So, with all the realignment that has been happening in college football beginning circa 1990, I decide to do a little exercise for an interesting discussion. I’m interested to see others opinions on the topic, as to how they perceive college football programs.
I’ve listed these programs by the current conference alignment (where the respective programs are in conference affiliation, coming into the 2023 season).
This is based upon history, giving programs more weight based upon what they’ve done since the 1980s, and even more weight based upon what they’ve done since 2000.
These tiers were determined by historical success (brand & perception), location (highly populated area or populous state; and whether that state is traditionally passionate about football or not from a football centric state, which is more focused on basketball; being the only major college football team in a state is a bonus, that moves a team up a Sub-Tier), local recruiting base, fanfare (support) and other resources (booster support). These all contribute to a program’s long term success and potential.
Historical success serves as the biggest factor into the equation.
Tier 1 are college football’s elite and powerhouse programs, just beneath them.
An asterisks indicates that they’re on the fringe and not unquestionably solidly in a respective Tier/Sub-Tier.
Tier 1 - Elite & Powerhouse Programs
Elite Programs:
Notre Dame
ACC
None
Big 10
Ohio State
Michigan
Pac-12
USC
Big XII
Oklahoma
Texas
SEC
Alabama
Powerhouse Programs:
ACC
Miami
Florida State
Clemson
Big 10
Penn State
Nebraska*
Wisconsin*
Big XII
None
Pac-12
Washington
Oregon*
SEC
Georgia
LSU
Tennessee
Florida
Edit (forgot): Auburn*
Texas A&M*
Tier 2 - Solid Programs & Respected Programs (I lacked a proper moniker for naming the latter Sub-Tier)
Solid Programs:
ACC
Pitt
Georgia Tech
Virginia Tech
North Carolina
Big 10
Michigan State
Iowa
Pac-12
Stanford
Utah*
Big XII
West Virginia
Oklahoma State*
SEC
Arkansas
Missouri*
Ole Miss*
Others
BYU
Respected Programs:
ACC
Syracuse
NC State
Louisville
Virginia
Boston College
Big 10
Minnesota
Maryland
Pac-12
Colorado
California
Arizona State*
Big XII
Kansas State
TCU
Baylor*
SEC
South Carolina
Others
Boise State
Cincinnati
Central Florida
UConn*
San Diego State*
South Florida*
Houston*
Memphis*
Note: The service academies (Navy, Air Force, Army) are respected but there’s not much room for long term growth for obvious reasons that don’t need to be mentioned.
There’s wiggle room both ways (for better or worse) once you get down to “respected programs.”
The “Others” listed are based on more recent success and program potential with better conference affiliation (being added to a current P5 conference).
Tier 3
Everyone not mentioned falls into this category. This means they’re historically at the bottom of a power conference or they would have a lot to improve upon if added to a major conference.
I’ve listed these programs by the current conference alignment (where the respective programs are in conference affiliation, coming into the 2023 season).
This is based upon history, giving programs more weight based upon what they’ve done since the 1980s, and even more weight based upon what they’ve done since 2000.
These tiers were determined by historical success (brand & perception), location (highly populated area or populous state; and whether that state is traditionally passionate about football or not from a football centric state, which is more focused on basketball; being the only major college football team in a state is a bonus, that moves a team up a Sub-Tier), local recruiting base, fanfare (support) and other resources (booster support). These all contribute to a program’s long term success and potential.
Historical success serves as the biggest factor into the equation.
Tier 1 are college football’s elite and powerhouse programs, just beneath them.
An asterisks indicates that they’re on the fringe and not unquestionably solidly in a respective Tier/Sub-Tier.
Tier 1 - Elite & Powerhouse Programs
Elite Programs:
Notre Dame
ACC
None
Big 10
Ohio State
Michigan
Pac-12
USC
Big XII
Oklahoma
Texas
SEC
Alabama
Powerhouse Programs:
ACC
Miami
Florida State
Clemson
Big 10
Penn State
Nebraska*
Wisconsin*
Big XII
None
Pac-12
Washington
Oregon*
SEC
Georgia
LSU
Tennessee
Florida
Edit (forgot): Auburn*
Texas A&M*
Tier 2 - Solid Programs & Respected Programs (I lacked a proper moniker for naming the latter Sub-Tier)
Solid Programs:
ACC
Pitt
Georgia Tech
Virginia Tech
North Carolina
Big 10
Michigan State
Iowa
Pac-12
Stanford
Utah*
Big XII
West Virginia
Oklahoma State*
SEC
Arkansas
Missouri*
Ole Miss*
Others
BYU
Respected Programs:
ACC
Syracuse
NC State
Louisville
Virginia
Boston College
Big 10
Minnesota
Maryland
Pac-12
Colorado
California
Arizona State*
Big XII
Kansas State
TCU
Baylor*
SEC
South Carolina
Others
Boise State
Cincinnati
Central Florida
UConn*
San Diego State*
South Florida*
Houston*
Memphis*
Note: The service academies (Navy, Air Force, Army) are respected but there’s not much room for long term growth for obvious reasons that don’t need to be mentioned.
There’s wiggle room both ways (for better or worse) once you get down to “respected programs.”
The “Others” listed are based on more recent success and program potential with better conference affiliation (being added to a current P5 conference).
Tier 3
Everyone not mentioned falls into this category. This means they’re historically at the bottom of a power conference or they would have a lot to improve upon if added to a major conference.
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