We can debate all we want about what style of football we want. Simple fact, good football coaches win football games.
Mike Leach has the moribund Washington State program on a serious rebound. Though he's 17-27 since arriving there, they were 8-40 in the 4 years before he arrived. They are headed bowling for the second time in his four years (it had been a long time since their previous bowl). And no one in the Pac 12 can stop his O now (D is still somewhat dubious).
David Shaw has another solid team that's winning lots of games. Though he inherited a great situation from Harbaugh, he's proven that he's a big-time winner on his own. Teams played disciplined, fundamental fball (this shouldn't be hard at Stanford btw). And he overpowers some more finesse teams in the Pac 12.
Put simply, good football coaches make their programs better and win more games than you'd expect. Leach's recruiting is mostly two stars with some three stars. Shaw has a much better platform, but he's not rolling in Bama-like talent.
This is why I like a guy like Babers. He runs Art Briles' system (Shaw runs Harbaugh's), and all he's had with it is success as a HC (his OC numbers from way back - read, pre-any of us having heard of Briles - were pretty good). He beats teams like MD, IU, and PU with lesser talent, and I'd largely credit his system (BGSU scored lots of points in all these games).
Guy can coach a football team. And IMO, recruiting at IL is one of the most overrated items. In reality, if we are decent, we likely will recruit a reasonable B1G football roster. This isn't IU or PU, where you have to "find" the talent. It's not like tOSU, where you need to turn it away. You win at IL by simply being better than the opposition in the coaching box.
Mike Leach has the moribund Washington State program on a serious rebound. Though he's 17-27 since arriving there, they were 8-40 in the 4 years before he arrived. They are headed bowling for the second time in his four years (it had been a long time since their previous bowl). And no one in the Pac 12 can stop his O now (D is still somewhat dubious).
David Shaw has another solid team that's winning lots of games. Though he inherited a great situation from Harbaugh, he's proven that he's a big-time winner on his own. Teams played disciplined, fundamental fball (this shouldn't be hard at Stanford btw). And he overpowers some more finesse teams in the Pac 12.
Put simply, good football coaches make their programs better and win more games than you'd expect. Leach's recruiting is mostly two stars with some three stars. Shaw has a much better platform, but he's not rolling in Bama-like talent.
This is why I like a guy like Babers. He runs Art Briles' system (Shaw runs Harbaugh's), and all he's had with it is success as a HC (his OC numbers from way back - read, pre-any of us having heard of Briles - were pretty good). He beats teams like MD, IU, and PU with lesser talent, and I'd largely credit his system (BGSU scored lots of points in all these games).
Guy can coach a football team. And IMO, recruiting at IL is one of the most overrated items. In reality, if we are decent, we likely will recruit a reasonable B1G football roster. This isn't IU or PU, where you have to "find" the talent. It's not like tOSU, where you need to turn it away. You win at IL by simply being better than the opposition in the coaching box.
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