I am remembering ... a scene from .... ANIMAL HOUSE. (cue John Belushi)
Look:
I think my surprise is the TRUE separation that is happening. But, it's NOT the Power 5. It is the B1G and the SEC (and then the Pac 12 (but they are going to be always less as the later time zone and less population of eyeballs). When you see the map of B12, you just cannot be impressed by the fanbase market combination. Then TRUE separation between the Alabama, Texas, Michigan, Notre Dame, Florida State SPENDING that then equates to recruiting far beyond the next 50 and the coaches salaries/benefits. The BIG first week sign of the Apocalypse: that Baylor stadium. OMG. You just saw the real fruit of being in the bigger league & its not even the $45m per University one.
You simply cannot diss Houston and SMU this early. And this year. Programs (look at our recent history) are going to have this happen. Both were good invites for what happened. Gets us Texas eyeballs and recruits (and maybe big city UTSA is a future Conference foe).
We do need to get beyond where we are today in Football. Diaco has to steam past Edsall's high water mark of 8/9 wins and regular bowls and I think he can do that. The Bigger concern is keeping Ollie and the Basketball (and Auriemma) Branding going. As long as we are a national player there, we have a chance to continue to broaden our base and become what the B1G needs. We do need the Tulane, Tulsa, East Carolina, Temple, SMU, Houston, UCF, USF to get a whole lot better in both football & basketball. Some are going to really step up (I believe) ... but not enough.
Honestly, I think it is what we thought it was going to be.