MichiganCardinal

I think this is exactly right. It's not that Day is a "bad" coach. You don't go 42-5 across four seasons in the B1G as a bad football coach. But he inherited a well-oiled machine that could coach itself if it really needed to. For more than a decade, it was Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, and the field. From 2009 to 2018, those three schools won 8 of 10 championships. If you were a 5* athlete who wanted to win an FBS national championship, those were your three options to go do it, unless you planned on catching lightning in a bottle. It's why I'm on the record (though maybe on the old forum) as saying I didn't think Michigan stood a chance against Ohio State until the playoff expanded. It was like we were in the Minor Leagues and they were in the Majors. It didn't have to be Day as the figurehead for Ohio State. You could put anyone in that role, and they walk into CJ Stroud's living room and say "look what we do!", you've got a really good chance at securing them. When Urban left in 2018, that was the machine and system that Day walked into. And he's done a great job of changing absolutely nothing. They continue to recruit exactly how they did before and they continue to walk all over 12 of their opponents in the B1G. It's Michigan - Jim Harbaugh specifically - that has adapted and said "that's who we need to beat and this is how we are going to do it". Now the ball is in Day's court to show whether he can adapt too in this chess match, or whether being stuck on 3rd base will define his OSU legacy.

If Will Anderson is there, I think you have to consider him... And by consider him, it may be a Sewell situation where they submit that pick before the NFL is ready for it. He has had a "down" year this season, which for him is 10 sacks and 17 TFL through 12 games. He was an absolute freak of nature last year, with 17.5 sacks, 31 TFL, and 101(!) total tackles. Him and Hutch on opposite sides of the line could dominate the NFC North for a decade to come.

I would put TCU at like 95%, I think a blowout loss to Kansas State could put them in some jeopardy. Otherwise I believe you are correct.

I'll preface my response by saying that you are probably right as it relates to Deion. But... when Harbaugh was hired by Stanford, he wasn't some sure thing, or even universally praised. He was the 4th coach (the 3rd hire) for Stanford in the span of 5 years. He was a relatively successful I-AA coach at the University of San Diego who was on probation for a DUI. He had interviewed for the Tulane job and didn't get it. That didn't stop them from taking the gamble. They're in a vastly different place now than they were then (thanks to Harbaugh and Shaw), but they need another Harbaugh-like insurgence to bring them into the modern era of college football. I agree that Stanford is very similar to Michigan, but I don't that precludes surprise or out-there coaching hires. Juwan Howard wasn't really on anyone's radar when Michigan hired him for instance. That's worked out... at least some of the time. To answer your question though, Bernard Muir is not the same AD. Muir promoted Shaw to the position when Harbaugh went to the NFL. The AD that hired Harbaugh to Stanford was actually Bob Bowlsby, the current Big 12 Commissioner. Shaw and Harbaugh are tight though, and if Shaw is asked for his network's assistance, Harbaugh would almost certainly be asked his opinions.

It would be a shocking move, no doubt. I wouldn't put money on it either but I wouldn't rule it out. Stanford normally plays it safe with their hires, but he would inject livelihood into that program, university, and donor base that hasn't been seen since Harbaugh... Notably, Harbaugh was the last external hire that Stanford has made for the football program.

I took great joy in the 3rd quarter yesterday making the comment to some Ohio State friends “you know, I’m just really glad everyone played it safe during 2020 and held off on playing this game. I would have loved to play it but it just wasn’t safe!”

If Stanford wants him they’ll have to move quickly. I wouldn’t expect him to decide before the Celebration Bowl anyway though.

Agreed - he’s well respected. I think I predicted a few pages back that he would take a cushy admin or front office role. I could see the program waiting to gauge how new blood would feel about that before announcing it. Curious where the program goes from here. They care equally as much about how these players perform in the classroom and community as they do wins and losses. They’re not the type of program to make some massive offer to Luke Fickell or Matt Campbell, or to put up with Bill O’Brien’s schtick. I could see them making an easy choice and offering the job to Paul Chryst, Troy Calhoun, or Chris Petersen (though the latter two may not accept). I expect Troy Taylor of FCS Sacramento State will be considered… I could also see them going completely outside the box and offering Deion Sanders, Jay Harbaugh, or Andrew Luck the job.

Stand-up guy who just wouldn’t or couldn’t adapt. He’ll land on his feet - either in another gig if he wants one, or in Stanford’s administration.

Live look at the CFP Committee figuring out how to justify a second SEC team this year.

Fun watch.

I think Harbaugh could win ten straight games against OSU, and follow those up with ten straight losses in the CFP semis, and this town would still be elated as all get-up. This feels so damn good!!!

Looking like a Michigan v. Purdue B1G Championship. Just like everyone predicted in preseason.

Purdue is in if they win.

Imagine being told that Corum would be held to 6 yards before the game. Wow. Rest up kid. Get healthy. We’ve got a National Championship to win.

Think of where we were two years ago. Who could have imagined after bowing out of the 2020 Game we would be 24-2 with two straight wins over OSU?! Hell, think of where we were 10 months ago. Harbaugh interviewing for Minnesota and coordinators ducking left and right. Go Blue. Win it all.

I’m busy drinking the MCS edible equivalent in alcohol, so no I did not.

It’s possible but SEC rules all until they prove otherwise.

They’re handling things well.

Wow wow wow. This may have been the biggest football win in this state in my lifetime. Got to savor it.

That was a phenomenal performance by the entire team. 12-0!!!!

Time to party in the streets for another 365

WOOOOOO

MORE. Game is not over. Let’s go D.