Stadium size that is.  A Mercer University study of Rivals.com football recruiting data has reported that recruits consider stadium size as one of the factors that rank highly in determining their selection of a university.

Figure 1. Effect of Stadium Size on Football Recruiting Rankings. (Click to enlarge)

My examination of Rivals.com recruiting class rankings over a 4-year period (2007-2010) and stadium capacities reveals that there is indeed a strong linear relationship between class rankings and stadium size (Figure 1).

The top ten in national recruiting rankings over a 4-year period had an average stadium capacity of 91,792.  Programs ranked 11 through 20 had an average stadium capacity of 80,298.

OSU’s peer group, programs ranked 51 through 60 in national recruiting had an average stadium capacity of 49,127.  The capacity of Reser Stadium is 45,674, and is lower than the peer group average.  The need for increasing the capacity of Reser Stadium is again demonstrated by this relationship.