The ESPN PTI guys love Jim Harbaugh
Tony Kornheiser led off the Friday show saying "Jim Harbaugh does something wonderful." Then later in the show he and Wilbon discussed the satellite camp issue, Harbaugh's "fabulous" response, Jed York's stupid decision, how Harbaugh is so good for the B1G, and for bonus points, Nick Saban's complete lack of a sense of humor.
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=12758749
Starts around the 10:50 mark
First, although you initially stated that OSU would have won the title if it won the B1G, it is quite a leap to assume OSU would have won both the B1G and the national title game that year---a year in which they nearly lost to some very bad teams (eg went to OT vs Purdue, won by one score over a Cal team that went winless in the Pac12).
Second, it is highly doubtlful they could have gotten to the national title game even if—by some miracle of hypothetical thought—they still had an unblemished record. The week the championship participants were chosen, both Ala and ND were ranked ahead of OSU in the AP-- the only human poll that OSU was allowed to participate in. I doubt it would have been any different in the Coach's poll. Indeed at season's end, two one loss teams (both Ala and Oregon) were ranked ahead of them). An umblemished record was not enough.
Most importantly, even if--through some miracle of wish fulfillment--OSU were ranked #2 in human polls, that would have been a very very close call and it would not have made up for its really really abysmal computer ranking, which made up 1/3 of the BCS score. That year, the B1G was #4 out of 5 power conferences, Ohio also had the worst SOS in the B1G.
You think Harbaugh is as good as Meyer? I'll say I hope so, but he sure as hell doesn't have 2 national championship rings from two different schools (powehouses obviously).
Harbaugh's NFL playing & coaching carrer mean nothing right now. His college coaching record is the only apples to apples comparison against other college coaches. His NFL experinces add up to a whole lot of potential for success for this next chapter of Michigan football, but right now it's simply hopeful potential.
Maybe you rate NFL accomplishments more highly than college, but even if Michigan had hired Bill Belichick, that wouldn't add a single victory to Michigan's all time record.
Games must be played and won first. Conference championships must be won, national titles won.
I think Harbaugh is great, and the perfect fit for Michigan right now, but it's not being a pessimist to say he hasn't won shit yet.
April 26th, 2015 at 10:04 AM ^
He's succeeded everywhere he's been.
Not only has he turned around every college team he's coached. Not only has be been a pro bowl NFL QB. In fact, he's one of the top 5 NFL coaches all-time in win pct. Actually, he's one of the top 4 in the modern era. The only ones above him are John Madden, Vince Lombardi and George Allen (another UM grad).
What college coach has done better than that---and at the highest NFL level?
Nobody.
No, not even sir grump a lot in Lansing or weak chin in Columbus (who've never played or been HC at the highest level),
No, not even the Godfather in Tuscaloosa (who has a sub-.500 NFL record).
None of those guys are in the top 5 win pct coaches even in the history of college FB--let alone the NFL.
April 26th, 2015 at 10:12 AM ^
Yes, the last seven years were a disaster. I get it. But now we have one of the best football minds in the world on our side. That is a fact. Enjoy the ride folks.
April 26th, 2015 at 10:54 AM ^
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April 26th, 2015 at 11:11 AM ^
You don't need 5 stars to win and compete at the elite levels, I think several coaches in this country have shown this to be true.
I like it - Wilbon usually doesn't miss a chance to take a swipe at Michigan, cool to see national media be on the same page with Michigan fans. I was sort of wondering if we were living in a bubble on this one.
He has (had) a local radio show in the Washington DC area that was one of the better radio talk shows. It had a fine mix of entertainment, national and local news, with some sports thrown in there. He prefers a local rather than national radio talk show.
The energy of him with Michael Wilbon on PTI is great. They are probably two of the brightest minds in the sports talk business and are not afraid to sponsor unpopular views. Then even Wilbon, who hates Michigan because he went to Northwestern, is supportive of Harbaugh's coming to the Big Ten.
The PTI Halloween show is really a "Don't Miss" extravaganza.
April 26th, 2015 at 10:12 AM ^
He just gave Nick Saban a noogie!!
I love how they briefly alluded to what is great about Harbaugh. He's not afraid of anybody. He got back to Michigan and immediately stirs the pot. Mike Weber situation, he makes Urban look silly with a brilliant tweet and he couldn't respond.
He goes after the SEC with the satellite camps. And when they cry foul, he asks them to participate.
It's a refreshing mentality that we haven't seen in Ann Arbor in years.
April 26th, 2015 at 11:05 AM ^
What we have, iMO, is an extremely intellent HC who is not afraid to ruffle the feathers of his rivals because he knows he can back up his words with deeds.
I absolutely love it. It's so nice to not have a head coach who's the punch line in our rivals joke collection anymore. It's WAY more fun to be the hammer - I'm really done with being the nail.
it's like he's a step ahead of these guys.
April 26th, 2015 at 12:45 PM ^
April 26th, 2015 at 11:09 AM ^
Alrighty then.
We are at the bottom. We have nothing. Our enemies are emboldened. MSU is good, and there team is led by a good coach who has no viable personality. OSU just won a natty and there coach has a morality that extends as far as how likely he is to get caught (as all OSU coaches from the past).
But Harbaugh has made this fun! And we have won absolutely NOTHING. It is fun because we can win every day. We do not have to be afraid of anybody - Carroll, Saban, Dantonio, Meyer, ANYBODY. We can be enthusiastic about weight lifting, being the holder on extra points, football camp, ANYTHING.
Most importantly, we can be proud of being from Michigan. Where we do things the right way, where excellence in everything is a way of life, where people come to be the best and compete against the best.
And we need be afraid of NOTHING. We do not have to be afraid on going for it on fourth down, the risks of the spread punt, a turnover late in the half, or any of our emboldened rivals. We will no longer apologize for who we are or how hard we compete or for any deployed tent spikes.
Finally, who has it better than us? NOOOOOBODY!
I can't wait either. It will make saying goodbye to summer much easier.
Sorry. Hit the button once. Not sure what happened. Aware but not fully aware.