B1G Anonymous Coach Opinions (2023 Edition)
It's my favorite time of the year! Anonymous B1G coaches (or their assistants (or assistants' assistants)) offer their cattiest opinions about other B1G teams.
It's been this way for a few years now, but these feel much less catty and much less interesting than they once were. Is there really a single interesting comment or insight in that article?
I feel all the coaches have figured this out over the years --- just be boilerplate boring. Unfortunately. No Steve Spurriers (besides, he'd actually put his name to his comments, to hell with anonymity).
You've got a point. It's more fun reading scathing stuff.
But even if "boilerplate boring," it's still interesting.
And a little surprising about Nebraska as a sleeping giant. After so many years assuming a school in a small state simply couldn't get anything going anymore, that its glory days were long past, I didn't expect to read comments suggesting things might blossom in Lincoln.
Nebraska's "financial situation" & "arrangements" were mentioned enough times to figure out what"$leeping giant" means...
I miss Spurrier as a coach. My favorite quote from his days at Florida, after a fire at the Auburn library destroyed 20 books:
“The real tragedy was that 15 hadn’t been colored yet.”
Can’t spell citrus bowl without U and T
"You know what FSU stands for, don't you? Free Shoes University." —The 'Ol Ball Coach
Free Shoes University was his best zinger ever, IMO.
Spurrier coaching was a National Treasure.
I agree. In previous years, you could usually find someone taking a potshot at a rival. The closest thing to actual criticism was about Rutgers and Greg Schiano's fast-fading luster.
One Spurrier comment that always brought a smile to my face was - in reference to bowl season was - "You can't spell Citrus without UT" (referencing the Volunteers of Tennessee).
That was great, but I'd argue an even better comment was in the summer of 1997, when he incorporated Peyton into the bit:
"So Peyton's coming back. People wonder why. Well, I know why Peyton came back for his senior year. He wanted to be a three-time star of the Citrus Bowl."
THERE WILL BE GNASHING OF TEETH!
I think "boilerplate" is an exaggeration. The comments are not incendiary, but they seem pretty candid and on point, for the most part. Like the comments about B Ferentz and Cade and culture at Iowa, Northwester sucking at QB development, msu leaning too heavily on the portal and being inconsistent, comments about Brohm not really wanting to be at Purdue, Schiano creating a "stressful environment."
Maybe that stuff was common knowledge, but to actually say it is another thing.
Fair enough. We here all follow this stuff more than most, so maybe we're not the target audience.
But I'm disappointed overall. Michigan's section in particular ("the transfers are good, the backfield is great, the QB is great, they've got speed on the edges and defensively they're consistent and smart.") ------ who, outside of an absolute CFB neophyte, is learning anything at all from that?
Lol, that's true. Michigan reloaded, they're great. OSU is the most talented team, must beat Michigan. Penn State has a great shot this year, but needs Allar to develop. There definitely was a lot of obvious stuff there. Some good nuggets too, though.
I found it very interesting, such as the coaches private reverence for Rhule and their NIL.
Wow. This is great. Thanks for posting.
"We're all anxious to see how they address those contract stipulations on the offensive coordinator and what they can actually get done" - someone regarding Iowa
Brian Ferentz having performance targets will never cease to be hilarious.
Kirk may be forced to send him to bed early and suspend TV privileges if this doesn't get better.
Iowa fans may celebrate if Brian is “let go” after this season, but Kirk is playing 4D chess. As Kirk is sure to become the next AD as soon as he leaves the football program, he will let Brian “get more experience at another program” only to bring him in back as head coach in a few years with the biggest buyout you have ever seen.
Feels like the Iowa offense is maybe getting slept on a bit. Yes they were awful last year, yes Brian Ferentz is a nepo-dunce, but they have a real QB (McNamara), a real running back (Kaleb Johnson), a real receiving threat (All), and their entire offensive line returning. If there's a decent wide receiver in there and the defense doesn't take a big step back they might actually be the front-runners for the West.
Run, run, play action pass to the tight end might be fine against much of the big ten but it’s still not going to cut it against the big boys. While Cade might have the ability to do more, the staff doesn’t seem up to the challenge.
They did get a big time transfer WR from Ohio State. I think they'll be better on O, but let's not forget that the play-calling won't change much and McNamara may be improved but he isn't an elite QB. At Iowa though, they may not need more than that. I'd guess they were easy favorites for the west because who else is a legitimate challenger?
they have a real QB (McNamara),
While Cade is a big step up from Petras, he's a specific type of QB and I'm not so sure he'll be able to elevate that offense significantly. Especially considering Iowa is going to have him under center a bunch and running PA. He's more of a shotgun, survey and throw guy than one who can turn his back to the defense and then make a late read. Plus Petras was a statue, both in a negative way (couldn't move) and in a positive way (could see over the OL). Cade isn't very mobile and he's a bit short/his delivery sometimes becomes and issue.
a real receiving threat (All)
I don't think All is a better receiving TE than LaPorta was (or the other many Iowa TEs over the years). He's a great blocking TE but I was never in awe of his receiving chops. Still a solid piece but not someone who will take over games. Kind of expecting more out of Lachey than him, though All has the previous relationship with Cade.
their entire offensive line returning
That OL was terrible last year and in large part why Iowa's offense sucked so bad. I'm not sure it will take a huge step up.
If there's a decent wide receiver in there
They got that transfer from OSU who was a top 100 recruit. No production as of yet, but certainly talented. Other than that... bupkis? Some returning guys who have like 30 receptions to their names.
the defense doesn't take a big step back
I expect their defense to still be really damn good. Top 5, especially considering they might be on the field a bunch.
they might actually be the front-runners for the West.
That's not saying much to be honest. They finished a game out of 1st place in the West last year and had a chance to win the division against Nebraska in the final week of the season. Wisconsin is changing philosophies and relying on a G5 QB transfer. Minnesota is solid but I know next to no names on their roster. Purdue lost a lot including their HC. Illinois lost their 3 or 4 best players. Nebraska is digging out of a ditch. NW sucks.
I take exception to Michigan not being the last team featured in the write up. While no criteria was given for order of teams listed, it felt like it started with the worst and worked its way up (with the curious exception of Nebraska being slotted in between Wisconson and PSU).
Still a good read, thank you for sharing.
Thought the same thing. 2 time reigning conference champion is not the last team listed...huh?
Seriously. I took exception with this quote: ""The gap between them and Ohio State hasn't been this close in decades." While I agree its been about 20 years since Michigan was a better program, I would say the "gap" is no longer a gap. We beat them by double digits two years in a row, our program has a better QB1, more depth across both lines, and a superior staff.
The only area OSU has outperformed Michigan is recruiting, and that is just based on star power. Arguably Michigan's recruiting philosophy is more sustainable than OSUs. Michigan's staff is much better at identifying 3* and low 4* talent that tend to break out in years 3-5 of their careers, which is why OSU fans are wrong when they keep saying "we were the younger team this year, but next year..."
Regarding OSU, agreed, the scoreboard doesn't lie. Michigan was the better team the past two years.
About the players, though: Even if Georgia is half asleep, it's hard to see Michigan come within a FG of beating them last year if they'd had the shot.
Pains me a little to say this, but stars do matter. Maybe they're not optimally distributed at OSU, but there are a lot of them.
stars in a dome =\= stars in november
If Michigan beats OSU this year they will be the last team listed. What transpired in the Playoff last year made a lot of people think last years win over OSU was a fluke. Beat them this year, make it three years in a row. Michigan will then be regarded as the dominant program in the BIG.
A fluke...how does a blowout win in their stadium = fluke?
I'm not saying that is my opinion. However, gagging against TCU didn't help the cause.
The point is, OSU beat us for a long time, and they want more data...But I share your same opinion in that SHELLACKING THEM TWO YEARS STRAIGHT is enough data to offset the prior decade.
45-23 is for sure a blowout on the scoreboard. No argument here.
Look closely, though. Michigan was trailing at halftime and it was a one-score game going into the fourth quarter.
A pure blowout for me would have Michigan up more than two scores at halftime and running away in the second half with the game *never* in doubt after the first quarter.
People put way to much weight on that Georgia game for the "OSU vs UM" discussion.
It happened in their house head to head and they got rolled.
GTFO with that "Atta boy" L you took from Georgia. Not one god damned thing was ever given to us because of a tough loss. Hell maybe this gets them thinking they have arrived again.
Not one person is saying last year was a fluke
If they weren’t Michigan would be the last team listed.
Actually I‘d rather be the underdog with a little chip on my shoulder and something to play for than the favorite with swagger. Some teams handle the favorite role very well and it inspires them e.g. Bama and USC at their zeniths. At Michigan being the favorite has historically created entitlement and complacency. Besides, two years does not a trend make when nearly two decades have been marred by teams that have mostly been outclassed. Let’s win a few more before we change the narrative completely.
DGB, I wouldn't have believed what I'm about to say, if I hadn't looked it up.
Nebraska's roster strength ranking - in the B1G - according to 247's Team Talent Composite for the 2022 season was ...??? Take a guess...
The Huskers were fourth - in the conference - behind, OSU, Michigan, and PSU - with the most talented roster in the West. So, was it talent? Was it Scott Frost (who I miss immensely)?
I'm unsure of how Nebraska's roster has changed - transfers, etc. It will be interesting to see what Ruhle can do - and, that Nebraska vs Colorado game in week 2 - could be "must see tv".
As fun as it was to laugh at Scott Frost and his mother, Nebraska was having a literally unbelievable string of bad luck. One play to sum up Nebraska under Frost was the fumble against Michigan that lead to the loss. They get a break by the ref not blowing the whistle despite forward progress being clearly stopped, but then the break becomes a dagger when the guy fumbles after getting 5 more yards when most people thought the play was over. If the ref just blows the whistle when he is supposed to the game is over. I mean, I wasn't mad, it was awesome, but it is indicative of what was happening there like every week.
Nebraska has a strong connection to fertile Texas recruiting ground so it isn't surprising to me their roster is higher regarded. They have always had good success getting players from the south. However, it was interesting if not surprising to me that they kept referring to them as a "sleeping giant".
That is wild. Thanks for looking it up. Agreed, all eyes on Rhule..
If the current schedule holds, we'll be able to watch Nebraska vs Colorado and then wash that down with a little El Assico! action before feasting on M UNLV. Good times ahead!
Add it to the ever growing list of bulletin board material. I love it.
Guess you missed where Nebraska is a sleeping giant while Wisconsin is trying to convert from ground & pound to air raid on the fly?
I think your interpretation of the order was spot on. Disrespekt!
I am sincerely not trolling when I say the reason is probably that, while Michigan thrashed Ohio State last year, Ohio State looked stronger in it's almost-should-have-been-a-win against Georgia than Michigan did vs. TCU.
My perception of the two programs is that Harbaugh has created a better team culture, while Ohio State just has more talent, and when their heads are in the right place, Ohio State still has a higher ceiling.
A good reflection of the difference in mindset is Ohio State's long-snapper sending what should have been a 4th quarter fake punt back to the punter instead of the running back. He was so nervous he reverted to muscle memory and botched what even Harbaugh said could have been a game-changing play. Ohio State was tight and scared, Michigan played to win. I don't know how talented he really is, but JJ McCarthy is just a winner. You could see that attitude reflected in his face all game.
Josh Metellus’ dropped INT in 2017 was a game altering play. Up 14-0 and with the ball…grrr.
These are kids. They make errors. Who makes the least are often the winner.
Ole Miss should be pissed here that they were put in the Sparty bottom feeder bucket.
I thought the same thing. If there is a State comparable in the SEC I nominate the other MSU, Mississippi State.
Michigan State's overall profile the last 10 years (number of Top 10 appearences, number of premiere Bowl bids, number of wins against the likes of OSU/U-M/Alabama/LSU, et cetera) is considerably more like Ole Miss than Mississippi State. And really, it's not that close.
Right? Ole Miss is just minding its own business and catching strays aimed at Michigan State. That's a harsh way to go.
Ole Miss may have been on the receiving end of the worst burn in this piece and they aren't even in the BIG!
Right. This quote about Sparty doesn't map to reality:
"They're talented enough to beat most teams ..."
Elsewhere, I can't prove it, but a Minnesota quote sounded like BS, too:
"The first thing that comes to mind is their size. They're big, as big as the best teams in this league on the line."
Maybe it's true? Seems to me that the opposing team lines (offensive for sure) are pretty similar. Even when they differ, size is only a single important measure.
Then there's this about Nebraska:
"They're a sleeping giant because every other staff in the league knows what they're building in NIL."
Anyone know if that's true?