So I'm watching UMass...

[Scooch]

It's undeniable that the recruiting landscape has changed, and that the increased presence of FBS schools in the northeast is harmful to SU, if not always directly so.

It would seem that three things, (1) the advances in technology, and (2) the arrival of more FBS programs, and (3) the increased commitments that existing FBS programs, all play a role.

I'm no recruiting zealot, but it would seem that with broadband internet, smartphones, iMovies, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc it is REALLY hard for a kid to fly under the radar these days. And add to that the fact that there are more programs in the northeast that can "find" kids now, even if they're not necessarily signing them, it amplifies that dynamic.

It's why I cringe a little when Shafer says he's trying to get kids no one knows about. I mean, how many kids does no one know about these days? I get that sometimes you can find that Khalil Mack-esque diamond in the rough. But that's like hitting the lottery, not a sustainable way to build a program in 2014, I would think.

I'm not sure that enough people appreciate the a decent part of our success in the 90s was due to Rutgers/Pitt being jokes, BC sandwiching 3 strong years of Coughlin between the sad end of the Bicknell era and the complete awfulness of the Henning era, UConn (and other FCS programs) being non-existent, technology still not allowing for kids to get surfaced entirely, etc.

Things are a lot tougher today.

 

[TheCusian]

It's undeniable that the recruiting landscape has changed, and that the increased presence of FBS schools in the northeast is harmful to SU, if not always directly so. It would seem that three things, (1) the advances in technology, and (2) the arrival of more FBS programs, and (3) the increased commitments that existing FBS programs, all play a role. I'm no recruiting zealot, but it would seem that with broadband internet, smartphones, iMovies, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc it is REALLY hard for a kid to fly under the radar these days. And add to that the fact that there are more programs in the northeast that can "find" kids now, even if they're not necessarily signing them, it amplifies that dynamic. It's why I cringe a little when Shafer says he's trying to get kids no one knows about. I mean, how many kids does no one know about these days? I get that sometimes you can find that Khalil Mack-esque diamond in the rough. But that's like hitting the lottery, not a sustainable way to build a program in 2014, I would think. I'm not sure that enough people appreciate the a decent part of our success in the 90s was due to Rutgers/Pitt being jokes, BC sandwiching 3 strong years of Coughlin between the sad end of the Bicknell era and the complete awfulness of the Henning era, UConn (and other FCS programs) being non-existent, technology still not allowing for kids to get surfaced entirely, etc. Things are a lot tougher today.

UMASS and UCONN will be relegated to 2nd tier status they deserve as the P5 pulls away. Rutgers caught some name teams on down turns that will be annual losses.

Pitt and BC are as close to we get as peer schools going fwd. I guess there's a chance Franklin's offense continues to suck - but Penn St is still Penn St.

 

[Hoo's That]

Absolutely disagree, i know you said facilities but watching Pitt play in an NFL stadium is just funny. All you see is bright bright bright yellow. They should get away from Heinz ASAP:

Pitt's recruiting got a huge lift the minute they moved in with the Steelers, and they've been benefiting ever since.

Agree that it's a poor atmosphere, but they've been able to sell the NFL thing.

I'm not too sure they'd agree. Just about every week there's a new thread on their Scout site about wanting to move to an on-campus stadium. They realize the empty seats look terrible on TV, but feel limited about remedying the situation because the neighborhood is vehemently against their building an on-campus stadium. Miami faces the same situation with the City of Coral Gables.

 

[CanadianSU]

Players like playing there. If you have been to Oakland before then you would see that there is nowhere else for them to play. Oakland is jam packed and the Pitt campus just climbs upward on a mountain really. The newer UPMC buildings and PEC have taken up any available room in recent years.

I see where you are going but how do players like playing infront of 29,000 with a stadium that holds 65 000.