Post by RanDaddy on Nov 14, 2015 14:21:56 GMT -5
Watching this game has made me think about what the REAL pecking order in the Big XII is...
Baylor -- Right now Baylor is clicking on all cylinders and winning the recruiting battle in Texas, which is huge. They have athletes and depth, and look to be able to sustain that for a long time.
Oklahoma -- They are hot on the heels of Baylor. Oklahoma, now that they have found a QB, are very close to being the top team in the Big XII. They are able to recruit very well and sustain depth and talent. Not going anywhere unless Bob Stoops retires/quits and they have a bad hire.
TCU -- TCU has been the recipient of the best fortunes from joining the Big XII. Being in Texas and using the conference to propel their recruiting has been huge. They are putting together a good ball team and will be good for years to come, but not at the elite level of some of the other teams.
Oklahoma State -- Okie State has one thing going for it and that is money. Having a bazillionaire as a booster and him loving to five his money away to help athletics is huge. Plus, they are also able to recruit Texas well and have some talent. They should always be in the Top 5 of the Big XII because of their facilities, but they will still not be one of the elites.
Texas -- Yes, I say Texas. They won't be down forever and they will find a way to forge their way back into the top 2-3 teams in the Big XII. I'm watching today's game (WVU vs Texas) and one thing is clear: Texas has more talent than we do, they just lack a QB/experience and maybe the right coach. Texas will always recruit well and they have as much or more money than any team in the Big XII. They will be back.
Then in my estimation, there is a HUGE dropoff...
WVU -- The best of the worst of the Big XII. I'm not convinced we can recruit to the Big XII. I'm not convinced we can play consistently with these guys. Yes, from time to time we will challenge for a title or two when we have all the stars align (decent QB, good defense, stud WR/RB) and the other teams are young/down. But overall, we will consistently lose to Baylor/Oklahoma/TCU/Texas/Okie State and then run against KSU/ISU/KU for the "Best of the Worst".
Texas Tech -- Ok, I forgot them. They are one of these bottom dwellers too. I'm not sold on Kliff "Prettyboy" Kingsbury as the HC. Somewhere you have to recruit defense and he doesn't. I don't see them challenging anytime soon either. Tommy Tuberville left there to go to Cincinnati because he said the expectations down there are unreasonable.
KSU -- Right now, they win because they have a helluva coach. Once Bill Snyder retires they will drift back into the pack again. They are roughly the same program we are...no recruiting base, have to get JUCO transfers/develop 2-3 star kids/catch lightning in a bottle/etc to challenge or win. Once Snyder is gone, so will be their mojo.
ISU -- They are in worse shape than WVU because they are in Iowa. Have you been to Iowa? They have no recruiting base, sub-par facilities, and no real support financially. They aren't going to get better because Ames, Iowa may be even harder to recruit to than Morgantown, WV...and that's a difficult feat!
Kansas -- They are a basketball school and there is no support for football. They will continue to scrape the bottom of the barrel due to lack of funding and support. Every once in a while, they will move up to bowl contention, but not challenge for the Big XII Championship.
So, there you have it boys and girls...my OBJECTIVE look at the Big XII and where we are. Anyone disagree?
Baylor -- Right now Baylor is clicking on all cylinders and winning the recruiting battle in Texas, which is huge. They have athletes and depth, and look to be able to sustain that for a long time.
Oklahoma -- They are hot on the heels of Baylor. Oklahoma, now that they have found a QB, are very close to being the top team in the Big XII. They are able to recruit very well and sustain depth and talent. Not going anywhere unless Bob Stoops retires/quits and they have a bad hire.
TCU -- TCU has been the recipient of the best fortunes from joining the Big XII. Being in Texas and using the conference to propel their recruiting has been huge. They are putting together a good ball team and will be good for years to come, but not at the elite level of some of the other teams.
Oklahoma State -- Okie State has one thing going for it and that is money. Having a bazillionaire as a booster and him loving to five his money away to help athletics is huge. Plus, they are also able to recruit Texas well and have some talent. They should always be in the Top 5 of the Big XII because of their facilities, but they will still not be one of the elites.
Texas -- Yes, I say Texas. They won't be down forever and they will find a way to forge their way back into the top 2-3 teams in the Big XII. I'm watching today's game (WVU vs Texas) and one thing is clear: Texas has more talent than we do, they just lack a QB/experience and maybe the right coach. Texas will always recruit well and they have as much or more money than any team in the Big XII. They will be back.
Then in my estimation, there is a HUGE dropoff...
WVU -- The best of the worst of the Big XII. I'm not convinced we can recruit to the Big XII. I'm not convinced we can play consistently with these guys. Yes, from time to time we will challenge for a title or two when we have all the stars align (decent QB, good defense, stud WR/RB) and the other teams are young/down. But overall, we will consistently lose to Baylor/Oklahoma/TCU/Texas/Okie State and then run against KSU/ISU/KU for the "Best of the Worst".
Texas Tech -- Ok, I forgot them. They are one of these bottom dwellers too. I'm not sold on Kliff "Prettyboy" Kingsbury as the HC. Somewhere you have to recruit defense and he doesn't. I don't see them challenging anytime soon either. Tommy Tuberville left there to go to Cincinnati because he said the expectations down there are unreasonable.
KSU -- Right now, they win because they have a helluva coach. Once Bill Snyder retires they will drift back into the pack again. They are roughly the same program we are...no recruiting base, have to get JUCO transfers/develop 2-3 star kids/catch lightning in a bottle/etc to challenge or win. Once Snyder is gone, so will be their mojo.
ISU -- They are in worse shape than WVU because they are in Iowa. Have you been to Iowa? They have no recruiting base, sub-par facilities, and no real support financially. They aren't going to get better because Ames, Iowa may be even harder to recruit to than Morgantown, WV...and that's a difficult feat!
Kansas -- They are a basketball school and there is no support for football. They will continue to scrape the bottom of the barrel due to lack of funding and support. Every once in a while, they will move up to bowl contention, but not challenge for the Big XII Championship.
So, there you have it boys and girls...my OBJECTIVE look at the Big XII and where we are. Anyone disagree?