Athlon Round Table: Bill O’Brien or Urban Meyer for B1G Coach of the Year?

Ohio State is 7-0 in the first year under new head coach Urban Meyer. Penn State is off to a 4-2 start as they head to Iowa in the first year under Bill O’Brien. Both new coaches have sparked their programs in times of need on various levels, but which one would be the coach of the year in the Big Ten if the vote was held today?

Athlon Sports asked that question to a round table, which I was happy to participate in. Here is what I had to say…

One of the key factors I like to look at when determining who should be coach of the year is what do they have to work with. At Ohio State Urban Meyer inherited a pretty solid program from top to bottom with a Braxton Miller sitting there waiting to be groomed. At Penn State Bill O’Brien took over a program ripped of its heart and soul and destined for some of the heaviest sanctions the college sports world has seen in a long time, which would lead the team’s star running back, leading receiver and best kicker create their own exit plans in addition to a handful of others to hurt some depth. Both coaches have dealt with some adversity on the football field as well, with Meyer’s defense being shredded by Indiana most recently and with O’Brien’s team dropping the first two games of the season. … Continue Reading

Athlon Sports asks who is best Big Ten bowl eligible team

Are the Michigan Wolverines the best the Big Ten will have to offer this postseason? I think so. Photo: Getty Images

I was asked to take part in a round table discussion of sorts with the guys from Athlon Sports this week. The question was which team in the Big Ten is the best bowl-eligible team. This means we have to leave out 6-0 Ohio State and not even consider 4-2 Penn State. The truth is, those two might be the best teams in the Big Ten but of course they are each ineligible for postseason play.

So who are we left with? Nebraska? Michigan State? Wisconsin?

I’m going with the Wolverines, despite their losses to Alabama and Notre Dame this season. … Continue Reading

Wisconsin’s biggest threat in the Leaders Division? How about Penn State?

Athlon Sports discussion talks biggest hurdles for Badgers in 2012

Is anyone capable of knocking off Wisconsin in the Leaders Division in 2012? Getty Images.

Wisconsin is going to be your favorite in the Big Ten Leaders Division this fall, without question. The funny thing is Ohio State has potential to be the best team but with their one-year postseason ban already ruling out the Buckeyes from the Big Ten Championship Game and the bowl season, the door is wide open for Wisconsin, who filled the biggest roster hole this spring by signing former Maryland quarterback Danny O’Brien.

But take a look around the rest of the Leaders Division. Is there a team capable of pushing the Badgers for the division title?

I was asked to participate in a round table discussion of sorts with the folks over at Athlon Sports. They are asking questions about who will be the biggest threat to the supposed favorites in each conference or division this fall. Yesterday the topic was the Big Ten Leaders Division, where Wisconsin looks to be the clear favorite, especially considering the fact that Ohio State is ruled out automatically with a postseason ban being served this year.

Here is what I said about why I think Penn State will be the biggest obstacle.

Few will argue that Wisconsin is the prohibitive favorite in the Big Ten’s Leaders Division. Already with one of the top offensive players in the nation with running back Montee Ball, a Heisman frontrunner in my book, the Badgers filled the one glaring hole on their roster this spring by signing quarterback transfer Danny O’Brien. The blueprint that was used for the 2011 season seems as though it is being recycled in 2012, and for Wisconsin that should be a good sign. With the Buckeyes ruled out of the picture for us it becomes a little more obvious that Wisconsin is the team to beat in the fall.

If there is one team that has the potential to give Wisconsin a run this year though, it may just be the team the Badgers blasted in the regular season finale last fall to advance to the Big Ten championship game, Penn State. Bill O’Brien brings a new offensive flair to the program and if he can find the right players to get things moving, most notably at quarterback, then this could be a pretty good season for Penn State. Penn State’s defense hopes to get some good production out of two key defensive players returning from ACL injuries with defensive end Pete Massaro and linebacker Michael Mauti, and defensive tackle Jordan Hill is ready to pick up where Devon Still left on the inside of the defensive line. The secondary is also a huge question after losing three starters but Penn State has the schedule in their favor. Ohio State and Wisconsin, perhaps the two toughest games on the schedule other than a road trip to Nebraska, make trips to Penn State this season. After the way things went down in Madison last November for the Nittany Lions, revenge will be on the mind of many in the 2012 regular season finale in State College.

Will it once again be a game to determine which school heads to Indianapolis the following week for the Big Ten championship game?

Link: Wisconsin Football: Who Challenges the Badgers in 2012?

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Radio: Johnny Ballgame Show, 12.1.2011

One last chance to talk Alabama vs. LSU on the radio

On Thursday evening I joined The Johnny Ballgame Show in La Grande, Oregon. We took a look at some of the championship games being played this weekend, including the Big Ten Championship and SEC Championship games. Bedlam was also on the agenda, as well as the debate of whether or not LSU and Alabama deserve to be playing in the BCS championship even if LSU loses this weekend, which you probably know by now I believe they should be.

We actually didn’t discuss the Pac 12 championship game or ACC championship game but we did discuss the Washington State news about hiring Mike Leach and how that will finally make the Cougars a program worth discussing once again. It’s been a long time coming for the program and I hope to see them enjoy some level of success, even if just mild. Can Leach capture the same kind of success he experienced at Texas Tech? I think so.

We also talk about the Houston Cougars and their BCS hopes. And is there any way Boise State can get an invite to the BCS party this season?

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Radio: Sports Talk on TribLIVE Radio, 12.1.2011

Explaining the Big East championship scenario, talking Penn State coaching search

I made my weekly appearance on Sports Talk on TribLIVE Radio, based out of Pittsburgh, to talk about some college football with Mike Grau. I helped lay out the different Big East championship scenarios that could unfold and figure out how a three-way tie would be determined. We also discussed the Penn State coaching search and why Mark Richt could be a great fit if he happens to be available (don’t think he will be) and if there is any possible way we won’t see LSU vs. Alabama in the BCS championship game (not likely).

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For other guest spots, click here.

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