[Spiny_Norman]

Some data points for discussion about the impact of money on program success. 

Since The Athletic published its estimated roster budgets for the Power 4 conference teams and actual games have been played, they now can analyze in-season results. 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/interac...s-tracker/

Results as of October 10
When there is a gap between the opponents' budgets of >$20M, the team with the larger budget has a 13-4 record
$15-20M - 13-4
$10-15M - 10-1
$5-10M - 19-17 

Stanford is 0-2 in games against teams with similar budgets (i.e., <$5M difference) - Duke and Wake Forest (notably both played on the road). Remaining games in this category are Cal and SMU.

Stanford is 1-0 vs. teams with a budget difference of $5-10M - Georgia Tech. Remaining games in this category - NC State, Louisville, Virginia Tech.

So Stanford plays 8 games this season against Power 4 teams with a similar or slightly larger budget. It will be favored in none of those games. 

I'll echo what others have said in this thread. I don't think the money is Stanford's biggest problem. The program just has to get better in every aspect across the board. Recruiting, coaching, playing, training. Everything.

[Spiny_Norman]

Some data points for discussion about the impact of money on program success. 

Since The Athletic published its estimated roster budgets for the Power 4 conference teams and actual games have been played, they now can analyze in-season results. 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/interac...s-tracker/

Results as of October 10
When there is a gap between the opponents' budgets of >$20M, the team with the larger budget has a 13-4 record
$15-20M - 13-4
$10-15M - 10-1
$5-10M - 19-17 

Stanford is 0-2 in games against teams with similar budgets (i.e., <$5M difference) - Duke and Wake Forest (notably both played on the road). Remaining games in this category are Cal and SMU.

Stanford is 1-0 vs. teams with a budget difference of $5-10M - Georgia Tech. Remaining games in this category - NC State, Louisville, Virginia Tech.

So Stanford plays 8 games this season against Power 4 teams with a similar or slightly larger budget. It will be favored in none of those games. 

I'll echo what others have said in this thread. I don't think the money is Stanford's biggest problem. The program just has to get better in every aspect across the board. Recruiting, coaching, playing, training. Everything.