Man’s a visionary I tell you…
Like watching a blind man clear a minefield.
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I think were talking semantics here. Im not saying they WILL. Im saying they CAN. The rules have changed for everyone. Money is absolutely everything…and they have the same amount as the rest of the league. “What makes OSU stand out today?” What makes any of these programs stand out today? What makes any of these programs better suited than OSU? None. You could argue Colorado to some extent, but thats not going to be a long term problem within the league. I dont think were as opposite each other as initially thought. I took it as you said OSU cant compete, while you may have taken it as me saying OSU should win it every year. Im saying OSU is capable of COMPETING for getting to the Conf Championship every year. Thats being 6-3/7-2 every other year in Conf.
Thats my point. There are no Texas and OU’s in this Conf. I understand his point of it being harder now that there are 16 teams as opposed to 10 or 12. I get that. But OSU has been better than every one of those other programs in recent history and none of those 15 others have a better combination of facilities, paying coaches, stability, recruiting base, and current history of winning than what OSU does.
Hey champ,
Only if you think the reason we went 0-9 was a mishandling of the “new college landscape” and not utilizing the portal and NIL. You’re saying we lost for lack of talent?
The only thing I think would have significantly helped us portalwise would have been bringing in a QB, but you had an entrenched starter who just led us to the conference title game and at least one young guy I think the team believes in and starting QBs are expensive. I don’t know that OSU has “bring in multiple starting QBs” money. No one in Gundy’s position would’ve done that. I’ll die on that hill. Bowman wasn’t our first choice the year before when we were portal shopping, but he worked out surprisingly well the first year.
I think the larger issue was Nardo’s defense and some combo of Dunn/Dickey on offense. Again, I don’t know that anyone would’ve made a huge change up in coaching coming off of a strong season.
So, no, I don’t think it’s fair criticism. It’s not a college landscape issue, it was a couple of bad hires and a mediocre QB who had all overachieved the year before. Yeah, the bad hires are his fault, but they’re not because the game has passed him by. That’s lazy criticism. Let’s not forget that his previous coordinator hire is literally the highest paid and most sought after coordinator in college football, so he’s not an idiot. He just takes big swings and sometimes they miss.
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I guess I dont understand what youre getting at. Dabo and Visionary Leader dont go together.
I agree with the vast majority of this. But to correct you here, Knowles wasnt his “previous coordinator hire”. Derrick Mason was.
Ah, yeah, did forget about Mason.
Why do you keep saying “visionary leader”? I didn’t day that. I said he was a good coach that hasn’t adapted.
Because the guy posted how a HC should “be the Visionary Leader and should have seen this thing coming”. You then responded right below it saying Dabo comes to mind
Exactly, I’m not saying OSU cannot compete. I just don’t see OSU having much advantage over these 8-9 schools anymore. Gundy’s trademark of developing players isn’t as big an advantage since players come and go. Facilities are nice but money will still win out in this area. All the stuff that has helped us win games in the past is becoming more inert. I’m not saying that these other schools have major advantages over OSU. I’m saying it’s going to become more difficult for OSU to stand out.
What is your early prediction on next season? It’s hard to gauge with new systems on offense and defense but I think we are headed to 4-8 or 5-7 unless one of these QBs becomes a star.
The sad part is that all those advantages we did have, we failed to capitalize on. One conference title in 20 years, while having a facility edge, coaching salary edge, and one of the two conference blue bloods (Texas) going through their worst decade since the 70s. Yet we failed to take advantage and win the rings, banners and titles that would have carried weight in this new era of football.
BTW, I predict a 6-6 record next year for OSU. 2-1 non-con and 4-5 conference record, and thus earning an invite to the Independence Bowl in Shreveport. Which will be considered good enough improvement to keep Gundy around to 2026.
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Again, I was just enforcing what you said that no coaches were ahead of this and that Dabo is a really good and wasn’t ahead it. Still not sure where you got lost. I’ve explained this a couple times now.
I agree we did not capitalize on those advantages. Although I do place blame on Gundy, I also see bad luck involved. We needed to rise up when OU was not as good, hence 2012-2014, because once they got Riley he just made a QB farm. Instead, Kansas St in 2012 and Baylor 2013 & 2014 reaped those benefits. After that the Sooner won 6 years in a row.
OSU needs OU to be good in order for the Cowboys to recruit well. Here’s why.
When OU is really good, they recruit more nationally. When they’re down, they tend to focus more locally. OU always has & always will get the lions share of the in-state kids that they want. If OU doesn’t want them……OSU can benefit.
However, I think Venables has changed that philosophy. Riley definitely recruited nationally to our favor. We’ll see what OU does if Venables can get them going. I am surprised by the lack of impact OL the Sooners have signed. If they cannot improve their line play significantly it won’t matter who the OC or QB is.
Surprised by the lack of impact OL that OU has signed……what are you talking about? Two of the best lineman in the NFL are in the Super Bowl from OU. Lane Johnson and Creed Humphrey. Anton Harrison and Guyton were 1st rd picks the last few years. They just signed the two highest rated pair of HS Offensive Tackles they ever have in Fasusi and Fodje. The OU offensive line was bad this past season, but they have been producing OL guys in the NFL at as good a rate as anyone not named Alabama or Georgia
I’m talking about the most recent portal activity.
They don’t need to pay for big money Oline guys. They were bad this year due to injuries and inexperience. Not a lack of talent. They needed WR’s & TE’s. The Oline room is in good shape going into 25’, if healthy.
I’m not convinced. They gave up the most sacks allowed in the country. Dead last. We’ll see what happens.
I’m not proclaiming it to be the second coming of the Great Wall of Dallas. But I am saying that with what they have returning & with signing two 5 star tackles, the Oline will be much better……which isn’t saying a whole lot. As an OU fan, I’m glad they threw money at a QB and retaining their own guys as opposed to throwing it at portal Olineman.