thedynasty1998;637106 wrote:Notre Dame just has different expectations.

There are smart kids all over the country who want to pick a school as much for academics as athletics. Sure, they might be more rare to find, but they are out there.

You might be correct, but I think academics are an advantage at Standford.

You look at their roster and they have guys from all over the country, and not many schools can say that.

I tend to agree that its an advantage for schools like Notre Dame and Stanford, you just have to have a coach and staff in place to take advantage of the advantage.

I just don't like when people say programs can't succeed until they change their admission standards for football players.

I'm just looking at it from an overall standpoint. The likelihood of fielding a competitive team of braniacs (lack of a better term) is much, much harder to do. I also think you have to consider the mind set of most 18 year old kids. Given the opportunity to go to Stanford/ ND or a consistently competing U, most would choose the latter. Sure they may have aspirations of higher education, but very few I think put that at the forefront of their priorities, especially if they have offers from lesser academics that are consistent winners on the field.

I know it's not impossible, but you have to realize there won't be a lot of consistency I guess.

ytownfootball;637155 wrote: I also think you have to consider the mind set of most 18 year old kids. Given the opportunity to go to Stanford/ ND or a consistently competing U, most would choose the latter. Sure they may have aspirations of higher education, but very few I think put that at the forefront of their priorities, especially if they have offers from lesser academics that are consistent winners on the field.

But parents would/do. I understand both sides of this debate and I don't think either side is wrong. But I'm in the belief that the academic standards are a benefit to Stanford and probably a liability to Notre Dame. I say that, because those two schools have different expectations. Stanford doesn't really care if they succeed in football and bring in 5 star guys, whereas Notre Dame does expect it.

ytownfootball;637155 wrote:I'm just looking at it from an overall standpoint. The likelihood of fielding a competitive team of braniacs (lack of a better term) is much, much harder to do.

Again, not disagreeing with you, but its not like every player at Notre Dame or Stanford is a 1500 SAT/36 ACT valedictorian. I know you were using brainiacs loosely, but think how many kids play high school football. There are plenty of kids that are standouts in football that can qualify academically at Notre Dame or Stanford. Recruiting classes are usually in the 20-25 range. When you compare that number with the total pool of high school football players graduating each year, it really doesn't seem too difficult. Its just important that the coaches recruiting those kids do a good job of finding the best possible fits and then developing them.