Okay. On that point of development, Taylor and Perich were highly recruited and have continued upon their respective growth vectors and it would be a shame to lose out on their forthcoming production. That is, they were deemed to have more talent and, in my opinion, have developed that talent/potential. Some could argue that Perich took a small step back; however, I still think his productivity has been strong - TFLs, total tackles, and offensive production being chief among them. So, congratulations to UMN and the staff on that. Can we really afford not to keep (pay) them now?
I perceive the conferences as being sort of like "brand portfolios." Through this lens, the NIL era has shed light on just how "resource deprived" Minnesota really is. That is, the value of our brand does not appear to be on par with Power 5 schools. In fact, we may be on a similar level as FCS programs - lower than a number of Group of 5 schools. The aforementioned "brand lens" helps explain IU's relative success in football now along with Alabama's recent success in basketball. And, if you are not paying attention, don't be surprised if Volleyball, Wrestling, and Hockey are usurped. Yes, I believe that PSU hockey has more NIL $ than Minnesota. Other institutions have fans, alumni, and boosters who prioritize, believe, and appreciate the importance of college sports. I truly cannot say about my own alma mater.
