Here are the Top-20 teams in the 2016 Final AP College Football Poll that are not 100% commonly known for powerhouse recruiting....and their recruiting class ranking for 2012-2015:
#3 Stanford - 5, 63, 14, 18
#7 TCU - 37, 30, 50, 34
#8 Houston - 59, 50, 77, 89
#9 Iowa - 43, 55, 62, 59
#13 Baylor - 45, 31, 35, 43
#15 North Carolina - 44, 42, 23, 28
#17 Utah - 28, 44, 66, 42
#18 Navy - 86, 95, not in top-100, not in top-100
#20 Oklahoma State - 32, 36, 27, 38
Analysis: Obviously Houston and Navy are irrelevant to this topic. Houston beat Florida State in their Bowl....but that was the only good team they played all year. Iowa had an extremely favorable schedule....before getting destroyed in their Bowl. TCU's 2011 class was ranked #26....which might explain why they were so good last year. Baylor was #46 in 2011 though.
Conclusion: Recruiting matches how good a team is. Of the Top-20 teams....the only indication you can win big without great recruiting is the example of TCU and Baylor. There's a tiny chance to sneak into the Top-10 with recruiting ranked #30-40. Claeys really better step-it-up!! Unfortunately, I predict a setback. I predict MN recruiting to be ranked in the 60's.
#3 Stanford - 5, 63, 14, 18
#7 TCU - 37, 30, 50, 34
#8 Houston - 59, 50, 77, 89
#9 Iowa - 43, 55, 62, 59
#13 Baylor - 45, 31, 35, 43
#15 North Carolina - 44, 42, 23, 28
#17 Utah - 28, 44, 66, 42
#18 Navy - 86, 95, not in top-100, not in top-100
#20 Oklahoma State - 32, 36, 27, 38
Analysis: Obviously Houston and Navy are irrelevant to this topic. Houston beat Florida State in their Bowl....but that was the only good team they played all year. Iowa had an extremely favorable schedule....before getting destroyed in their Bowl. TCU's 2011 class was ranked #26....which might explain why they were so good last year. Baylor was #46 in 2011 though.
Conclusion: Recruiting matches how good a team is. Of the Top-20 teams....the only indication you can win big without great recruiting is the example of TCU and Baylor. There's a tiny chance to sneak into the Top-10 with recruiting ranked #30-40. Claeys really better step-it-up!! Unfortunately, I predict a setback. I predict MN recruiting to be ranked in the 60's.
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