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What makes a program a powerhouse?

Posted on 8/3/08 at 5:47 pm
Posted by coldhotwings
Mississippi
Member since Jan 2008
6497 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 5:47 pm
I got into a debate with co-workers on whether LSU was a powerhouse before they won their second BCS NC game. So what are the prerequisites for a program to be labeled a powerhouse? When did LSU first become a powerhouse program? How many lackluster seasons does it take for a team to lose their powerhouse label(Notre Dame, FSU, Miami, etc.)?
Posted by Ross
Member since Oct 2007
47824 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 5:49 pm to
I'd say if you finish ranked in the Top 5 for more than three years in a row you qualify as a powerhouse.

I also say it takes one really bad year to lose that status.
Posted by Ole Lou
Sulphur, La.
Member since Oct 2003
1150 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 5:49 pm to
2 crystal footballs is a start
Posted by raparoot
Central, LA
Member since Dec 2007
1652 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 5:51 pm to
Ole Lou - True dat
Posted by coldhotwings
Mississippi
Member since Jan 2008
6497 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 5:54 pm to
quote:

I'd say if you finish ranked in the Top 5 for more than three years in a row you qualify as a powerhouse.


That would mean that LSU has never been a powerhouse.
This post was edited on 8/3/08 at 5:55 pm
Posted by Bad Cat
Painted Post, NY
Member since Jan 2004
12091 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 5:54 pm to
LSU has been a perennial power ever since winning the 2003-2004 BCS season. They have finished in the top-5 in the nation four out of the last 5 seasons and have won two BCS championships during that time.

Where is the controversy?
Posted by coldhotwings
Mississippi
Member since Jan 2008
6497 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 6:07 pm to
quote:

Where is the controversy?


The people I debated with were mostly USC fans before LSU won their second BCS NC. They argued that the last SEC powerhouse was Steve Spurrier's Gators.
Posted by Bad Cat
Painted Post, NY
Member since Jan 2004
12091 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 6:15 pm to
quote:

They argued that the last SEC powerhouse was Steve Spurrier's Gators.


Looks like you won the debate--Spurrier only won one BCS championship.

The USC fans suffered as much as we did in the 90's.
Posted by Darts
Denham Springs
Member since Jul 2008
482 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 6:20 pm to
Winning championships are nice, but I consider powerhouse teams that are consistently in the mix. The past 5 or 6 years teams like LSU, USC, OU, who consitently win 10-12 games a year.
Posted by thetempleowl
dallas, tx
Member since Jul 2008
15263 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 6:25 pm to
Coming from Temple, my definition of powerhouse is much different than probably anyone on this board.

Having a top 25 team consistently is a powerhouse program. But a powerhouse is not only about finishing position, it is about preseason ranking and recruiting.

When you begin the season as a top 25 team, finish in the top 25, and recruit in the top 25, you can call yourself a powerhouse.

The consistent success that LSU has had has spoiled you all. LSU is a powerhouse, but Florida is as well. USC, UT, OSU, aRre all powerhouse schools. Notre Dame is a powerhouse. They didn't play like one last year, but they are going to return (though I hope they don't). Penn State is an aging powerhouse.

There are others, but these are just a few examples.

Now a dynasty is a team that consistently starts and finishes in the top 5 without ever a drop off year. UCLA back in the day in basketball is the best example of a dynasty. The high school wrestling team that won over 400 matches in a row was a dynasty for 20-30 years. A dynasty doesn't have a drop off. A powerhouse can have a bit of a drop off now and again.
Posted by Rocket
Member since Mar 2004
61117 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 6:27 pm to
quote:

Looks like you won the debate--Spurrier only won one BCS championship.


Considering Tennessee was/were the first BCS champions and Spurrier won his in 1996, it would be hard for him to win a BCS championship, don't you think?

Clueless idiot rant posters - don't you love 'em
Posted by Bad Cat
Painted Post, NY
Member since Jan 2004
12091 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 6:32 pm to
During the 90's Miami, Nebraska, and Florida St. were the powerhouses.

Things have dramatically changed with USC replacing Miami as the recruiting powerhouse, and with LSU leading in BCS championships.

Florida, Ohio St., Oklahoma, Texas, and Michigan are also right there. With all the talent in the state of Flordia, Florida St. and Miami can't stay down forever.
Posted by Bad Cat
Painted Post, NY
Member since Jan 2004
12091 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 6:35 pm to
quote:

Spurrier won his in 1996, it would be hard for him to win a BCS championship, don't you think?


Good job at pointing out an irrelevant mistake--irrelevance must be your strong suit.
Posted by Rocket
Member since Mar 2004
61117 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 6:39 pm to
quote:

job at pointing out an irrelevant mistake--irrelevance must be your strong suit.


No, pointing out misinformation in any form is a strong suit. As well as educating. Now, you can consider yourself educated thanks to me.
Posted by coldhotwings
Mississippi
Member since Jan 2008
6497 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 6:51 pm to
quote:

Now, you can consider yourself educated thanks to me.
Posted by Zamoro10
Member since Jul 2008
14743 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 6:53 pm to
quote:

How many lackluster seasons does it take for a team to lose their powerhouse label?


Notre Dame? Apparently never.
Posted by geauxtigers2
Lawrence, Kansas
Member since Jul 2007
4822 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 6:56 pm to
When the other team walks on the field and is intimidated and knows they are going to lose. When the other team walks out on the field and is already losing and behind though its not shown. When teams walk on the field they are intimidated by LSU. Ask Arizona and ask Mark Richt. " Man, those boys are intimidating and sure do look good in a uni?".
Posted by tubucoco
las vegas, nevada
Member since Oct 2007
32994 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 7:01 pm to
quote:

How many lackluster seasons does it take for a team to lose their powerhouse label?
ask Miami, and Fla state, hell USC before Caroll for that matter.
This post was edited on 8/3/08 at 7:12 pm
Posted by coldhotwings
Mississippi
Member since Jan 2008
6497 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 7:04 pm to
quote:

ask Miami, and Fla state


Hey Seminole, are u in here?
Posted by Bad Cat
Painted Post, NY
Member since Jan 2004
12091 posts
Posted on 8/3/08 at 7:09 pm to
quote:

Now, you can consider yourself educated thanks to me.


If you project that attitude in most of your social conversations, you must be known as a snobby, arrogant, stuck up bore.
This post was edited on 8/3/08 at 7:14 pm
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