Part of it is being a basketball school, but the Stoops/Barnhart era is more about stewardship and consistency than really taking a swing and I think that has an impact. Our coach and AD are committed to keeping the schedule as weak as possible and guaranteeing a bowl streak, to the point of using their veto powers within the league. Taking the next steps and becoming relevant in the East (or nationally) requires over the top money, going back to the well over and over again with some folks. Neither program seems particularly aspirational at the moment, but at least Cal has sold that before. I imagine the conversations with $$$ reflect Stoops/Mitch general approach to the program so it's harder to make that push.