OT: D1

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The unique thing about Michigan is that I think it's hard for many people to recognize just how good they really are given the manner in which they play. It's very much an NFL approach and bygone methodology of how Harbaugh has done it there. They don't do it with much flash. They have good skill position players to be clear, but they aren't throwing the ball all over the place and amassing video game like numbers offensively. They beat you at the point of attach and just overwhelm teams at the line of scrimmage and possess the ball with purpose. They aren't straining to get yards I guess is what I'm saying. Three offensive possessions into the game and it was inside of a minute to play in the first quarter. When you are able to just melt away a game and run the ball when teams know you're going to do it, that's such a hard thing to stop.

Defensively, Washington was overwhelmed. They had no answer. Michigan just suffocated them all night.

I will give Washington some credit, though. They looked dead in the water earlly (and often) but that was still a touchdown game with 9 or 10 minutes left. It was clear the Wolverines were vastly superior.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Physically Washington was overwhelmed across the board. That’s been the reputation of PAC teams and it showed again last night. The teams coming to the BIG from the PAC need to address that or it’s going to be a tough transition. They were able to manage the matchup with Texas, but the Big 12 isn’t exactly known for physicality and defense.

[Ram040506]

Physically Washington was overwhelmed across the board. That’s been the reputation of PAC teams and it showed again last night. The teams coming to the BIG from the PAC need to address that or it’s going to be a tough transition. They were able to manage the matchup with Texas, but the Big 12 isn’t exactly known for physicality and defense.

I think it's unique to Michigan. Ohio St has become way more finesse in recent years, Wisconsin switched to a spread system. Penn State certainly isn't on that level either. Oregon/Washington will do fine. The most interesting thing for me is that a lot of these fan bases better get accustomed to dropping 3 games a year. The Big Ten is bringing in some much needed competition to the Ohio State/Michigan stranglehold. Schedules are going to finally present some challenges whether they like it or not. And yes I am insinuating that the Big Ten takes next to no risks OOC (Ohio State, gets a pass as they play strong OOC usually).

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I think it's unique to Michigan. Ohio St has become way more finesse in recent years, Wisconsin switched to a spread system. Penn State certainly isn't on that level either. Oregon/Washington will do fine. The most interesting thing for me is that a lot of these fan bases better get accustomed to dropping 3 games a year. The Big Ten is bringing in some much needed competition to the Ohio State/Michigan stranglehold. Schedules are going to finally present some challenges whether they like it or not. And yes I am insinuating that the Big Ten takes next to no risks OOC (Ohio State, gets a pass as they play strong OOC usually).

Washington and Oregon are also daunting road trips. Those are insane stadiums to play inside (not to mention the cross country flights, time zone switch, etc.).

UCLA is always tough and USC is no cakewalk.

It's going to be a gauntlet.

It will be refreshing to see the BIG elevate from the big two and a half (JoePa being the King of the second group).

[IUP24]

I think it's unique to Michigan. Ohio St has become way more finesse in recent years, Wisconsin switched to a spread system. Penn State certainly isn't on that level either. Oregon/Washington will do fine. The most interesting thing for me is that a lot of these fan bases better get accustomed to dropping 3 games a year. The Big Ten is bringing in some much needed competition to the Ohio State/Michigan stranglehold. Schedules are going to finally present some challenges whether they like it or not. And yes I am insinuating that the Big Ten takes next to no risks OOC (Ohio State, gets a pass as they play strong OOC usually).

I tend to agree with this in principle. Ohio State is not nearly as physical as they once were. I think Michigan is constructed to play football a different way. And I don't think that's necessarily limited to the B1G. I think that is true for them compared to everybody else too. At every position, they are just bigger, stronger, and more physical. They are built like an NFL team looked like 15 years ago.

That's why I think it took people so long to recognize how good they were this year. They were just nonchalantly winning games with their QB throwing for 140 yards and never having the outcome never in doubt. It isn't like the Steelers of this year, winning games very ugly and appearing to have to strain to get a first down. They beat Penn State and never threw a pass for 2.5 quarters, but were never in any danger of losing. They were just so overpowering wire to wire all season, but it didn't necessarily always reflect by looking at crazy offensive numbers.

I think the best matchup would have been Michigan-Georgia. But Georgia lost their playoff game that would've given them the opportunity to create that matchup. So it is what it is. They won all the games but the one they absolutely needed to have.

[IUP24]

Side note... Living in Columbus... People sure are quiet LOL

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Who gets the Alabama job ?

[IUPNation]

Who gets the Alabama job ?

Hopefully James Tenandtwo. He can infect Alabamastan with those ESU cooties.....Penn State has had enough of it.

[TDBoi8136]

Who gets the Alabama job ?

If I were a Bama fan, I would be pushing for DeBoer. But I think it really could be just about anyone

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Hopefully James Tenandtwo. He can infect Alabamastan with those ESU cooties.....Penn State has had enough of it.

Bama would touch James Franklin if he worked for free.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

If I were a Bama fan, I would be pushing for DeBoer. But I think it really could be just about anyone

Following God is never easy.

Sark is getting a lot of buzz as is Lane Kiffin.

Some are even pushing for Dabo


We're about to see how loyal some of these coaches are when the phone rings and it's from Tuscaloosa. That class that just signed at XYZ Football Factory? Good luck. Bye.

[Ship69]

I tend to agree with this in principle. Ohio State is not nearly as physical as they once were. I think Michigan is constructed to play football a different way. And I don't think that's necessarily limited to the B1G. I think that is true for them compared to everybody else too. At every position, they are just bigger, stronger, and more physical. They are built like an NFL team looked like 15 years ago.

That's why I think it took people so long to recognize how good they were this year. They were just nonchalantly winning games with their QB throwing for 140 yards and never having the outcome never in doubt. It isn't like the Steelers of this year, winning games very ugly and appearing to have to strain to get a first down. They beat Penn State and never threw a pass for 2.5 quarters, but were never in any danger of losing. They were just so overpowering wire to wire all season, but it didn't necessarily always reflect by looking at crazy offensive numbers.

I think the best matchup would have been Michigan-Georgia. But Georgia lost their playoff game that would've given them the opportunity to create that matchup. So it is what it is. They won all the games but the one they absolutely needed to have.

It'll be interesting to see how Fickell does after some time at Wisconsin. I thought they made a big mistake getting away from the physical style that has been successful for them over the years. Paul Chryst got a raw deal there in my opinion. Had a good deal of success and then was shown the door after one so-so year. I think he had earned more than that.

[Fightingscot82]

I bet this next coach - especially if an established P5 head coach - will make $15-20M a year.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I bet this next coach - especially if an established P5 head coach - will make $15-20M a year.

I don't think there's any question it will be a massive name P5 coach. This is Alabama.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Don't rule out Urban Meyer to Alabama. It's getting talking-head buzz.

NFL disaster, yes, but superstar in college.

I don't see it but it wouldn't shock me.