Kansas State is the one who comes to mind for me. Have to look at similar Land Grant/Ag/State type schools in low population states. Iowa State and Texas Tech are others. But you also have to factor in that they have less competition (and each other) game per game, year per year. But we have more available talent in proximity to us too.

Bottom line, you put the right coach in place, suddenly you're winning. Snyder seems to be the only guy who can get it done at K-State. Dan McCarney got it done at Iowa State, but it took him 6 years just to have a winning season....and Seneca Wallace. But even he was fired once expectations were raised. Leach obviously got it done at Texas Tech.

Virginia Tech may be another comparison, but I think they have more resources than we do. Auburn and Clemson are certainly a notch above us.

As far as what those programs did, I feel like it's finding the right niche. I post alot about what MSU has to do 'outside the box' to be successful. I thought for the longest time it was to have an offensive coach like Mullen, and sort of still do. All our successful coaches have had a sound offensive plan and a good DC. In Jackie's bad years, it was because his defense sucked.