I don't care what Tech does against BYU, they aren't an elite team. I have no idea what Indiana's NIL situation is, but their highest ranked recruiting class in the last 5 years was #25 in 2022. Their highest ranked portal class since 2022 (the first year of the rankings) was #19 in 2023. Maybe they're throwing around all kinds of money, but none of the rankings reflect that. I don't like Cignetti either, but the guy clearly knows how to fucking coach.
He's coached 3 games against top 5 teams and has won 1. That's not bad for anyone, let alone Indiana. Never played PSU. McGuire has never lost fewer than 5 games until this season (where he has one of the most expensive rosters in CFB). And BYU? We talkin bout BYU???
He's gone 1-2 against elite competition, and has won every single other game. At fucking Indiana, a historical bottom dweller. How is that not insanely impressive? Should he be undefeated the last 2 years?
I've tried to tell people Lanning is not an upgrade. Cignetti probably is but he might be too much of a douche for UT and he's 64. Only Smart and Day would be proven upgrades, and they aren't going anywhere. It's entirely possible that there's a G5 coach out there who would kill it here, but we don't know who that is. Of the known commodities, Sark actually might be the best option.
That said, I still want a real OC, and don't think we'll ever win anything without one.
At least he's doing something I guess. But Stroh and Hutson will still be fat and slow no matter who they bring in. The offensive scheme needs to change until we have better personnel. Can the veer and shoot be installed in 5 days?
Who was the last good OL coach we had? McWhorter until he quiet quit after 05? I think it was Jimmy Johnson who said OL coach is the most important person on a staff, and it's been a steaming pile of shit for 2 decades now.
I'm talking roughly equal talent. If you want to split hairs, tOSU was more talented than Texas last season.
To be clear, I'm not happy with the results this season. Not addressing the OL in the portal was inexcusable. Does that mean we burn it all down and go after the newest shiny object? I'm not there yet.
Aside from the first UGA game, every game we've lost the last 3 years has been in the margins. Some of that is on Sark (goal line playcalling comes to mind). Some of it has just been bad luck (Auburn choking in the SECCG). I wish he were Saban but he's not (neither is Lanning btw).
What makes Lanning "the guy" again? Doing the cutthroat thing while coked up on the sidelines? He and Sark have roughly equal resources and neither have won the big one (although Sark has come closer).
Barring the wheels completely falling off, Sark has built up enough good will to be here at least through 2027. Doesn't mean there aren't better options out there (there usually are), but that's the reality.
Never said anything about the deep south. But yes, NC is obviously a southern state.
Anyway, what Cignetti has done at IU is more impressive than anything Kiffin has ever done. He seems like a complete douche, but most good coaches are. Hopefully he stays in the B10.
Saying "States on the periphery of the south that have pine trees are The Deep South" implies that the entire state of Texas is the deep south, which is not at all what I said.