A good morning to reflect on college football

[Hajo]

I think I saw something about Bo Pelini being interested

Bo Pelini is coaching at my Alma Mater Youngstown State University.  Bo Pelini is from Youngstown and played for Cardinal Mooney a High School power house in Ohio.

He stated he took the job so his daughters could also attend Cardinal Mooney.  At present Jim Tressel is the President of Youngstown State.  Pelini won't move to Purdue.

By the way the Stoops brothers are also from Youngstown Ohio where todays flag that officials carry and throw was invented by the then football coach of Youngstown College (now called Youngstown state) D. Beede.

One of the first official flags  (at first they were red and white) is in the NFL HOF just down the road from here.  Believe it or not they used to blow a horn to stop play before they invented the flag.

And yes they did play on a field marked out in grids (squares).  Thus the name Gridiron.  Jim Thorpe's display at the HOF of he sitting on a bench back turned with a Canton Bulldogs blanket over his shoulders

sitting in front of an old field laid out in grids.  Yes, Pro Football started here many many years ago.

[BoilerDown]

Bunch of friends and Purdue grads who live in Ohio quickly spoke up and against Bo Pelini.  Apparently he'd be a terrible hire and terrible person.  It ain't gunna happen even if its true he's interested.

[Brooke]

If I were Purdue, I would definitely want Les Miles, but I, too, think it isn't likely they'll get him.

Despite being dismissed by LSU, he is one of the winningest coaches out there.

Back in the RichRod/Hoke days of Michigan, there were a lot of folks (me included) who thought it was crazy for Michigan not to try to get Miles.  Turns out they did try, and he turned them down.  Now, I'm glad he didn't accept, as we ended up with Harbaugh (who is the greatest fit for Michigan ever).

I think he should end up at Texas.  That program has the most money in all of college football, a great fan base, great player recruiting, and yet they manage usually to be mediocre.  That is either being hugely unlucky, or their athletic directors have sucked at picking coaches.  With Miles, you don't have to guess.  His record and recruiting ability are well established.

[RUSH1]

Recruiting.  A lot depends on the talent in your home state.  For instance schools like Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State have a wealth of talent in their home states.  High School football in these

states are a treasure trove of high school football players. These schools also attract football players from other states but the basic recruiting is done in their home state.  Tough for Iowa, Minnesota

et. al to recruit high school players of the caliber of the aforementioned schools.  Not a slur on Iowa etc.  it's a matter of population and the history of the game itself.

If you're comparing the amount of high school football talent in OH, MI and PA to the other Big 10 states I agree, there is an advantage.  But I would not go as far as to say these states are a treasure trove of talent.  Without researching Rivals or any other leading recruiting site I would still feel confident in naming a few southern states that produce more talent on their own than OH, MI, and PA combined.  Florida, GA and Texas would be my guesses.  Then I could name a few more southern states that would beat out or equal OH, MI and PA head to head.  Those being LA, AL, MS, SC, NC, and VA.  I believe TN would beat out MI but not the other two.  BIG 10 coaches must raid these states to have any chance at a Natty.  Why do you think Harbaugh set up satellite camps in Florida?         

[Skuzzy]

In the last 5 years, approximately 40% of the blue chip college football players came from Florida, Texas, and California (in that order).

Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State have yielded about 11% of the blue chip players in college, over the last 5 years.

[Shuffler]

Texas is home to a 63 million dollar high school football stadium. Pretty serious about football.

[RUSH1]

In the last 5 years, approximately 40% of the blue chip college football players came from Florida, Texas, and California (in that order).

Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State have yielded about 11% of the blue chip players in college, over the last 5 years.

Not sure how I forgot to mention California.  What is also amazing is how many top recruits the other states I mentioned produce relative to population.  To me that is more interesting than total numbers.  Do you have a statistical breakdown of that also?       

[Masherbrum]

In the last 5 years, approximately 40% of the blue chip college football players came from Florida, Texas, and California (in that order).

Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State have yielded about 11% of the blue chip players in college, over the last 5 years.

Yep.  Florida, Texas and California trounce in terms of talent pools and as I said last year, I am a realist.   

Back on track with Miles.   I see him ending up at Texas, ND, Auburn, USC or dare I say it?   Baylor.   Either of those programs can afford his price tag and is still worth it.  He will slip a little in pay, but not much.

LSU was overrated to begin with coming into this season.  They lose to Wisconsin by two points.  Which is not too shabby, when you consider the quality of Wisconsin's run these last few weeks.   I would not come down on him and even after that loss.  LSU had no business being #5 in the AP prior to Week 1.   But this is why I do not take too much stock into "preseason rankings" and laugh at those who do.   Les then beat up a worn out program in Miss St and Jacksonville whatever that gimme game was.   If you look at every article regarding the firing, "preseason rankings" are mentioned and they really did make things hard on themselves going forward.  The guy deserves a lot better than he is being treated.

Now the the interim coach beats up an anemic Missouri team and Southern Miss....   I see four or five more losses going on their record this year.   Which comes down to whether or not Ole Miss can right the ship, but they seem to have lost a step.  Regardless, they'll be SOL in terms in trying to get someone of Miles' caliber.   All because of pomp and circumstances around preseason rankings.   

With regards to Purdue?    I seriously see Calhoun or Fleck getting the gig.   Either would be a tremendous fit for the program and offer a different attitude.  Troy Calhoun might be the most overlooked football coach in the NCAA, but that is just my opinion.  He's been a very successful Coordinator at the NFL level and offers a pretty unique playbook.   J.P. Fleck is young and has turned around WMU.  But while he's turned it around massively, I like the value and experience of Calhoun.  Purdue had been riding Tiller's coattails with Hope and his media circus.  As well as the Hazell hiring.  Hazell was simply riding high from Kent State and was overvalued.  Tiller was a class act and an excellent embodiment of what is expected out of a coach.   

[RUSH1]

Yep.  Florida, Texas and California trounce in terms of talent pools and as I said last year, I am a realist.   

Back on track with Miles.   I see him ending up at Texas, ND, Auburn, USC or dare I say it?   Baylor.   Either of those programs can afford his price tag and is still worth it.  He will slip a little in pay, but not much.

LSU was overrated to begin with coming into this season.  They lose to Wisconsin by two points.  Which is not too shabby, when you consider the quality of Wisconsin's run these last few weeks.   I would not come down on him and even after that loss.  LSU had no business being #5 in the AP prior to Week 1.   But this is why I do not take too much stock into "preseason rankings" and laugh at those who do.   Les then beat up a worn out program in Miss St and Jacksonville whatever that gimme game was.   If you look at every article regarding the firing, "preseason rankings" are mentioned and they really did make things hard on themselves going forward.  The guy deserves a lot better than he is being treated.

Now the the interim coach beats up an anemic Missouri team and Southern Miss....   I see four or five more losses going on their record this year.   Which comes down to whether or not Ole Miss can right the ship, but they seem to have lost a step.  Regardless, they'll be SOL in terms in trying to get someone of Miles' caliber.   All because of pomp and circumstances around preseason rankings.   

With regards to Purdue?    I seriously see Calhoun or Fleck getting the gig.   Either would be a tremendous fit for the program and offer a different attitude.  Troy Calhoun might be the most overlooked football coach in the NCAA, but that is just my opinion.  He's been a very successful Coordinator at the NFL level and offers a pretty unique playbook.   J.P. Fleck is young and has turned around WMU.  But while he's turned it around massively, I like the value and experience of Calhoun.  Purdue had been riding Tiller's coattails with Hope and his media circus.  As well as the Hazell hiring.  Hazell was simply riding high from Kent State and was overvalued.  Tiller was a class act and an excellent embodiment of what is expected out of a coach.

Les Miles won a National Championship and went 114-34 while coaching in the toughest conference college football has to offer.  Two things got Les fired though.  His inability to find and develop good QB's for his system and Nick Satin ...  I meant Saban.  If you're Auburn or LSU, you better beat Bama more times than they beat you or you're not going to be around long, and it doesn't look like Saban has plans of leaving soon.

[-ammo-]

Les Miles won a National Championship and went 114-34 while coaching in the toughest conference college football has to offer.  Two things got Les fired though.  His inability to find and develop good QB's for his system and Nick Satin ...  I meant Saban.  If you're Auburn or LSU, you better beat Bama more times than they beat you or you're not going to be around long, and it doesn't look like Saban has plans of leaving soon.

I love Saban.  All about the process.

[-ammo-]

I posted earlier in this thread why I think Miles was canned.  The root causes; not the resulting losses. Inability or resusing to adjust.  Bad game day calls, unwarranted loyalty, clock management, etc.

[RUSH1]

I love Saban.  All about the process.

So do the Dolphins.

[RUSH1]

I posted earlier in this thread why I think Miles was canned.  The root causes; not the resulting losses. Inability or resusing to adjust.  Bad game day calls, unwarranted loyalty, clock management, etc.

Miles was missing one thing most of his career at LSU and that was a good pocket passer.   

[-ammo-]

So do the Dolphins.

And we Bama fans are all tore up inside about the Dolphins

[RUSH1]

And we Bama fans are all tore up inside about the Dolphins

I wouldn't expect them to be.  Everyone loves a winner.