ESPN Early Big 10 Predictions for 2015

[rolltide]

Run...I think in the end it's going to come down to the Jimmies and Joes more than the X's and O's. I always dismiss the first year of recruiting for coaches. I've heard them say that it is a very difficult time to recruit players, when they are trying to still evaluate the players they have on hand. The last thing a coach wants is to make some bad early choices and then have to live with those choices for the next 4 years. In the second year, the good coaches have it figured out where they need to go to fill the roster, and that's when they dive in head first. I'll be surprised if Harbaugh doesn't have a top 10-15 class next year.

yeah, i think Narduzzi made a good point about this today in his presser. he was asked why he didn't sign more kids as he could have easily offered 4-5 more instead of holding at 15. He said he's not in the business of reaching for a player and would never do it because it doesn't change the level of his football team. He would rather keep extra scholarships for next year and beyond vs making a commitment for a kid for the next 4 years that isn't at Pitt's level. Guessing that is exactly Jim Harbaugh's mentality

of course big difference between salvaging a recruiting class in a month at Pitt while following shit recruiters like Chryst and staff .... vs following Muschamp and his group of recruiters that had some talons in Ivey, Cowart, CeCe long before coach Mac arrived.

Harbaugh actually finished right in the middle of Big 10.... 8th of 14 by total points but very high, 4th, in average star rating. not horrible based on where he started. Florida finished 10th in SEC overall (8th avg star), and Pitt dead last in ACC overall but 10th in avg star ranking

 

[Jupiter333]

I predict that Minnesota will win the West.....not impressed with either of the coaches of those teams picked above them. Kill plays ugly ball, but with mediocre talent his strategy is to shorten the game to lessen that difference. I've watched the Gophers win games that they shouldn't have and they played Ohio State tougher than most last year. The disparity between the two divisions is huge and will get greater in the next few years as Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State and Ohio State will be superior to the West Divisional top teams.

The bottom line is that the best coach in the west is Kill and will be for next year and possibly going forward. They won't be able to be gift wrapped the Nebraska game any more, but he'll get the most out of what he has, and he'll run the ball 40 times a game and keep the other team's offense off the field. Minnesota will now have a real chance at beating Wisconsin, something that hasn't happened in quite a long time.

 

[Jupiter333]

If the Gophers are above +200 to win the West Division I am on them, even with Williams opting for the NFL and losing their star running back.

 

[RunLeeRun]

Run...I think in the end it's going to come down to the Jimmies and Joes more than the X's and O's. I always dismiss the first year of recruiting for coaches. I've heard them say that it is a very difficult time to recruit players, when they are trying to still evaluate the players they have on hand. The last thing a coach wants is to make some bad early choices and then have to live with those choices for the next 4 years. In the second year, the good coaches have it figured out where they need to go to fill the roster, and that's when they dive in head first. I'll be surprised if Harbaugh doesn't have a top 10-15 class next year.

I agree with your switzerism, but just so we are clear michigan's previous 4 classes (rivals): 21,5,7,31....at some point the x's and o's got to factor in.

 

[RunLeeRun]

yeah, i think Narduzzi made a good point about this today in his presser. he was asked why he didn't sign more kids as he could have easily offered 4-5 more instead of holding at 15. He said he's not in the business of reaching for a player and would never do it because it doesn't change the level of his football team. He would rather keep extra scholarships for next year and beyond vs making a commitment for a kid for the next 4 years that isn't at Pitt's level. Guessing that is exactly Jim Harbaugh's mentality

of course big difference between salvaging a recruiting class in a month at Pitt while following shit recruiters like Chryst and staff .... vs following Muschamp and his group of recruiters that had some talons in Ivey, Cowart, CeCe long before coach Mac arrived.

Harbaugh actually finished right in the middle of Big 10.... 8th of 14 by total points but very high, 4th, in average star rating. not horrible based on where he started. Florida finished 10th in SEC overall (8th avg star), and Pitt dead last in ACC overall but 10th in avg star ranking

Smart by Narduzzi. One of the biggest mistakes is oversigning a transition class....

From what I heard, Harbaugh threw out a ton of offers. I believe he offered 4 alone that were committed to Nebraska...flipped 1.....but they may well have only intended to hit 14 or so.

 

[RunLeeRun]

If the Gophers are above +200 to win the West Division I am on them, even with Williams opting for the NFL and losing their star running back.

I think you'll have your wager....seems way low to me

 

[GoSooners]

I agree with your switzerism, but just so we are clear michigan's previous 4 classes (rivals): 21,5,7,31....at some point the x's and o's got to factor in.

Give Harbaugh some time. He's got a lot of un-Hoke-ing to do.