M-Borg vs. THE Flavortown U Thread, Orig. by Buckeye Paul, absconded w/by talent.

[lineygoblue]

I wouldn't suggest that anyone visiting Detroit plan on going over to Windsor unless you have a passport. You won't be able to get in without one. The good old days of a fairly open and loosely controlled border are over. You'll need a passport or the "enhanced" drivers license that states bordering Canada now issue.

Its too bad, because Windsor has some nice places to visit as well. As we know from here, Canadians like to have a good time too ...

[iam416]

Fickell may end up at Cincinnati (after Butch Jones replaces Zook). That would suck. Totally suck.

Mike Stoops has emerged as a leading candidate for DC. Obviously, not much of HC, but OU's defenses dropped off significantly when he left. But, that would seem to be the type of hire that would allow Coach Meyer to comfortably delegate responsibilities to. Not sure how I feel about it, personally. Probably should wait until they actually hire someone.

[UMStan White]

Jesus Talent do you ever work? Who monitors your internet time?

[lineygoblue]

Well, I think OlieO is headed for Jacksonville, after hearing that Gator officials are looking to match them up with Florida. That's not a bad consolation prize considering what's happened in Columbus this year. So, I don't think they have anything to worry about. And OlieO even at 6-6 brings a strong fan base with them, so some bowl other than Little Caesars is going to grab them before it gets to them.

[whodean]

See, we knew the Ohio idiots would disregard their defeat and instead choose to trumpet the coming of the FUrban, anything to deflect from their loss to Michigan!

[lineygoblue]

Butch Jones to Illinois?

That would not be good news as far as I'm concerned. Butch Jones is a doggone good football coach.

At least he'd get out of his habit of taking Brian Kelly's last job ....

[UMStan White]

"Fickell may end up at Cincinnati (after Butch Jones replaces Zook). That would suck. Totally suck."

Yeah..for Cincinnati

[iam416]

Liney:

The Butch Jones thing is a big-time rumor. The trickle down is that Fickell is of high interest to UC. I hate that crap team, so I'd hate to see him go there. That said, it's a proven platform for better things (three straight, now), so if he can parlay that into a legit job, then good for him.

I hope he stays on board, but if he doesn't, then I hope he succeeds wherever he goes.

[lineygoblue]

I'd be interested to see how Fickell would do with a staff that he himself assembles, at a school that is known for good football.

I actually liked his intensity at his presser last Thursday, I believe it was. He said something along the lines of, "I'm preparing my team for a football game on Saturday, and my a$$ will be there". That was his response to a question about Meyer.

Anyway, I think he deserves better than to be relegated to second banana under Meyer. Meyer has plenty of coaches who will want to work with him. Fickell should use the opportunity to get out from under all that, and establish himself on his own.

But, that's just my opinion ...

[iam416]

Fickell got hosed last week, no doubt. His answer at the press conference was great. In the post-game press conference, when asked about the same shit again, he almost broke down -- could hear it in his voice. Those guys were true professionals, IMO. They knew they are out, and they coached their asses off and put a product on the field that was an eyelash from a win. At 16-7, the team could have packed it in, but they kept fighting. They were just too young, IMO -- don't quite know how to win the close games -- and Fickell was a bit inexperienced -- didn't quite know how to win those close ones, either. He'll figure it out, sooner rather than later, IMO. Tressel lost a 4 games by 7 or less in his first year. It takes some time get over that hump.

I would love to see him coach OSU one day. But he needs the experience, first. If he can get the UC job, then more power to him. Even Akron. If he could in at Akron, he'll have tons of offers. And, yes, on his staff.

[SeanB]

Lines, mark down another fan that's not afraid of urban at osu. He's a great football coach, but osu is a premier destination despite what many of us M fans would like to think so they were always going to get a premier coach. Urban is a premier coach. He'll need a great staff and players to win, though. osu will have some transitional coaching issues, but they won't have problems getting players.

I will be quite interested to see how he brings his offense to bear on the Big10. We saw that style fail spectacularly at the hands of Rodriguez, but I think we all know that has as much or more to do with his failing as a HC rather than the failings of his offense. Still, Rodriguez's spread did poorly against the big beefy Ds of the Big10, we'll see how Meyer's does. Either way, Miller will be difficult to handle once he grasps the new scheme. I don't think he's going to instantly become an accurate passer, though. And ALL us M fans know what that's like.

My hope is that Hoke and urban restore the integrity of The Game to it's previous elite levels. Make the asshats in SEC-land see that there are still talented, upper-echelon teams in the Big10. In their own spectacularly embarrassing (yet different) ways, Tressel and Rodriguez sullied a once great rivalry. osu is not out of the woods for their part, however.

Hoke seems well on his way to fielding excellent teams that play hard and have character. We'll see if urban can follow suit. It will be intriguing.

[lineygoblue]

Its got to be tough for Fickell. No doubt that osu is his dream job, .. his destination job. Now, to see that taken away from him just so a "name" can come along and take over, has to be frustrating for him.

That's why I have my doubts as to whether he will stay. I'd have a hard time staying and working as an assistant to the guy who was more "preferred" than me. And Meyer will probably have a line of prospective assistants banging on his door begging for an interview. If it were me, I'd want to start fresh somewhere.

We'll see.

[lineygoblue]

Sean - I can't get over the irony. I mean, its unreal that OlieO will now be transitioning to a 'spread option' team, and Michigan is transitioning to a 'pro set' team.

I agree that it will be interesting to see what Meyer can do against teams like Meathead in Madison, and Prune Face in Least Lansing. Those are traditional "smash mouth" teams, (or at least that's what Dumbtonio is going for) and our version of the 'spread' didn't do so well against them. I don't think Meyer will ignore defense like RRod did, tho...

And yes, B Miller poses a lot of problems, going forward. His passing will improve, and unfortunately, so will his running. We're going to have to prepare well to contain him. And with his style, he won't likely leave early for the NFL.

Bring Urban Meyer on. Lets do this. I feel like I've been sitting at the poker table for a long time, and I now have the best hand at the table. Let the fun begin.

[iam416]

I know, Liney. I think we'll know by the end of the day whether Luke is in or out.

Press conference is at 5:15. From what I undestand, UFM is speaking with Luke today because those questions will be asked and I think UFM wants to have answers. The only other question wrt the press conference is if Gene Smith can manage to fuck up the best moment for OSU in 12 months with another horrendous performance. I'd lay even money he can.

Personally, I was hoping Gene would just do another pathetic youtube video announcing UFM and that UFM could do the press conference on his own.

[iam416]

It's done. Fickell stays. And becomes the most beloved assistant coach in the history of the program. The ultimate good soldier.