Why aren't these schools going for it all?

[clif]

Ah yes... nice to see ASU getting some pub ... *sigh* http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=55100

January 20, 2006


Have you ever been at a game and said to yourself: "Why on God's green Earth isn't this school a national title contender?"
I know I have. In fact, that thought hit me hard when I was at a game at Texas A&M a few years ago. The school seemingly has it all: a face-painting fandom, mad money, facilities that would make William Randolph Hearst blush and academics. And then there's Kyle Field, a Saturday afternoon asylum double-dipped in tradition.
So, what does Texas A&M have to show for its largesse? The 1939 national championship. Oh, there has been a smattering of league championships. But is it all that impressive when you consider Texas A&M's horn of plenty?
Nah.
It's like a master craftsman who possesses every tool of his trade being proud of producing a ... cutting board.
While Texas A&M is one of the sport's biggest underachievers, the Aggies aren't alone. Here are other slackers sitting in college football's back row.

Arizona State: Walk a recruit down Mill Avenue ... stick a pen in his hand ... watch him sign on the dotted line. And the scenery around campus isn't bad, either -- if you know what I mean. And did I mention the weather? But the Sun Devils' Rose Bowl bounty stands at two despite handing out brochures that are the envy of any travel agent.
Cal: Other schools claim to be a "public Ivy League" institution. This place really is. And is there a cooler area than Berkeley? But the Bears haven't won the Pac-10 since 1975. And their last Rose Bowl? Get a crew cut and set your time machine for the 1958 season.

Illinois: This is THE state university, a fact that NEVER can be unsold. Plus, there's lots of talent in the Land of Lincoln. And Illinois never gets enough credit for its academic heft. Alas, the Illini have posted just 22 winning seasons since 1950. Do the math. I know you can, especially if you're an Illini grad.

Michigan State: There are state-of-the-art academic and training facilities that would make any Mama go gaga. And the stadium and fan support is boffo. But the Spartans forever will be Michigan's Kid Brother. More really bad news: The only Big Ten teams with longer Rose Bowl droughts are ... Indiana and Minnesota. Woof.

Missouri: There are NO EXCUSES for the Tigers to stink, but they have. Get this: Ol' Mizzou has just four winning seasons since 1983. That's damn sad. No, it's damn pathetic. This is the only Division I-A school in a state that's flanked by two big population bases. Plus, the stadium is an underrated gem, and Columbia is a classic college town.

North Carolina: Take a kid for a stroll across campus, then cruise down Franklin Street and check out the eclectic collection of shops and restaurants. If that doesn't do it, check out some of the ACC's best facilities. (Thank you, Mack Brown.) And Kenan Stadium looks like it jumped off a postcard, nestled amid pine trees. You'd never know this is a basketball school. Now, look at the football program's resume. Yeah, it's a basketball school.

Ole Miss: Any visages of classic college towns start with Oxford. The town square is right out of a Hollywood movie set. Pomp and circumstance were invented at the Grove, where kegs are replaced with cabernet. And there's money, brother. Just check out the stadium and other amenities. But Ole Miss is the only SEC West school that has yet to play in the league title game. Go figure. It's a shame, really.

South Carolina: If you've ever been to a game at Williams-Brice, you'll wonder what I wondered: Who's screwing this up? This place looks the part of a national title contender in every facet, right down to the fat cats drinking top-shelf bourbon in Cockabooses. But this program didn't even win its first bowl game until 1995!

Texas A&M: You wouldn't know it based on the history books, but Texas A&M has pretty big muscles. An insane fan base would spend its last penny (and does) if it meant keeping up with Texas. This program should be contending for the national title ever year. But when was the last time A&M had a crack at winning it all? Better go ask Grandpa. Oops, he's asleep -- just like A&M.
Virginia: I fell in love with Charlottesville in about, oh, a nanosecond. The place just smells like college. Not sticky Friday night fraternity college -- ivy-covered walls college. Wanna talk academics? Start talking, professor, cause the backpacks are heavy here. And there's enough money to make even Bill Gates say "mmmmm." What do the Cavs have to show for it all? One magical 1990 season and a bunch of middling bowl bids. How bad has it been? UVa didn't get to a bowl until 1984.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Need to call it like it is Sun Devil fans....you guys are chronic underachievers