College Football

[Krieg]

Radically changing the subject here, but I suspect Florida's not really anywhere near as outstanding as the talking heads make it sound. I'd think California produces at least as much talent, if not more (as well it should; CA has almost twice the population of Florida, a younger population, and better weather).

Div1A recruits by State since 96 (avg per year)...
TX: 328
CA: 250
FL: 193
OH: 135
LA: 100
GA: 99

NFL players in the NFL by State:
CA: 194
FL: 187
TX: 181
GA: 94
LA: 74
OH: 68

Population:
CA: 35 Mil
TX: 22 Mil
FL: 17 Mil
OH: 11 Mil
GA: 8.5 Mil
LA: 4.5 Mil

Population per recruit:
LA: 45K
TX: 67K
OH: 81K
GA: 86K
FL: 88K
CA: 140K

Population per NFL player:
LA: 60K
GA: 90K
FL: 91K
TX: 120K
OH: 160K
CA: 180K

The rest of the top ten in no particular order: Alabama, Illinois, Pennsylvania & Michigan (New Jersey just misses the top 10...if Rutgers ever gets it's act together they have a very strong talent pool).

 

[Crothian]

You are filled with...interesting information today.

Buckeyes Win

 

[Krieg]

You are filled with...interesting information today.

Did I mention I've been a moderator on The O-Zone for the past 6 years? lol

Buckeyes Win

Yeah, but they need some real improvement in several areas.

1. The offensive line wasn't getting the job done in the first half.
2. Lydell still isn't consistently hitting the hole with authority.
3. Justin needs to hold onto the damn ball!

On a brighter note...
1. It's nice to see Bam finally shine on the field.
2. Pittman looks good as the #2 RB.
3. The defense is going to be outstanding again.

I really think Dantonio can elevate UC to the next level. If he can keep some of the Cincy kids home who are currently going out of State, he will have a strong program going.

 

[Crothian]

Did I mention I've been a moderator on The O-Zone for the past 6 years? lol.

Nope, not that I know what that is but I'm guessing it is sports related....

Ya, the Buckeyes are not perfect but I was really pleased to see a passing game. They have work to do, but a lot of good things happened for the kids to build on.

 

[drothgery]

I really think Dantonio can elevate UC to the next level. If he can keep some of the Cincy kids home who are currently going out of State, he will have a strong program going.

I'd think if one of the second-tier Ohio schools (most likely Cinci, since they've got a shot at the Big East's BCS bowl bid; none of the MAC schools have an answer to that) can establish themselves as the clear #2 to Ohio State for Ohio kids, they'd end up a consistent top-20 team.

 

[Krieg]

Nope, not that I know what that is but I'm guessing it is sports related....

http://www.the-ozone.net/

...although I probably post more on Bucknuts or BuckeyePlanet these days.

I'd think if one of the second-tier Ohio schools (most likely Cinci, since they've got a shot at the Big East's BCS bowl bid; none of the MAC schools have an answer to that) can establish themselves as the clear #2 to Ohio State for Ohio kids, they'd end up a consistent top-20 team.

Absolutely no argument there.

If an Ohio school could lock up the kids who are currently going out of state to Minnesota, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Northwestern etc they would definitely be a force to reckon with.

The problem thus far is that a middle tier Big 10 program (Michigan State, Minnesota etc) is generally far more attractive than a school in the MAC or Conference USA. With the MAC beginning to find enjoy success against BCS conference schools on the field, and UC joining the Big East...that may change a bit.

FWIW I think UC's biggest advantage right now is Mark Dantonio and the new coaching staff. There are a LOT of Ohio (and Ohio State) ties among the current UC coaches.

Dantonio is from Zanesville and coache under Earle Bruce with the Buckeyes, he has also spent time at Ohio University, Akron, Youngstown State and served was Ohio State's defenisive co-ordinator the last three years.

Coaches Don Treadwell, Pat Narduzzi, Harlon Bennet, Tim Hinton, Mark Staten, Mike Tressel (Jim Tressel's nephew) and Jeff Uhlenhake are all Buckeyes by birth and played or coached football at the collegiate level in Ohio. Ohio High School coaches like that...a lot.

Rick Minter was a pretty good coach, but he wasn't a Buckeye and didn't have many Ohio ties on his coaching staff. That was one of the reasons they didn't recruit the state particularly well.

Ohio High School coaches know and trust UC's new coaching staff. That will pay HUGE dividents in local recruiting down the road.

 

[drothgery]

http://www.the-ozone.net/

...although I probably post more on Bucknuts or BuckeyePlanet these days.

Absolutely no argument there.

If an Ohio school could lock up the kids who are currently going out of state to Minnesota, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Northwestern etc they would definitely be a force to reckon with.

The problem thus far is that a middle tier Big 10 program (Michigan State, Minnesota etc) is generally far more attractive than a school in the MAC or Conference USA. With the MAC beginning to find enjoy success against BCS conference schools on the field, and UC joining the Big East...that may change a bit.

I was thinking more along the lines of consolodating the best of the talent that does go to the MAC schools and Cinci in one place. Miami (Ohio), Toledo, Bowling Green, and/or Cinci are often in the last few slots of the top 25 (at least, at the end of the year; if they agreed to play a perennial top-ten team early, it tends to hurt them until the big guys start knocking each other off), and the guys they play had to come from somewhere.

 

[Crothian]

First major weekened almost done and zero upsets. Had a nice close call wuth Oregone State and LSU but no dice (poor kicker).

 

[drothgery]

Of course, my Orange looked so bad that I switched over to US Open tennis. I expected a loss to Purdue, but 51-0 is embarassing. Ouch. When does basketball season start, again?

 

[Crothian]

Ya, I didn't see the game (I was gaming) but I saw the box score. Penn State, Gophers, Purdue, Wisconsin, Micihigian...all scored a great deal of points. Big Ten usually isn't know for high scoring like that, I was suprised.