ESPn: In the B1G, there's tOSU/UM, and then everyone else

[Obliviax]

OK, paraphrased this a little to get it to fit, but here is the headline directly:

In Big Ten, there's Ohio State and Michigan, and then there's everybody else
​

now, to be clear, the article is really about recruiting. But almost nothing. about us winning the B1G despite the recruiting rankings the last several years. If you read the entire article, which I don't recommend you do, here is the very last paragraph:

The last Big Ten program other than the Wolverines or Buckeyes to sign a top-10 class in ESPN’s rankings was Penn State in 2006. The reigning Big Ten champions finished with the nation’s No. 9 class that season and are on track to finish 2017 with their third consecutive top-20 class under James Franklin.
​

I am sure there are those who will post "who cares". But ESPN making a big issue out of recruiting rankings is like brad koslowski's NASCAR is the best looking car on the track.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Yeah. There's Ohio State, Michigan, and the Big Ten Champions.

 

[lionlurker]

Nothing that hasn't been said here a million times before. Although, in spite of all of their luster, Michigan still never gets anything done.

 

[Cosmos]

Well now it's that time of year isn't it. National LOI.

 

[BobPSU92]

Franklin has stepped up Penn State's recruiting, but the process takes time. At this time last year, Penn State was coming off a 7-6 season, and much of the talk was about the program still feeling the effects of harsh sanctions. The 2016 season was unexpected, and some top recruits weren't looking at Penn State. It isn't realistic to expect a slew of kids to suddenly show up at Franklin's door. If Penn State has a similar finish in 2017, recruiting should be off the charts. I don't follow recruiting as closely as some here do, but it seems that Franklin is off to a great start for 2018.

Penn State, of course, has great tradition and facilities, coupled with great academics. There is no reason to believe that Penn State is inherently behind um and Tosu. Penn State went through unjust yet very harsh sanctions and two coaching changes over a few years. Another top-ten finish in 2017 with the stability and charisma that Franklin brings, and Penn State will be fine. No one will be talking about the sanctions.

 

[Howie'81]

Nothing that hasn't been said here a million times before. Although, in spite of all of their luster, Michigan still never gets anything done.

Yeah, but they pass the looks test. But, I don't see how with those ugly ass helmets they wear.

 

[lionlurker]

Yeah, but they pass the looks test. But, I don't see how with those ugly ass helmets they wear.

I like the helmets just fine. It's their self-satisfied smirks that are ugly ass, though.

Just repeat: less with more. Less with more. Less with more. Bugs the heck out of them.

 

[Judge Smails]

Nothing ever stays the same. Just like last year at this time, all I read were articles saying we wouldn't ever be competitive in the B1G East with MSU, Michigan, and Ohio State. Must have read it in 20 to 30 different articles. How did that turn out?

We'll never consistently compete with the recruiting rankings of the schools that "process" kids and probably bring in 20 more players every 4 years than PSU does. Those recruiting rankings also don't account for the kids who wash out quickly, or never qualify. If PSU can consistently finish Top 15 with Franklin bringing in quality student athletes, we'll be fine and be competitive with anyone on our schedule.

 

[lionlurker]

I still can't figure out why Michigan consistently underachieves like they do, though. Nobody underachieves like Notre Dame and Michigan do. Notre Dame's excuse is their strength of schedule, according to them. Not sure what Michigan's excuse is.

 

[Nitt1300]

three B1G football titles over five years would change that narrative, we've already got the first one

 

[Obliviax]

three B1G football titles over five years would change that narrative, we've already got the first one

Agree....accounts for tOSU but not UM though. Their record, overall, has been worse than ours.

 

[JoeLion]

ESPN is like PItt, they should just be ignored.

 

[PineIslandLion]

OK, paraphrased this a little to get it to fit, but here is the headline directly:

In Big Ten, there's Ohio State and Michigan, and then there's everybody else
​

now, to be clear, the article is really about recruiting. But almost nothing. about us winning the B1G despite the recruiting rankings the last several years. If you read the entire article, which I don't recommend you do, here is the very last paragraph:

The last Big Ten program other than the Wolverines or Buckeyes to sign a top-10 class in ESPN’s rankings was Penn State in 2006. The reigning Big Ten champions finished with the nation’s No. 9 class that season and are on track to finish 2017 with their third consecutive top-20 class under James Franklin.
​

I am sure there are those who will post "who cares". But ESPN making a big issue out of recruiting rankings is like brad koslowski's NASCAR is the best looking car on the track.

I'm sure they highlighted the fact PSU has won 3 Big 10 titles since Michigan has won a title, right? It truly is amazing to think that Michigan's last Big 10 title was in 2004! And, it's safe to say they're not going to sniff one next year, either.

 

[royboy]

Nothing ever stays the same. Just like last year at this time, all I read were articles saying we wouldn't ever be competitive in the B1G East with MSU, Michigan, and Ohio State. Must have read it in 20 to 30 different articles. How did that turn out?

We'll never consistently compete with the recruiting rankings of the schools that "process" kids and probably bring in 20 more players every 4 years than PSU does. Those recruiting rankings also don't account for the kids who wash out quickly, or never qualify. If PSU can consistently finish Top 15 with Franklin bringing in quality student athletes, we'll be fine and be competitive with anyone on our schedule.

My pet peeve -- the February rankings are NOT the same as who actually shows up for school that fall

 

[Cpeplion]

I'm sure they highlighted the fact PSU has won 3 Big 10 titles since Michigan has won a title, right? It truly is amazing to think that Michigan's last Big 10 title was in 2004! And, it's safe to say they're not going to sniff one next year, either.

and for the record, that was a shared title with Iowa

 

[Cpeplion]

My pet peeve -- the February rankings are NOT the same as who actually shows up for school that fall

Hence, why Tennessee signs 40 kids and gets a top ten class but half of them fail to qualify

 

[baircub1!]

I like the helmets just fine. It's their self-satisfied smirks that are ugly ass, though.

Just repeat: less with more. Less with more. Less with more. Bugs the heck out of them.

Apologies to Cowboy fans but... Michigan is to College Football what the Cowboys are to the Pro's...

Sans " America's Team" label...

 

[BobPSU92]

Franklin has stepped up Penn State's recruiting, but the process takes time. At this time last year, Penn State was coming off a 7-6 season, and much of the talk was about the program still feeling the effects of harsh sanctions. The 2016 season was unexpected, and some top recruits weren't looking at Penn State. It isn't realistic to expect a slew of kids to suddenly show up at Franklin's door. If Penn State has a similar finish in 2017, recruiting should be off the charts. I don't follow recruiting as closely as some here do, but it seems that Franklin is off to a great start for 2018.

Penn State, of course, has great tradition and facilities, coupled with great academics. There is no reason to believe that Penn State is inherently behind um and Tosu. Penn State went through unjust yet very harsh sanctions and two coaching changes over a few years. Another top-ten finish in 2017 with the stability and charisma that Franklin brings, and Penn State will be fine. No one will be talking about the sanctions.

Another important point that I should have mentioned above is the uncertainty a year ago with Moorhead, Limegrover, and Pry in their then-new roles. In 2016, they established themselves in their respective roles (especially Moorhead). Another top-ten finish will lead to greater praise in the media and will help recruiting. The only question is whether any of them leave after next season.

 

[lionlurker]

Apologies to Cowboy fans but... Michigan is to College Football what the Cowboys are to the Pro's...

Sans " America's Team" label...

Yep. We all know that. But while the Cowboys have had real success in their history, Michigan has had nowhere near the success that an unschooled observer might guess, based on the weight they carry in the college football world.

 

[BoulderFish]

OK, paraphrased this a little to get it to fit, but here is the headline directly:

In Big Ten, there's Ohio State and Michigan, and then there's everybody else
​

now, to be clear, the article is really about recruiting. But almost nothing. about us winning the B1G despite the recruiting rankings the last several years. If you read the entire article, which I don't recommend you do, here is the very last paragraph:

The last Big Ten program other than the Wolverines or Buckeyes to sign a top-10 class in ESPN’s rankings was Penn State in 2006. The reigning Big Ten champions finished with the nation’s No. 9 class that season and are on track to finish 2017 with their third consecutive top-20 class under James Franklin.
​

I am sure there are those who will post "who cares". But ESPN making a big issue out of recruiting rankings is like brad koslowski's NASCAR is the best looking car on the track.

So the point/thrust of the article is how the coaches at OSU and UM choke with their supposed talent?

While I would agree wrt Harbaugh, not sure I would agree wrt Meyer. I think he just had a down year last year and will be back (assuming no pending "health issues").

 

[Judge Smails]

Another important point that I should have mentioned above is the uncertainty a year ago with Moorhead, Limegrover, and Pry in their then-new roles. In 2016, they established themselves in their respective roles (especially Moorhead). Another top-ten finish will lead to greater praise in the media and will help recruiting. The only question is whether any of them leave after next season.

I think the thing that helps with those 3 assistants is they are all PA natives. Going to have to be a pretty big job to get them to move. I know Pry turned down a HC job (Georgia Southern?) because the pay wasn't high enough. JoeMo is going to need a mid to high level Power 5 job to move.

 

[Franklin_Restores_TheTradition]

Yeah, but they pass the looks test. But, I don't see how with those ugly ass helmets they wear.

Didn't that team that "passed the looks test" as a playoff worthy team just lose 3 of their last 4 games??? The only way they "passed the looks test" is if you looked the other way at all their losing during the end of the season.....LMFAO!

 

[razpsu]

Saying all of that. We should get these last 3 recruits because of the season that we had. If not then the talk about a great season is moot.

 

[PSU_Chicago]

Just win. That is all PSU needs to do.

scUM ... they do less with more more than any other school.

 

[joeparules]

And check out what all those great recruiting classes have provided O$U and UM since 2011 ...

School - B1G CCG Appearances/Wins
Wisconsin - 4 / 2
MSU - 3 / 2
O$U - 2 / 1
PSU - 1 / 1
Iowa - 1 / 0
Neb - 1 / 0
UM - 0 / 0

 

[Franklin_Restores_TheTradition]

I think the thing that helps with those 3 assistants is they are all PA natives. Going to have to be a pretty big job to get them to move. I know Pry turned down a HC job (Georgia Southern?) because the pay wasn't high enough. JoeMo is going to need a mid to high level Power 5 job to move.

I think what many miss is that these guys are extremely "happy" right where they are in any number of ways (i.e., overall quality of life, security & stability, family life, etc....) - many coaches don't want to just roll the dice on a HC job someplace in need of a building or re-building project simply for the one-time pay-day as it is not that easy to just turn a program around on a dime, especially given the nature of recruiting......if they are unable to turn a program due to "structural" issues beyond their control (lack of investment in facilities, lack of investment in assistants, etc, etc, etc....) and the records never improve, they're a "one-and-done" head coach and it is not that easy to go backwards in coaching especially if you are getting up in age. I could see JoMo sticking around PSU for a very long time if he, and his family (including direct relatives in Pittsburgh and other parts of PA), are truly happy.... People tend to take their own "priorities" in regards to career decision-making and apply them to others like a "straight-jacket" and that is a bull$hit, fallacious thing to do imho. Only JoMo (and his family) knows what the "priorities" are in such decisions and nobody else despite what the loudmouths on here like to holler constantly.