(01-15-2020 12:23 AM)colohank Wrote:  

(01-14-2020 10:48 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  I think for a good G5 it helps to be in G5 to finish ranked.as you can rack up 9 or more wins easier.

I doubt most of those 7 finish ranked if they played in P5 conferences. Navy probably goes 6-6 in the SEC or B1G. Most others as well.

On the other hand, you have to take into account the income disparity under which all G5 teams operate. Imagine how good some of them could be if they didn't have to compete year after year with one hand tied behind their backs.

Income disparity matters for sure, but it's probably not the main thing. Branding matters. No Louisiana kid ever dreamed as an 8 year old of playing for Louisiana-Monroe, plenty dream of playing for LSU. It's that way in most states.

That's why we see huge disparities in outcomes even within the P5. A school like Washington State can have big shiny facilities, but it's still going to be harder to convince a top recruit to go there instead of USC. USC has the brand image, the legacy, the status. It's like a kid with a 170 IQ who has a choice between USF and Harvard. USF may throw a ton of scholarship money at him, but Harvard is Harvard.

Of course things like branding, money, and fan and corporate support are all related in feedback loops. They all reinforce each other. I'm just saying money alone is unlikely to solve the problem.