NomadBison wrote:Just because something is shiny doesn’t mean it’s good. That in no way applies to Oregon or it’s resources. A hard hat and lunch bucket is all that’s needed. Pretty much everything NDSU does is privately funded and has little help from the state or relying on student fees. Some will claim that NDSU gets oil money. That is a BIG falsehood. Just a bunch of small town kids and coaches doing some great things and rising to the occasion.
I don't disagree, if money and shiny things were the only factor in winning we'd be in the top-5 every year. Here are some facts though:
* NDSU does get 29% of it's revenue (which is $27 mil in more recent numbers than the 25 mil I said) from student fees and state funds. Source:
https://www.argusleader.com/story/blogs ... 777622002/
In comparison, Oregon gets less money from student fees and the state in actual money. In percentages it's even more stark: 3% vs 29%.
* In FBS football money correlates to winning. It's not a direct correlation, but the school with the smallest AD revene in the final AP top-10 was Minnesota at $115 million. Six of the AP top-10 were in the top-10. Money matters. Unless you're Texas or Texas A&M getting some poor ROI.
* Maybe at FCS a hard hat and a lunch pail are enough. But in FBS you need luxurious facilities, equipment, tons of support staff, an army of video and graphics people, top nutrition and food, and a hundred other things.
* All of the following is needed for recruiting, and in order to secure the top-10/15 classes you need to compete at the highest level you have to fend off other programs with similar budgets, and other appeals outside of football.
The Oregon program is built on a long of hard work and passion, but money has been the catalyst.