(02-27-2012 01:20 PM)tj_2009 Wrote:  It is difficult to turn around a football program fast but at one time Syracuse and Pittsburgh were "Kings". Then they slipped to "Barons" and now are "Knights". The problem is it is a lot easier to slip down the slope then it is to rise up.
There have been a few notable exceptions Oregon (thank you Phil Knight) and Oklahoma State (Boone Pickens). Both of these schools have come out of no where after getting a huge infusion of cash from their benefactors to become really good in a short period of time.
I do agree that short of these types of benefactors one of the current "Kings" would have to be added to turn things around.

It is doubtful that schools will spend any more on athletics than what athletics brings in. There are too many other needs in the university to do this.

I think a case could be made that both SU and Pitt were former Barons, but not Kings. But overall, yes, that is what I am getting at. Even with the infusion of cash at Oregon and Oklahoma State, the Ducks have been elevated from Knight to Baron level while Oklahoma State is still only at Knight level. Therefore, without adding a King soon, it is up to the two Kings the ACC has (FSU and Miami) to turn things around while its two Barons (VT and Clemson) continue to perform well on the field.

Three of the ACC Knights - GT, Pitt, and SU are all former Barons and with college football it is much easier perception wise to regain Baron status than it is to rise into those ranks.

Cheers,
Neil