Muller: A Look Back at Big Ten Media Days
By Shawn Muller -
CHICAGO (CBS) One reason I love the Big Ten media days is that it means we are inching closer and closer to the start of the college football season.
The other reason I like the Big Ten media days is because we get to hear what the coaches from around the league have to say about their teams and the other hot button issues concerning the conference.
With the chaos going on at Ohio State, the transfer of former North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson to Wisconsin, the Nebraska Cornhuskers joining the league, and the first ever conference championship game set to take place this year in Indianapolis, there were definitely a plethora of items to discuss.
While much of the time was on the repetitive side--especially during each coach's time at the podium during their 15 minutes of Q&A on day one-- there were some coaches that stood out to me with what they had to say.
So what did we learn?
1. Joe Paterno stole the show.
At the ripe young age of 84, "Joe Pa" was on the top of his game. When the topic of the state of college football came up—and the perception that the game is out of control in regards to cheating and player behavior—Paterno was great.
Asked about the recent scandals around the country, Paterno said, "Every once in a while, I hear one of these guys that I know a little bit talking about when they were 19 and 20, about all the kids today. They ought to go back and read Socrates. Socrates, 400 years B.C., said 'The kids today are terrible; they're tyrants. They don't pay attention.' That's 2,500 years ago, Ok? Anyway, I'm shooting my mouth off too much. Let's go."
That was definitely THE quote of the day….and it was nice to see "Joe Pa" send a little shout out to his former classmate Socrates.
2. Brady Hoke is definitely a "Michigan Man".
We get it Mr. Hoke. You are the new head coach at the University of Michigan and you think that Michigan football is just a notch below God on the "importance of life" scale that everyone should follow. It seemed like every two seconds Brady Hoke needed to remind everyone in attendance and watching at home that they were, in fact, the University of Michigan.
Oh Bully!! I say old chap, what on Earth are these little people doing here anyway? Do they not understand that are breathing "Michigan Man" air?
Give it a rest Mr. Hoke, would ya?
A reporter asked the new coach about his program being in rebuilding mode and his response was brief and to the point. Hoke said, "I don't think we're rebuilding, period. I mean we're Michigan."
I don't know what Hoke's definition of "rebuilding" is, but it is definitely different than mine. During the Rich Rodriguez experiment, Michigan went 15-22 overall, 6-18 in Big Ten Play, and went to one bowl game. In case you forgot, that bowl game was a 52-14 beat down at the hands of the Mississippi State Bulldogs (yes…that Mississippi State) in the Gator Bowl last year.
I would say that Michigan is THE definition of what a rebuilding project looks like. They are one of the "blue blood" programs in all of college football. And "blue bloods" don't struggle like the Wolverines have for the past three seasons…..unless your name is Notre Dame. One bad season is an anomaly. Two in a row is a problem. Three in a row is a downright debacle. But by all means Brady, keep telling yourself that everything is just fine.
And Michigan fans wonder why we "outsiders" can't feel bad for the Wolverines. Face it: there is still a lot of work to do to get Michigan back to its winning ways. I don't know if Hoke spent too much time in the California sun while coaching at San Diego State or what….but I do know one thing: while it is great to be optimistic about the direction you think your program is heading (any coach would do the same), it is pretty ridiculous to think Michigan will be back (I know you don't think they ever left Brady) in no time. Yes, Michigan will more than likely be back before we know it, but let's see Michigan finish higher than 7th in the league again before we start puffing out our chests.
A "Michigan Man" should know that.
3. Bret Bielema said what?
I don't know if football coaches think all of us are complete idiots or what? But Wisconsin head Coach Bret Bielema sure made it seem that way.
When asked about Russell Wilson being the starter for the Badgers after transferring for his final year of eligibility from N.C. State, Bielema referred to him as a "potential" starter. With eyebrows raised from the answer, he was asked if there was really a chance that Wilson wouldn't start. Bielema's response? "Absolutely."
Come on Bret.
I know coaches think they are ten times smarter than the average reporter or football fan, but you can't think we are THAT dumb. You didn't spend the time recruiting a quarterback that was the 2008 ACC Rookie of the Year, 2008 1st Team All-ACC, and 2010 2nd Team All-ACC to have him be in a "quarterback battle" for his last season on a college campus. Wilson threw for 8,545 yds. With 76 td's and 26 interceptions during his time at North Carolina State.
He is not in a battle. He is the starter, so please, give us just a little credit here Bret.
While he may have turned some heads with his Wilson remarks, I did like what Bielema had to say about the state of college football. He was asked about the negative headlines and what he thought is it would take to put college football back in a positive light.
Bielema said, "If I had a dream world, I would hammer the guys that don't do things right. People are willingly and knowingly abusing rules." He added, "The only way to deter that is to get rid of people, or hold programs responsible."
I couldn't agree more.
4. Did you hear? Nebraska is now a member of the Big Ten.
We get it.
Nebraska has a rich history and a tradition that rivals any other program in college football, but do we need to be reminded of that every two seconds?
Don't get me wrong. I am very excited to see Nebraska join the league. It allows for a conference championship game (welcome to the 21st Century Big Ten Conference), it allows for a two division league (even if Legends and Leaders is the dumbest divisional names in the history of sport) and it brings more credibility and notoriety—also known as $$$-- to the league.
But for the love of all things sacred, ease off just a tad. The way the other coaches were talking about the Cornhuskers, you would have thought they were on the old game show, "The Dating Game". It was like each coach was trying to get Nebraska's attention in hopes of being asked to the prom. Problem is, Nebraska doesn't care about your feelings. They want to move in, conquer the pretty girl, and make you like it.
Oh, and one more thing.
Did anyone else notice just how boring head coach Bo Pelini is? When he was at the podium for his 15 minute session, he looked as if he would have more fun getting a root canal while attending a funeral that is blaring Kenny G music.
Come on Bo! It wasn't THAT bad, was it?
I just hope--for his sake anyway—that he gets a little more excited once the season comes around. A schedule with Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State, Iowa, and Northwestern is no easy task.
But, just in case no one told you yet….welcome to the Big Ten Nebraska.
5. Jim Tressel is a "Tragic Hero"?
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio referred to former Ohio State head man Jim Tressel as a "tragic hero" during the media days here in Chicago.
I'm sorry….what?
Yes, apparently coach Dantonio felt that what happened to Lord Tressel was "heart wrenching" for himself and his family. He said, "He's had a lot to do with my family life as a mentor, really since 1983 and that's a long time period. Usually tragic heroes have the ability to rise above it….and that's what I'll look for in the end."
Pardon me Mark, but what in the hell are you talking about? I understand that he is your friend and all, and maybe you do have a wonderful relationship off the field, but Tressel was found out to be a fraud and he paid the price for it. He made his own bed and now Tressel must sleep in it.
For a conference that prides itself on playing by the rules and being on the cutting edge, Tressel's actions were flat-out embarrassing for not only the Big Ten, but for you and the rest of the coaches in the league.
Jim Tressel can be called a lot of things…..but a "tragic hero" is not one of those things. I think "a snake in the grass that could not cover up his lies" is a better description.
6. The "Legends" Division gets home-field in first championship game.
Look out!
The Legends division winner will have a decidedly strong home-field advantage in the first ever Big Ten Championship game set to take place on December 3rd, 2011 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
What's that? Oh, they really won't have home-field advantage? Ok, got it.
Other than getting to stand on the Colts' sideline, while wearing the home uniforms, why does this matter? I am sure that whichever teams make it to Indy; they will be followed in droves by their fans. It's a non-issue as far as I am concerned.
I think the biggest question is; why was Bud Selig trying to get involved? He suggested holding an exhibition all-star game during the middle of the season with the winning side getting home-field advantage.
Mr. Selig, you have no business barking up the college football tree. You have your own problems to deal with as the commissioner of Major League Baseball. The last thing the Big Ten needs is the worst commissioner in all of sports adding his two cents. All-Star game? Yeah, for a commissioner that had an All-Star game end in a tie…..you don't really have the best track record concerning exhibitions.
7. Can Luke Fickell handle the pressure in Columbus?
That is the million dollar question. While Fickell played for Ohio State, was a defensive-coordinator under Jim Tressel, and is now the interim-head coach for the Buckeyes, he still has a long way to go.
Will the recent questions surrounding the program knock the knees out from under Fickell and Brutus in 2011? I suppose we will have to wait and see what the NCAA does and how the team responds while the suspended players sit out the first five games of the season.
Even still, if I am a Buckeye fan, I am sitting a little uneasy with Fickell as the head coach.
Obviously I don't know Luke Fickell from Adam, but I do know that he was an assistant under Jim Tressel, so come to your own conclusion as to where I was going there. But watching him speak, he just doesn't look confident. He appears to be nervous anytime a camera or a microphone is in front of him. Any second he looks like he is going to pass out.
While he does appear to be saying the right things regarding his—and the Ohio State football programs'—futures, I just don't think he is comfortable being the head man in charge.
Time will tell on this one…..
8. So which team will win the Big Ten Title?
The 2011 season is going to be one of the most wide open league races I can ever remember. If you look at both divisions, you could make a strong argument for a couple of different teams. In the Leaders Division, Wisconsin seems to be the popular pick by many, but, if things go the right way during the year, any one of Ohio State, Penn State, or Illinois could also make their way to Indianapolis. The same thing could be said for the Legends Division. Nebraska is the popular pick to win right now, but, you can't count out Michigan State, Iowa, or even Northwestern.
So who do I think will be playing in Indianapolis on December 3rd?
I honestly have no idea.
Overall, there was some pretty interesting stuff coming out of the 2011 Big Ten media days. Let's just hope the season is even more entertaining. Fall practice starts late next week.
I can hardly wait.
Shawn Muller has lived in the great city of Chicago for 7 years. He is a 2002 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and, in October of 2010, Shawn received his certificate in radio broadcasting. In his free time, Shawn enjoys spending time with his wife Melissa and 3 year old daughter Ava, catching any live sporting event, and traveling. Check out his radio show, Grab Some Bench with Muller and Bangser" every Thursday night at 8:30 P.M., at www.blogtalkradio.com/spmuller24. Read more of his blogs here.
