Every week it seems we read about how another program in the Big Ten West is making moves, either now or for the future. This week there was a story about how PJ Fleck is building for the long-term. I swore I read that exact same article a few weeks ago when we played Illinois. Maybe both will come true. Maybe neither.
Then there is Scott Frost, who hasn't really done anything at Nebraska, but everyone nationwide is confident is going to bring that program back. Wisconsin is still Wisconsin, although Chryst only has a short track record and they appear to have dipped some this year. Fitz has his program firmly established in Evanston. With Ferentz you know what you are getting year-in, year-out, but he won't be there forever. And Iowa fans will probably be expecting to upgrade when the time comes. And, of course, everyone here is ALL IN on Jeff Brohm and the future of this program (for good reason!).
So my question is, what gives? Sure, the West could rise in relation to the East, but within the West it is a zero sum game. You can't realistically be high on the trajectory all of these programs. For every intra-division win there is a loss.
So I am curious what is your average and high water projection for the next 5 years for each program? Regular season records only.
Team: Average Record (conference), High Water mark
Wisconsin: 8-4 (6-3), 10-2
Purdue: 8-4 (6-3), 9-3
Northwestern: 7.5-4.5 (5.5-3.5), 9-3
Iowa: 6-6 (5-4), 8-4
Nebraska: 5-7 (4-5), 9-3
Minnesota: 4-8 (3-6), 6-6
Illinois: 3-9 (2-7), 5-7
I project as a result, that in 5 years Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa will have new coaches. If Brohm is gone it will be due to success and an amazing offer Purdue cannot match (like the NFL or Bama). Despite installing a winning program, Frost may be on the hot seat as his ceiling will begin to look a lot like Pelini. Ferentz and his successor are a big wild card.
Then there is Scott Frost, who hasn't really done anything at Nebraska, but everyone nationwide is confident is going to bring that program back. Wisconsin is still Wisconsin, although Chryst only has a short track record and they appear to have dipped some this year. Fitz has his program firmly established in Evanston. With Ferentz you know what you are getting year-in, year-out, but he won't be there forever. And Iowa fans will probably be expecting to upgrade when the time comes. And, of course, everyone here is ALL IN on Jeff Brohm and the future of this program (for good reason!).
So my question is, what gives? Sure, the West could rise in relation to the East, but within the West it is a zero sum game. You can't realistically be high on the trajectory all of these programs. For every intra-division win there is a loss.
So I am curious what is your average and high water projection for the next 5 years for each program? Regular season records only.
Team: Average Record (conference), High Water mark
Wisconsin: 8-4 (6-3), 10-2
Purdue: 8-4 (6-3), 9-3
Northwestern: 7.5-4.5 (5.5-3.5), 9-3
Iowa: 6-6 (5-4), 8-4
Nebraska: 5-7 (4-5), 9-3
Minnesota: 4-8 (3-6), 6-6
Illinois: 3-9 (2-7), 5-7
I project as a result, that in 5 years Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa will have new coaches. If Brohm is gone it will be due to success and an amazing offer Purdue cannot match (like the NFL or Bama). Despite installing a winning program, Frost may be on the hot seat as his ceiling will begin to look a lot like Pelini. Ferentz and his successor are a big wild card.
