But even if you cut the Northern states some slack, there’s plenty to chew on, specifically the double-whammy of demographics and offensive evolution.
In 1960, Ohio had more people than Florida and Texas. Since then, Florida has grown by 14 million people, Texas by 16 million, both tripling in size. Ohio has added less than 2 million, growing by just 18 percent.
Population in Southern states grew 14 percent from 2000 to 2010, compared with just 4 percent in the Midwest. And per capita, they produce more than twice as many BCS recruits.
When Woody Hayes won his last national title in 1968, football games were three yards and a cloud of dust. Offensive linemen and running backs won games.
Football began changing in the 80s, first in the NFL (Bill Walsh) and college (Miami, Florida State, BYU). Offenses opened up. From 1973-83, all 11 Heisman Trophy winners were running backs. From 2000-2013, 13 of 14 winners were quarterbacks.
Twenty-first century football is a warm-weather sport. A speed game. Kids in the South practice 12 months a year, playing pitch-and-catch in the sun, often without tackling each other. Meanwhile, Big Ten kids are trying to hone the same skills in half the time outdoors.
