Charlotesville and Nashville are a hell of a lot warmer than Ann Arbor and Minneapolis.
But compared to State College and Columbus, Not much of a difference.
Also, Minny played in a dome all those years and a.a. has top 5 softball. Why not Baseball?
I gotta disagree with you man, not that you're wrong overall. I think if we were really determined we could get better in Baseball but there's a huge difference in climate. Just compare the averages of say Columbus to the SEC's current baseball super power in Columbia. Huge difference in those early practices. I'd rather practice in the 60's and 70's than in the 30's and 40's. Dunno, that's just me though. Like you said it could be inside. We'd figure it out if we put our minds to it.
Nebraska just finished a 5 million dollar indoor practice facility for baseball. The other schools just need to commit to the sport, it is possible.
Edit, not finished yet.