This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/cfb by /u/Benson879 on 2025-07-12 21:42:22+00:00.
This is probably one of my favorite terms used, because there’s so many teams that could technically fit under this category.
Would you define it as any team that once was a powerhouse, but no longer is anywhere close to that status? Or does it have to still fit a definition where the program still feels like they could feasibly get back to that elite level in the future?
For example, schools like Georgia Tech, Minnesota, Pitt: all had periods in their history where they were once a powerhouse. But all three are so far distanced from those eras, (we’re talking 40+ years) that it’s almost become unrecognizable to the current state of their programs. Basically, you largely call them a sleeping giant for shits and giggles. Anytime of these schools suddenly becoming dominant would feel pretty organic.
But then there’s more recent examples over the last 30 years: Nebraska, Miami, Florida. The memory of their dominance still feels a little more fresh by public perception. The brands have overall still remain prominent today and it would feel like it’s more accurate to the actual term itself.
Hell, you could also just really have fun with it and say the true sleeping giants are Harvard/Yale.