It’s interesting how the teams that dominated my childhood like Tennessee, Florida State, Nebraska, USC, Michigan... all have been the doormats of the modern football era.
I get your point JBV but I have to slightly disagree . I obviously do not your age (I am 42) but I’m guessing by the teams that you named that you are
relatively close to the same age as I am.
I agree that except for a few decent years with 9 wins &convincing bowl wins achieved by the legs of Josh Dobbs , the constant motor running of Derek Barnett, the balls of steel of Jennings plus some other talented players -vs- overhyped Big10 schools achieved in spite of having a buffoon as a HC that TN has by and large been a doormat for over a decade . It goes back further than that but the formerly mighty Vols did not achieve doormat status until the Derek Dooleys reign of error . Nebraska is in a similar position .
Where I take slight issue with your statement is about FSU , Michigan & USC. I agree that those 3 programs could currently be classified as door mats but from 2010 -2019 Michigan had 3 10 win seasons & 1 11 win season with appearances in the Sugar , Orange & Peach bowls.
USC has 3 10 win & 1 11 win season in that same time frame with appearances in the Rose & Cotton Bowls.
FSU has 3 10 win seasons , 1 12 win season , 1 13 win season & 1 14 win season which culminated in an appearance & win in the BCS championship game for a National title . Other bowl appearances where 2 Peach bowls , 2 orange bowls & 1 Rose bowl.
Respectively UM, USC & FSU might be approaching the level of castrated ineptitude that has befallen our beloved Volunteers but they have not fallen as far as UT & Nebraska yet.