BleacherCoaches.com

Speaking of the whole recruiting deal....

I was thinking about this when I saw analysts on ESPN comparing the Big 12 and the SEC and asking which one was better. I noticed that, although this changes from time to time, the hotbed of recruits and overall high school football talent has its stars aligned perfectly with that of level of conference play. Look at the two conferences widely regarded as the best in the nation this year: SEC and Big 12. Where do most of these schools draw their talent from? Florida and Texas, respectively. California, the other of the main three hotbeds in HS football, although not reflected by their home conference (the Pac-10 is rather weak this year), has its top conference rep in USC. Just below CA, FL & TX, we have the Pennsylvania-Ohio region. And just as its reputation for producing recruits is a bit lower than that of FL and CA, their main feedings conferences, the Big Ten and the Big East, are both regarded as inferior to the SEC and Big 12. However, the elevated success of the MAC (with several of its teams claiming victories against Big Ten opponents), may be one reason for the downturn of the Big East and Big Ten. And while still respectable, the Tidewater region of VA/NC and the region of the Atlantic seaboard does not nearly have the reputation for producing recruits that the Big 3 states have, and even slightly less than that of PA and OH. Hence, the ACC is one of the bottom two of the six BCS conferences.

All of this is quite reasonable, actually. I just found it interesting when I thought about this the one day.

Just remember something...

Next year, 8 of 11 coaches in B10 will be "new".

ACC has similar numbers.

A few years ago, BigXII was questioned as well.

This year, SEC is still real good, but 3 of the top perennial powers (Tenn, Aub, LSU) are having down years. SEC was questioned once as well.

It's all cyclical, Big Ten will get back on track, so will ACC.

I have a question, and it's an honest and realistic one.

Do the bowl games have to be between the winners of certain conferences, or do they match teams based upon wins and losses, as well as who will generate the most money

The reason i ask this is because usually the winner of a big conference will go to a BCS game and with that said, it makes sense to me that if Pitt were to win out, they would finish 10-2 and if PSU wins out they finish 11-1.

With such a historic rivaly (torn apart by Joe Pa's stubbornness) wouldnt it be in the best interest of the money-generating BCS system to pit a 10-2 Pittsburgh vs 11-1 Penn St for a big bowl game?

What is the likelihood of this happening?

There's not really any BCS tie-ins per se, but the bowl committees "prefer" certain conferences.

Although it's rather doubtful (Big Ten and Pac-10 usually always play in Rose Bowl), should both teams win their respective conferences I think it would be marvelously intriguing to see these two teams play.

If PSU and Pitt would happen to be matched up, I think JOKEpa would decline the invitation.

I agree. That's a shame. Soembody told me they think a win over Pitt would be a fitting end to his career, but even though I like JoePa, a fitting LOSS to Pitt is what he deserves.

The Ancient Enemy wrote:I agree. That's a shame. Soembody told me they think a win over Pitt would be a fitting end to his career, but even though I like JoePa, a fitting LOSS to Pitt is what he deserves.

That may be the meanest post ever on this board.

It may be a mean post...but it's a true one

I went to the Pitt v Louisville game last Saturday and when the jumbotron was showing the crowd, you could see a guy with a penn state jersey on in one section.

All of a sudden over 5000 people from that corner of the stadium turned to him and start chanting PENN STATE SUCKS, PENN STATE SUCKS, PENN STATE SUCKS

When you have that kind of hate running between schools still...you just gotta bring the rivalry back

I like how JoePa is willing to play one and one's with VA and Cuse and BC but as soon as a one and one with Pitt is mentioned it is imediately said that it would be unfair for PSU, how?

Hell we gave Temple a home date in our series.