If Rivals team rankings were more consistent with modern CFB. The rule that only your top 20 prospects count towards your team ranking was created 15 years ago when roster management was much less aggressive. Back then signing a class of 21+ was "big" and limited your numbers in future cycles. So it made sense not to count the 21+ guys ... there was an element of mortgaging your future when your class got that big.
Programs like Bama have since demonstrated that, by processing your roster, you can consistently sign 25 per class without adversely impacting the number of spots you will have in future classes. There is no downside to taking prospects 21-25 so they should count.
If Rivals counted the top 25 guys in each class we'd jump USC, Auburn, UGA, and Notre Dame and finish 10th. Obviously doesn't make a bit of difference - and honestly it is still disappointing - but I believe 10th is a better assessment of how we did this cycle.
Programs like Bama have since demonstrated that, by processing your roster, you can consistently sign 25 per class without adversely impacting the number of spots you will have in future classes. There is no downside to taking prospects 21-25 so they should count.
If Rivals counted the top 25 guys in each class we'd jump USC, Auburn, UGA, and Notre Dame and finish 10th. Obviously doesn't make a bit of difference - and honestly it is still disappointing - but I believe 10th is a better assessment of how we did this cycle.
