The Coaches' Votes Don't Lie - All Big Ten
This may have been mentioned in previous all-Big Ten posts -- if so, didn't see so SIADiscussed -- but it really stood out to me how many Michigan selections, especially for first team offense, were "coaches only". To me this betrays that the coaches, who know more than anyone what beats them and their teams, know that it's Michigan's (well-coached) players that are beating them, despite "signs to the contrary".
The media may buy the narrative, but the coaches when it comes down to it seemingly can't. Below are the first-team offense selections. There are six Michigan players, all voted by coaches, two solely by coaches. There are five Buckeyes, two voted by media only (the darlings):
- QB: J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
- RB: Blake Corum, Michigan
- RB: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
- WR: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
- WR: Isaiah Williams, Illinois
- TE : Colston Loveland, Michigan (coaches)
- TE : Cade Stover, Ohio State (media)
- OT : Olu Fashanu, Penn State
- OT : LaDarius Henderson, Michigan (coaches)
- OT : Josh Fryar, Ohio State (media)
- OG : Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
- OG : Zak Zinter, Michigan
- C : Drake Nugent, Michigan
I can't find the voting rules online, much less a breakdown of votes by player, but assume a simple majority of coaches (if players from only two teams get votes) or plurality (if votes for players from more than two teams) will earn a first team spot.
In any event, this says to me that only a minority of Big Ten coaches let competitive bias overcome the ingrained impulse of lifers who know the game to judge talent and achievement objectively. That is, they know what's been beating them, and it isn't on anyone's iPhone.
TL;DR: Ryan and whoever's voting for MSU, and maybe another wannabe rival team or two, can't silence the voice of coaching reason. The tape don't lie, and everyone has it, one way or another.
November 30th, 2023 at 12:34 AM ^
Josh Fryer...
November 30th, 2023 at 7:09 AM ^
Friar Buck.
November 30th, 2023 at 12:56 AM ^
Hmm...
A second TE means Stover gets in
A third OT means Fryar gets in
No 3rd WR means Roman does not get in
Donovan Jackson couldn't block a Pokemon Go player from not having sex, yet he gets in
Petite titties is mad,mad.
November 30th, 2023 at 7:09 AM ^
Also, we've all commented that this year was a "step back" for O-line. But still lead that category on first team. I like the new normal.
November 30th, 2023 at 1:32 AM ^
The media and phony have small pee pees.
November 30th, 2023 at 8:36 AM ^
It's not their genitalia that's small. It's their brain that's small and on meth, to boot.
November 30th, 2023 at 6:37 AM ^
Wasn't it P.J. Fleck that said Michigan is the best team he has seen in his eleven years of being a head coach
November 30th, 2023 at 7:24 AM ^
His pee pee is not small.
November 30th, 2023 at 7:45 AM ^
BIG TEN WEST REPPIN.
November 30th, 2023 at 9:59 AM ^
man, the best part of conference relocation will be (hopefully) some parity. only ONE player All B1G that's not on M, OSU, or PSU
November 30th, 2023 at 8:05 AM ^
In other news, Eichenberg was voted the most outstanding LB. PFF rates him the 31st LB in the B1G-my eyes have, long, informed me of the realities here. I just watched Tosky's "Cut Ups" and Eichenberg's deficiencies leap off the screen-and Donovan Jackson's too. It is quite remarkable how Buckeye nation "thrives" in this delusional fantasy world...it is also why Michigan has now won 3 in a row-their coaches believe the hyperbolic delusions as well.
Knowles to Duke???...oh my, what are the Dukeeeees thinking???
November 30th, 2023 at 8:08 AM ^
In fairness, Eichenberg is doing this with no hands. Or something.
November 30th, 2023 at 8:29 AM ^
Strangely, he has two thumbs.
November 30th, 2023 at 8:36 AM ^
IMO, the kid from Indiana is the best LB Michigan has faced so far this year. He was all over the field that day making plays, without much support from anyone else on his team.
November 30th, 2023 at 9:13 AM ^
I like Knowles. His D is perfect. Don’t change a thing.
And - if Duke takes this course, can Michigan get Duke on the schedule?
Elko >>>>> Knowles.
November 30th, 2023 at 8:18 AM ^
MSU media slappies won't vote for Michigan guys either.
November 30th, 2023 at 9:52 AM ^
The early game negative chatter on Henderson and Nugent, made me surprised to see they made first teams and didn't realize they played better than anyone else at their position since then.
November 30th, 2023 at 10:07 AM ^
They love our players, they just want Harbaugh out.