They Are The Champions
Monday night, LSU defeated Ohio State. Further fanning the flames of “teh SEC r0×0rz” across these grand intertubes.
It would be easy to fall into the trap of SEC-versus-Big 10 and the speed argument. But you expect more from TALB. First and foremost, I don’t believe in any of that nonsense. The Ownedhio State University can recruit players who are as fast or faster than those in the SEC. If anything, there might be a strategic gap. Starting in the early 1990’s, when Steve Spurrier arrived, the SEC moved from a traditional running league into a more wide-open run-and-gun type operation. And naturally, as the offenses grew faster the defenses followed suit. Meanwhile, the Big 10 has remained (for the most part) a run-first, possession-passing affair. So, while any given Big 10 team may field speedy defenders, their coaches don’t have much of an opportunity, or really a need, to counter offensive speed. But, that’s about the extent of any deficiency the Big 10 may have as it relates to team speed.
If I were to try and pin Ohio State’s defeat on only one thing, it would be their schedule. And not its strength, but the fact that the Big 10 ends their regular season at Thanksgiving. Much was made of that long layoff this time last year, and I think rightly so. LSU spent fewer than 24 hours waiting to find out who they would play next, while OSU had nearly two full weeks to wait. Two weeks that were spent essentially spinning their wheels. Probably mostly spent on introspection; film study, fundamentals, and other things not directly related to game-planning. While LSU went directly from game-planning for Tennessee to game-planning for OSU. I don’t think that can be discounted out-of-hand. These are kids. Their minds will drift when not focused. I’m willing to entertain other explanations for the game’s outcome. I do have a lot more to say about the Big 10, and how they operate. But I’m saving that for the off-season lull.
And we can only hope that should next season’s Buckeyes not finish at 12-0 they’ll be left out of the championship game. Please. The voters have shown enough intelligence over the last two years to alter their final ballots in such a way to assure the better teams make it to the big game. For the sake of the game, let’s not let one of college football’s storied programs become the Buffalo Bills.
As we draw the shutters closed on another college football season, I’d like to say a few words. First, top-tier teams; nut up. Get your crap together and get back to beating the lower-echelon. An upset here and there is fine, and welcome, but every freakin’ week? I can’t take it any more. Second, let’s get that plus-one system in place ASAP. Again, this will be expanded upon during the off-season, but it’s about the only way that would both preserve the bowl system and provide a truer champion. And finally, coaches, stay with your teams until they’re done. If that means you have to wait on your new job for another 20 days, so be it. More off-season post fodder here as well.
August can’t some soon enough.
