You mean this one:
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id...in-big-ten-expanding-include-maryland-rutgers
However, I never just stop at a particular article in name only, I go to the cited source & this source has issues. as Grantland is not matter a fact journalism, in fact most sports journalism sucks in the facts department. Btw, football always been better down South - the BIG capitalized in decades leading up to post-segregation.
As for the map, I'm pretty sure Md and NJ are ahead of Pa in per capita talent. Then again, I'm tired as hell, color blind and this map is a little small to read right now - I'm on my daughter's old laptop. Lastly, I do believe Pa's hs football culture has faded a lot the past 20 years.
For basketball, I wouldn't put Boston on DC's level, nor Bmore and NYC (Jersey side). Philly is strong, but DC-Bmore has quickly become what some in the business are calling the top city for hs recruits. I'd still take Chicago over DC-Bmore. UConn has done well with DC-Bmore, right? Rudy Gay and Josh Boone, I'm sure more.
PS If many of the colder states consciously decided to upgrade their hs football, it could be done. It would be more expensive than down south, southeast, southwest, but it can be done & if the effort and culture are there, give it a decade. Spring and winter football can happen.