"Not a brand" is unfortunate.... but fair.

And yeah, we revolutionized the game under LaVell Edwards in the mid to late 80s. But that's also nearly 40 years ago.

Boston College (#43) had Doug Flutie setting all-time passing records in the 80s as well... but they're not a brand.

Kansas St (#28) was nationally relevant for a dozen years under Bill Snyder in the 90s, but none of us would call them a 'brand'

Pitt (#63 in 2024 viewership) won a national title in 1976 and 7 top 10 seasons in 8 years (1976 to 1982), the end of which coincided with Dan Marino. But they're also not a brand.

Washington St (#67) and Mike Leach started the air raid and revolutionized the offensive game... but it doesn't make them a brand

2004 Utah (#39) really brought the spread mainstream to its first success with Urban Meyer and Alex Smith. Definitely doesn't make them a brand.

Nevada (literally don't even track their viewership) invented the pistol formation under Chris Ault. TCU (#38) and Minnesota (#37) were integral to the growth of football. So was Sewanee or the Carlisle Indians for that matter. Bottom line, it's possible to be very influential to the sport....and still not be a brand.

Over the last decade, here's the 25 teams with the most impressive TV numbers (regular season only)

1. Alabama
2. Ohio St
3. Georgia
4. Michigan
5. Notre Dame
6. Tennessee
7. Penn St
8. Texas
9. LSU
10. Clemson
11. Florida
12. Oregon
13. Oklahoma
14. Texas A&m
15. Auburn
16. Florida St
17. Washington
18. USC
19. Colorado (almost all positivity in the last few years)
20. Nebraska
21. Ole Miss
22. Michigan St
23. Iowa
24. Wisconsin
25. Arkansas

Doesn't mean we that we can't become a brand (like Benfica pointed out, Miami, Oregon, Clemson have done it), but we have a ways to go