they were 11-3 vs the 60th ranked SOS. By definition an "average" team would go 6-6 vs the 60th ranked SOS. VT was a good team, as their rankings from 11th to 21st in the final polls show.
I'll admit that the recruting class rankings are no guarantee of future success. But I did some research, and the average recruiting class ranking of the past 10 national champs (in their championship year and the 3 prior years, accoring to Rivals and Scout) is 8th.
Bottom line, if you don't consistently land top 10 recruiting classes you have very little chance at a NC (this is why MSU has peaked, they have only had 2 top 20 classes, 2003 which was followed by 3 straight losing seasons, and 2009, another losing season).
an improvement from 102nd to 70th seems realistic to me. The 70th ranked team in PPG allowed last year was Idaho at 28.3. With an easier schedule, improved scheme, coaching, and personell, that sounds about right.
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they were 11-3 vs the 60th ranked SOS. By definition an "average" team would go 6-6 vs the 60th ranked SOS. VT was a good team, as their rankings from 11th to 21st in the final polls show.
I'll admit that the recruting class rankings are no guarantee of future success. But I did some research, and the average recruiting class ranking of the past 10 national champs (in their championship year and the 3 prior years, accoring to Rivals and Scout) is 8th.
Bottom line, if you don't consistently land top 10 recruiting classes you have very little chance at a NC (this is why MSU has peaked, they have only had 2 top 20 classes, 2003 which was followed by 3 straight losing seasons, and 2009, another losing season).
Yale had 808 wins and UM had 805. Through 2001 Yale had 811 and UM had 813. So it happened sometime during the 2001 season.
an improvement from 102nd to 70th seems realistic to me. The 70th ranked team in PPG allowed last year was Idaho at 28.3. With an easier schedule, improved scheme, coaching, and personell, that sounds about right.
since 1980 UM has finished 8-4 or worse 10 times.
http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/michigan/yearly_tota…