I dont like how college football is today with the NIL and TV controlling conferences and the transfer portal. So I was wondering what you thought was the best decade of college football. My initial thought was the 1990s. Before you read on understand there are things that may cloud my judgement. I graduated in 92 and went to a boat load of games in the 1990s, even non-WSU games. Furthermore, I am making arguments not based on data but simple recognition as I type this. I am open to changing my opinion.
Here is my reasoning. The 90s seemed more egalitarian. You had programs who were historically bad rise up and do well in the 90s. Northwestern went to a Rose Bowl and Oregon State went to a NYD bowl game. Both of those schools were horrible in the 80s. A school like Kanasas State rose to prominence from generally not being that good to a solid program. The Pac 10 had several new teams go to the Rose Bowl in the 90s: ASU 96, WSU 97, Oregon 94. A team like Wisconsin went to 2 RBs in the 90s. Not a bad program but not great for the previous 2 decades. They set themselves up for success for many years after. Virginia Tech played in a title game. National Champs seemed to Traditional powers seemed to still do well such as Michigan and Nebraska. National championships were won by the Big 8, Big 10, Big East, Pac 10, and SEC.
I'm guessing the reduction of scholarships and prop 48 helped lesser schools challenge the Bluebloods with more success.
Here is my reasoning. The 90s seemed more egalitarian. You had programs who were historically bad rise up and do well in the 90s. Northwestern went to a Rose Bowl and Oregon State went to a NYD bowl game. Both of those schools were horrible in the 80s. A school like Kanasas State rose to prominence from generally not being that good to a solid program. The Pac 10 had several new teams go to the Rose Bowl in the 90s: ASU 96, WSU 97, Oregon 94. A team like Wisconsin went to 2 RBs in the 90s. Not a bad program but not great for the previous 2 decades. They set themselves up for success for many years after. Virginia Tech played in a title game. National Champs seemed to Traditional powers seemed to still do well such as Michigan and Nebraska. National championships were won by the Big 8, Big 10, Big East, Pac 10, and SEC.
I'm guessing the reduction of scholarships and prop 48 helped lesser schools challenge the Bluebloods with more success.