Why Ohio State is a LOCK for College Football National Championship Game | Colin Cowherd

Summary

The Colin Cowherd podcast discusses the strengths of the Big 10 and SEC in college football, highlighting Ohio State's elite status and comparing it with Oregon's impressive roster built through strategic recruitment and financial backing. The conversation delves into coaching strategies, particularly the impact of Chip Kelly at Ohio State and Dan Lanning at Oregon, and speculates on potential playoff matchups, with a bold prediction that Oregon could upset Ohio State but still see the Buckeyes advance to the national championship.

Takeaways

• 🏈 The speaker highly appreciates the coverage of college football, particularly the Big 10, and commends the passion behind it.
• 🔝 Ohio State is considered the best team in the country with no questions asked, followed by Oregon as a strong contender.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the initial high expectations set for Oregon based on their performance against Washington and suggests they still had work to do.
• 💪 Oregon's success is attributed to strategic recruitment and financial backing, aiming for a national championship.
• 💰 Phil Knight's commitment to winning a national championship for Oregon is highlighted, indicating a willingness to spend 'whatever it takes'.
• 🏆 The speaker believes Oregon's recruitment strategy and Dan Lanning's coaching have positioned them well against other top teams.
• 🤷‍♂️ The speaker is not as confident in Ohio State due to their performance against Michigan, suggesting a need for a more physical approach.
• 🏹 Chip Kelly's hiring by Ohio State is seen as significant, as his running game philosophy could counter Michigan's strength in the defensive line.
• 🔄 The speaker notes a shift in Ohio State's strategy from finesse to a more physical game, which could be a response to their recent losses.
• 🤓 The speaker compares coaching styles, noting that while Nick Saban may have been outdone in certain games, Kayin Dor at Alabama seems to have a consistent, never-outcoached approach.
• 📈 The speaker predicts that Oregon will beat Ohio State in Eugene but still sees Ohio State making it further in the playoffs and playing for the national championship.

Q & A

What is the general sentiment about the Big 10 in the script?

The script suggests that the Big 10 is solid overall, with top teams being considered super elite, specifically mentioning Ohio State as the best team in the country.

How does the speaker view the performance of Oregon in college football?

The speaker believes that Oregon has done an impressive job, especially with their recruitment and development of players, and they think Oregon is now on the inside looking out at the rest of the college football world.

What comparison does the speaker make between the Big 10 and the SEC?

The speaker compares the depth of the Big 10, which they say has 18 deep teams, to the SEC, which has 16, and discusses the strengths and potential of both conferences.

What is the speaker's opinion on the financial aspect of Oregon's success in recruiting?

The speaker suggests that Oregon has essentially 'bought' the best players, with Phil Knight indicating a willingness to spend whatever it takes to win a national championship.

How does the speaker evaluate the performance of Ohio State against Michigan?

The speaker notes that Michigan has had a significant advantage in rushing against Ohio State, and they believe this is a key factor in Michigan's recent victories.

What does the speaker say about Chip Kelly's impact on Ohio State's running game?

The speaker highlights Chip Kelly's hiring as a massive move for Ohio State, as he is known for his ability to prioritize and improve the running game, which has been a blind spot for the team.

What is the speaker's prediction for the matchup between Oregon and Ohio State?

The speaker predicts that Oregon will beat Ohio State in Eugene, attributing this to the coaching of Dan Lanning and the team's overall performance.

How does the speaker describe the playing style of Oregon's football team?

The speaker describes Oregon's playing style as relentless and hard-hitting, comparing them to the Detroit Lions, and notes their ability to recruit top talent.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of the running game in college football?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of the running game, citing a statistic that the team that outrushes the other in the Michigan-Ohio State game wins 23 consecutive years.

What does the speaker suggest about the coaching strategy of Alabama's Kayin Dor?

The speaker suggests that Kayin Dor is a magnificent coach, drawing comparisons to Chris Peterson, and believes that Alabama will never be outcoached under his leadership.

What does the speaker think about the physicality of the Big 10?

The speaker acknowledges the Big 10's reputation for physicality but notes that Ohio State has found success by combining this with high-octane offensive players.