Explaining College Volleyball Teams as College Football Teams

As volleyball continues to grow, there is a need to education and awareness for those who maybe aren't rabid volleyball fans.  I do my best to stay up to date with all sports, and I do dabble in a little bit of pop culture from time to time.  In all fairness, I don't always understand what's going on (just like people new to volleyball might not know the teams and the dynamic of everything that goes with college volleyball).  What better way to explain college volleyball programs where we can compare them to college football programs.  I'll do my best in making these comparisons.  This is an opinion piece, I'll let the readers debate in the comment section, but here is your college volleyball programs as college football programs. 

The Alabama and Georgia of Football would be Nebraska and Wisconsin of Volleyball. 

Conference rivals, these programs are battling it out on the field/court, but there are also major recruiting wars going on between these programs.  Alabama football will fill up nearly a full stadium for a spring practice, where Nebraska does the same for their matches in the spring where it's not even in Lincoln - try Grand Island, Nebraska where they played Kansas in an April spring match in front of over 6,000 people.  This past week, Nebraska played Creighton in Omaha, setting a single game record of attendance of just over 15,000 fans.  However, this record is in jeopardy when Wisconsin plays host to Florida next Friday at the Kohl Center which can seat up to 17,000.  The fan bases for all of these programs are just different and they are not only competing for conference crowns, but to get to a national championship the road usually goes through Lincoln or Madison. 

The Ohio State of Football would be Texas of Volleyball. 

Ohio State is always in the mix for a Big 10 title for football.  They have to beat their rival to the North (as does Texas volleyball and football with Oklahoma).  Beyond the Big Ten, Ohio State is either going to the Rose Bowl or the College Football Playoffs (Yes, Michigan fans, I see you and that did not happen last year).  Either way, they are one of the top programs in the country in a state that is consistently producing top national football talent (much like Texas does for volleyball…and football).  Ohio State football has had some big time transfers come in and transfers go out (Joe Burrow going from Ohio State to LSU to win a national championship and become a first round draft pick).  Lexi Sun was a top tier recruit who went to Texas to then transfer to Nebraska and be part of a team who competed for multiple NCAA titles.  This year Texas has a ridiculous roster of potentially multiple future Olympians and some key transfers who will be key to their run.  The physicality of this team is tough to top, where they have established themselves as a front runner to head to Omaha come December and compete for the title. 

The Notre Dame of Football would be BYU of Volleyball.

Notre Dame is really in a unique position in football being completely independent.  They also have the tradition and a strong program where they put themselves for a New Years Day Bowl Game or even a CFP appearance. Sometimes I forget about Notre Dame football untilt he end of the year and somehow they are always in the top ten.  Same goes to BYU.  They are a national power in the West Coast Conference, where BYU will soon be part of the Big 12 Conference.  I don't hear a ton about them during the year until they end up hosting a regional come first weekend in December.  They are always pulling in big time recruits and have a really strong program.  Their move to the Big 12 will be exciting and will create some interesting matchups and some exposure to a brand new audience. 

The Clemson of Football would be the Kentucky of Volleyball. 

Under Coach Dabo Swinney of Clemson, their football program has completely changed where it resulted in two national championships (2016 and 2018) as well as big name draft picks as quarterbacks most recently with Trevor Lawrence.  Kentucky has had the same trajectory where under Coach Craig Skinner, this program has been breaking the ceiling, including a national championship in 2021 (Spring).  They've had some of the top players in the country come through including Madison Lilley who was the setter out of Kansas City who quarterbacked the Wilcats to a National Title, earning National Player of the Year.  Kentucky is among the best programs in the much improving SEC where there are now multiple teams who are in contention for a title and deep runs in the NCAA Tournament. 

The Oklahoma of Football would be the Minnesota of Volleyball

They are always so close.  Oklahoma is consistently at the top of the Big 12 in football, the sport reigns king in the state and is a major part of their culture as a University.  They have been part of BCS bowl games and college football playoffs, but they haven't won a national championship since 2000.  Minnesota volleyball has a similar trajectory.  They are always at the top of the Big Ten, they've won Big Ten championships, they've been to the final four.  They are a top tier program where they can pull in big time national recruits, but they just haven't been able to get that national title.  This year the Gophers have the pieces to make quite a run. They have the experience with libero CC McGraw and setter Melani Shaffmaster, and some big time attackers.  Could they break through to the next level? 

The LSU of Football is the Penn State of Volleyball

Comparing the top teams can easy, but these are two really storied programs who have won multiple national championships, but are both “rebuilding” in a sense.  Rebuilding meaning becoming a top five national power again.  Brian Kelly, the former Notre Dame coach has taken over at LSU and Katie Schumacher-Cawley has taken over for legendary Penn State coach Russ Rose.  Schumacher-Cawley won a national title for the Nittany Lions in 1999.  The history speaks for itself for both of these programs, however at the same time they are both trying to rise to the prominence they are accustomed to. 

The Pittsburgh of Football is the Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, and Louisville of Volleyball

I have to give some love to the ACC with how they are tremendously improving with multiple teams who can compete for a final four and a national championship in volleyball. As for football, Pitt won the ACC and finished with an 11-3 record.  For a football conference that has been dominated by Clemson and Florida State, Pitt is an old name that is becoming more than relevant again.  These volleyball programs in Louisville, Georgia Tech, and Pittsburgh are a in a similar position.  Five to ten years ago they were not in the conversation as ones to make a splash on the national scene.  The landscape is changing and these up and coming programs are knocking on the door. 

Baylor Football is Baylor Volleyball

Baylor football and volleyball have actually followed some similar trajectory over the past five to ten years.  They have had some elite players and teams who have made it to the BCS/New Years Bowl games in football and the 2019 volleyball squad was one of the top teams in the country the whole season before falling to Wisconsin in the final four.  They are always right there in the hunt and are always having a battle for recruits in the state of Texas.  And the biggest game of the season is always against the Longhorns. 

Lastly, Stanford Volleyball is just….Stanford Volleyball

I could make a West Coast connection with Stanford volleyball and USC football with USC football being the prominent program in the 2000s, but after some allegations and penalties to the USC football program I thought that would be a bit disrespectful to the Stanford fan base.  I could compare them to Oregon football, but the simplicity of the Stanford volleyball team to the extra flash of the Oregon football team and their uniform repertoire just seems like a completely different vibe.  There is no one to compare Stanford to from the world of volleyball to football. 

Share with your friends who are learning volleyball, especially those who claim to be a fan of all sports.  We all need to make connections to subjects we already have prior knowledge to (yes, I am a former 6th grade teacher where this was second nature). Have a great weekend and may it be filled with plenty of sports, including out favorites in college volleyball (and some college football).