Updated for 2018
We've all debated about how UCF has [currently] two (2) NY bowl wins and Boise has three (3) NY bowl wins (and even a couple more top 10 finishes). And we've had the debate about the C-USA v. WAC and, now, AAC v. MWC over the past 6 years.
But one thing I continually bring up is the fact that Boise finds ways to always having winning conference schedules back-to-back-to-back ... going back a couple of decades now. Yes, it's great to have those 'Strength of Brand' (SoB) wins, and UCF is building those like Boise. One could even argue that UCF's wins in the last 5 years have been far more impressive too, but we're still held back by that 2015 "interruption" (and we only beat the bottom of our conference in 2016).
Because contiguous winning seasons, with top results against your conference, shows you're exceeding expectations. That really builds the 'brand name' most in my opinion, because you're getting the top bowls, and beating all sorts of P5 programs. And this was definitely the case for Boise in the first decade this century, as they won the WAC continuously.
Now this has changed a bit in the '10s, as the WAC and MWC merged in 2011. But UCF still has quite a bit to gain in consistency. Although it is interesting to note that Boise has yet to go undefeated in-conference this decade, while UCF has now done it thrice, often with more ranked teams in the AAC than the MWC (including even top 10 teams).
52-20 - UCF Conference Record Since 2010
Again, this is me, more or less, a major reason why Boise continues to have the "top G5 branding." Just pointing it out, and I hope we can continue to go at least 5-3 in-conference in our worst years. It's definitely become tougher in the AAC, as -- again -- the SB MWC authors also admit. But I hope we can keep it up and finish with 7 winning seasons this decade, now with a trio of 8-0 seasons -- hopefully 3 in a row to close out the decade, although that's a tall order.
BTW, feel free to share this with Boise State fans. They should be welcome on our board. In fact, they might be a nice change from the -- now only more 'butthurt' -- 'Cornholios.' At least they have far, far less G5 ignorance, and some do follow UCF this decade given our more recent successes (and the AAC as well).
ADDED NOTE: I want to give Boise State fans credit for doing more with less. One thing I've noticed on their board, and they are 100% correct, UCF has had the in-state recruiting, money, alumni and TV rating advantages -- all things that should make UCF even way better than Boise. Yet Boise has still been able to accomplish so much, even this decade, let alone last (when UCF wasn't remotely as good).
We've all debated about how UCF has [currently] two (2) NY bowl wins and Boise has three (3) NY bowl wins (and even a couple more top 10 finishes). And we've had the debate about the C-USA v. WAC and, now, AAC v. MWC over the past 6 years.
But one thing I continually bring up is the fact that Boise finds ways to always having winning conference schedules back-to-back-to-back ... going back a couple of decades now. Yes, it's great to have those 'Strength of Brand' (SoB) wins, and UCF is building those like Boise. One could even argue that UCF's wins in the last 5 years have been far more impressive too, but we're still held back by that 2015 "interruption" (and we only beat the bottom of our conference in 2016).
Because contiguous winning seasons, with top results against your conference, shows you're exceeding expectations. That really builds the 'brand name' most in my opinion, because you're getting the top bowls, and beating all sorts of P5 programs. And this was definitely the case for Boise in the first decade this century, as they won the WAC continuously.
Now this has changed a bit in the '10s, as the WAC and MWC merged in 2011. But UCF still has quite a bit to gain in consistency. Although it is interesting to note that Boise has yet to go undefeated in-conference this decade, while UCF has now done it thrice, often with more ranked teams in the AAC than the MWC (including even top 10 teams).
52-20 - UCF Conference Record Since 2010
- Seasons: 6x Winning - 2x Losing - 1x 0.500
- Best: 8-0 (2013, 2017, 2018)
- Median: 7-1
- Worst: 0-8 (2015)
- Seasons: 9x Winning - 0x Losing
- Best: 7-1 (2010, *, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018)
- Median: 7-1 *
- Worst: 5-3 (2016)
* 2011 was 6-1 in-conference
Again, this is me, more or less, a major reason why Boise continues to have the "top G5 branding." Just pointing it out, and I hope we can continue to go at least 5-3 in-conference in our worst years. It's definitely become tougher in the AAC, as -- again -- the SB MWC authors also admit. But I hope we can keep it up and finish with 7 winning seasons this decade, now with a trio of 8-0 seasons -- hopefully 3 in a row to close out the decade, although that's a tall order.
BTW, feel free to share this with Boise State fans. They should be welcome on our board. In fact, they might be a nice change from the -- now only more 'butthurt' -- 'Cornholios.' At least they have far, far less G5 ignorance, and some do follow UCF this decade given our more recent successes (and the AAC as well).
ADDED NOTE: I want to give Boise State fans credit for doing more with less. One thing I've noticed on their board, and they are 100% correct, UCF has had the in-state recruiting, money, alumni and TV rating advantages -- all things that should make UCF even way better than Boise. Yet Boise has still been able to accomplish so much, even this decade, let alone last (when UCF wasn't remotely as good).
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