Game Thread Sugar Bowl: tOSU vs Arkansas, Tue, Jan 4th, 8:30 ET ESPN

[buckeyeintn]

CSS = Charter Sports Southeast. Nope, no bias there.

I've been searching the net and tv for analysis of this game and maybe even find a prediction or two. Below is all I could find so far as most major networks and websites haven't posted predictions yet.

CSS Bowl Preview Show aired at 4:00pm et Thursday.
The four sports commentators stated their opinions
about each and every bowl. Who did they pick to win
the Sugar Bowl?
Tom=ARK
Bob=ARK
Tony=ARK
Brady=ARK
Mark(absent from the show but submited his picks)=ARK


This was CSS, not CBS.

 

[SmoovP]

just giving you a heads up.

we've been where y'all are right now.

coach comes in and resurrects a dormant program
his name pops up yearly for every coaching job in America.
fan base starts sweating and getting nervous
he parlays that into a bigger contract at current job.
fan base breathes a sigh of relief and convinces themselves he'll never leave them.

rinse and repeat until he finds his next "dream" job.

maybe Bobby P has finally settled down.
but he has a reputation of flirting with more job openings jumping ship more often than Saban does.

Yeah, I get that. Successful coaches names will always come up for better jobs. And I know he'll most likely move on at some point.

But I think we have a few things going for us that might lead to Petrino staying put for a while:

1) The NFL is not an option like it was for Saban, Spurrier and others. That door is closed and locked from both sides.

2) He's at what could potentially become a consistent contender in the SEC, and there are only a handful of jobs that, should he build the Razorbacks program to that level, that would be a genuine step up. And as we've seen over the past few days regarding Florida, he doesn't seem inclined to show interest.

3) He's happy at Arkansas. From all accounts, he likes it in Fayetteville and perhaps more importantly, his wife LOVES it.

4) His reputation. No one would enjoy the beating he's taken in the media, and staying put for a while would eventually change that. And that reputation is one of the things that I think will keep him here for a while, both from the standpoint that he wants to repair it, and that other programs aren't likely to want to 'get that stank on them' so to speak, by hiring him.

And about that reputation:

I get that he took a beating for leaving the Falcons before the season was over and perhaps that's deserved. (For the record, Lou Holtz did the same thing to the NY Jets to, coincidentally, take the Arkansas job.)

Now, I don't think that the ESPN narrative about that was quite fair to the facts, and few people outside of Arkansas know or care about the actual details of how leaving the Falcons came about.

Fair enough.

But to say that he is a job hopper, when many, many successful coaches have a similar track record, is simply repeating a meme. And as you so correctly pointed out, successful coaches become very popular and when the opportunity to move up the food chain is offered, most jump at it.

Consider:

Bobby Petrino - 3 jobs in 3 years. Louisville, Atlanta, Arkansas
Nick Saban - 3 jobs in 4 years. LSU, Miami, Alabama
Urban Meyer - 3 jobs in 4 years. Bowling Green, Utah, Florida
Lou Holtz - 3 jobs in 4 years. Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame
Steve Spurrier - 3 jobs in 5 years. Florida, Washington, South Carolina
Lane Kiffin - 3 jobs in 3 years. Okland, Tennessee, USC
Gene Chizik - 3 jobs in 4 years. Texas, Iowa State, Auburn
Brian Kelly - 3 jobs in 4 years. Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Notre Dame

This list is just off the top of my head, and I'm sure there are many, many others like it throughout the history of college football.

So while he has a deserved reputation as a job hopper, he's not that far outside the norm of what happens to successful coaches fairly regularly.

 

[NAZCARDAMUS]

On another note, both QB's might come out and put up some freakish numbers and turn this into a tryout for the draft. Slim chance Mallett stays for another year. Pryor?

 

[Mike80]

On another note, both QB's might come out and put up some freakish numbers and turn this into a tryout for the draft. Slim chance Mallett stays for another year. Pryor?

Pryor said nearly a month ago he's coming back.

OSU's defense isn't going to allow this to turn into a track meet.

 

[NAZCARDAMUS]

CSS = Charter Sports Southeast. Nope, no bias there.

Makes no difference to me. Anything posted to support Arkansas will be shot down with some excuse by a OSU fan. Like the stats I posted before, they were considered 'selective' even though there weren't any other stats besides special teams to post. And now CSS is bias because 'southeast' is in the name, typical.

There is only one reason some of you are getting so defensive about the ARK talk and making lame excuses to shoot down anyone that picks them.

 

[Diego-Bucks]

Yeah, I get that. Successful coaches names will always come up for better jobs. And I know he'll most likely move on at some point.

But I think we have a few things going for us that might lead to Petrino staying put for a while:

1) The NFL is not an option like it was for Saban, Spurrier and others. That door is closed and locked from both sides.

2) He's at what could potentially become a consistent contender in the SEC, and there are only a handful of jobs that, should he build the Razorbacks program to that level, that would be a genuine step up. And as we've seen over the past few days regarding Florida, he doesn't seem inclined to show interest.

3) He's happy at Arkansas. From all accounts, he likes it in Fayetteville and perhaps more importantly, his wife LOVES it.

4) His reputation. No one would enjoy the beating he's taken in the media, and staying put for a while would eventually change that. And that reputation is one of the things that I think will keep him here for a while, both from the standpoint that he wants to repair it, and that other programs aren't likely to want to 'get that stank on them' so to speak, by hiring him.

And about that reputation:

I get that he took a beating for leaving the Falcons before the season was over and perhaps that's deserved. (For the record, Lou Holtz did the same thing to the NY Jets to, coincidentally, take the Arkansas job.)

Now, I don't think that the ESPN narrative about that was quite fair to the facts, and few people outside of Arkansas know or care about the actual details of how leaving the Falcons came about.

Fair enough.

But to say that he is a job hopper, when many, many successful coaches have a similar track record, is simply repeating a meme. And as you so correctly pointed out, successful coaches become very popular and when the opportunity to move up the food chain is offered, most jump at it.

Consider:

Bobby Petrino - 3 jobs in 3 years. Louisville, Atlanta, Arkansas
Nick Saban - 3 jobs in 4 years. LSU, Miami, Alabama
Urban Meyer - 3 jobs in 4 years. Bowling Green, Utah, Florida
Lou Holtz - 3 jobs in 4 years. Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame
Steve Spurrier - 3 jobs in 5 years. Florida, Washington, South Carolina
Lane Kiffin - 3 jobs in 3 years. Okland, Tennessee, USC
Gene Chizik - 3 jobs in 4 years. Texas, Iowa State, Auburn
Brian Kelly - 3 jobs in 4 years. Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Notre Dame

This list is just off the top of my head, and I'm sure there are many, many others like it throughout the history of college football.

So while he has a deserved reputation as a job hopper, he's not that far outside the norm of what happens to successful coaches fairly regularly.

Not that this was necessarily to Petrino's detriment, but didn't Auburn have a heavy flirtation to hire Petrino when he was at Louisville back in 2003 or so? I don't remember all the circumstances but I recall it being very shady and done largely by one or more of the big-time Auburn boosters...

 

[Nutriaitch]

2) He's at what could potentially become a consistent contender in the SEC, and there are only a handful of jobs that, should he build the Razorbacks program to that level, that would be a genuine step up. And as we've seen over the past few days regarding Florida, he doesn't seem inclined to show interest.

the Arky job is probably the 6th or 7th best job in the SEC.
there are other schools in conference that are bigger "name brands" than Arky.
Schools where what he has done at Arky so far would have them starting next season ranked in the top 3-5, even if Mallett leaves. Especially based off what y'all backup did against Auburn.
I don't think Arky is at that level just yet (heading that direction, just not there yet).

there are several others in the country that are even better. OSU, Texas, USC (when not on probation) etc.

I don't think you have to worry about him leaving for the NFL.
But some of those "traditional powers" that recruit themselves, and has the media drooling over them, well you get the idea.

that's exactly what the coaches you mentioned have all done, and will continue to do.

for y'all sake (and for the supposed rivalry we have) I hope he sticks around.

 

[Nutriaitch]

Not that this was necessarily to Petrino's detriment, but didn't Auburn have a heavy flirtation to hire Petrino when he was at Louisville back in 2003 or so? I don't remember all the circumstances but I recall it being very shady and done largely by one or more of the big-time Auburn boosters...

Bobby Lowder.
flew to Louisville to secretly lure Petrino to the plains.

Tubby, UL, and the media all found out about it.

Tubby and UL understandably got pissed.

Tubby's new contract (after going unbeaten in '04) had language saying if something like that happened again, he could walk with a fat chunk of change coming his way.

was rumored that after the Bama loss in '08 that Lowder and crew put out feelers to Houston Nutt to come to Auburn.

Nutt and Tubby have the same agent (Jimmy Sexton).
So obviously, Tubby found out. Resigned, got paid.
Another Sexton client (Chizik) got the job even though his coaching record was absolutely terrible.

 

[SmoovP]

the Arky job is probably the 6th or 7th best job in the SEC.
there are other schools in conference that are bigger "name brands" than Arky.
Schools where what he has done at Arky so far would have them starting next season ranked in the top 3-5, even if Mallett leaves. Especially based off what y'all backup did against Auburn.
I don't think Arky is at that level just yet (heading that direction, just not there yet).

there are several others in the country that are even better. OSU, Texas, USC (when not on probation) etc.

I don't think you have to worry about him leaving for the NFL.
But some of those "traditional powers" that recruit themselves, and has the media drooling over them, well you get the idea.

that's exactly what the coaches you mentioned have all done, and will continue to do.

for y'all sake (and for the supposed rivalry we have) I hope he sticks around.

Well, yeah, that's why I used the word 'potentially' and acknowledged that there are a handful of teams that will remain above us in the food chain, even if and when Petrino builds a yearly contender in the SEC-W.

I'd argue that Arkansas is 6th or 7th though. I'd say 4th or 5th.

1. Bama
2. Florida

(Arrange 3 - 8 to your liking)

9. Mississippi
10. Mississippi State
11. Kentucky
12. Vandy

Whatever it is, you're correct in saying we're moving up the food chain.

If we manage to win the Sugar Bowl, I think Arkansas starts next season in the top ten.

 

[Coqui]

I've been searching the net and tv for analysis of this game and maybe even find a prediction or two. Below is all I could find so far as most major networks and websites haven't posted predictions yet.

CSS Bowl Preview Show aired at 4:00pm et Thursday.
The four sports commentators stated their opinions
about each and every bowl. Who did they pick to win
the Sugar Bowl?
Tom=ARK
Bob=ARK
Tony=ARK
Brady=ARK
Mark(absent from the show but submited his picks)=ARK

Allen Kim of bleacherreport.com
"Jim Tressel's track record against SEC teams in Bowl games is awful. He hasn't won a single game against the powerhouse SEC division going 0-9.
However, all that will change in the Sugar Bowl.
Ohio State will come out on top in a close and exciting game against the Arkansas Razorbacks."

Yes, I know they are just commentators, but it says alot
about what ppl in the college football community think
about ARK,and OSU for that matter. Anyone else found any other analysis or predictions please share, I'm having trouble finding anything for this game and I am just curious as to what the so-called pro's and commentators think of this game.

Vegas disagrees with them. Vegas says Ohio State wins. Vegas for the most part is right.

 

[Nutriaitch]

Well, yeah, that's why I used the word 'potentially' and acknowledged that there are a handful of teams that will remain above us in the food chain, even if and when Petrino builds a yearly contender in the SEC-W.

I'd argue that Arkansas is 6th or 7th though. I'd say 4th or 5th.

1. Bama
2. Florida

3. LSU (Bama and Florida are the only two SEC schools that can match LSU in money, facilities, recruiting, etc. Plus we got the hottest women and best food)

4-5 Auburn & Georgia (order is usually interchangeable, Auburn currently in front)

6-7 Arky or Tennessee

I got y'all above Tennessee currently, and rapidly approaching UGA.
but Tennessee is in a funk because of the way they handled the Fulmer/Kiffin/Dooley situation.
before that went down, the Vols were top 5.

8. Carolina
9. Ole Piss
10-11. Miss. St. and Kentucky (they're basically the same school)
12. Vandy

 

[buckeyeintn]

Some "excuse" like we actually have reading comprehension skills? CSS covers SEC and ACC college sports. They have contracts with those conferences. I believe it is safe to say their commentators watch much more SEC football than Big Ten football. Hence, high probabilty of bias. Those are facts, not "excuses". Try them sometime.

CSS = Charter Sports Southeast. Nope, no bias there.

Makes no difference to me. Anything posted to support Arkansas will be shot down with some excuse by a OSU fan. Like the stats I posted before, they were considered 'selective' even though there weren't any other stats besides special teams to post. And now CSS is bias because 'southeast' is in the name, typical.

There is only one reason some of you are getting so defensive about the ARK talk and making lame excuses to shoot down anyone that picks them.

 

[SloopyHangOn]

Makes no difference to me. Anything posted to support Arkansas will be shot down with some excuse by a OSU fan. Like the stats I posted before, they were considered 'selective' even though there weren't any other stats besides special teams to post. And now CSS is bias because 'southeast' is in the name, typical.

There is only one reason some of you are getting so defensive about the ARK talk and making lame excuses to shoot down anyone that picks them.

I mean this in the nicest way possible, but LEARN HOW TO USE QUOTE TAGS and stop being so gott-dayum ignorant.

 

[SmoovP]

3. LSU (Bama and Florida are the only two SEC schools that can match LSU in money, facilities, recruiting, etc. Plus we got the hottest women and best food)

4-5 Auburn & Georgia (order is usually interchangeable, Auburn currently in front)

6-7 Arky or Tennessee

I got y'all above Tennessee currently, and rapidly approaching UGA.
but Tennessee is in a funk because of the way they handled the Fulmer/Kiffin/Dooley situation.
before that went down, the Vols were top 5.

8. Carolina
9. Ole [censored]
10-11. Miss. St. and Kentucky (they're basically the same school)
12. Vandy

I don't know that I buy your numbers here.

Arkansas has every bit the history and tradition of LSU, Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee, but we don't get the credit we're due from the rest of the conference because we are the SEC 'newcomers'.

I might be convinced to grudgingly give LSU the #3 spot, but I could make a valid argument about Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee.

 

[SmoovP]

Vegas disagrees with them. Vegas says Ohio State wins. Vegas for the most part is right.

I don't think that's how Vegas works.

They aren't necessarily picking the winner, they are picking who they think will make them the most money.