[cardcrimson]

Rankings. Academic ones.

5. Stanford
7. Duke
9. Northwestern
16. Vanderbilt
34. Wake Forest

All great schools, all highly selective, even with athletes. Four of the five with respectable football programs. Duke, Northwestern and Wake all ranked in the top 30 right now; Vandy ranked within the last two years. If they can do it, why can't Stanford?

I disagree with BC that we should give up and play FCS. It can be turned around. 

Donahoe has been on the job for just over 12 months. COO of Athletics Tyler Jones has been on the job for less than 6 months. There have been big changes in attitude and the mindset of the athletic department staff, from what I've heard. It will take time. The predecessor did nothing and had a bloated staff that did the same. Change is happening and money is starting to come in. The team behind the scenes is working hard on it and is seeing some success.

That said, some of the decisions on the field have not helped the effort. Maybe the culture shift will work, but thus far, it's not showing on the field. I've seen some bad teams over the last 50 years, but this is the worst to my eyes. My concern is that it appears we will have plenty of money to spend in the portal in a few months, but players want a winner, too. Not sure of the draw that Tavita provides at this point. Andrew is a nice guy, Tavita is a nice guy. What is it they say about nice guys?

[cardcrimson]

Rankings. Academic ones.

5. Stanford
7. Duke
9. Northwestern
16. Vanderbilt
34. Wake Forest

All great schools, all highly selective, even with athletes. Four of the five with respectable football programs. Duke, Northwestern and Wake all ranked in the top 30 right now; Vandy ranked within the last two years. If they can do it, why can't Stanford?

I disagree with BC that we should give up and play FCS. It can be turned around. 

Donahoe has been on the job for just over 12 months. COO of Athletics Tyler Jones has been on the job for less than 6 months. There have been big changes in attitude and the mindset of the athletic department staff, from what I've heard. It will take time. The predecessor did nothing and had a bloated staff that did the same. Change is happening and money is starting to come in. The team behind the scenes is working hard on it and is seeing some success.

That said, some of the decisions on the field have not helped the effort. Maybe the culture shift will work, but thus far, it's not showing on the field. I've seen some bad teams over the last 50 years, but this is the worst to my eyes. My concern is that it appears we will have plenty of money to spend in the portal in a few months, but players want a winner, too. Not sure of the draw that Tavita provides at this point. Andrew is a nice guy, Tavita is a nice guy. What is it they say about nice guys?