Looks like the key to success is the recruiting budget (aside from Tennessee). Top 5

Georgia $2.6M
Alabama $2.3M
Tennessee $2.0M
Texas $1.8M
Clemson $1.8M

Out of the 52 Public Big 5 Schools, VT ranks 42 at $560,000 a year. Not saying this is right or wrong. It's just a daunting statistic. Out of the ACC schools we are at the bottom with Georgia Tech and NC State. Not sure where the private schools fall in here.

So what does this say? Is the realistic thought of a future National Championship now a pipe dream? Should we spend a million more? Will sanity come into play and level this out in some fashion. Should we be focused on winning the Coastal and maybe catch Clemson/FSU in a down cycle and be happy with a once every decade or two ACC title/playoff appearance?

Food for thought. I think we should consider upping the budget, but in no way do I see it getting into the stratosphere with these guys. Maybe I should have spent more time savoring the program in the 1990s/2000s

I think I am going to look up the Youtube tape of that 1999 a**kicking of Clemson in Blacksburg.