Meandering through the maize (and blue): Are Ohio State, Notre Dame overrated?
Two of Michigan’s favorite opponents topped a not-so-flattering survey ESPN The Magazine conducted this offseason.
Ohio State (24 votes) and Notre Dame (22) were named college football’s most overrated programs in a spring poll of 85 FBS players. The complete census is online now and in the Aug. 24 issue of the magazine.
Other ballots: Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was the runaway pick for Heisman Trophy winner and Oregon had the best cheerleaders. Though my good friends who live near Arizona State's campus might disagree, it's hard to argue with either.
More links from the college football world this Wednesday:
• The Big Ten isn't a lock to affiliate with the Gator Bowl beginning next year, but that move came closer to reality Tuesday when the Champs Sports Bowl officially added the Big East as a partner.
The Champs people put on a fine game - I covered it a few years ago - but it was time to move on, both for them (they move up in the pecking order in the Big East) and the Big Ten (which maintains its Orlando presence with the Capital One Bowl and adds another Jan. 1 Florida game if the Gator deal comes to fruition).
• Judging by the numbers, Keith Nichol was very good in Michigan State's first scrimmage Tuesday. Kirk Cousins wasn't nearly as impressive, though no one's anointing a starting quarterback just yet.
• Former Purdue defensive lineman Matt Mitrione is chasing a "peaceful" new career - in MMA.
• Another example of how absurd college football schedules have gotten: Florida is a 73-point favorite over Charleston Southern in its opener. Go with a preseason like Rich Rodriguez says or outlaw these games altogether, at least to the point where they don't count toward a team's bowl eligibility.
I think I might lay the points, by the way.
• Lastly, Lane Kiffin had to know this was a possibility when he signed running back Bryce Brown last spring after Miami and others backed off. Play with fire long enough and you're bound to get burned.
Comments
jeremy
Fri, Aug 21, 2009 : 8:30 a.m.
tater, Im on here only saying ohio state is not overrated. they are a top ten team right now. but since you like history so much. since woody hayes brought his style to ohio state the buckeyes have led the series 30-26-2. If you want to look at solo big ten championships and not co championships ohio state leads 17-16. And when it comes to winning games that will put you into the bcs championship game tressel has won them richrod hasnt. tressel wouldnt have lost to pittsburgh. We can talk about how much michigan will be improved, but pryor has 3 more years and the wrs are all young 2. michigan's oline has improved since last year, well ohio state returns all its dline that dominated last year. I have said numerous times on this site that I am eager to see michigan on the field in games this year. I want michigan to get back. I want the rivalry to get more intense. but as talented of a recruiter rrod may be he has to win a big game before people will believe in his team. Prove it on the field not in practice and on websites
tater
Thu, Aug 20, 2009 : 8:14 p.m.
Buck1 wrote: "I am proud that they are usually in top 10 with tressel. just have to learn how to let loose against the big teams" It's an illusion. OSU isn't an elite team. They did get lucky against Miami a few years ago, but had to deliberately injure their starting QB and RB, and it still took a terrible call after the clock ran out for OSU to win the game. Until someone in the Big Ten, whether it is UM, OSU, or PSU, can actually beat a USC, Texas, OK, or FL in either the title game or the Rose Bowl, nobody in the Big Ten has any right to compare themselves to any of those teams or think they deserve to be ranked with them. As for Tressel, he has benefitted from Carr's decline as a coach, his predictable playcalling, and RR's terrible transition year at UM. Tressel might benefit one more year, but RR is a better coach than Tressel and RR will soon start spanking him like Tressel did Carr and Carr, Moeller, and Bo did Cooper and Bruce. Also, remember that UM still leads OSU 57-42-6, even with OSU's good fortune the last five years. Remember too, that UM's 10-2-1 streak against OSU wasn't all that long ago.
aarox
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 10:17 p.m.
who in their right mind is putting Notre Dame in the same class as Ohhowihate. We should be able to beat ND hands down. This article is kind of a 'guilt by association' - no way can you drag OSU down to where we've taken outselves too sad to say, but ND, yes, you can make that argument...
jeremy
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 8:50 p.m.
raddes, i think we should switch cities, i think we are both mixed up living where we are. I did grow up in columbus (eastmoor high) so i can imagine what life can be like for a wolverine in the shadows of the 'shoe. Went thru it here during the dark cooper years. its brutal. your points are very valid. I hate losing the big games, but I am proud that they are usually in top 10 with tressel. just have to learn how to let loose against the big teams
raddes
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 8:44 p.m.
The previous post had nothing to do with "homerism." App.St was a pathetic loss but Florida was a nice bowl game ending to an inconsistent season. "Homerism" is saying we did what OSU couldn't dream (0-8) of doing in a bowl game against the SEC. In my opinion, for UM, it's not about the b10 anymore. OSU and UM have won or shared something like 33 out of the past 38 b10 titles (may need to look up that stat for accuracy). It's now about competing nationally. This is why RR is here. His system (spread-speed) will allow us to compete aggressively inside and outside the conference. It's just going to take time. Tressel wins games but what has he really won? I've lived in Columbus the last 15 years (and trust me, the overrtated claim bothers them) and people here walk around like the '02 NC was yesterday. That's all they have besides beating UM!!! No, the point you made about Tressel getting his head out of his behind is accurate. If OSU does not want to be mentioned in a poll about being "overrated," they need to win games against quality BCS teams.
azwolverine
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 8:05 p.m.
Who cares where anyone is rated right now. It'll all come out over the course of the season.
jeremy
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 7:24 p.m.
personally i find it funny that u think buckeye fans are angry about this poll. my questions and points on this page are factual and logical. My point in saying the losses were to only teams that went on to bcs games or were in bcs games is to say they havent been like other teams and lose to lesser opponents. They are losing to the upper echelon teams. there is no appy st/toledo losses. Osu gets love from espn for its consistency of late under tressel. he needs to get his head out of his behind in the marquee games, but I dont see how anyone in the big 10 that's using logic and not homerism could consider osu overrated. underachieving based on analysts predictions? heck yeah, but overrated no. as far as michigan goes, i live here in ann arbor (have for the past 15 years) and so i follow what michigan does in recruiting and practice. I dont think teams will be sleeping on michigan this year. i think teams know they're vastly improved and dangerous. the only thing that could hamper michigan improvement is injury to o-line and one of the qbs.
goblue18
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 4:27 p.m.
Wow, OSU fans really got angry there? They come on our websites and defend themselves about a poll done by players?...a little insecure about your team? Michigan has stepped in to the new age of football and it's going to take time to get the right players in the system...I think it will be difficult for us to get more than 7 wins this year, but we do realize OSU has OWNED us lately and we have a coach that in a few years will put teams together that have OWNED OSU beating them with the spread (SEC, Texas, even Illinois beat them with Juice, of course USC is just an NFL team that's why they hammer OSU again this year which will stink for the perception of the Big 10). Even though last year didn't show it with W's, I like where we are headed and look to contend for B10 titles and national titles year in and year out again in 2010. GO BLUE!!!
raddes
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 4:06 p.m.
I enjoy reading the damage control being spun by OSU fans. Once again, they have to chant the "at least we beat you" card to make themslves, their coach, and their team look competent. What's funny is that this is a poll conducted by 85 CFS players--not the AA news site. Why are you crying here? What I also enjoy reading is so-called MSU fans sticking up for OSU when Dantonio decides to lay down against them every year. Is Dantonio next in line after Tressel? Keep chanting OSU fans--the more you talk and try to defend your team, the more overrtated you make them look....."over the past few years ohio states losses have only been to teams that played in bcs games." Excellent!
jeremy
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 1:18 p.m.
i dont think um is underrated. people are projecting them at 5-7 wins and that seems right with all the unknown variables of freshmen qbs, unproven dbs aside from warren, and an ol that was disasterous last year. the defense should be solid enough to get them 5-7 wins. I would expect a close battle with western michigan to start off the year tho.
NoBowl4Blue
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 12:54 p.m.
If Buckeyes were overated, what does that say about U of M which hasn't beaten them in over 2,100 days. Overated or not they have your number as will Damers and Spartans this year will.
JohninWV
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 12:50 p.m.
Michigan would love to be overrated right now. Questions for the loyalists: are the Wolverines underrated?
UMthicknthin
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 11:03 a.m.
Willie, Nice post. I do think OSU has been more accurately ranked, although too high. ND, After a 6-6 season and looking at who they are ranked above, they're about 12 places too high as opposed to OSU's 5-6 places too high. I expect MSU and USC to pound ND. If Carroll doesn't show any mercy, it could be over a 42 point drubbing of ND, it'll only be a 28 point drubbing of OSU. OSU will then be ranked where they should be, and ND will drop from the AP top 25.
willievrine
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 10:39 a.m.
Yes, Henne, Hart and Long felt the Buckeyes were overrated. The problem was that Henne, Hart and Long were under-coached. That's why Lloyd Carr is no longer here. The Buckeyes will be exposed this year for the pretenders and not contenders thhey are. It will be a three team race for the Big Ten this year between OSU, Penn State and Iowa. No longer are the Bucks a 'shoe-in' (pardon the pun). Of course, after their upcoming drubbing at the hands of USC they will be eliminated from NC consideration. Life's good!
jeremy
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 10:13 a.m.
before commenting, lets be intelligent and look at facts. over the past few years ohio states losses have only been to teams that played in bcs games. they dont lose to teams they shouldnt lose to. they win ugly close games. a proper ranking for osu in the preseason is around 10th -12th. Do you think henne, hart and long think the buckeyes were overrated?
richagain
Wed, Aug 19, 2009 : 9:41 a.m.
Ohio State Luckeyes Notre Dame Lucky Irish. Enough said. No wonder Pryor went to OSU. That poor passing somehow gets completed? Look like it should bring rain every time he throws. If I was Jim Tressel I would have him at reveiver, punt returner,kick off returner since that is what he will be in the NFL. Look at Vince Young he could throw better and he is 3rd string -maybe even cut this year.