When was the last time any of those schools were competing for a National title? ND was the most recent, but has mostly been average. I also don't look at Texas and think what a sterling academic school. UCLA is not good at football, nor has UW been in 2 decades save for last year. USC was only good with Cheatin' Pete.

Of that second group of schools, OSU is the only one that is a true football power, and I have never heard mentioned as a sterling academic institution. The others are average to above average at football, and with the exception of GT are average to slightly above in academics.

My point is, even if they are great academic institutions they will only be known for one thing. Alabama could pump out 12 Rhodes Scholars and they would still be a football school. Duke could win the next 3 Football Playoffs they will still be a basketball school. Stanford could be 8 time Pac 12 Champs they would still be an academic school. Every university has to make a choice.