How do the conference rankings affect the ability of teams in those conferences to influence recruits? If a conference such as CUSA, MAC, WAC or Sun Belt achieves a top three conference ranking, will that influence recruits to choose them over conferences such as SEC, ACC or Big East if those conferences finished lower?

I remember a ticket I sent in years ago and the admin said it would, but I was wondering what others have seen.

No influence at all. Players look at the school and their chanse of playing at their position. They look at the coaches rateing too. But no the conference has nothing to do with a player's choice.
when they look at the schools win lose for the past 4 years. Starting with the last season record working backwards to the 4th season record. Players do look past the 4th season but looking at the 5th 6th so on. It tapers of with less meaning going backwards to eventually nothing. Where it stops no one knows

The above is not true. It's much easier to recruit if you are in a power conference. You are at a significant recruiting disadvantage in the CUSA, MAC, WAC, and Sun Belt. If those schools rise up in the conference rankings it still won't matter. It's hard coded into the game that they will be at a disadvantage.

Posted by frankum on 1/13/2026 11:39:00 PM (view original):
The above is not true. It's much easier to recruit if you are in a power conference. You are at a significant recruiting disadvantage in the CUSA, MAC, WAC, and Sun Belt. If those schools rise up in the conference rankings it still won't matter. It's hard coded into the game that they will be at a disadvantage.

Hey's not lying, I've been at Navy for 19 seasons and I've must have capped its prestige (Navy) level and over been overachieving the team to max, per WIS code and logic-per forums. I'm pretty sure I could excel at another program in a better conference, and seriously compete, but this wouldn't be a fun as trying to break or fool the engine...I know-I'm being delusional..lol

Posted by Troll_God on 1/17/2026 10:41:00 AM (view original):

Posted by frankum on 1/13/2026 11:39:00 PM (view original):
The above is not true. It's much easier to recruit if you are in a power conference. You are at a significant recruiting disadvantage in the CUSA, MAC, WAC, and Sun Belt. If those schools rise up in the conference rankings it still won't matter. It's hard coded into the game that they will be at a disadvantage.

Hey's not lying, I've been at Navy for 19 seasons and I've must have capped its prestige (Navy) level and over been overachieving the team to max, per WIS code and logic-per forums. I'm pretty sure I could excel at another program in a better conference, and seriously compete, but this wouldn't be a fun as trying to break or fool the engine...I know-I'm being delusional..lol

Yep, I've just started the same journey with Toledo in Rockne. Did win the CC my first season but the next couple of seasons will be uphill until I get rid of a roster full of D2 players. But yeah here at Toledo I'm just taking the scraps that Notre Dame, Ohio St, Michigan and even the likes of Pitt and Northwestern have no desire to see on their rosters. The ultimate goal is high which is to eventually win a round 2 PO game. Today's PO game was the schools first ever one, lost 105-0 against Penn St. So I've got a ways to go. But anytime I'm at a mid major I make a habit out of not battling Power 5 teams for recruits. If you do win a battle it is just too taxing on the rest of your class and that one win just isn't worth it. Recruit solid players with higher potential and grow your team up. Lay back in the brush and look for leftovers.