We'd have playoff appearances in 1999 and 2007. We would have flirted heavily with a bid in 2011 (until Clemson walloped us again).

On the average, we could realistically expect to make noise towards a possible bid about once every 4/5 years on average. That doesn't mean make it... But contend until late.

You could argue we were in the race in 2000 as well until the Miami game. That means we would have made noise 4 times in 20 years (going back to the start of the BCS). Right in line with once every five years.