The Fall from Grace of Autonomy Conference Schools
College sports has long been associated with competitive powerhouses that dominate the sport, often leaving less heralded schools in their shadows. Institutions like Alabama, Kentucky, and Michigan firmly establish their dominance in the NCAA, leading to a phenomenon known as the “power five” conferences. However, there are schools that, despite residing within these high-profile conferences, have experienced significant downturns — some transitioning from autonomy conference status to mid-major obscurity.
Among the most notable examples are Oregon State and Washington State, now grappling with the consequences of the collapse of the Pac-12 Conference. Their situation has not been unique in the realm of college athletics, as several schools have similarly experienced the harsh reality of relegation due to factors beyond their control.
The Temple Owls began their journey in college football as an independent in 1894. They spent time in the Mid-Atlantic Conference and returned to independence until 1991, when they joined the now-defunct Big East Conference, which had begun to make strides in football. From 1991 to 2004, Temple experienced a disastrous run, finishing with an overall record of 30 wins and 127 losses, culminating in being voted out of the Big East in 2005.
The Owls returned to the Big East in 2012 following the conference's need to fill gaps left by departing teams. However, this short-lived period of revival quickly turned sour again as the Big East fell apart, leading Temple into the American Athletic Conference. In an era where exploding costs and diminishing returns plagued college sports, Temple could not capitalize on its second chance, struggling with records of 61-73 while battling geographic isolation in a conference that had evolved in ways that left them behind.
The University of South Florida (USF) took a somewhat different journey. Starting its football program in 1997, the Bulls quickly made a name for themselves by climbing up the ranks within the NCAA landscape. Joining the Big East Conference led to an impressive peak, reaching as high as second in the national rankings in 2007. However, as quickly as they ascended, their fortunes turned after their head coach was dismissed following off-field incidents.
The Bulls struggled under subsequent coaching regimes and next found themselves as part of the American Athletic Conference after the Big East disbanded. While they regained some footing with an impressive 11-2 season in 2016, the aftershocks of transitions left USF fighting to maintain relevance within college football. Missed opportunities during conference expansions have led to bitter rivalry losses — particularly with UCF, which secured its place in the Big 12 while USF remains in search of its previous status.
Unlike Temple and USF, the Rice Owls’ journey has been characterized not by a rise and fall, but rather an enduring struggle. They were once competitive in the Southwest Conference and achieved notable success before the conference dissolved in the mid-1990s. With schools like Houston and SMU who pursued greener pastures, Rice found itself relegated to the Western Athletic Conference, followed by a stint in Conference USA.
Despite minor successes, including a couple of seasons with double-digit wins, Rice has struggled to maintain competitiveness in any conference they’ve joined. Academic prestige has kept them afloat, and though they now compete in the American Conference, opportunities to reclaim former glory have dwindled.
The experiences of Temple, USF, and Rice illustrate the unpredictable tides of college sports and conference realignment. Oregon State and Washington State now face the threat of joining this unfortunate club, highlighting the fragility of athletic programs affected by football's varied fortunes.
While each school has its own narrative, there is a collective lesson in resilience, adaptability, and determination amid shifting landscapes. As conference alignments continue to evolve and new structures emerge, the fates of these programs remind us that the road to success is rarely linear in the world of college athletics.
As fans and alumni watch these transitions, they must ponder: which school has truly suffered the most from the collapse of their conferences? And, what does this tell us about the future of those currently at risk?
For now, institutions like Oregon State and Washington State play a waiting game, hoping their own paths diverge from those who have stumbled before them. Only time will tell if they find a way back into the spotlight or fade into relative obscurity like their predecessors.
Part 1/9:
The Fall from Grace of Autonomy Conference Schools
College sports has long been associated with competitive powerhouses that dominate the sport, often leaving less heralded schools in their shadows. Institutions like Alabama, Kentucky, and Michigan firmly establish their dominance in the NCAA, leading to a phenomenon known as the “power five” conferences. However, there are schools that, despite residing within these high-profile conferences, have experienced significant downturns — some transitioning from autonomy conference status to mid-major obscurity.
Part 2/9:
Among the most notable examples are Oregon State and Washington State, now grappling with the consequences of the collapse of the Pac-12 Conference. Their situation has not been unique in the realm of college athletics, as several schools have similarly experienced the harsh reality of relegation due to factors beyond their control.
Temple Owls: A Cautionary Tale
Part 3/9:
The Temple Owls began their journey in college football as an independent in 1894. They spent time in the Mid-Atlantic Conference and returned to independence until 1991, when they joined the now-defunct Big East Conference, which had begun to make strides in football. From 1991 to 2004, Temple experienced a disastrous run, finishing with an overall record of 30 wins and 127 losses, culminating in being voted out of the Big East in 2005.
Part 4/9:
The Owls returned to the Big East in 2012 following the conference's need to fill gaps left by departing teams. However, this short-lived period of revival quickly turned sour again as the Big East fell apart, leading Temple into the American Athletic Conference. In an era where exploding costs and diminishing returns plagued college sports, Temple could not capitalize on its second chance, struggling with records of 61-73 while battling geographic isolation in a conference that had evolved in ways that left them behind.
USF Bulls: A Short but Spirited Rise
Part 5/9:
The University of South Florida (USF) took a somewhat different journey. Starting its football program in 1997, the Bulls quickly made a name for themselves by climbing up the ranks within the NCAA landscape. Joining the Big East Conference led to an impressive peak, reaching as high as second in the national rankings in 2007. However, as quickly as they ascended, their fortunes turned after their head coach was dismissed following off-field incidents.
Part 6/9:
The Bulls struggled under subsequent coaching regimes and next found themselves as part of the American Athletic Conference after the Big East disbanded. While they regained some footing with an impressive 11-2 season in 2016, the aftershocks of transitions left USF fighting to maintain relevance within college football. Missed opportunities during conference expansions have led to bitter rivalry losses — particularly with UCF, which secured its place in the Big 12 while USF remains in search of its previous status.
Rice Owls: A History of Stagnation
Part 7/9:
Unlike Temple and USF, the Rice Owls’ journey has been characterized not by a rise and fall, but rather an enduring struggle. They were once competitive in the Southwest Conference and achieved notable success before the conference dissolved in the mid-1990s. With schools like Houston and SMU who pursued greener pastures, Rice found itself relegated to the Western Athletic Conference, followed by a stint in Conference USA.
Despite minor successes, including a couple of seasons with double-digit wins, Rice has struggled to maintain competitiveness in any conference they’ve joined. Academic prestige has kept them afloat, and though they now compete in the American Conference, opportunities to reclaim former glory have dwindled.
The Broader Impact of Conference Realignment
Part 8/9:
The experiences of Temple, USF, and Rice illustrate the unpredictable tides of college sports and conference realignment. Oregon State and Washington State now face the threat of joining this unfortunate club, highlighting the fragility of athletic programs affected by football's varied fortunes.
While each school has its own narrative, there is a collective lesson in resilience, adaptability, and determination amid shifting landscapes. As conference alignments continue to evolve and new structures emerge, the fates of these programs remind us that the road to success is rarely linear in the world of college athletics.
Part 9/9:
As fans and alumni watch these transitions, they must ponder: which school has truly suffered the most from the collapse of their conferences? And, what does this tell us about the future of those currently at risk?
For now, institutions like Oregon State and Washington State play a waiting game, hoping their own paths diverge from those who have stumbled before them. Only time will tell if they find a way back into the spotlight or fade into relative obscurity like their predecessors.