University of Cincinnati, Bowling Green, Univ of Miami, Univ of Toledo; there are many other programs in Ohio to share their state talent. I can tell you that most of Ohio State's players come from outside of Ohio. My son's grade school buddy in Minnesota was James Laurenitis. He did not go to the U of MN but went to Ohio State to ha…
University of Cincinnati, Bowling Green, Univ of Miami, Univ of Toledo; there are many other programs in Ohio to share their state talent. I can tell you that most of Ohio State's players come from outside of Ohio. My son's grade school buddy in Minnesota was James Laurenitis. He did not go to the U of MN but went to Ohio State to have a better shot at the NFL. Just like Alabama, Ohio State is a magnet for 4 and 5 stars. This has nothing to do with population or geography and everything to do with TV popularity and special treatment of the eastern half of the Big 10, including the nationally televised Michigan - Ohio State game every year. This creates favoritism that has no other economic basis, like the Lakers or Knicks do in the NBA or the Dodgers and Yankees in the MLB due to the size of their local markets and the money that accrues from that. Pro sports have done a decent job of leveling the playing field between teams to keep interest and hope high that smaller market teams have a chance. If your commissioners don't do that as a league, you end up killing the product because the outcome is always known in advance. The more teams that have a shot every year, the more competitive the games, the better product you have to sell. That is the point. Level the playing field. Don't let all the best teams become part of eastern conferences by plundering the West (making a tough situation even worse).
Ohio's high school football has slipped a bit but is making a comeback and the Buckeyes are capitalizing on that now. But yes they're a nationwide recruiter of course. But the other schools you named are nowhere near the statewide reputation of the Buckeyes. I'm a Buckeye graduate, born and raised. Most of my family still lives there and I still spend a good chunk of the year in Columbus. I can tell you with first hand confidence the Buckeyes dominate the 12 million population across Ohio.
I never said otherwise, and I am sure you have a vested interest as an OSU alum, wanting to keep the status quo. I spent 35 years in the Big 10. I know the conference like the back of my hand. It is self-evident that the best players prefer to go to Ohio State. But that begs the question: Why? All the other Mid-American Conference schools in Ohio are Div 1. They all have access to those same players. The point is that money is the center of the distribution of the best players. They are concentrated at OSU because they follow the money. But that doesn't make it right. No, it makes it wrong. The money should be spread evenly as in the NBA or NFL, with salary caps and equal sharing of media contracts. Then, the best team wins. Not because it always has, but because it has put together the best program at that time.
I agree the money is a problem and only getting worse with NIL, the portal, and super conferences. I'm glad the players are able to begin sharing a bit more in the money but there's a long way to go for the overall health of CFB. Cincinnati made it to the playoffs and their reward is the Buckeyes take one of their all time best recruiters and coaches. I'm glad to see my alma mater at the top of the head (or 2nd) but something's gotta change.
University of Cincinnati, Bowling Green, Univ of Miami, Univ of Toledo; there are many other programs in Ohio to share their state talent. I can tell you that most of Ohio State's players come from outside of Ohio. My son's grade school buddy in Minnesota was James Laurenitis. He did not go to the U of MN but went to Ohio State to have a better shot at the NFL. Just like Alabama, Ohio State is a magnet for 4 and 5 stars. This has nothing to do with population or geography and everything to do with TV popularity and special treatment of the eastern half of the Big 10, including the nationally televised Michigan - Ohio State game every year. This creates favoritism that has no other economic basis, like the Lakers or Knicks do in the NBA or the Dodgers and Yankees in the MLB due to the size of their local markets and the money that accrues from that. Pro sports have done a decent job of leveling the playing field between teams to keep interest and hope high that smaller market teams have a chance. If your commissioners don't do that as a league, you end up killing the product because the outcome is always known in advance. The more teams that have a shot every year, the more competitive the games, the better product you have to sell. That is the point. Level the playing field. Don't let all the best teams become part of eastern conferences by plundering the West (making a tough situation even worse).
Ohio's high school football has slipped a bit but is making a comeback and the Buckeyes are capitalizing on that now. But yes they're a nationwide recruiter of course. But the other schools you named are nowhere near the statewide reputation of the Buckeyes. I'm a Buckeye graduate, born and raised. Most of my family still lives there and I still spend a good chunk of the year in Columbus. I can tell you with first hand confidence the Buckeyes dominate the 12 million population across Ohio.
I never said otherwise, and I am sure you have a vested interest as an OSU alum, wanting to keep the status quo. I spent 35 years in the Big 10. I know the conference like the back of my hand. It is self-evident that the best players prefer to go to Ohio State. But that begs the question: Why? All the other Mid-American Conference schools in Ohio are Div 1. They all have access to those same players. The point is that money is the center of the distribution of the best players. They are concentrated at OSU because they follow the money. But that doesn't make it right. No, it makes it wrong. The money should be spread evenly as in the NBA or NFL, with salary caps and equal sharing of media contracts. Then, the best team wins. Not because it always has, but because it has put together the best program at that time.
I agree the money is a problem and only getting worse with NIL, the portal, and super conferences. I'm glad the players are able to begin sharing a bit more in the money but there's a long way to go for the overall health of CFB. Cincinnati made it to the playoffs and their reward is the Buckeyes take one of their all time best recruiters and coaches. I'm glad to see my alma mater at the top of the head (or 2nd) but something's gotta change.