This battle matches up two programs who need no introductions and that each have immense followings. Many have already stated that they feel this game will be a blowout. For those of you who do not remember, USC pounded the Buckeyes at the Coliseum 35-3 just one year ago.
Since Jim Tressel has taken the helm of the Buckeyes he has been extremely successful but has struggled in the big game as of late. Tressel has won 5 big Ten Titles and a BCS National title. His all time record is 8-7 vs top ten opponents which is very strong, yet he has lost 5 straight. These 5 games have really tarnished and defined his storied tenure with the Buckeyes even though he has been extremely successful consistently being at the top of the Big Ten and having appeared in 3 BCS Title Games with one title.
Pete Carroll is no stranger to the big game himself having won 2 BCS National Titles and with an overall record of 6-1 in BCS Bowl Games. Carroll has an overall 89-15 record with the Trojans and has consistently produced a handful to 2 handfuls of NFL players each and every year.
So my question for you today is when did these College Coaches become the biggest game in town? Having lived in Ohio, it is common knowledge that Jim Tressel is the most famous football coach in the state. He is more well known than a Marvin Lewis who has coached the Bengals for the past 7 years or whoever the Browns bring in to mend the wounds every few years. Ohio is definitely a big time football state consistently producing great Division 1 players every year from some great high school programs. But when did Tressel and Ohio State become the biggest thing on the northside of the Ohio River? Tressel easily fills a stadium that seats over a hundred thousand people whether they are playing against little known Troy or against a USC. The Bengals are struggling to fill a 65,000 seat stadium for a home opener against the Denver Broncos. Tressel makes millions of dollars a year and is treated as the big time football coach in Ohio. Tressel and the Buckeyes easily have a much larger fan following than both the Bengals or Browns consistently every year and are the big game in town.
With Pete Carroll it is much of the same story. The beautiful Rose Bowl Stadium is consistently filled to capacity without question no matter who they play. Not to mention Carroll is raking in a modest 4.4 million dollars a year in salary to coach a college football team.
So the question I pose to you today is when did these college football coaches become the biggest names in their state or region?
Prediction: Matt Barkley, though an extremely talented freshman, struggles in his first appearance under the bright lights. Though Carroll has the offense rely heavily on the run, in some key 3rd down situations, Barkley is forced to pass and throws some unwarranted interceptions. USC is able to recover though due to their great running game and always star studded defense. USC wins a much tougher contest than most are expecting 28 to 21 in the Horseshoe this evening.
Stay tuned for tomorrow when I blog on the Bengals opener and possibly some of the US Open.
-Kraze
College football just means more to the people of Ohio because it is their high school's products on the field. We have pride in Ohio, not a trojan quarterback backed by a bunch of players from who knows where. OSU and the rising young, local talent of UC represent Ohio football and that is why we love it so much more.
ReplyDeleteI however think The Ohio State University will squeak this one out. A tough defense and more of a running performance from Pryor will prove too much. OSU was sluggish against Navy but I believe that big Jim was keeping some offense options off the tapes the USC Trojans would be studying..
Also looking forward to talks of the US Open
love the insight, but USC plays in the Colliseum, not the Rose Bowl. That is home to UCLA
ReplyDeleteMy man, great posts so far. Glad I could get it off the ground. I'd love to hear what you have to say about the Serena incident from Saturday night
ReplyDeleteAnd as for these coaches being the biggest names, its simply the state of the program. The Bengals wouldn't struggled to fill the stadium for a home opener if it weren't for a 4-win season last year. The sole reason I believe the game sold out was thanks to Hard Knocks giving fans some hope. So as for these coaches being the talk of their state, I don't think its necessarily the case in Cali due to their abundance of sports. Not to say Carroll isn't beloved but he isn't as much as Tressel due to lack of competition on a state-wide scale. However, keep your eye on Tressel's "belovedness" if he continues his streak of blown bowl games. Fans only tolerate that for so long. Believe me, I've seen what happens at an elite school when the natives get restless. Things can turn fast. Tressel lost today. If he loses a bowl game this year, how much longer will it be tolerated? Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteBack to my point. OSU is what it is due to the lack of competition in the state. With the exception of the Cavs, Cleveland sports are useless, and if the Bengals have a bad year, Cincinnati is even worse. Thats why Tressels popularity is amplified. Same in Kentucky. UK's basketball coach is king because thats ALL this state has. There are no pro teams, and while Louisville is big, its only popular in Louisville while UK is statewide/nationwide. So thats my answer to your proposed question. Keep it comin Kraze.
AGAIN. I request your thoughts on Serena's repulsive behavior.