Is there a masterpiece in the making? This masterpiece is not just Ohio State vs. Oregon, or The Sugar Bowl, but also the restructuring of the college football landscape. What do I mean, you may say? Ohio State vs. Oregon is a tail of two programs that everyone talked about but never thought of us national championship material. Ohio State was seen as the King of the Big Ten, but nothing else and certainly not worthy of the Playoffs. Oregon was seen as the King of the Pac12 with the best player in college football, but certainly not worthy of beating the Seminoles or Crimson Tide. This National Title Game was supposed to be Florida State vs. Crimson Tide or Oregon vs. Crimson Tide. The perception of the SEC supercedes what is actually happening in college football, there are better teams outside the SEC.
The Sugar Bowl was supposed to be a brutal beating of the Big Ten by a superior conference, but instead the exact opposite took place. Does this effect recruiting? It could in the long run, maybe not now though. Urban Meyer put Ohio State with an Alabama defeat, which sent the SEC West into questioning the dominance of their existence. The Crimson Tide walked into the SuperDome with the entire force of the SEC behind them, and it still was not enough. However, the landscape changed in the manner of national perception. The entire ESPN network is one of the most televised sporting channels in the world. That being said, their facts and opinions mean the world to their viewers, for the most part. In an earlier post I mentioned that while ESPN and other media giants have a stake in the success of the SEC, their anchors and hosts may not. There are instances where hosts are homers, but it does not eally matter. Anyways, every person associated with ESPN chose Alabama as their
Sugar Bowl victor. We have a population that lead busy lives and therefore, depend on their news channels to provide ethical and factual information. Now, does everyone believe ESPN and the media, no, but do the majority? Probably. That being said, the Friday afterwards and the following days became a mixture of tucking their tail between their legs, and being respectful of the fact that Alabama was not the better team. This loss marked the second consevutive year, where the myth of the SEC was just that, a myth with the whole world watching.
I heard the debate today about who the best coach is, with an objective answer. From an objective stand point, Nick Saban is still that, but only because of his recent success. You cannot erase his National Titles because his record shows more than just flukes, but instead consistency and consistency gives birth to dynasties. Alabama is defined by their yearly championship runs, but since their short comings have begun to multiply the college football world is shaking their heads in disbelief. The best coach in the last seven years has been Nick Saban. However, the best coach the past 3 years has been Urban Meyer. How many coaches has lost 3 games in 3 years. How many coaches and coaching staffs could make three quarterbacks into game changing starters? Granted Braxton needed a little fine tuning, but J.T. Barrett and Cardale are lottery winning tickers. If Urban Meyer takes Ohio State to the Title Game every year, then he will than be a better coach over the long run, not short, which is more important.
Ohio State meets Oregon in Texas and the talk has began the same way it always has. Oregon is too fast for Ohio State to win. Oregon will run circles around Ohio State and tire them out. They are simply too much too handle. National punditary is already singing the praises of Oregon over Ohio State. Is this surprising? Ohio State can win this game. Do you really think Urban Meyer, Tom Herman, and the rest of the Ohio State coaching staff will not head into this game with a great plan in mind?
O-H!
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