What is the definition of an "Elite Program?"

[Dr. H Lecter]

What is the definition of an "Elite Program?"

I was arguing this today with a LilBro fan who in the euphoria over their win last night. Theirfan baseis aglow with what I think is false optimism as to the state of their program or how its viewed nationally. I say that because although they have had a nice copuple season run, who really thinks they are at the level that their fan base thinks they have achieved?

Naturally post game the commentators will be complimentary of the two teams who just battled. In their playing up to the fans they have a tendency to give over-blow assessments. One is that UofL has become an "elite" program.

I say BS.

They are a strong program right now but IMO they are one Coach away from another Ron Cooper hire and a slouching into mid-major status where I think they historically will belong.

So my question is this. What makes up an elite program? My biggest argument against UofL being one is this. You have to beat an elite program to become an elite program. To the best of my recollection...who have they beaten. Miami? They proved to be horrible. Florida State a few years ago at home in a monsoon?

An elite program has 80k - 100k seats in their stadium and a full house every week. They have to actually have beaten someone...on the road or in a bowl game and do so over a sustained period.

What is an Elite Program? I don't know but it sure aint close to looking likeUofL.

[Cincy110]

As an outsider, I would say this much. They aren't there yet, but they are on the right path. They are in a BCS conference that will give them the opportunity to get to a BCS game year in and year out. They also have mighty "mo" on their side right now, so if they can continue to get recruits and win their league, their stadium will begin to sell out each and every week.

There are only a handful of "Elite" programs right now. Ohio State, USC, Texas & Florida. I would put Louisville on the next step compared to these programs. They just aren't there and have a ways to go, but they are definetly on the right path.

[ukcatfan]

My Elite Programs

Some of these are like todays UK basketball

ACC
Fl State
Miami

Big 12
Nebraska
Oklahoma
Texas

Big East
NONE

Big Ten
Ohio St
Michigan
Penn State (added)

Conf USA
NONE

Independents
Notre Dame

Mid-America
NONE

Mountain West
BYU

PAC-10
UCLA
USC

SEC
Alabama
Auburn
Florida
Georgia
Tenn
LSU

Sun Belt
NONE

Wetern Athletic
NONE

JMO

[FatCatDaddy]

Elite programs are programs that are in title contention for decades in my opinion. You don't get this lable over night. Think of elite teams in your mind and think of how long their program has been good. Florida is a newly elite team or arriving there. They have been winning for around 15-20 years now beating other elite teams. One or two years of good seasons is not enough. Also, like Lecter said you must be able to hire who you want. The Bama's, Florida's USC's and Michigan's of the world can hire who they want. UofL cannot hire who they want, yet.

[BowlingGreenUKGrad]

ukcatfan wrote:
My Elite Programs

Some of these are like todays UK basketball

ACC
Fl State
Miami

Big 12
Nebraska
Oklahoma
Texas

Big East
NONE

Big Ten
Ohio St
Michigan

Conf USA
NONE

Independents
Notre Dame

Mid-America
NONE

Mountain West
BYU

PAC-10
UCLA
USC

SEC
Alabama
Auburn
Florida
Georgia
Tenn
LSU

Sun Belt
NONE

Wetern Athletic
NONE

JMO



Interesting list...

[FatCatDaddy]

ukcatfan wrote: My Elite Programs

Some of these are like todays UK basketball

ACC
Fl State
Miami

Big 12
Nebraska
Oklahoma
Texas

Big East
NONE

Big Ten
Ohio St
Michigan

Conf USA
NONE

Independents
Notre Dame

Mid-America
NONE

Mountain West
BYU

PAC-10
UCLA
USC

SEC
Alabama
Auburn
Florida
Georgia
Tenn
LSU

Sun Belt
NONE

Wetern Athletic
NONE

JMO


I would have to add Penn State from the Big Ten. They may struggle lately, but they are an elite program.

[Cincy110]

How can you have BYU & UCLA on this list? When I think of Elite, I think of teams that year in and year out will be in the top 10. Sorry to tell you guys this, but as long as LVL keeps getting some recruits and plays in the Big East, they will consistently be in the top 10.

Elite is what is going on TODAY, not the last 30 years.

[TrueblueCATfan]

AN Elite program is a program who has won many National championships like UCLA..North Carolina and Kentucky....all time wins..........

UL is not an elite football program..they could be one day but they are not right now

[katfever]

I am still trying to figure out how loserville beating Wake was a landmark victory. Considering UK is coming off the devastating effects of probation, beating Clemson is much more impressive than UL's win. Have UL play football in a real conference and then get back to me. It reminds me of loserville in the Metro and CUSA in basketball- rack up victories over mediocre competition to get a high tourney seed. Now that they play in a real basketball conference, they can not compete.

[Cincy110]

It wasn't a landmark victory, but it wasa BCS win. Despite the fact that they played Wake, it was a BCS win. I disagree on the assessment of history to determine which schools are "elite". Is St. John's an Elite program? I don't know how anyone would be able to honestly say they are, but they are in the top 5 in wins all time, right?? What about Army in Football?? They have multiple NC's. It has to reflect what is going on today.

As much as you guys hate LVL, you can't be blinded that their football program is more advanced than yours. Yes, you guys just won a bowl game, congrats, but beating an annual underacheiving team, wouldn't classify as a landmark victory for me either. The win over Georgia was more impactful than the win over Clemson in my mind.

[BowlingGreenUKGrad]

FCFS82 wrote: The Mormons (BYU)?

Really?


Lets hug this out.

Criteria:

- Sell tickets aka loyal fanbase that travels, some games are dogs but generally the fans show up - no gaping holes in seats.

- Perennial winners - so much so that its a story when they sit at home during bowl season or if they miss back-to-back seasons.

- Other teams circle them on the schedule or somebody claims them as a rival for legitimate purposes. The other team can have a down year, but if they beat you, they will remember it.

- Recruiting prowess no matter the coach - you don't have to recruit like USC is now, but generally if this school comes calling, your listening.

- Reputation counts, history is good, but you've been good, you'll be good, and you rebound quick if you have a down period. (USC lost 13 years in a row to Notre Dame from 1983-1996, for those football fans of late who feel like USC dominates everyone.)

If you think elite status is long-term then you don't have to worry about matching ALL the criteria, because it would get rid of a few teams.



Hey, I've been meaning to ask.

41-14? 'Sup with that?

[ukfanman]

Elite is a school that continues to excel year after year. Regardless.

LSU and Florida are elite. Georgia and Tenn are slipping. Alabama used to be.

Texas is elite. Ok is slipping.

Ohio State and Michiganare elite. Penn State is slipping.

Florida State and Miami used to be.

Notre Dame wants to be but isn't.

USC is elite. UCLA is slipping

[CatFanForLife]

When you simply re-load. Rebuilding is not part of the vocabulary.

When the seniors,who graduate, and the junior class is as talented than the senior class.

I know when I see an "elite program".U of L ain't one of 'em....

[ukcatfan]

My bad, Penn State

[Dr. H Lecter]

FCFS82 wrote:
Other than that, about right on. I think there are two levels of elite, but that is just me.

:shrug:

That would mean, like beer,there are elite and e-Lite.

[The Old School JPS]

According to this page on Georgetown University's site, Kentucky is an elite football program:

http://guhoyas.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/uzelac_elliot00.html

;)

[Brian McCat]

The Old School JPS wrote: According to this page on Georgetown University's site, Kentucky is an elite football program:

http://guhoyas.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/uzelac_elliot00.html

;)

Troublemaker! ;)

[ukcatfan]

My reason for BYU and UCLA.

BYU did win National Championship in 92. Although I did not agree with it. They are out west and we do not get to see them that much. They have a lot going against them and very little in favor. Yet, they win year after year. They have produced some notable pro players.

UCLA barely has it nose above the water. Then they go and do what they did against USC. They have been around for DECADES and still a nice program.

My example of teams that were elite and no longer---SMU & Ole Miss

[rickdacatkilla]

I like the direction of our program, you may hate us but you all can't deny the Ville has come a long way in a short time. As for our schedule, we can only play teams in our conferenceand teams with the nads that will play us....not many teams will play us home and away I give UK credit for doing that every year.

[ukcatfan]

rickdacatkilla wrote: I like the direction of our program, you may hate us but you all can't deny the Ville has come a long way in a short time. As for our schedule, we can only play teams in our conferenceand teams with the nads that will play us....not many teams will play us home and away I give UK credit for doing that every year.

The most notable "flash in then pan team is Kansas State".
They stunk, then were up there for around 5 year and have now sunk back to mediocrity.

UL will have to continue their current pace for 10 or 15 years to make the elite. Plus a national title.

JMO

[MercerTitans]

ukcatfan wrote: BYU did win National Championship in 92.

It was 1984. If memory serves me right, they beat a 6-5 Michigan team in the Holiday Bowl that year.

No question that they won a ton of games in the 80's, but in the early to mid-90's they started to slide off some. They have four or five non-winning seasons this decade alone. Not quite elite.

[ukcatfan]

I was talking about staying in the top 20. Not the top 5.

That would be near impossible to do now adays.