ESPNs Brian Bennett addresses Big Ten's East/West division imbalance

[BleedGopher]

per Bennett's Q&A:

@JStew14: @BennettESPN @ESPN_BigTen Looking at recruiting rankings, and balance of coaching 'power' is there any way the BIg West can really catch up?

Brian Bennett: Iowa just went 12-0 in the regular season, Northwestern was ranked in the top 15 of the final playoff rankings, and Wisconsin continues to churn out 10-win seasons. So it's not like the West Division is on life support.

But Jake's question is a valid one. We've pointed out the advantages the East has over the West, in terms of coaching prowess, budgets and access to recruiting pipelines. There's a real concern that a major imbalance will happen over time. There's really nothing teams in the West can do about their location. It helps to have a proven system, identity and the ability to develop talent, like Wisconsin and Iowa have done. And West teams should have an easier path to the Big Ten title game most years, unlike in the stacked East. Things won't ever be totally fair, but when has that ever been the case in the Big Ten?

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/129888/b1g-mailbag-early-16-showdowns-east-west-imbalance

Go Gophers!!

 

[bemidjigopher]

I am not to worried about it believe the west had a better record in interdivision play. Plus I know Franklin can recruit but like Hoke can he coach?. Maryland has always had a talent rich area, same with Rutgers, yet they've never been able to do anything consistently with it

 

[Some guy]

There is a difference between better and better at the top.

What is the head to head record of the two divisions through two years?

 

[Factchecker]

There is a difference between better and better at the top.

What is the head to head record of the two divisions through two years?

I know this year it was even up 7-7. As for the teams in the East:
I get the feeling O$U is trending towards what Florida has become. At the end Meyer had no control over the program at all and if I remember right they were averaging 1+ arrests a month.
Michigan and Harbaugh: Trending up but how long does he stay?
MSU: Seems the most stable.
PSU: Again can he coach?
Indiana Rutgers Maryland: Could all be better but in no way am I going to expect consistent bowl games from them.

Overall the East spends more money and has more talent in the backyards but I just get the feeling there will always be more turmoil.

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[upnorthkid]

I know this year it was even up 7-7. As for the teams in the East:
I get the feeling O$U is trending towards what Florida has become. At the end Meyer had no control over the program at all and if I remember right they were averaging 1+ arrests a month.
Michigan and Harbaugh: Trending up but how long does he stay?
MSU: Seems the most stable.
PSU: Again can he coach?
Indiana Rutgers Maryland: Could all be better but in no way am I going to expect consistent bowl games from them.

Overall the East spends more money and has more talent in the backyards but I just get the feeling there will always be more turmoil.

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No. Just no. He is going to benefit greatly from losing some of the headcases that were on this team (Cardale and Elliott). The Buckeyes, as much as people outside Ohio dislike them, are not going anywhere.

 

[Factchecker]

No. Just no. He is going to benefit greatly from losing some of the headcases that were on this team (Cardale and Elliott). The Buckeyes, as much as people outside Ohio dislike them, are not going anywhere.

So you are saying Meyer who brought in very talented knuckleheads at uf isn't going to bring those same kinda kids to O$U?
When Florida was rolling did anyone think it was possible for them to miss a bowl game?

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[upnorthkid]

So you are saying Meyer who brought in very talented knuckleheads at uf isn't going to bring those same kinda kids to O$U?
When Florida was rolling did anyone think it was possible for them to miss a bowl game?

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The knuckleheads that are of note, which I listed previously, are now moving on. Am I ever going to say Meyer runs a clean program? Hell no because he doesn't. But if he stays there and is coaching, they will not devolve into the dumpster fire the Florida became.

 

[Factchecker]

The knuckleheads that are of note, which I listed previously, are now moving on. Am I ever going to say Meyer runs a clean program? Hell no because he doesn't. But if he stays there and is coaching, they will not devolve into the dumpster fire the Florida became.

So are you saying Meyer won't bring in knuckleheads? Yes the kids are moving on but that doesn't mean that they are being replaced with choir boys.
You never did answer my question: When Meyer was winning a national title at Florida did any think that in a very short time Florida would be "a dumpster fire"?

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[upnorthkid]

So are you saying Meyer won't bring in knuckleheads? Yes the kids are moving on but that doesn't mean that they are being replaced with choir boys.
You never did answer my question: When Meyer was winning a national title at Florida did any think that in a very short time Florida would be "a dumpster fire"?

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Did anyone think they would be while Meyer himself was still coaching? No. Did they turn into one while he was still coaching them? arguably no. I never said he wouldn't bring in more knuckleheads, but there really are no "alarm bells" ringing based on the team he brings back. I would say Michigan probably will be viewed as the better team pending their QB situation, but OSU will be right there again. They are in no way looking like they will tank any time in the near future. Does he take guys with huge risk factors? Yep he sure does. But really I don't think he cares because he has the biggest ego of the bunch and has the ability to keep them in check. I could continue to ramble/rant on about this, but as long as Urban is the coach in Columbus, OSU isn't going anywhere. Say what you will about him as a person and about the people he recruits but he wins. And winning keeps stability and lets you sweep the few with character issues under the rug which prevents the dumpster fires from exploding.

 

[bemidjigopher]

No. Just no. He is going to benefit greatly from losing some of the headcases that were on this team (Cardale and Elliott). The Buckeyes, as much as people outside Ohio dislike them, are not going anywhere.

I am sure the five star kids he's bringing in are all saints with his track record. They'll keep winning, but Urban because he's soft on team discipline will continue to have knuckleheads. The question is how long does he stay and if there is a mediocre season by their standards, will the school put up with him. As much as I hate Alabama, you don't really hear too much about their guys breaking the law, I am sure it happens, but even teams that win all the time like to think their winning with good kids. When you take risk, the second it back fires people are all over you

 

[dpodoll68]

Where are people getting this idea that Franklin can't coach? He took VANDERBILT to 3 straight bowl games, 2 straight 9-win seasons, and 2 straight top 25 finishes. It was Vanderbilt. It obviously wasn't recruiting. He can coach.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

Where are people getting this idea that Franklin can't coach? He took VANDERBILT to 3 straight bowl games, 2 straight 9-win seasons, and 2 straight top 25 finishes. It was Vanderbilt. It obviously wasn't recruiting. He can coach.

Exactly. Franklin accomplished more in 3 years at Vanderbilt than Kill did in 5 years at Minnesota. However, I'm sure there are plenty on here that would still consider Kill a better coach...

 

[Ski U Mah Gopher]

I consider the East top-heavy, while the West is better from top to bottom.

 

[Mulligan]

Just happy we're in the West where I can hang onto my delusion that we might someday win the division. On the other hand, top OSU, Michigan, and Michigan State in one year? Even I am not that crazy.

 

[Zeppelin Gopher]

Where are people getting this idea that Franklin can't coach? He took VANDERBILT to 3 straight bowl games, 2 straight 9-win seasons, and 2 straight top 25 finishes. It was Vanderbilt. It obviously wasn't recruiting. He can coach.

Most Penn State fans seem to think otherwise, and that his success at Vandy was a perfect storm of a few different factors. Jury is still out on Franklin in Happy Valley.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

Most Penn State fans seem to think otherwise, and that his success at Vandy was a perfect storm of a few different factors. Jury is still out on Franklin in Happy Valley.

2016 will be the first season Penn State is back to the full 85 players on scholarship. State College is also in the middle of nowhere and Penn State football doesn't have the prestige it did under Paterno pre-scandal. I think Franklin needs a few more years with the full amount of scholarships before fans should start judging him.

 

[MNBadgerGuy]

Where are people getting this idea that Franklin can't coach? He took VANDERBILT to 3 straight bowl games, 2 straight 9-win seasons, and 2 straight top 25 finishes. It was Vanderbilt. It obviously wasn't recruiting. He can coach.

People are getting the idea that he can't coach from his 14-12 record at Penn State, with a QB that a lot of scouts said could/should be a first round pick.

He did some good things at Vanderbilt, but beat one ranked opponent his entire time there (Georgia ranked #15 at the time and they finished 8-5).

Most PSU fans I know think he's a clown, and I tend to agree.

 

[Factchecker]

Did anyone think they would be while Meyer himself was still coaching? No. Did they turn into one while he was still coaching them? arguably no. I never said he wouldn't bring in more knuckleheads, but there really are no "alarm bells" ringing based on the team he brings back. I would say Michigan probably will be viewed as the better team pending their QB situation, but OSU will be right there again. They are in no way looking like they will tank any time in the near future. Does he take guys with huge risk factors? Yep he sure does. But really I don't think he cares because he has the biggest ego of the bunch and has the ability to keep them in check. I could continue to ramble/rant on about this, but as long as Urban is the coach in Columbus, OSU isn't going anywhere. Say what you will about him as a person and about the people he recruits but he wins. And winning keeps stability and lets you sweep the few with character issues under the rug which prevents the dumpster fires from exploding.

Ask Florida fans and they will tell Meyer lost control of the program before he retired for family reasons. When I said trending I did not say they would be a dumpster fire next season but could be heading that direction. What do I base this on? Happened to Meyer at Florida, he let Ezekiel Elliott play in a bowl game after being arrested for (at the least) driving without a license and getting in a car accident. If I remember right he lost his license for drunk driving. Oh and
O$U has recently descended into a dumpster fire. I understand that this doesn't mean that it will happen this time but you know what they say about zebras.

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[WanderingGopher]

There is a difference between better and better at the top.

What is the head to head record of the two divisions through two years?

^This.

Last year the two divisions were 7-7 head to head, this year the West "won" 8-6. So I guess if you throw in the two title games (one of which was decided by a matter of inches) the two divisions are 15-15 so far.

Can't get much more even than that, Brian Bennett and other ignorant national writers.

 

[Some guy]

^This.

Last year the two divisions were 7-7 head to head, this year the West "won" 8-6. So I guess if you throw in the two title games (one of which was decided by a matter of inches) the two divisions are 15-15 so far.

Can't get much more even than that, Brian Bennett and other ignorant national writers.

Exactly.
The fact of the matter is this. If there were the two divisions:
Ohio state
Rutgers
Maryland
Illinois
Indiana
Purdue
Northwestern


Minnesota
Wisconsin
Iowa
Nevraska
Michigan
Michigan state
Penn state



The perception would still be that the top division is equal or stronger. Because Ohio state has been that much better than the rest of the conference since tressel started coaching