Originally posted by SunDevilNiner79:A number of factors.
The big 12 is in full on melt down mode. I think the addition of TCU and rise of Baylor have really watered down the talent. On top of that, Texas A&M joining the SEC made it the premier football school in Texas (as I predicted). Texas has the 2nd most talent after Florida, but it just isn't concentrated at a powerhouse school like it was a decade or so ago with UT. Texas with its TV deal also really screwed over the rest of the Big 12.
The PAC-12 I think is routinely not the premier conference, it will never be top dog. But its still a fairly down year. The fans on the West Coast don't have nearly the passion for the game, and that means less money for the schools (I think in top 20 athletic budgets, maybe only Oregon (due to Nike) and USC are there). PAC-12 is only a strong conference when it is able to have 1 or 2 real top teams. Oregon isn't what it use to be, their head coach is no Chip Kelly. I felt like Oregon would gradually slide away from elite status without Chip. USC obviously has a ton of issues with being unable to land a top tier coach. UCLA, even with its recent success, is still hampered by being in the shadow of USC. Washington is the program to keep an eye on to break through.
Well, Stanford's been one of the best teams in Nation for 7 + years
And they do it with no Gangsters and kids that actually excell in school
Not a Football factory, But dare I say Win with Class