Perception is only half the equation, in becoming a dominate conference. The other half is winning all of your games. The Big Ten, the way I see it could be one of the most dominate conferences in college football. Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes will bring great pride to Columbus and the Big Ten through scheduling, winning, and coaching styles. This is proven through press conferences with the players and coaches. Coaches and players constantly reiterate that they are never satisfied with their performances because they realize the only celebration that matters is at the end of the year: The Big Ten Championship and National Championship. The games leading up to those though, are stepping stones used to keep this team on their toes. Consider this, Braxton is injured less then two weeks before the season starts. The national perception is that Ohio State is nothing without him, and that their inevitable failure is imminent. Fast forward to the Virginia Tech game, where nothing seemed to go right on either side of the ball. We lose, then start on a rampage of winning games in a convincing manner. We are a hungry team, that is not satisfied with simple appetizers, but instead an entire 4 course meal.
Ohio State will always be considered the most consistent team in the Big Ten. The problem, however, is that Big Ten teams have problems winning games against perceived big time opponents. For example, Week 2 of this years season was brutal. Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin all dropped their games against Oregon, LSU, and Virginia Tech. The problem as I stated before, is the perception of these games no matter the score. The perception of the Big Ten is that the conference is overall weak, therefore; even if these games were won the consensus would have been that these teams had a bad night, and the score was not a rational reason for the turnout. In other words, the Big Ten is still weak even though they beat good teams in great conferences. The only way to contradict the perception of the Big Ten is to win and constantly at that.
This Buckeyes team is poised for greatness, that can only be described as relentless. Rising into the Final Four is nothing more than Ohio State being Ohio State. What do I mean by this? The rotation of players into the program, than to graduation is starting to show the end of the Tressel era, and transition into the Urban Era. Since Urban has taken the helm, the Buckeyes have sustained top 5 recruiting classes and Freshman are no strangers to the battle field. This team is young and poised. There is no question, this team will not be satisfied until there are many trophies at the Woody Hayes Facility. As Buckeye Fans, we cannot rely on other teams to hold up their end of the bargain, but we can expect this team to hold there's up, which they have done.
I listen to radio shows, ESPN (for about 5 minutes), and other sports outlets to gain a feel for where all the attention is. I hear the discussion of whether SEC, Big 12, and PAC 12 teams should have to play in the colder north. The problem is that, until more Big Ten teams dominate their games, there is no reason for these conferences to prove themselves. They may be weak, but there is no way to prove so. In 2016 and 2017, Ohio State plays Oklahoma; in 2018 and 2019 Ohio State plays TCU; in 2020 and 2021 Ohio State plays Texas, and in 2022 and 2023, Ohio State plays Notre Dame. These up and coming series will help the Buckeyes tremendously, but the Big Ten has to do so as well. Having one strong team will do nothing but harm the conference. It has got to be a collective effort. Remember Buckeye Nation we have the super power of ESPN against us.
My final argument and remedy for perception is coaching staffs. Ohio State, as I stated in an earlier blog, took a huge step and slapped the Big Ten in the face by hiring Urban Meyer. I have not been to the facilities, only to the Horseshoe for games, but Ohio State has invested in its brand. Michigan has no choice but to open their bank accounts to a top notch coach. This coach will be on a time table much like Urbans was at Ohio State. Universities and coaches have to coach to win, and cut weak coaches. There is no other way to say it. Illinois gave Tim Beckman his two weeks notice, Michigan's weakest link is Brady Hoke. I understand the friendship is important, but winning is a job, not a hobby. We must act as such.
No comments:
Post a Comment