The Big Ten West has least "blue chips" per team by wide margin

[ChiDoc]

The numbers are for the 2018 recruiting class. The difference between the B1G West and other divisions in terms of the amount of 4 and 5 star recruits is enormous. Pretty unbelievable that the division has fallen this far behind. This will really hurt perception until it changes.


Blue Chips / Per Team

SEC West 51 / 7.3

B1G East 46 / 6.6

SEC East 42 / 6.0

Entire B12 42 / 4.2

PAC 12 North 26 / 4.3

ACC Coastal 25 / 3.6

ACC Atlantic 25 / 3.6

PAC 12 South 19 / 3.2

B1G West 10 / 1.4

 

[SHAWKER]

Yeah but what about jersey colors

 

[Im4Iowa]

Yeah but what about jersey colors

Meanwhile, Iowa beat Ohio State and damn near beat PSU, Northwestern beat Michigan St and Wisconsin beat Michigan. The biggest difference between the divisions is the East has the brand name schools and Ohio State. Like Alabama and the SEC, Ohio State has carried the division and the conference.

Sorry- I didn’t mean to quote your post.

 

[ChiDoc]

Meanwhile, Iowa beat Ohio State and damn near beat PSU, Northwestern beat Michigan St and Wisconsin beat Michigan. The biggest difference between the divisions is the East has the brand name schools and Ohio State. Like Alabama and the SEC, Ohio State has carried the division and the conference.

Considering the West hasn't won the conference the last five years, your argument that the only difference is name is ridiculous.

Look at Iowa's postseason results during that time if you want more evidence:

January 1, 2014 Outback Bowl L LSU 14 21
January 2, 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl L Tennessee 28 45
January 1, 2016 Rose Bowl L Stanford 16 45
January 2, 2017 Outback Bowl L Florida 3 30

Recruiting is a HUGE problem for the West whether you want to admit it or not.

 

[mvhomerj]

Considering the West hasn't won the conference the last five years, your argument that the only difference is name is ridiculous.

Look at Iowa's postseason results during that time if you want more evidence:

January 1, 2014 Outback Bowl L LSU 14 21
January 2, 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl L Tennessee 28 45
January 1, 2016 Rose Bowl L Stanford 16 45
January 2, 2017 Outback Bowl L Florida 3 30

Recruiting is a HUGE problem for the West whether you want to admit it or not.

Bingo! Im4iowa and hawk99 are you serious?? Wake up and smell the hog confinement lot.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

If the big ten west wants to be taken serious the whole division needs to improve recruitting by 1000x. There is a reason there has been 2 undefeated teams that have gone into the ccg and not been taken seriously by the nation.

 

[JoelBittner]

Meanwhile, Iowa beat Ohio State and damn near beat PSU, Northwestern beat Michigan St and Wisconsin beat Michigan. The biggest difference between the divisions is the East has the brand name schools and Ohio State. Like Alabama and the SEC, Ohio State has carried the division and the conference.

Sorry- I didn’t mean to quote your post.

Moral victories = kirkaffect

 

[nu2u]

If the big ten west wants to be taken serious the whole division needs to improve recruitting by 1000x. There is a reason there has been 2 undefeated teams that have gone into the ccg and not been taken seriously by the nation.

Iowa was ranked #4 heading into the 2105 B10 CCG. Can you be ranked the 4th best team in college football and claim to not be taken seriously? It is not a slight to be judged qualified to participate in the college football playoff.

 

[Dick Rambone]

If the big ten west wants to be taken serious the whole division needs to improve recruitting by 1000x. There is a reason there has been 2 undefeated teams that have gone into the ccg and not been taken seriously by the nation.

Iowas last 2 classes are much improved , remember the days of the last week before signing day grabbing 5 at least Mac level fallbacks recruits , some turn out aces like King and Jewell and Stone from last year so far but when you have to fill the last 1/3 of your class with fallback recruits it isn't good. This year 1 so far .

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Yes. Do you remember "fake id"? If we have learned anything from the CfP it is the only rankings that mean a damn thing are the ones after conf champ weekend. It is what it is but the west is arguably the weakest division in P5. I don't like it wither but are claim to fame was almost beating msu who proceeded to get smoked. Good news. With fleck, frost, wiscy and BF I think it will improve but the west is "long in the tooth".

 

[Dick Rambone]

Iowa was ranked #4 heading into the 2105 B10 CCG. Can you be ranked the 4th best team in college football and claim to not be taken seriously? It is not a slight to be judged qualified to participate in the college football playoff.

Iowa played well in the Championship game as well , just came up short and Sparty was helped by a most generous spot an their last drive.

 

[nu2u]

Yes. Do you remember "fake id"?

No - tell me about it. I think cowherd or some other radio announcer had that schtick but he doesn't vote. I'm talking about what really matters - actual votes, actual voters.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

If you want to be contrairian that's your choice. If you feel like the west recruits on par with a national standard that's your opinion. The facts are perception is reality, true or not. I have no problem engaging in a rational conversation but I would ask this if we are going to move forward. What division,from a p5, other than the b10w would have to answer SoS questions with an undefeated representative going into the ccg? The facts are the b10 is "old" and urban put the whole conf on blast when he came in. The east responded first and the west seems to be catching up but still has alot ofnroom to go.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Iowa played well in the Championship game as well , just came up short and Sparty was helped by a most generous spot an their last drive.

Dick you and I have chatted enough I think you know I want nothing but the best for our program. I do believe the new staff has really tried to catch up in the "arms race". If we are being fair though we (the conf) allowed ourselves to fall behind the pac, sec, acc, and b12.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

This is not at all surprising. This is why we had the Leaders and Legends divisions for a while. The glamour and power in the B1G lies in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

 

[ukiddinme]

Meanwhile, Iowa beat Ohio State and damn near beat PSU, Northwestern beat Michigan St and Wisconsin beat Michigan. The biggest difference between the divisions is the East has the brand name schools and Ohio State. Like Alabama and the SEC, Ohio State has carried the division and the conference.

Sorry- I didn’t mean to quote your post.

Says something about the coaching & development of players in Big west. Superior!!

 

[nu2u]

If you want to be contrairian that's your choice. If you feel like the west recruits on par with a national standard that's your opinion. The facts are perception is reality, true or not. I have no problem engaging in a rational conversation but I would ask this if we are going to move forward. What division,from a p5, other than the b10w would have to answer SoS questions with an undefeated representative going into the ccg? The facts are the b10 is "old" and urban put the whole conf on blast when he came in. The east responded first and the west seems to be catching up but still has alot ofnroom to go.

Of course I would agree that teams in the B10 West are lagging behind most of the teams in the B10E and the top tier teams in other major conferences. I have a beef with the way the commercial recruiting services rank teams but I will accept there conclusions as a basis to compare. My beef is not enough to change their rankings substantially. B10W is lagging.

What I took exception to is your claim that "the... 2 undefeated teams that have gone into the ccg and not been taken seriously by the nation". That was just not the case for Iowa, its objectively false. Heading into the CCG Iowa was ranked top 5 in every major football poll and in the poll that mattered most, they were deemed by a panel of experts to be a national championship caliber team.
When you reach that status, you are taken seriously.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Of course I would agree that teams in the B10 West are lagging behind most of the teams in the B10E and the top tier teams in other major conferences. I have a beef with the way the commercial recruiting services rank teams but I will accept there conclusions as a basis to compare. My beef is not enough to change their rankings substantially. B10W is lagging.

What I took exception to is your claim that "the... 2 undefeated teams that have gone into the ccg and not been taken seriously by the nation". That was just not the case for Iowa, its objectively false. Heading into the CCG Iowa was ranked top 5 in every major football poll and in the poll that mattered most, they were deemed by a panel of experts to be a national championship caliber team.
When you reach that status, you are taken seriously.

I think we are splitting hairs but i would contest, immediatly after that ccg we were taken serious and then msu played bama and we played USC and we were again viewed as "fake." It's all good. Go Hawks.

 

[ICTrojans99]

I think we are splitting hairs but i would contest, immediatly after that ccg we were taken serious and then msu played bama and we played USC and we were again viewed as "fake." It's all good. Go Hawks.

Larping

 

[Im4Iowa]

Meanwhile, Iowa beat Ohio State and damn near beat PSU, Northwestern beat Michigan St and Wisconsin beat Michigan. The biggest difference between the divisions is the East has the brand name schools and Ohio State. Like Alabama and the SEC, Ohio State has carried the division and the conference.

Sorry- I didn’t mean to quote your post.

Moral victories = kirkaffect

Where did I say anything about a moral victory? The fact is, Iowa absolutely destroyed the mighty Buckeyes, something Michigan has only done once in 13 years, and lost on a last second play to the defending champs. The East has more star power and brand names but the West can compete and hold their own.

 

[illhawkdvv]

Why does this surprise you? It's been this way for 40 years and will be this way for another 40. The teams in the BIG West are in an area with very little high school football talent and it isn't going to change. If you can't enjoy the sport the way it's laid out take up fishing and hunting it's more fun anyway.

 

[MepoDawg#]

Considering the West hasn't won the conference the last five years, your argument that the only difference is name is ridiculous.

Look at Iowa's postseason results during that time if you want more evidence:

January 1, 2014 Outback Bowl L LSU 14 21
January 2, 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl L Tennessee 28 45
January 1, 2016 Rose Bowl L Stanford 16 45
January 2, 2017 Outback Bowl L Florida 3 30

Recruiting is a HUGE problem for the West whether you want to admit it or not.

Are you saying no B1G East teams have been blown out?

 

[HawkLogic]

Iowa was ranked #4 heading into the 2105 B10 CCG. Can you be ranked the 4th best team in college football and claim to not be taken seriously? It is not a slight to be judged qualified to participate in the college football playoff.

Because after Iowa lost to MSU in B1G title game, two things happened:
1) Iowa got its azz handed to it vs Stanford
2) MSU got it azz handed to it vs Alabama

Both fed the narrative that B1G is weak conference (which is true) and that Iowa's 12-0 was mostly luck and soft schedule. This more recent Wisconsin team is much better than the Iowa 12-0, but not a Top 4 playoff contender.

 

[JoelBittner]

Because after Iowa lost to MSU in B1G title game, two things happened:
1) Iowa got its azz handed to it vs Stanford
2) MSU got it azz handed to it vs Alabama

Both fed the narrative that B1G is weak conference (which is true) and that Iowa's 12-0 was mostly luck and soft schedule. This more recent Wisconsin team is much better than the Iowa 12-0, but not a Top 4 playoff contender.

Kirk can't build off momentum. He is basically Mike Riley with a much much more forgiving AD/fanbase.

 

[kceasthawk]

Of course I would agree that teams in the B10 West are lagging behind most of the teams in the B10E and the top tier teams in other major conferences. I have a beef with the way the commercial recruiting services rank teams but I will accept there conclusions as a basis to compare. My beef is not enough to change their rankings substantially. B10W is lagging.

What I took exception to is your claim that "the... 2 undefeated teams that have gone into the ccg and not been taken seriously by the nation". That was just not the case for Iowa, its objectively false. Heading into the CCG Iowa was ranked top 5 in every major football poll and in the poll that mattered most, they were deemed by a panel of experts to be a national championship caliber team.
When you reach that status, you are taken seriously.

Not to mention after losing that game they were still 6th and got the Rose Bowl over OSU. Even after the blowout in the Grandaddy of all bowls, I believe the Hawks were still in the top ten. Their body of work , did in fact garner them respect, unfortunately we didn't help ourselves in California.

 

[nu2u]

Because after Iowa lost to MSU in B1G title game, two things happened:
1) Iowa got its azz handed to it vs Stanford
2) MSU got it azz handed to it vs Alabama

Both fed the narrative that B1G is weak conference (which is true) and that Iowa's 12-0 was mostly luck and soft schedule. This more recent Wisconsin team is much better than the Iowa 12-0, but not a Top 4 playoff contender.

I don't know why, but I'll give it a third try

w-d-d-t posted:

"There is a reason there has been 2 undefeated teams that have gone into the ccg and not been taken seriously by the nation."

GOING INTO the CCG --- BEFORE the CCG is played.

 

[BirdistheWord]

Because after Iowa lost to MSU in B1G title game, two things happened:
1) Iowa got its azz handed to it vs Stanford
2) MSU got it azz handed to it vs Alabama

Both fed the narrative that B1G is weak conference (which is true) and that Iowa's 12-0 was mostly luck and soft schedule. This more recent Wisconsin team is much better than the Iowa 12-0, but not a Top 4 playoff contender.

I agree except no way Wisconsin was MUCH BETTER than the 12-0 Iowa team.

 

[BirdistheWord]

Kirk can't build off momentum. He is basically Mike Riley with a much much more forgiving AD/fanbase.

OMG Mike Riley? KF has his faults but he is a much better coach and leader than Riley.

 

[Hock-I]

Iowa played well in the Championship game as well , just came up short and Sparty was helped by a most generous spot an their last drive.

How did Iowa and Sparty look in their bowl games that year?

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Okay so the West didn't pull in many top recruits and we got coaches telling us to recruit better, yet meanwhile.............


We have Michigan and other schools taking recruits that are verbally committed to Iowa, poaching recruits in the 11th hour and then coaches like Urban and sports analysts in the media wanna say, "hey....your division is weak, you guys should recruit better."

...........How about these "elite" teams go f*** themselves and stop taking all the top recruits for themselves, especially after they've verbally committed elsewhere, you f***ing goons.

Need to recruit better.....THEN DON'T STEAL OUR F***ING RECRUITS.

A**holes.


You're welcome.

 

[dbrocket]

How did Iowa and Sparty look in their bowl games that year?

Part of that is that we played each other and were beat the hell up. Half our defense played injured against Stanford. Also, Michigan St. got their asses kicked by Alabama. That happens. Alabama has been dominant in the SEC and nationally for like a decade.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Part of that is that we played each other and were beat the hell up. Half our defense played injured against Stanford. Also, Michigan St. got their asses kicked by Alabama. That happens. Alabama has been dominant in the SEC and nationally for like a decade.

Yeah well they should stop....

 

[dbrocket]

Yeah well they should stop....

Yeah, I'm pretty sure we'll all dance on the grave of that dynasty when it collapses. Or relieve ourselves.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure we'll all dance on the grave of that dynasty when it collapses. Or relieve ourselves.

I'd rather personally relieve Bama of their dynasty, if I could.

I don't have enough pull down south. Need to get a few more connections. Perhaps a "summer vacation" in 2018 is in order.....

 

[Suterman]

The fact of the matter is, historically, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern and Purdue don't recruit very well. Yes Purdue has had their runs, Wisky is on one now and Iowa has had some great periods, but for the most part none of these teams are ever going to consistently recruit like OSU, Michigan, PSU, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, USC, UCLA, Notre Dame, Miami, Florida, FSU etc. The B1G West will be closer to Vandy, Wake Forest, Virginia, K. State, OK State, Washington State, Oregon State, Indiana, Rutgers, Maryland etc. The B1G West will NEVER, NEVER, EVER rival the blue bloods in recruiting. They will have occasional blips, but THE PLAYING FIELD WILL NEVER BE EVEN!!!

 

[Eternal Return]

The numbers are for the 2018 recruiting class. The difference between the B1G West and other divisions in terms of the amount of 4 and 5 star recruits is enormous. Pretty unbelievable that the division has fallen this far behind. This will really hurt perception until it changes.

Good post. This is similar to what I found when I researched my recruiting post a while back. The overall average ranking per player in the B10 West was worse than any other Power 5 division. If the B12 was divided into B12 North and B12 South, the B12 North would probably be worse than the B10 West (if Oklahoma was in the South; if Oklahoma was in the North, then the B10 West would be the worst).

Other than the top 5 teams in recruiting in the B10 between 2013-2017, the rest of the B10 is really weak compared to other Power 5 conferences. There are some good coaching staffs that help some of the B10 teams exceed or at least meet their talent levels year to year: Wisconsin, Northwestern, and Iowa (yes, believe it or not).

Recruiting in the B10 West this year is better overall than the 2013-2017 team-by-team trends, though (with the exception of Illinois; Nebraska is about the same as they've been which is always the best of the B10 West; their coaching has been atrocious given their talent level). That's good news overall if this year becomes the new trend. Still, even with the improved recruiting, only Nebraska and Wisconsin have the potential to finish in the top 25.

But overall the B10 West should improve in the next few years if this keeps up. Also, other than Lovie Smith, there are good coaches in the division now. Whoever wins the B10 West post-2020 (if recruiting keeps up) will have really earned it. Even a 2nd or 3rd place B10 West finish will mean a hell of a lot more than it has the past five years.We'll see.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

I think an important thing was just brought up and that is Nabraskas ability to spend/recruit. This year is an outlier due to coaching changes but normally they are right around 25th in the country. (Since joining the b10) They are not going to accept isolation as an excuse, even though they are going to account for a huge rwcruitting budget. These times they are a changin, me thinks.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Interesting to see the numbers, although in no way surprising.

For Iowa, getting a consensus four star commit is always going to be big news. For tosu or psu, he will be one among several.

 

[dbrocket]

I'd rather personally relieve Bama of their dynasty, if I could.

I don't have enough pull down south. Need to get a few more connections. Perhaps a "summer vacation" in 2018 is in order.....

I've definitely dreamed of an Iowa team beating Alabama's teeth in a dozen times. It could happen, but we'd need our defense to get back to early Norm Parker era standards and an O-Line up to the standards of our best groups, with a really good RB.

And it would help if 'Bama was already in decline. Lol.

 

[SconnieAlum]

Because after Iowa lost to MSU in B1G title game, two things happened:
1) Iowa got its azz handed to it vs Stanford
2) MSU got it azz handed to it vs Alabama

Both fed the narrative that B1G is weak conference (which is true) and that Iowa's 12-0 was mostly luck and soft schedule. This more recent Wisconsin team is much better than the Iowa 12-0, but not a Top 4 playoff contender.

How do you figure this Wisconsin team is much better than 2015 Iowa? 2017 Wisconsin played a weaker schedule.