Much like with star ratings, the data is definitive. It does matter.
Phil Steele compiles the best experience based ranking looking at Seniors, letterman, yards, tackles and OL career starts.
Using that ranking for 2015 and looking back on actual results, here's what I found:
Of the 25 most experienced teams in FBS, 18 of them had .500 records or better. That's 72%
Of the 25 least experienced teams in FBS, 15 of them had sub .500 records. That's 60%
Both correlate
Being older is more helpful than being youthful hurts.
Talent and coaching remain big factors as well as evidenced by Florida, Alabama, Florida State being among the 25 least experienced teams while Kentucky, Vanderbilt and SMU were among the most experienced teams and still didn't get it done.
I suspect Cal will be middle of the road in 2016 on Steele's measurement. We'll likely have back 6 starters on each side of the ball. The OL will come back with four starters and a good number of career starts.
Our senior class includes a lot of likely contributors including Lawler, Walker, Barton, Nickerson, Albert, Piatt, Drew, Muhammed, Kearney, Granado, Moore, Borrayo, Manley and Wilson.
Yes, we will be young at QB and WR (though we'll boost quite a few upperclassmen here as well) but every other position group will have either a ton of experience (OL/LB) or a good blend of experience and youngsters (CB/Safety/DL)
Phil Steele compiles the best experience based ranking looking at Seniors, letterman, yards, tackles and OL career starts.
Using that ranking for 2015 and looking back on actual results, here's what I found:
Of the 25 most experienced teams in FBS, 18 of them had .500 records or better. That's 72%
Of the 25 least experienced teams in FBS, 15 of them had sub .500 records. That's 60%
Both correlate
Being older is more helpful than being youthful hurts.
Talent and coaching remain big factors as well as evidenced by Florida, Alabama, Florida State being among the 25 least experienced teams while Kentucky, Vanderbilt and SMU were among the most experienced teams and still didn't get it done.
I suspect Cal will be middle of the road in 2016 on Steele's measurement. We'll likely have back 6 starters on each side of the ball. The OL will come back with four starters and a good number of career starts.
Our senior class includes a lot of likely contributors including Lawler, Walker, Barton, Nickerson, Albert, Piatt, Drew, Muhammed, Kearney, Granado, Moore, Borrayo, Manley and Wilson.
Yes, we will be young at QB and WR (though we'll boost quite a few upperclassmen here as well) but every other position group will have either a ton of experience (OL/LB) or a good blend of experience and youngsters (CB/Safety/DL)
