KINGofSKA

Fri, Dec 23, 2011 : 12:10 a.m.

They're only going for the name. Who wouldn't want to play for an SEC coach with a handful of conference and national titles? That being said, I feel like coach Meyer won't perform at his best, disappointing a lot of his players that have commuted and their fans (but can their fans even be disappointed in anything their team does?)

maddogterry

Wed, Dec 21, 2011 : 9:43 p.m.

No need to worry. When Coach Tressel was at Youngstown State, there were issues that mimic what happened at OSU. There was a relationship with JT and a board member that was later convicted of on many counts including fraud and other issues. JT introduced his star player to the board member and during the investigation of the potential illegal activities, it came to light that the star player had received many thousands of dollars and a vehicle provided by the board member. After NCAA investigations, YSU lost several scholarships and was charged with lack of institutional control. Sound familiar? Less than a year later, OSU hired Coach Tressel. Now, the four years before Coach Meyer took over coaching at Florida, there was only one football player arrested. During Coach Meyers six years, there were thirty arrests or 5 every year on average. It would appear that there was lack of control with the team or lack of character of some of the players. I personally hope that OSU doesn't have to go through another dark year as this one as I would like to see the rivalry resume without any clouds hanging over other victories over OSU

Tru2Blu76

Wed, Dec 21, 2011 : 6:38 p.m.

@Mort: 12-21-11: News just in: the NCAA has banned OSU from playing in any Jan. 2013 bowl game. That means: Urban Meyer will not be recruiting based on "promises" of a bowl game following the 2012 season. He probably used that inducement already on his Recruiting Dash, so those recruits may have second thoughts. The reaction buzz from OSU fans is that the NCAA is WAY too harsh - but you were just a little premature in judging the NCAA. With this action, NCAA has gut-punched the Ohio program.

knotch

Wed, Dec 21, 2011 : 5:43 p.m.

This is the Meyer Honeymoon. Now OSU was handed a little slap, but, lost some recruits. When you have an extra coach recruiting there is a little edge. Now that the Truckeyes have one year bowl suspension, They may not go gang-busters. Blue will win some and lose some. Go to rivals dot com, check out whom Big Blue landed. One player OSU have for sure, was certain too go buckeye way. Don't go all worry wart but this. This was expected. Remember, Meyer must run an above board, tight ship. Just one slip-up, one SEC Academic Standards, he could suffer more wrath.

DonAZ

Wed, Dec 21, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.

Dear AnnArbor.com -- would you please clarify your policy on what ad hominem attacks are acceptable and which are not? It is apparently acceptable for some to post comments about the weight of Michigan coaches, even though such comments are irreleveant to the issue of coaching football and winning football games. It is apparently acceptable to suggest and even imply hope for heart attacks based on that weight. But it is apparently unacceptable to comment in response and draw attention to the irrelevancy of comments focused on the weight of Michigan coaches. May I assume that it is acceptable for me to make ad hominem attacks against Urban Meyer? Are there parameters around what is acceptable and not acceptable?

aarox

Wed, Dec 21, 2011 : 6:28 a.m.

yeah, I'll take Brady Hoke over Urban Meyer. Plus I get the Domino's guy. Sure.

buckifan

Wed, Dec 21, 2011 : 5:04 a.m.

The point of the article is that OSU was not even in the top 100 in recruiting prior to Urban and in 3 weeks are rated #5. Again he landed 3 times as many blue chips in 3 weeks that Hoke landed in 11 months. Just imagine who Urban will land with an entire year. Also have you seen your coach lately? If you have how can you honestly say health/well being regarding Urban. Meyer is known jogger, ex DB. He looked pretty fit when he signed on.

Terry Star21

Wed, Dec 21, 2011 : 3:40 a.m.

This article - seriously, come on seriously ? Michigan is and has put together it's best possible recruiting based on talent and need - to make Michigan it's best possible team ever ! Who cares about others trying to play catch up, particularly others with so many problems with their team, the coaches health/well being ? MgoBlueForTiM........the best recruiting and the best team.

7718

Wed, Dec 21, 2011 : 12:24 a.m.

This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. OSU has always had very good recruiting classes...nothing new here. Meyer is going to be a very good recruiter, Hoke has his work cut out for him especially in Ohio.

ted

Wed, Dec 21, 2011 : 12:24 a.m.

Oh....my...god... it's over for us. That didn't last very long.

tim

Wed, Dec 21, 2011 : 12:04 a.m.

One thing Meyer doesn't have at Ohio State that he had at Florida is a warm winter. I would imagine it will be tougher to recruit kids from the south no matter what B10 school.

nekm1

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.

The SEC will own both programs head to head anyway. Also, MSU and Wisconsin have proven that 3 and 4 stars with heart, will always outperform sheer talent. Keep grabbing those 5 stars, and see what happens to your programs. There is no number 5 in the word - TEAM!

aareader

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 9:36 p.m.

Lets hear it for the NCAA! By allowing Ohio to have extra people on its recruiting staff one can note more recruiting has worked. I assume Michigan and all of the other BIG 10 schools can do that too???? Question is why did Ohio get to do it and no one else could? NCAA .... your motivations are suspect. You owe everyone an explanation if you want to keep any kind of credibility in the college football ranks of coaches, players and fans.

Lorain Steelmen

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 8:53 p.m.

For Meyer and Hoke, in the end, it is what they will do ON the field, that will determine their life expectancy. Bo & Woody were roughly equivalent, in recruiting, and neither one was able to out-produce the other. Toward the end of his career, Woody lost three years in a row to Bo, giving Bo the series edge. (Ohio did not score a TD in '76,'77, and '78.) After hitting Clemson's Charlie Bauman in the'78 Gator Bowl ,Woody got canned. Earl the Pearl, was not a genius by any means, but since neither school played much offense, the games were close. Earle got canned the week of the '87 game, 'in theory', because he spent too much time, at Siota Downs, betting on the trotters. John Cooper recruited very well, but was poor in keeping the kids in Cbus. He never really was accepted by the locals, as he was considered 'beneath' them. You can figure that one out. His record vs. UM was 2-10-1. Coop got canned, after the 2000 UM game in Cbus. Tressell beat Carr like a drum, as Lloyd was not able to out-recruit, nor out-coach, the Vest. Tressel played on 'the edge', particularly on defense, and in recruiting. He dared the offcials to make calls, which they rarely did. Lloyd never had a clue, how to compete with Tressel, which of course, goes back to a lack of intensity, and depth, on his UM teams for 7 years. Carr 'retired' in 2007. (Just like Bump Elliott 'retired', after 1968.) Rodriguez, had three chances at Tressel, with little talent left from Carr, and even less defense. Like Cooper, RR was considered 'beneath the locals' and got canned in 2010. Getting back to Tressel...He'd be there to day, if it weren't for the 'bad luck', of having the pesky FBI stumble across the situation. Columbus cops probably would have keep right on going. When 'the vest' got caught, he joined Woody, Bruce, and Coop, intially being canned, then revised to 'retirement'. I never saw Meyer as much of a 'bench coach', but I do expect him to have an 'edge' in talent, over Hoke.

Hailmary

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 8:39 p.m.

I think Urban will be good for the Big 10. I think ohio did not get slammed harder by the NCAA because of Urban and hisi so called, "celebrity status" The NCAA could not touch Pete Carrol a few yrs. ago when he flew the coop. The NCAA was able and still is sticking it to Tressel so because of their ability to slap Tressel around a bit it takes away some of the same type of anger that caused them to come down hard on USC not to mention that Heisman situation. I think Urban is liked by a lot of people and great ticket sales and his teams do well on the television stage. I think the NCAA felt compelled to lesson the intended sting once Urban was onboard.

D21

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 7:45 p.m.

Any buckeye or rival fan worth his or her salt knows we aren't above the law as we usually put the lawbreakers through the wood chipping machine whereas most of the buckeyed fans hold a candlelit vigil at Tressel's home, wink at each other (Meyer, McGee, Smith, Tressel, any car dealer, tattooist and the NCAA.

golfer

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 7:40 p.m.

from espn Ohio State received a one-year bowl ban in addition to an extra year of probation and the loss of additional scholarships in an NCAA Committee on Infractions report to be released later Tuesday, sources told The Columbus Dispatch and ESPN. In addition, former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will be saddled with a "show-cause" penalty, which will require any school that hires him to be subject to penalties unless it proves why it should escape sanctions. The Dispatch, citing multiple sources, reported that Ohio State will not play in a bowl game in the 2012 season. A source confirmed that to ESPN's Joe Schad, and added that the school is not likely to appeal the sanctions. The NCAA report is due out at 3 p.m. ET. The Dispatch also reported that Ohio State will lose four additional scholarships per year for the next three years. That's on top of the loss of five scholarships the school self-imposed. The NCAA also added a year of probation, meaning Ohio State will be subject to stiffer penalties for any repeated violations through the 2013 season. The penalties come just three weeks after the Buckeyes hired former Florida coach and ESPN commentator Urban Meyer as the team's new coach. Tressel was cited for failing to report that some Buckeyes had sold memorabilia and for allowing ineligible players to compete in the 2010 season, including in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. At the time, Tressel warned his players, rather than telling athletic department officials. Among those accused of selling items to a Columbus-area tattoo-parlor owner was quarterback Terrell Pryor, who later left school and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders. Previously, Ohio State put itself on probation for two years; vacated the 2010 season, including the Ben Ten and Sugar Bowl titles; and forfeited its $338,811 share of Sugar Bowl proceeds. Information from ESPN's Joe Schad is included in this report.

Marvin Mosley

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 7:26 p.m.

With Meyer going to OSU so goes the NCAA and they got a slap on the wrist again and as always. Meyer will be ill again when Miller graduates just like he did when Tebow left Florida along with Zooks recruits. Muscamp will have to rebuild in order to get over Meyer's bailout.

Scott

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 7:19 p.m.

Then we'll just have to out coach them. Boise state is usually ranked about 100 with 2 and 3 star athletes and they beat top teams every year (Oklahoma, Virginia tech, Georgia) on the road. Texas seems to always be number 1 or 2 and they stink. Michigan's only five star recruit on the squad- will Campbell-has been outperformed by at least tweenty 3 and 4 star Michigan recruits. Hoke will get top 5 or top 10 teams (at least) every year. Michigan will have plenty of talent. The coaching will decide the future. Go Blue!!!

D21

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 7:01 p.m.

Fear what? Enjoy your lump of coal. "The bigger they are, the harder they fall" They = buckeyes, of course.

D21

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 6:58 p.m.

Chiro and the other Michigan Men, Urban Meyer would be doing us a favor by weeding out the chaff from the Hoke's recruits which would yield nothing but the Pure Michigan Men crop intact. In light of Theo212's pre Christmas greetings, I would like to extend the same to everyone, too. However, am distributing huge lumps of coal to the enablers from the Wicked Land of buckeyes including this great slogan: GO BLUE!

superbuck

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 6:06 p.m.

All the whining UM fans are doing tells me that the hiring of URBAN MEYER has put some fear in your minds. You all thought we were going to be down and out for yers . well SURPRISE

DonAZ

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 5:50 p.m.

Meyer is a big name, a good recruiter and a good coach. No surprise he's making early headway. The news from this story is not the recruiting commitments, but Meyer's acknowledgement that certain aspects of Big 10 play require physicality and ball control. Had Rodriguez made that leap of logic he would likely still be coaching here. I'll remind everyone that Texas scores top-five recruiting classes year after year. How've they been doing lately? It ain't all about the stars after the recruit's name. Sure, talent is a part of it, but not the whole story. There's also an intangible aspect called "chemistry" that some teams coalesce around, and some teams (even talent-laden teams) don't. Meyer had a couple of great teams down at Florida. But don't forget that Mattison was DC for the 2006 BCS. And don't forget when it came to leadership and teamwork there was a young man named "Tebow" who, I suspect, contributed more to that element of the team than did Meyer. Meyer's 2010 season at Florida -- a team loaded with talent but sans Tebow -- had all manner of troubles. Ultimately it's all nonsense speculation on our part. Fun, but meaningless. The upcoming seasons will tell the story.

Larry Weisenthal

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 5:05 p.m.

Pro style v spread. How did Brady vs Tebow work out?

Polecat

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 4:43 p.m.

Scout stinks as a recruiting service. You should use Rivals, they don't throw out five star ratings like they are candy.

Tru2Blu76

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 4:19 p.m.

I think it's time to remember that recruiting stories are a mixture of fact and mirage. Mostly - this kind of sports reporting is over-hype to maintain interest during lulls in actual football activity. We all know that highly ranked players buy their own ratings by paying for time before scouts while attending football clinics. Rather, their fathers pay for those ratings. This is one reason some highly ranked players turn out to be unable to live up to their own ratings. It's also why some lower ranked players turn into real college football stars - they are "invisible" to this distorted system. I wouldn't worry too much about Suburban Meyer's "success" at this point: Hoke & Co. have a one-year head start in recruiting and they have a team which will be mostly seniors next season. Hoke's recruiting class will be one year ahead of Meyer's class, no matter what. Meyer's Flash Dance recruiting probably includes some over-rated players and Meyer himself said he wants to make a big splash and amaze everyone (about him, him, him). Meyer's trademark phrase is: It's about The Me, The Me, The Me. There is no "I" in "team" but there's no "I" in "Me" either. Let's also remember: Ohio's "most successful coaches" have a tradition: total self-destruction due to (really stupid) illegal acts. (Woody: assaulting another team's player on national TV, Sweater Vest: lying his pants off to his own superiors.) So, judging by the fact that Suburban Meyer talks a lot like Sarah Palin - we can be pretty sure that, in a while, he will DO as Woody, Sweater Vest and Dear Sarah from Alaska have all done: self destruct.

81wolverine

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.

C'mon annarbor.com - stop the absurd hysteria about "Big Bad Urban Meyer" taking over recruiting just because he's poached a few recruits from the sinking Penn State ship and he's been able to con a few others about the lack of penalties coming OSU's way from the NCAA. In the long run, lying is a poor foundation for a football program. He's done it before and he'll continue to do it at TSIO. Not only that, but he won't stick around very long either. After he's overstayed his welcome down there, he'll "retire" again. Hoke is all in for Michigan for the long haul. And PLEASE provide the complete story here. Michigan has gotten commitments from 23 players much earlier and is now working hard on players who are deciding late in the process. Go Blue!

Dirk Aderka

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 3 p.m.

I think Coach Hoke is counting the days until he can replace Robinson. The look on his face when Denard was strolling back to the huddle with his helmet off during the OSU game was priceless. And when he finally gets it on and takes it off again because it's broke just added to the coaches priceless expression...."WtheF/OMG/Stupid SOB all wrapped into one". He was probably thinking about what it would take to land Gunner Keil. A true pro style quarterback is needed to take advantage of the offensive line that is being assembled with a running back with skills like Leroy Hoard. Now that would be entertaining to watch...smash mouth football with an option passer. As for the recruiting, I think Urban Meyer was notified about the OSU job the night Tressel resigned. He took advantage of his ESPN job and contacts (other announcers covering games) to get a head start in preparation for recruiting and hit the grown full speed as soon as it became official. I would not be surprised to see him finish off his first recruiting class with 4 more 5 star recruits since there are still many uncommitted. I would guess his 2013 class will consist of cherry picking whatever recruit is on his radar which will most likely be SEC type speed and lineman from Ohio (2013 class is loaded). All of this is good for Michigan and the other elite teams by getting the attention of SEC recruits that previously would not even consider playing in the BIG 10. Michigan's o line is set for the next 3 or 4 years and and the faster Hoke can remove the Rodriguez touch the easier it will be to attract top talent. May not be close to what Urban Meyer will land but it will be good enough to compete if Hoke is as good a coach as everyone expects.

edjasbord

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.

The NCAA's approval of a recruiting advantage for OSU during this period really makes me lose even more respect for the organization, and damages my appreciation of college football overall. Put concretely, it makes me less likely to watch games, to pay money, to support the damaged, prejudiced institution that is college football. I really think large universities, such as UM, should think about pulling out of the NCAA and/or starting a better watchdog institution. Somebody big pulling out would send shockwaves through the world of college sports and would lead the way for other universities to do the same.

BlueGator

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 2:43 p.m.

It was inevitable that Ohio State's recruiting would surge with Meyer there. He's a great coach at a school rich in football history. No sense us whining and crying about it.

MRunner73

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.

Let's not get too carried away on this. 1) The newness of Urban Meyer means early momentum, much like any head coach at a major football program. 2) These are recruits, some pan out well and some do not. You have to wait and see a couple of years. 3) The recruits will still be incoming freshman so very few of them will be impact players intitially. 3) What will the big news be from the NCAA Infractions Committee this afternoon?...much more on that later.

lugemachine

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 2:37 p.m.

"Michigan losing recruiting lead over Ohio State after torrid run by Urban Meyer" Losing? Huh? We're #2 and they're #5, correct? The lower number is still better than the higher number, yes? Oh good. "Remember when Brady Hoke was last summer's recruiting darling? That is fading into a distant memory, thanks to the Big Ten's newest coach." Distant memory? These kids sign their national letters of intent in six weeks. It's not a distant memory... it's a current reality. The NCAA is going to hand down its decision on the Buckeyes' fate later today. Let's see what impact that has on recruiting. Still six weeks until signing day.

63Townie

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.

"Meyer also is aided by a waiver that allows him to recruit, and only recruit, while former Ohio State coach Luke Fickell has a full staff to prepare for the team's Gator Bowl matchup against Florida." Imagine that, special rules for O$U.

Theo212

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.

Meyer: Modern, wide open offense Borges: Run it up the gut, punt on 3rd down Not too difficult to see why Meyer is whitewashing us on the recruiting trail. Nevertheless, we'll root for what we got and hope for a nice Sugar Bowl win. Special Christmas greetings to: DonAZ (my new right-hand man), lorain, meangoblue2, Theo's brother, and yes, even you D21. God bless us, everyone.

LJ

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.

Mort, Michigan requested and was granted the same thing OSU has with Meyer recruiting and Fickel coaching. You had Carr coaching his final game while Rich Rod was recruiting. I dont see anything wrong with it. I dont understand why MIchigan fans spend so much time and effort worring about what other schools do and not enjoy their school and program returning to prominance after a bad few years of Rich Rod Ball.

chiro19

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 2:07 p.m.

The title is that Michigan is losing the recruiting battle to ohio and yet in the article they are not. I am confused here. ohio has picked up some good recruits. They have not passed Michigan on any recruiting board in terms of rankings. Ofcourse this is trivial but none the less Michigan is not losing the recruiting battle to ohio. They have picked up one player that Michigan was trying to get and that is Adolphus Washington. Brionte Dunn was simply a distraction. Michigan is going to pick up 5-6 more recruits if they dont Oversign which I think they will. Here is a list of recruits for Michigan from most likely to least likely. 1. Josh Garnett (Mich. is top three) 5* Guard 2. Zach Banner (Mich is top 5) 5* Tackle- possible combo deal with Garnett! 3. Jordan Payton (favored Mich and has them in the top 3) 4* wr 4. Yuri Wright (Mich is top 5) 4* CB 5. Evan Boehm (Mich is back in the hunt) 4* C/Guard 6. Jordan Diamond (Mich has always been the favorite here and he has a official visit in Jan.) 5* Tackle 7. Stephon Diggs (Mich is top 5) 5* CB/WR 8. Gunner Kiel (mich was a top choice after he dropped Indy but they have slipped) 5* QB 9. Nelson Agholor (Mich is top 10) 5* safety I think michigan is just fine with there spot in this years recruiting battle! Go Blue!!!

osubetterthanu

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 1:55 p.m.

Uh oh... You guys better build a moat around Ann arbor! I also love how you guys think your so above any scandle- did you forget about the fab 5 and all the stuff that went on then. Shame on you for ridicululing us when you've been there, done that. Heres to many years of great battles with the maize n blue. Go Bucks

try your best

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 1:31 p.m.

@Joe Freezel, like a true fan for that team from ohio, lots of lip service. Talk is cheap. It will be settled on the field. All Hoke has to say is "those that stay will be Champions"!

Forever27

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 1:17 p.m.

It's pretty easy to recruit when you don't have to coach for a bowl game. Meyer has been telling his recruits that there won't be any additional penalties from the NCAA either. Which is one of two things: an outright lie, or a ridiculous ending to an even more ridiculous "investigation" into OSU's misdeeds and subsequent cover up.

D21

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.

I don't listen to any Buckeye fan unless he or she or it first renounces the evil misdeeds of their university. But the time has come for B1G to jettison the buckeyes from it's conference by any means. There is no room for blatant cheating in B1G. Even the crime ridden SEC wouldn't touch the buckeyes with a ten foot pole. GO BLUE!

D21

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 1:02 p.m.

"It's different," Hoke said recently. "That would be my reaction. I've never heard of it, but there's probably a lot of things I haven't heard of. ... Is it an advantage? Yeah, I think so." Translation: Nothing new down there (another snakeoil salesman)

Joe Freezel

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.

Nice to see an honest article on the current rivalry between the Ohio State University and Michigan College. There is a loud RUMOR in Northeast Ohio that Kyle Kalis is considering a switch back to tOSU. I've heard this from people involved in the St. Ed's football program and he has been reaching out to other tOSU verbal commits. This would not be a surprise since he only switched to Michigan College after Tressel was fired and the cloud of sanctions were unknown. Now that Urban Meyer is building a solid class and the sanctions coming will be little or nothing, Kalis is reconsidering his mistake.

golfer

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 12:45 p.m.

i think osu has ncaa in it back pocket!. how is it not fair to let two coaches for the same school do two different things. they both as of now are called HEAD COACH" I thought the one word head is for one coach. now you got the great ncaa letting a head coach recruit while the other is getting ready for a bowl. no other school is doing it. lots of coaches have been fired. why are they not doing it! second do not tell me they do not know what going to be given to osu. why not let it out NOW!. do it now or lets wait until they get a good class then tell them. NOTHING. i really do not care like hoak says it will all come out on the field. that were it should be. still unfair ncaa you are two faced!

semperveritas

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.

brady hoke may be a 'super recruiter' but he'd better widen his net to include florida and the other SEC states. the current roster depends upon florida kids----i don't see any in the prospective 2012 signees. and as for going undefeated next season----that would include wins AT notre dame, nebraska, ohio state----and a dallas win against alabama. that is a perilous schedule.

towny

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : noon

University of Michigan football is back under a fantastic coaching staff lead by Brady Hoke and will be contending for national championships in the future. Coach Hoke is a super recruiter and once we get his recruits in place we will be unbeatable and that includes beating the team from Ohio. Good for Coach Meyer. Maybe we can get back to the Bo versus Woody rivalry. Good competition only makes you better. Can not wait for next year it's going to be great. The Wolverines lead by senior quarterback Denard Robinson are going to destroy the competition and go undefeated. Go Blue !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! number 1.