Perception vs. Reality

This game is more than just Ohio State vs. Alabama. It's about the pride of conferences. Granted, one would like to think if either win or lose the effect would only effect the teams and not the conference, but we both know that's not true. Alabama wins and the SEC is Gods gift to college football. Alabama loses and the SEC is still Gods gift, it's just this year is a rebuilding year. Nothing changes perception wise. Ohio State on the other hand is simple. You win and you were lucky. You lose and you've done what was expected. Sense some disrespect?

 

The truth is simple. Against LSU, Miss St, and Arkansas, The Tide nearly lost. LSU took them into overtime. Miss St. lost by 5 points, and Arkansas lost by 1 point. LSU lost to Notre Dame, Miss St. has yet to play, and Arkansas destroyed a down Texas Longhorns. These are basically Bama's key wins. If you take 10 minutes and watch highlights of these games, you'll wonder where all the hype is coming from, after all that's the same Bama team we're playing tomorrow night. The hype is coming from the simple fact that Saban's reputation is almost as big as his team. The media can't help but bring up the past successes of both, Urban and Nick, when discussing the keys to this game, as if they mean anything. As there been a vastly dominant team during the entire schedule? No, not really. Auburn and Arkansas had the toughest schedule this year, and they both have at least 3 loses. Oregon has been the most dominant when facing quality opponents, and they have one loss. Even the undefeated Seminoles have come close to losing more then they have blown out an opponent.

 

Anyone that looks at Ohio State may not dig deeper than what they have to, after all it is easy to say the Buckeyes will get manhandled by the infamous Nick Saban. However, for those that follow the team, the infamous Nick Saban may be in for a rough night. Was it not a year ago at this time, that Oklahoma was going through the same situation. In fact, there was not a single analysts nor commentator that did not pick Alabama, furthermore; Alabama was said to be superior at every position. That superiority may be true, but that does not change the outcome does it? This years Ohio State Buckeyes have a striking resemblance to the Ohio State team of 2002. While Nick Saban and Urban stay respectful before the game, during the game may be a different issue. This team has a new face, new attitude, and new personality. It seems the biggest Wild Card is none other than Cardale Jones, which has taken the task of becoming more than just a shadow, but the leader of a National Championship contending team.

 

Sweat does not rise from the body of Cardale Jones, but rather anger and focus. Cardale is angry at the media perception of his own abilities to lead this team. He has made the comment several times, that if J.T. Barrett or Braxton Miller were the starter we would probably be about equal if not favored, but instead because of people's perception of him, they are underdogs. Needless to say, he is out to prove a point. My point is simple, the national perception is that Ohio State will be anything but competitive, when the exact opposite it true. How can one person say Ohio State has no chance when those calling the plays are award winning coaches? 

 

O-H!

What Is The SEC?

 

 

I keep hearing SEC speed, SEC talent, SEC this, SEC that. Whenever a team has fast players, big players, multiple play makers, they are called SEC caliber players. Let's start out with some facts, in terms of college football geography. The SEC stand for South Eastern Conference. The SEC consists of Louisiana (farthest West) to South Carolina (farthest East), with all of the States bordering the Gulf of Mexico, with a few northern States, such as Missouri. I could be wrong because I don't follow the SEC intimately, but as for common knowledge I'm assuming this is it. "SEC talent, skill, and whatever else" is a myth. If SEC speed means you're fast and agile, then is Marcus Mariota SEC quality? Is Melvin Gordon, Montee Ball, James White or Eddie George SEC quality? Is JT Barrett, Braxton Miller, Cardale Jones, Jameis Winston, Rashad Greene or any other top notch player in college football SEC quality? One could assume so, but to assume so would be to assume these players grew up on SEC territory, which most did not. However, some states are split between different conferences.

 

The fact of the matter is this, SEC anything is a myth. What the SEC does have is great coaches and great coaches that develop players into great players. The same can be said about any other conference. Oregon has great players that are from States outside the SEC. Traditional Powers, Oklahoma and Texas have had great players from outside the SEC as well. Ohio State and the Big Ten in general have developed nobodies into somebody's, and they're in the North. The argument could be had that the SEC gets the best players, which could be true. That means, however, that coaches from other schools have to do a better job of selling their program. How hard can that be? If one were to pay attention to all of the teams that have won Super Bowls, what area of the country do most come from? The North. New England, Green Bay, Baltimore, Seattle, Pittsburgh, etc. When's the last time any team from the South had won with the exception of the Saints? No one from Florida, Texas, Carolina, Atlanta, or any place in the SEC. When's last team from a warm climate to win a Super Bowl? Or indoor? To sell the Big Ten would be an easy sell.

 

Sure playing in college, in a predominantly warm environment is nice, but say goodbye to that once you get drafted, unless you get lucky enough for a warm climate, then good luck getting to the Super Bowl. The fact of the matter is simple, to recruit for future NFL players, is to point out that those carrying the Lombardi Trophy are predominantly from the Northern, colder climates, not the South. You want a chance, come to the North. I realize that players can be conditioned to play in any climate, that they choose a University based upon their chances of a title or for whatever reason. However, look at all the successful players or QBs; where did they come from? Tim Tebow is not playing anymore. AJ McCarron is hurt, Greg McElroy isn't playing. Those are three very successful Southern college QBs. However, look who is starting, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Ben Rothlesberger, Joe Flaco, Drew Brees, etc. These QBs weren't from the South.

 

Whatever investment ESPN makes, they have the resources to advertise that brand into popularity and dominance. What happens if Ohio State and Oregon lose, than Florida State beats Alabama? Will the narrative still be the SECs dominance? Over the fact that Florida State hasn't lost a game in 2 years, including Bowl Games. Including the two best teams the last two years from the SEC. It would be interesting to find out. What if its Ohio State and Florida State? Would ESPN find a way to mention the SEC in the title game even though Alabama was knocked out?

 

The point is this, the region of the country you play in does not matter, it's the coaching staff. Whether a college team wins a title or not, does not matter, it's the players further development once they get into the NFL that does. What good is a team that wins titles, but which their drafted players end up doing nothing in the Pros? I don't see anyone saying Oregon or Florida State has SEC talent? Ohio State is entering the Sugar Bowl with an arsenal of talented and motivated players. Do they match up well with what Alabama brings to the table? I think so. Do these matchups mean Ohio State has SEC talent on their roster? No, that means all the players on the roster were developed by great coaches that have a variety of coaching experience. Urban Meyer and Chris Ash came from the SEC, Larry Johnson came from Penn State, Ed Warriner came from the Big 12, Tom Herman came from the MAC, Stan Drayton came from Florida, and the other coaches came from a variety of backgrounds. Does this mean Ohio State will win the Sugar Bowl? No, but it means that the talent we have on our rosters were coached by great coaches.