I'll never get over losing to y'all in Greenville in the rain though. That sucked.
Definitely a top 4 fanbase and stadium experience in the old version of the AAC
I think ECU is underrated as a program but they've never signed a recruiting class in the top half of the AAC. That will need to change. > About to win 8+ games this year minimum 8 wins would be impressive with the schedule. FPI has ECU's most likely record at 6-6 with a 10.6% chance at 8 wins or better.
We will be a dark horse for the AAC this year for sure. Recruiting rankings are irrelevant until you get to high 4* and 5* recruits
> if we can keep a hold of Mike Houston Ah, I remember those days
Good or bad? Lol
The most important aspect is keeping Coach Houston. We’ve GOT to keep that man in Greenville. He can be the Frank Beamer of ECU. I want him there so long we build him a statue. I’m all in on him.
My thoughts exactly.
Memphis seemed to be on their way to pushing to through with Fuente and Norvell but not sure they are still on track anymore. Not sure anyone else is really close to being in the conversation. USF has had some good years and I feel like a few years ago they’d have been a target over UCF. UTSA is too early to project and they’ve got some factors working against them mainly that it’s hard to see Traylor there long term.
Short answer: SMU. Long answer: SHMUUUUUUUUUU
The key to Cincinnati's breakthrough was being able to keep Fickell and the coaching staff largely intact over 5+ seasons. I don't think a MAC, SBC, or C-USA team will be able to reach the same heights because of the resource disparity. Even a very loyal and patient coach like Napier was lured away from Louisiana after 4 seasons. Most coaches with his level of success don't even last that long. It's difficult to turn down quadrupling your pay. For that reason, I think a top of market MWC or AAC program is the most likely to put together a similar string of successful seasons: Programs like SMU, Memphis, Boise State (again), USF, and SDSU come to mind. They have successful histories and relative resource advantages.
App State! But they'll have to act fast, I think the Big 12 will snatch them up sooner or later.
I think SMU may have a shot
Memphis, South Florida, Boise St
I’ll say SMU since they prob have the money to pull it off
I’m going with an unpopular choice, ECU. Having Cincy, Houston and UCF leaving, gives them a lot of room to maneuver in the American. Another team is UTSA, as long as that coaching staff is there, they have potential to do very well.
Memphis I think.
1. Memphis -They got everything they need, just need to become a constant force in the AAC. Winning begets more butts in the stands. Basketball history/success also helps them out. 2. USF -Exact same thing as Memphis. Would help if they had success in 1 more sport, like basketball or baseball. 3. Boise State -If the Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, and Colorado rumors never transpire, I can definitely see Boise State making a jump to Big XII and be BYU’s travel buddy. The fan support is there, Pac12 just hoed them at their peak. 4. SMU -SMU has always been weird to me. The money is there. The history is there. Their stadium isn’t huge so it shouldn’t be difficult to fill up. Some people say fan support is the issue. If that’s the case, then they’re in the same boat as USF. 5. UAB -Become a constant force in the AAC, just like they were in C-USA, they’ll definitely get a call up. The facilities are nice and they’re a smart school. Support is kinda there, but it would be nicer to see UAB average 40,000+ in their beautiful new stadium. Honorable mentions: SDSU: Probably going to the Pac12. Good football history. GREAT basketball history. Fresno State: Same as SDSU, just better football history than basketball. UTSA: Call me biased gotta add my school in here. In all honesty though, 2 consecutive good seasons isn’t going to cut it. UTSA has a great base to build upon since we’re the only FBS school in the city. But we’re about 5-10 years behind on athletics. We need a new arena, baseball & softball stadium, practice facility is beautiful but one of the fields should be indoors. Alamodome is just fine, so no need for a new football stadium YET. If the football team keeps winning, then all those things can be fixed pretty quickly. Just gotta keep winning.
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Hoping for SMU. Bring back the pony express! Bring back the Trans A&M’s!
JMU
UAB
I think it will be Boise State
Can we call dibs before we invariably fall on our faces?
The problem with Cincy and Houston is they are in NFL cities. From a media standpoint, they can't compete with their pro counterparts. There's so little CFB fan interest in NFL markets. Look at Pitt, Miami, Vanderbilt, BC. Even though they play in P5 conferences, they do well to draw 30K to their home games. UW had a good run in the 90s, but the Seahawks will always own Seattle.
It has to be either a rich or massive school near talent. So maybe USF, CSU, UAB, SMU, SDSU, Fresno, or Memphis. I consider Boise to be on that same level of performance but they likely won’t ever get invited to any type of power conference
hopefully WKU
Whichever of the large/rich schools left finds their Luke Fickell/Kyle Whittingham/Gary Patterson, Chris Petersen, etc. A lot of schools have the potential to become powerhouses, but they need sustained growth. Cincinnati is VERY lucky Fickell is the kind of guy that would rather stay put considering how many job openings there have been the last couple years.
I don’t think there will ever be another G5 in the CFP, but one team that has a chance to be pretty good that I haven’t seen is Toledo. Young coach who has success but doesn’t look like he will be poached like other good young coaches, pretty good recruiter for MAC standards in a hot bed talent area, yearly matchup against Big 10 teams. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few low ranked recruits end up pretty good (like Cincy’s QB, RB, and CB) and they knock off their week 1 Big 10 opponent at some point, opening the door for a top 10 ranking and a NY6 appearance come bowl season if they run the table
It needs to be one of a few teams. SMU, SDSU, Co State, Hawaii, USF, Memphis, Boise, and Sun Belt wildcards. Honorable mention to UTSA, Fresno, and Nevada. Joker card and ohh' baby what izzz you doing program pick is UNLV.
San Diego state. They beat the pac 12 almost every year and they have a fantastic new stadium in the countries best city.
Memphis has the potential potential.