Alabama neutered the Big 10

[18IsTheMan]

Liked this article from Deadspin about Deboer moving to Bama, notably the portion that has to do with what his departure means for UW and the Big 10.

Safe to say, UW with Deboer was set to make a splash and be a contender in the Big 10. With Deboer leaving along with most of UW's talented players, the Big 10 is getting nothing but a shell of a team. Deboer was the key. UW will most likely now be a middle-of-the-pack Big 10 team, if that. They will not be able to attract a top-flight coach like Bama did.

Closing line from the article: "And just when the Big Ten thought it was finally getting on equal footing with its Cold War rival. Isn’t that special?"

Add to that, if Harbaugh leaves for the NFL, which some say is all but inevitable...I'm not sure I buy it...that leaves the Big 10 when OSU.

Deadspin | Does Kalen DeBoer know what he’s getting into at Alabama?

Deadspin | Does Kalen DeBoer know what he’s getting into at Alabama?

deadspin.com

 

[KingWard]

Liked this article from Deadspin about Deboer moving to Bama, notably the portion that has to do with what his departure means for UW and the Big 10.

Safe to say, UW with Deboer was set to make a splash and be a contender in the Big 10. With Deboer leaving along with most of UW's talented players, the Big 10 is getting nothing but a shell of a team. Deboer was the key. UW will most likely now be a middle-of-the-pack Big 10 team, if that. They will not be able to attract a top-flight coach like Bama did.

Closing line from the article: "And just when the Big Ten thought it was finally getting on equal footing with its Cold War rival. Isn’t that special?"

Add to that, if Harbaugh leaves for the NFL, which some say is all but inevitable...I'm not sure I buy it...that leaves the Big 10 when OSU.

Deadspin | Does Kalen DeBoer know what he’s getting into at Alabama?

Deadspin | Does Kalen DeBoer know what he’s getting into at Alabama?

deadspin.com

"Neutered" is way too strong a word. The Big 10 is loaded as much as anyone is. Geography is going to be a detraction, I feel, but they added some great schools and programs. Michigan will remain relevant regardless of Harbaugh. The Big Boys plug and play until they get it right. If anyone has proven that, Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, Texas, and even UPC have.

 

[18IsTheMan]

"Neutered" is way too strong a word. The Big 10 is loaded as much as anyone is. Geography is going to be a detraction, I feel, but they added some great schools and programs. Michigan will remain relevant regardless of Harbaugh. The Big Boys plug and play until they get it right. If anyone has proven that, Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, Texas, and even UPC have.

Meh, not seeing it. It took Harbaugh 7 seasons to get Michigan back to elite status. They only had 1 top 10 finish his first 6 seasons. Prior to that they had 7 seasons of being fairly average under other coaches. Definitely not just plug and play there.

OSU has seemed to be. Outside of that, what do you have? The west was super weak. You have PSU who always starts strong but fades.

They are adding a gutted UW team, Oregon, UCLA and SoCal. Of those, Oregon might move the needle. SoCal has thus far been disappointing under Riley.

SEC adding Texas and OU blows away the Big 10 additions. Then Bama goes and takes away the coach who may have challenged for the Big 10 next year. That team is now rendered middle of the pack.

Are they neutered? No...sometimes I just use terminology b/c I know people won't resist disagreeing...but it's definitely a gut punch.

 

[KingWard]

Meh, not seeing it. It took Harbaugh 7 seasons to get Michigan back to elite status. They only had 1 top 10 finish his first 6 seasons. Prior to that they had 7 seasons of being fairly average under other coaches. Definitely not just plug and play there.

OSU has seemed to be. Outside of that, what do you have? The west was super weak. You have PSU who always starts strong but fades.

They are adding a gutted UW team, Oregon, UCLA and SoCal. Of those, Oregon might move the needle. SoCal has thus far been disappointing under Riley.

SEC adding Texas and OU blows away the Big 10 additions. Then Bama goes and takes away the coach who may have challenged for the Big 10 next year. That team is now rendered middle of the pack.

Are they neutered? No...sometimes I just use terminology b/c I know people won't resist disagreeing...but it's definitely a gut punch.

A gut punch isn't a lethal blow to the head. I'd say Saban leaving the league is a gut punch. The Big 10 will continue to be one of the Top Two - year in and year out.