WSJ Article Title: UM wins title. This School Spent Millions to Make Sure Never Happens Again

Submitted by BlueinKyiv on January 24th, 2024 at 11:28 AM

Paywalled article doesn't get into too many of this year's monetary specifics (except the leadership of Cardale Jones and Stroud's donation), but does quote Day telling boosters that it cost $13 million to keep OSU's roster intact in 2022.  Otherwise, it's mostly about the players they have lured in or got to stay.

 https://www.wsj.com/sports/football/ohio-state-michigan-fundraising-c4fc8932?mod=hp_lead_pos11

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massblue

January 24th, 2024 at 12:12 PM ^

I am afraid OSU is not Texas A&M.  Rather than dismissing their attempts, I hope it motivates UM alumni and supporters to cough up some money -- I did.  Whether Jim stays or not, this OSU team will kick our ass in Columbus. And if we decide not to play the NIL game, we will return to 2010s.

Joined: 08/15/2009

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JonathanE

January 24th, 2024 at 12:34 PM ^

I keep hearing and reading people trying to make the Texas A&M analogy. After Covid A&M went:

8-4
5-7
6-4

They are comparing it to a team who went:

11-2
11-2
11-2

That is hardly an apple's-to-apple's comparison. Ohio State is returning a lot of experienced players, especially on a defense that is good. Losing Marvin Harrison will hurt, and I still think their OL is not that strong but maybe not everyone has been keeping up with current events. We are losing a lot of talent through graduation and the NFL draft. A lot of the NIL money was used to bring back their current players and then to $pend on some top end portal talent not to simply recruit an entirely new team. 

Joined: 09/03/2017

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NeverPunt

January 24th, 2024 at 11:32 AM ^

This is like being ugly as sin and buying a fancy car, a nice watch, and big house to "fix" it. Good luck with that OSU. You'll reap what you sow here for sure.

Joined: 03/26/2019

MGoPoints: 41666

burtcomma

January 24th, 2024 at 12:02 PM ^

“More talented team than Michigan.”

I keep reading this statement in various articles and columns when discussing OSU.  Who says they have a more talented roster?  How do you rate how talented a roster is?  Using recruiting rankings?  Using PFF grades?  Do we include coaching and strength training talent? 

I say the most talented “team” is the team that wins.  That is the “true” and unbiased way to determine which team has the most “talent”.

Go Blue!

Joined: 11/01/2009

MGoPoints: 5851

Blau

January 24th, 2024 at 12:26 PM ^

Agreed, and I’ve been beating this drum forever. Is this just based on recruit/transfer rankings? Or physical attributes? If so, keep bringing in that talent, OSU. Besides MHJ and maybe Egbuka, tell me one other player you would’ve swapped with their Michigan counterpart. It’s either a wash or a Michigan lean. 

I’m sure folks look at recruiting rankings and assume that translates to on-field success. It’s almost as if people find recruiting as a different game and those results have a meaning. It’s also why some teams get the nod over other teams (Bama vs FSU). Too much is based on perception and if that’s the case, please put Bama, UGA, OSU and Oregon/TX/Clemson in the CFP every year.

Joined: 01/23/2014

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SalvatoreQuattro

January 24th, 2024 at 11:37 AM ^

Ohio State has never hurt for talent. This spending spree doesn’t materially change their situation in that regardl

As an aside how do you feel if you are Air Noland? Day lied to you and took another QB from your class. If UM didn’t have Davis I’d say go after him because we all know Noland is gone sooner rather than later.

Joined: 11/30/2010

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Rafiki

January 24th, 2024 at 11:55 AM ^

The earliest Noland would leave is after osu's 2025 spring practices. Until then he has a chance to start. And since osu has reasonable chance of winning it all next year, it makes sense for Noland to stay and see if he can get a ring before transferring. 

 

I agree with you about the spending spree not materially changing their situation next year. I think osu's real issue is it isn't clear if any of the transfers they've gotten will make their offense meaningfully better in 2024. Their D was already stacked. Their O-line and QB room weren't. Now they've got more talent at QB but, as you and others have noted, that was never their problem. McCord was a 5 star. 

Joined: 10/17/2015

MGoPoints: 1401

Amazinblu

January 24th, 2024 at 12:21 PM ^

Their QB room will be interesting to watch.

IMO - Howard brings a running threat to the position - which is reminiscent of Fields and prior QBs.  However, I don't think Howard's arm is better than McCord's.   And, though Sayin / Nolan are rated highly - how are they compared to Stroud - or even McCord?   Last I checked - I don't believe either Sayin or Nolan have attempted a pass against any college defense.

Last year - after spring practices - there was a highly rated QB in college.   He was third on that team's depth chart - who was that?   Arch Manning.

Teams can only field one QB at a time - and, there's no doubt the Buckeyes have a lot of potential in their QB room.   Let's see what happens.

Oh - by the way - which QB will "get the NIL deal" for the Mercedes AMG G63 that Stroud cruised around Columbus in a few years ago?

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 42358

Amazinblu

January 24th, 2024 at 12:29 PM ^

Two very fine choices... 

As for ND - it looks like they have three or four games of note this season.  They open against an Elko coached Texas A&M team - which will be Elko's first game as the Aggies head coach and played in College Station.

Then - ND hosts Louisville and Florida State, before ending their season against USC in LA.

ND is ranked 10th in ESPN's Way Too Early ranking.  I wonder what the expectations will be with another transfer QB leading the offense.   Are the expectations for Freeman / ND too high?   

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 42358

RibbleMcDibble

January 24th, 2024 at 11:39 AM ^

Is there a good NIL piece that explains the difference between NIL and pay for play that anyone has read? 

Caleb Downs meets with Ohio State and then what happens? This is what I'm confused by the most. Obviously Ohio State's coaches can't say "We will give you $1,000,000 to come here", but do they go "Okay, we are leaving we think you would be a great fit in Columbus, whoops this card for NuckButs Society slipped out of my back pocket, no that's okay, can you just throw it away for me but maybe also call the number on it before you do"? 

Joined: 10/24/2023

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TruBluMich

January 24th, 2024 at 12:14 PM ^

The rule is pretty simple: if they offer them money and that deal is only available if they commit, it is a violation.  However, there is no way to prove it; the player discusses a business opportunity to endorse or allow another company to use their name, image, or likeness.  That's not a crime; that's how business works. If the other business only wants to do business with Ohio State players because that will "help" their business, then that's how advertising works.  But that's not how any of this is actually happening. The collectives pay the players; the ROI is simply feeling good about their team, not losing.

Joined: 08/03/2011

MGoPoints: 22549

Amazinblu

January 24th, 2024 at 12:35 PM ^

The NCAA's NIL guidelines are "clear as mud" - and, certain state legislatures are passing laws that contradict those rules / guidelines.

Florida and Florida State have been in the press recently about NIL "stuff".  

And, hopping over to the SEC - in the last few weeks, one video I saw was - a JuCo transfer going to his signing ceremony in a Lamborghini.   Again - he didn't get the Lambo in an NIL deal he obtained AFTER he signed / committed to Ole Miss.   He arrived in the Lambo BEFORE he signed / committed to Ole Miss.   My interpretation is - that would be an "inducement".

Oh - what is the definition of "inducement"?  A dictionary definition follows:

  • a thing that persuades or leads someone to do something, or
  • a bribe. 

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 42358

tybert

January 24th, 2024 at 11:42 AM ^

The problem Ohio is going to find out (besides having multiple 5-star QB making NIL but only one can start) is that not everyone on the team is going to get the payola. Not enough money to go around unless you are a 5-star transfer or a bad-snapping ex-Bama C. Some of the lineman or special teams players are going to be envious of the guys wearing rolexes. 

I've seen organizations where it seemed like a privileged few got the promotions and other perks that were sparsely given out to the rest of the pack. Resentment will kick it. I wonder if this is what happened at TAMU. 

While I'd like a better NIL at UM, the Ohio "solution" is likely to have some unintended negative consequences in the locker room. 

Joined: 11/17/2008

MGoPoints: 8529

kehnonymous

January 24th, 2024 at 11:49 AM ^

Cool story bro time, part 3,413. that I'm only sharing here because it's another petty reason to dunk on OSU:

My oldest friend in Columbus used to work at an Olive Garden a long time ago.  He was telling me that former OSU hoop star Jim Jackson came in and asked the waitstaff to cut his steak for him.  Hopefully none of their incoming mercenaries are this entitled.

Joined: 11/25/2011

MGoPoints: 33249

Blue Balls Afire

January 24th, 2024 at 11:52 AM ^

They've gone full Josey Wales.  As others have said, Michigan broke them.  They came back to their home to see it destroyed and now they'll stop at nothing to sate their vengeance.  Love to see it.

Joined: 12/17/2013

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