On the Verge: Not a Rebuild But Not Yet a Power Schools

[thescoop]

So I did my rebuild programs list on another post. I decided to another one but this will be on the verge schools. Honorable mentions from that can and will make this list because I think this is where they belong.

10. Notre Dame - The first three represent "honorable mentions" on my rebuilds. One could argue that Norte Dame is already a power since they have made the playoffs more recently. That's why I have them lowest on the list. But they have no title since 88 and while good, can't get over the hump.

9. Penn State - Another one that is good but can't get over the hump. Getting Penn State to dethrone Ohio State and Michigan would a lot of fun.

8. Tennessee - The Vols have been on an upswing as of late but still haven't gotten back to a SEC title game. The have a rich history and bringing them back could be fun.

7. Oklahoma State - Are they the clear front runner of the Big 12 now that Texas and OU have left for the SEC? Maybe you can make sure they run the place.

6. Louisville - Right on the verge is seems all the time. Maybe you can be the one to get them to finally make that jump. And the new 17 member ACC would be a fun challenge.

5. Iowa - This team has been in the fight a few times but can't seem to become a power. And you get the cool wave at the children's hospial animation for every home game.

4. Auburn - Take on Alabama right in their own backyard. This one might be a challenge but Auburn has climbed that mountain before. Can you make them the dominate team of the state?

3. Florida - The Gators have been trying to claw back since Urban Meyer left. The program has been stuck in the middle of the pack. Can you be the guy to get them back to the promise land?

2. Wisconsin - Always in the hunt but can't seem to get in the national titel race. Expanded playoffs could help. Maybe you can become the team in the Big 10.

1. Ole Miss - This program is on the rise and has a lot of hope and expectations going into this season. They could be a lot of fun to control and push them over the hump. They are on the verge it seems but we've heard that before. Maybe you can finally make it happen.

Any thoughts on your "on the verge" schools? I most likely will do another post for "next tier" schools that aren't really rebuilds but haven't knocked through. No point in doing a non-power five list on this one because in the current landscape, if you're not Power Five,(Power Four now? Force of habit sayinf Five.) you're not on the verge.

[noarmsduck]

Notre Dame is not a power school IRL but I expect them to play like one in the game. We should have a great defense next year, so I expect that rating to translate into the game. The skill positions on offense (and most of the O line) are unproven guys though so that part my be a little bit of a challenge.

I'm not sure who our starter at QB will be yet, but Leonard will likely have a mid 80s rating if I had to guess. Angeli played very well in the bowl game and in the spring game, but I have no idea how EA will rate him.

So I expect ND to have an elite defense and a decent offense in game. On top of that if past games are any indication they will recruit like a power school.

EDIT: Also if I get the game I'm putting all the Pac 12 schools back in that conference, and Notre Dame is going into the Big 10, so that will be fun trying to get them to dethrone OSU and Michigan as well as compete with PSU who also has similar goals.

[thescoop]

Quote: Originally Posted by noarmsduck

Notre Dame is not a power school IRL but I expect them to play like one in the game. We should have a great defense next year, so I expect that rating to translate into the game. The skill positions on offense (and most of the O line) are unproven guys though so that part my be a little bit of a challenge. I'm not sure who our starter at QB will be yet, but Leonard will likely have a mid 80s rating if I had to guess. Angeli played very well in the bowl game and in the spring game, but I have no idea how EA will rate him. So I expect ND to have an elite defense and a decent offense in game. On top of that if past games are any indication they will recruit like a power school. EDIT: Also if I get the game I'm putting all the Pac 12 schools back in that conference, and Notre Dame is going into the Big 10, so that will be fun trying to get them to dethrone OSU and Michigan as well as compete with PSU who also has similar goals.

That can be fun. Have we heard if we can create a conference? Or will you be changing one of the non power conferences to the PAC 12?

[noarmsduck]

Quote: Originally Posted by thescoop

That can be fun. Have we heard if we can create a conference? Or will you be changing one of the non power conferences to the PAC 12?

From what I've read we cannot create a conference or change the names of conferences in the game. However the Pac 12 is in the game with 2 schools in it, so we can transfer schools to that conference.

And I have no source on this so take it with a grain of salt, but I've seen a few posts on here claiming we could bring back the Big East so that would suggest the assets for that conference are in the game and EA has the rights to them. I have no idea what conferences EA has the rights to aside from the current Power 4 plus Group of 5 conferences plus the Pac 12.

[thescoop]

I thought I read we could rename conferences but I'm not sure. I didn't realize there'd be a "PAC 2" in the game. LOL

[GoDucks1224]

Had conflicting messaging on the conference thing. Some guys said you can recreate the Big East. Others said you can't change names of conferences or delete them. So we'll have to get some real confirmation on that. I don't know if I trust people besides Matt Brown anymore with the way some of them have conflicted each other lol. Also, the PAC2 will still be called the PAC12. It hasn't ceased to exist yet. By this time next year, that could be different. But they have already discussed and are negotiating a 'football alliance' with the Sun Belt for scheduling in 2025. So we'll see what happens.

[georgiafan]

To me this would be a 4* school if they are going off the old system of 1-6* programs. To me a ranked like top 20 at a power school would fall into the elite status even if they are 5* and not 6*.

I divided mine up in the other thread like this

Power Schools - Quick Rebuilds

3. North Carolina - You've got a elite HB and a recent history of good QB's. You can win the ACC right away and I also like the uniforms. Carolina produce a good amount of recruits and depending on the rules maybe you can join the SEC in a few years.

2. South Carolina - Never won and your in the SEC also your spot in the pecking order just got lowered by 2. A good recruiting area in the south. The reason you want to get them is incoming freak Nyck Harbor who ran faster then Tyreek Hill at 6'5 240.

1. Florida - You have a true freshman QB that's a stud and a brutal schedule. Recruiting is easy in Florida and close to Georgia.


Mid Tier

3. Liberty - I put them here because you have a QB returning who passed for 2,700 yards and rushed for 1,000. Who I think you could potential get 2 years out of. I've heard they will have a fun playbook and won a bunch of games last year. They are also in a good spot for recruiting not all that far from Ohio or the SEC schools

2. Stanford - Might have to come up with some in house rules for the academics and joining the ACC gives you a fresh look

1. SMU - Depending on how NIL works could be them over the top with boosters. You could bring a run heavy offense and bring back the glory days. They are also in the ACC now a winnable conference. Home state in Texas for recruiting

[thescoop]

Quote: Originally Posted by GoDucks1224

Had conflicting messaging on the conference thing. Some guys said you can recreate the Big East. Others said you can't change names of conferences or delete them. So we'll have to get some real confirmation on that. I don't know if I trust people besides Matt Brown anymore with the way some of them have conflicted each other lol. Also, the PAC2 will still be called the PAC12. It hasn't ceased to exist yet. By this time next year, that could be different. But they have already discussed and are negotiating a 'football alliance' with the Sun Belt for scheduling in 2025. So we'll see what happens.

I'm aware it will still be the PAC12, much like the BIG 10 stayed 10 even though they had 12 and the Big 12 remained 12 even though they only had 10 back in the day. LOL The numbers haven't matter in a long time. But I'm gonna call them the PAC2! LOL