[DC 86]

ESPN has ranked the happiest fan bases in FBS based on six criteria: program power, rivalry dominance, coaching stability, recruiting trend, revenue growth, twitter buzz.

Stanford ranked highest among Pac-12 teams, 7th overall among 128 FBS programs. Cal is 82nd overall.

Not surprising given that the criteria being quantified are primarily from 2012-2016 and that the program is currently far exceeding historical expectations. Our fan base is justifiably happy and appreciate of our recent success, as compared to historically strong programs with unrealistic expectations, such as Notre Dame, Texas, Nebraska, etc.

[DC 86]

ESPN has ranked the happiest fan bases in FBS based on six criteria: program power, rivalry dominance, coaching stability, recruiting trend, revenue growth, twitter buzz.

Stanford ranked highest among Pac-12 teams, 7th overall among 128 FBS programs. Cal is 82nd overall.

Not surprising given that the criteria being quantified are primarily from 2012-2016 and that the program is currently far exceeding historical expectations. Our fan base is justifiably happy and appreciate of our recent success, as compared to historically strong programs with unrealistic expectations, such as Notre Dame, Texas, Nebraska, etc.

[Sea Loon]

The link:

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_...-base-2017

[Sea Loon]

The link:

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_...-base-2017

[Hurlburt88]

I notice Northwestern a few notches behind us.  Even a larger gap between recent success and decades of frustration I think. 

[Hurlburt88]

I notice Northwestern a few notches behind us.  Even a larger gap between recent success and decades of frustration I think. 

[Phogge]

The best opponent fans are Cougars.

[Phogge]

The best opponent fans are Cougars.

[Redrum]

There are seats (sometimes lots of seats)  available in the stadium for practically every game...the exceptions being when a team with a real fan base plays at Stanford.  This is not new. I studied (well, sometimes) at Stanford when Plunkett and company were tearing it up in the original stadium.  lots of empty seats then, too.

[Redrum]

There are seats (sometimes lots of seats)  available in the stadium for practically every game...the exceptions being when a team with a real fan base plays at Stanford.  This is not new. I studied (well, sometimes) at Stanford when Plunkett and company were tearing it up in the original stadium.  lots of empty seats then, too.

[Goose]

There are seats (sometimes lots of seats)  available in the stadium for practically every game...the exceptions being when a team with a real fan base plays at Stanford.  This is not new. I studied (well, sometimes) at Stanford when Plunkett and company were tearing it up in the original stadium.  lots of empty seats then, too.

True, but lots of empty seats in a 90,000 seat stadium is a bit different than lots of empty seats in our current stadium,

[Goose]

There are seats (sometimes lots of seats)  available in the stadium for practically every game...the exceptions being when a team with a real fan base plays at Stanford.  This is not new. I studied (well, sometimes) at Stanford when Plunkett and company were tearing it up in the original stadium.  lots of empty seats then, too.

True, but lots of empty seats in a 90,000 seat stadium is a bit different than lots of empty seats in our current stadium,

[Redrum]

[quote author=Redrum link=topic=17204.msg197604#msg197604 date=1503504709]
There are seats (sometimes lots of seats)  available in the stadium for practically every game...the exceptions being when a team with a real fan base plays at Stanford.  This is not new. I studied (well, sometimes) at Stanford when Plunkett and company were tearing it up in the original stadium.  lots of empty seats then, too.

True, but lots of empty seats in a 90,000 seat stadium is a bit different than lots of empty seats in our current stadium,
[/quote]

I note in passing that I sat in Northwestern's stadium while Stanford stumbled around on the field.  A great moment for them and the NW fans sitting next to us said it was one of the biggest crowds they'd seen. Still, not near full.  I guess Northwestern vs. Univ. of Illinois must be a real barn-burner.

[Redrum]

[quote author=Redrum link=topic=17204.msg197604#msg197604 date=1503504709]
There are seats (sometimes lots of seats)  available in the stadium for practically every game...the exceptions being when a team with a real fan base plays at Stanford.  This is not new. I studied (well, sometimes) at Stanford when Plunkett and company were tearing it up in the original stadium.  lots of empty seats then, too.

True, but lots of empty seats in a 90,000 seat stadium is a bit different than lots of empty seats in our current stadium,
[/quote]

I note in passing that I sat in Northwestern's stadium while Stanford stumbled around on the field.  A great moment for them and the NW fans sitting next to us said it was one of the biggest crowds they'd seen. Still, not near full.  I guess Northwestern vs. Univ. of Illinois must be a real barn-burner.

[fullmetal]

i wonder how many seats are open for the Oregon reunion game...gotta get my ticket.

[fullmetal]

i wonder how many seats are open for the Oregon reunion game...gotta get my ticket.

[CTcard]

[quote author=Redrum link=topic=17204.msg197604#msg197604 date=1503504709]
There are seats (sometimes lots of seats)  available in the stadium for practically every game...the exceptions being when a team with a real fan base plays at Stanford.  This is not new. I studied (well, sometimes) at Stanford when Plunkett and company were tearing it up in the original stadium.  lots of empty seats then, too.

I note in passing that I sat in Northwestern's stadium while Stanford stumbled around on the field.  A great moment for them and the NW fans sitting next to us said it was one of the biggest crowds they'd seen. Still, not near full.  I guess Northwestern vs. Univ. of Illinois must be a real barn-burner.
[/quote]

The NCAA publishes official attendance figures every year. I know many will complain that Stanford counts tickets sold rather than actual people in the stadium, but I believe that is the case for everyone.

Stanford regularly comes in below midway among Power 5 schools, but above in all FBS. They are typically 4th/5th among private schools - always below und, $C, and BYU and often exchanging places with Miami.

Stanford typically does better in odd years, as has been heavily discussed here.

Here are some numbers for average home attendance. I include Northwestern because they were mentioned.

Year        Stanford      Northwestern
2016        44,142          34,798
2015        49,917          33,366
2014        47,862          38,613
2013        50,726          39,307
2012        43,343          35,697
2011        49,997          33,442
2010        40,042          36,449

http://www.ncaa.org/championships/statis...attendance

[CTcard]

[quote author=Redrum link=topic=17204.msg197604#msg197604 date=1503504709]
There are seats (sometimes lots of seats)  available in the stadium for practically every game...the exceptions being when a team with a real fan base plays at Stanford.  This is not new. I studied (well, sometimes) at Stanford when Plunkett and company were tearing it up in the original stadium.  lots of empty seats then, too.

I note in passing that I sat in Northwestern's stadium while Stanford stumbled around on the field.  A great moment for them and the NW fans sitting next to us said it was one of the biggest crowds they'd seen. Still, not near full.  I guess Northwestern vs. Univ. of Illinois must be a real barn-burner.
[/quote]

The NCAA publishes official attendance figures every year. I know many will complain that Stanford counts tickets sold rather than actual people in the stadium, but I believe that is the case for everyone.

Stanford regularly comes in below midway among Power 5 schools, but above in all FBS. They are typically 4th/5th among private schools - always below und, $C, and BYU and often exchanging places with Miami.

Stanford typically does better in odd years, as has been heavily discussed here.

Here are some numbers for average home attendance. I include Northwestern because they were mentioned.

Year        Stanford      Northwestern
2016        44,142          34,798
2015        49,917          33,366
2014        47,862          38,613
2013        50,726          39,307
2012        43,343          35,697
2011        49,997          33,442
2010        40,042          36,449

http://www.ncaa.org/championships/statis...attendance

[fullmetal]

Northwestern suffers from many of the same factors that Stanford suffers under -- both are somewhat smaller, academically-oriented schools in big metro areas where sports fans can get their fill of much more popular professional franchises.  On top of that, NW is not super successful right now, though they can be a tough out in the Big 10.

[fullmetal]

Northwestern suffers from many of the same factors that Stanford suffers under -- both are somewhat smaller, academically-oriented schools in big metro areas where sports fans can get their fill of much more popular professional franchises.  On top of that, NW is not super successful right now, though they can be a tough out in the Big 10.

[CTcard]

Northwestern suffers from many of the same factors that Stanford suffers under -- both are somewhat smaller, academically-oriented schools in big metro areas where sports fans can get their fill of much more popular professional franchises.  On top of that, NW is not super successful right now, though they can be a tough out in the Big 10.

Well, versus their historical levels, they are also in a bit of a golden age right now, if less high than Stanford's version.

From 1972 through 1994 Northwestern never had a winning record, and didn't have many before that either. At one point, they went through six seasons with 3 total wins. Dennis Green won Big Ten coach of the year in 1982 for going 3-8 there. Since 2008, Northwestern has had six winning seasons out of nine, including two 10 win and one 9 win seasons.

[CTcard]

Northwestern suffers from many of the same factors that Stanford suffers under -- both are somewhat smaller, academically-oriented schools in big metro areas where sports fans can get their fill of much more popular professional franchises.  On top of that, NW is not super successful right now, though they can be a tough out in the Big 10.

Well, versus their historical levels, they are also in a bit of a golden age right now, if less high than Stanford's version.

From 1972 through 1994 Northwestern never had a winning record, and didn't have many before that either. At one point, they went through six seasons with 3 total wins. Dennis Green won Big Ten coach of the year in 1982 for going 3-8 there. Since 2008, Northwestern has had six winning seasons out of nine, including two 10 win and one 9 win seasons.