Is This Anything?

[Dillon23]

I guess I've been listening to too much sports talk. I looked these up after seeing Wisconsin's schedule for next year. How would BB's record be if he had played our schedule?? The positives about Bielema all revolve around him being a winning coach at Wisconsin.  My question is whether he would have been a winning coach had he played in the SEC or a tougher schedule.  If you look at his record from 2006-2012, he played against 23 top 25 teams and compiled a record of 10-13 (43%) against them. 8 of those games came against top 10 teams and he was 2-6 (25%) in those games.  During the same time, Arkansas played against 37 (61% more) top 25 teams and compiled a record of 14-23 (38%) against them. 19 (137% more) of those games came against top 10 teams and we were 4-15 (21%) in those games. Is this anything?

[porkrindjimmy]

This has been covered ad nausem....

You got some people who say yes it is something and some who say nope, lets answer that in year 3. And it doesnt really matter if there is or isn't....He gets at least 3, maybe 4.

PRJ

[Professor Psychosis]

He played the schedule he was given and won most of them.  The Big Ten was not a powerhouse conference during his time on top there, but there was nothing he could do about that.

You don't win your conference 3 years in a row by accident, even if it is a weaker conference than the SEC, but let's face it...no conference has been as strong as the SEC for about 10 years now, and maybe even longer.

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

I don't believe in my brain that his style will win here.  I hope I'm wrong.

The Spread is much more logical to me, and it is the way to beat 'Bama and to contend for an NC.

I will be THRILLED if I'm wrong, I promise.

[Uncommon]

I don't believe in my brain that his style will win here.  I hope I'm wrong.

The Spread is much more logical to me, and it is the way to beat 'Bama and to contend for an NC.

I will be THRILLED if I'm wrong, I promise.

It's not about the Xs and the Os, it's about the Jimmies and the Joes.  Look back at all of the national championship teams and the one constant is highly rated recruiting classes:
2009 Alabama           One Back
2010 Auburn             Spread
2011 Alabama           One Back
2012 Alabama           One Back
2013 Florida State     Multiple

[Fayettechill14]

I guess I've been listening to too much sports talk. I looked these up after seeing Wisconsin's schedule for next year. How would BB's record be if he had played our schedule?? The positives about Bielema all revolve around him being a winning coach at Wisconsin.  My question is whether he would have been a winning coach had he played in the SEC or a tougher schedule.  If you look at his record from 2006-2012, he played against 23 top 25 teams and compiled a record of 10-13 (43%) against them. 8 of those games came against top 10 teams and he was 2-6 (25%) in those games.  During the same time, Arkansas played against 37 (61% more) top 25 teams and compiled a record of 14-23 (38%) against them. 19 (137% more) of those games came against top 10 teams and we were 4-15 (21%) in those games. Is this anything?

He was playing with Wisconsin players. Hard to compare. His record vs. top 25 was similar to Petrino's here anyway.

[Fayettechill14]

I don't believe in my brain that his style will win here.  I hope I'm wrong.

The Spread is much more logical to me, and it is the way to beat 'Bama and to contend for an NC.

I will be THRILLED if I'm wrong, I promise.

The spread isn't any more successful against Bama than any other system. LSU has beaten Bama a few times, namely 2010 and 2011, with a Pro style. On the other hand, Auburn and A&M were successful with different versions of the Spread. And although Alabama shut us out last year, they also shut out Ole Miss' high-powered spread.

The way to beat Bama is to play better. Run the ball, stop the run, win the turnover battle, and don't commit any penalties. Then you can play whatever style you want.

[Mike_e]

The spread isn't any more successful against Bama than any other system. LSU has beaten Bama a few times, namely 2010 and 2011, with a Pro style. On the other hand, Auburn and A&M were successful with different versions of the Spread. And although Alabama shut us out last year, they also shut out Ole Miss' high-powered spread.

The way to beat Bama is to play better. Run the ball, stop the run, win the turnover battle, and don't commit any penalties. Then you can play whatever style you want.

We have a winner.

As the old saying goes 'true power is when you can make the other man unball his fist'.

You can't do that with smoke and mirrors.

[Peter Porker]

The spread isn't any more successful against Bama than any other system. LSU has beaten Bama a few times, namely 2010 and 2011, with a Pro style. On the other hand, Auburn and A&M were successful with different versions of the Spread. And although Alabama shut us out last year, they also shut out Ole Miss' high-powered spread.

The way to beat Bama is to play better. Run the ball, stop the run, win the turnover battle, and don't commit any penalties. Then you can play whatever style you want.

Why is this so hard for some to understand?

[Peter Porker]

I don't believe in my brain that his style will win here.  I hope I'm wrong.

The Spread is much more logical to me, and it is the way to beat 'Bama and to contend for an NC.

I will be THRILLED if I'm wrong, I promise.

How do you beat A&M? Auburn? Ole Miss?

[Pork Twain]

Impossible to say accurately.  There he played with Big-10 talent vs Big-10 talent.  Here he will play with SCE talent vs SEC talent and only time will tell if he can do it.  In year four, we will either be extending his contract or looking for his replacement.

[12247]

I personally believe these stats mean something.  BB wins almost 100 percent against weaker teams than his.  He breaks even and maybe a little better than even when he faces a team as good as his and he fails against the better teams.  Most decent coaches put up this type numbers against the same type situations. 

I believe we'll see these same results when he gets settled in here in the SEC.  I expect lots of 7 to 9 win seasons, no conference championships, likely no major bowl victories and no reason to expect a BCS bowl unless some of the powerhouse teams in our conference wind up throwing snake eyes in the very same year which can happen every decade or so.  It will take regression by the really big boys in the SEC to float us to the near top or wow, the SEC championship.  Maybe no coach could put us on top if the SEC is hitting on all cylinders but a combination of perfect schedule, certain down teams and outhouse luck might do it.  I don't see BB getting those breaks here in the SEC.

[Steef]

He played the schedule he was given and won most of them.  The Big Ten was not a powerhouse conference during his time on top there, but there was nothing he could do about that.

You don't win your conference 3 years in a row by accident, even if it is a weaker conference than the SEC, but let's face it...no conference has been as strong as the SEC for about 10 years now, and maybe even longer.

And it's as strong right now as it's ever been. Maybe THE strongest, across the board. Hard to find any 'gimmees' these days...and none of them are on OUR schedule any time soon.

[SquidBilly]

I just finished coaching a U8 girls soccer team.  We had a decent season but our wins came against teams where our talent was better.  We played close with the teams that we were evenly matched with and had a couple of lopsided results against teams who had better players.  I coached the same in all of those games and the girls played just as hard in all of the games as well.

Coaching gets the team prepared to do their best in each game.  However when you come up against teams who's best is better than yours it generally makes for a long day.  Sure some games can be won by the lesser team on emotion but over a season the cream rises to the top.

Recruiting is where it is at and Bielema so far seems to be improving our roster.  He needs to continue the improvement in recruiting this next year so that we are able to match up with the best teams in the SEC.

[gmarv]

if bb can get us back to the upper middle of the league.
and then a freak like mcfadden comes along and he will.
were back talking about championship chances.
ah well my thoughs anyway.

[ifghog]

I just finished coaching a U8 girls soccer team.  We had a decent season but our wins came against teams where our talent was better.  We played close with the teams that we were evenly matched with and had a couple of lopsided results against teams who had better players.  I coached the same in all of those games and the girls played just as hard in all of the games as well.

Coaching gets the team prepared to do their best in each game.  However when you come up against teams who's best is better than yours it generally makes for a long day.  Sure some games can be won by the lesser team on emotion but over a season the cream rises to the top.

Recruiting is where it is at and Bielema so far seems to be improving our roster.  He needs to continue the improvement in recruiting this next year so that we are able to match up with the best teams in the SEC.

Nicely said. This is true all the way across the board.

[rickm1976]

The spread isn't any more successful against Bama than any other system. LSU has beaten Bama a few times, namely 2010 and 2011, with a Pro style. On the other hand, Auburn and A&M were successful with different versions of the Spread. And although Alabama shut us out last year, they also shut out Ole Miss' high-powered spread.

The way to beat Bama is to play better. Run the ball, stop the run, win the turnover battle, and don't commit any penalties. Then you can play whatever style you want.

You are absolutely right.  The only thing I would add is to do better recruiting than we have in the past.  We will probably never be able to get to quite the talent level of Auburn or A&M, but I believe we still have a lot of room to improve in that area.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

if bb can get us back to the upper middle of the league.
and then a freak like mcfadden comes along and he will.
were back talking about championship chances.
ah well my thoughs anyway.

There should be about 30 or 40 freaks like DMAC coming our way in about 15 yrs. If they all take after their dad in every way and love the hogs we could have about 400 DMAC's walking on in 2045... 

[hogsanity]

The key to winning a title, be it sec or nc, is DEFENSE. Yes, you have to score points, but counting on winning a shootout with teams like Bama, or LSU is not a very good strategy.

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

How do you beat A&M? Auburn? Ole Miss?

By scoring more points..

[GuvHog]

The spread isn't any more successful against Bama than any other system. LSU has beaten Bama a few times, namely 2010 and 2011, with a Pro style. On the other hand, Auburn and A&M were successful with different versions of the Spread. And although Alabama shut us out last year, they also shut out Ole Miss' high-powered spread.

The way to beat Bama is to play better. Run the ball, stop the run, win the turnover battle, and don't commit any penalties. Then you can play whatever style you want.

The way to beat Bama is to Run and Pass very well, stop the run, don't turn the ball over, and don't commit any penalties. Being a heavily run oriented team won't get the job done. Being a team with a balanced offense will.

[Großer Kriegschwein]

There should be about 30 or 40 freaks like DMAC coming our way in about 15 yrs. If they all take after their dad in every way and love the hogs we could have about 400 DMAC's walking on in 2045... 

Yep... Little Rock will be a hotbed of fast talent for a few years. But 35-40 of them will be graduating in the same class.

[Mike_e]

By scoring more points..

Or by arranging for them to score less points than we do.

[colbs]

The way to beat Bama is to Run and Pass very well, stop the run, don't turn the ball over, and don't commit any penalties. Being a heavily run oriented team won't get the job done. Being a team with a balanced offense will.

Well LSU and Auburn are heavily run oriented teams that beat Bama.

[GuvHog]

Well LSU and Auburn are heavily run oriented teams that beat Bama.

No, they pass well too. My point is to beat Bama, a team must be good enough at passing to force Bama to respect there passing game. Otherwise Bama will stack the line and it's game over.

[colbs]

I don't believe in my brain that his style will win here.  I hope I'm wrong.

The Spread is much more logical to me, and it is the way to beat 'Bama and to contend for an NC.

I will be THRILLED if I'm wrong, I promise.

Off the top of my head around half of the league runs the spread.  If Arkansas can't win running the same style as Bama because they can't compete with Bama in recruiting, how will they be able win with the spread against teams running a spread that out recruit them according to the rankings?  I don't know if BB will win here, but I don't think it will be because he runs a run first offense and his QBS mainly takes snaps directly underneath center.  What will determine if BB wins here will be if he is able to develop a passing game that keeps the defense honest and if he is able to put a solid defense on the field.

[colbs]

No, they pass well too. My point is to beat Bama, a team must be good enough at passing to force Bama to respect there passing game. Otherwise Bama will stack the line and it's game over.

Well I wouldn't say Jordan Jefferson could pass well and I don't think Nick Marshall is the greatest passer.  They couldn't stop their running attack, Auburn only had 97 yards passing last year against them and had over 250 rushing yards. 

[LA Football fan]

Defense is the key.  You have to stop Bama enough times to give yourself a chance.  The same with Auburn, A&M, Ole Miss, etc.   When your defense is a sieve and teams can move the chains at will, it doesn't matter what offensive sytem you run. 

Our offense has the potential to control a game by keeping these high powered spread offenses off the field.  We just have to have a good enough defense to keep getting the ball back to us enough to wear down the spread teams defense.  Spread teams can wear out their own defense due to quick 3 and outs IF the opposing team can take the ball on offense and control the clock.  CBB has brought in the type Oline that can do just that if we can give him enough time to develop them.  His system will work given time to put it completely in place. 

The only thing I question is some of the risks he took last year that were really not necessary IMO.  Reduce those calls, keep letting our Oline gel, and I do believe we will see the wins come.

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

Or by arranging for them to score less points than we do.

Both sound good to me. 

[code red]

I guess I've been listening to too much sports talk. I looked these up after seeing Wisconsin's schedule for next year. How would BB's record be if he had played our schedule?? The positives about Bielema all revolve around him being a winning coach at Wisconsin.  My question is whether he would have been a winning coach had he played in the SEC or a tougher schedule.  If you look at his record from 2006-2012, he played against 23 top 25 teams and compiled a record of 10-13 (43%) against them. 8 of those games came against top 10 teams and he was 2-6 (25%) in those games.  During the same time, Arkansas played against 37 (61% more) top 25 teams and compiled a record of 14-23 (38%) against them. 19 (137% more) of those games came against top 10 teams and we were 4-15 (21%) in those games. Is this anything?

Yep.....I think yes there is a lot to it.  Next question.  How many of those wins against top notch competition came under Petrino?  IMHO....CBB better do something amazing this year.

[TeedupHigh]

I guess I've been listening to too much sports talk. I looked these up after seeing Wisconsin's schedule for next year. How would BB's record be if he had played our schedule?? The positives about Bielema all revolve around him being a winning coach at Wisconsin.  My question is whether he would have been a winning coach had he played in the SEC or a tougher schedule.  If you look at his record from 2006-2012, he played against 23 top 25 teams and compiled a record of 10-13 (43%) against them. 8 of those games came against top 10 teams and he was 2-6 (25%) in those games.  During the same time, Arkansas played against 37 (61% more) top 25 teams and compiled a record of 14-23 (38%) against them. 19 (137% more) of those games came against top 10 teams and we were 4-15 (21%) in those games. Is this anything?

What if, what if, what if, what if, what if.............what if little bobby had never got a stiffy..........

[Delicious~Dreams]

By scoring more points..

With the spread?    It can be done.

[thefisher]

cream rises to the top.

Yeah ... and so do the dead fish!

That has absolutely nothing to do with the thread.  A teammate of mine said it in the locker room. Our coach made that same statement after we beat a team with a good bit more talent than we had.  This is the first time I have had the chance to throw it out on MMQB.  Feel free to use it on others as you see fit from now on!

[opineonswine]

No, they pass well too. My point is to beat Bama, a team must be good enough at passing to force Bama to respect there passing game. Otherwise Bama will stack the line and it's game over.

Auburn's passing game last year was not good.

[Steef]

Auburn's passing game last year was not good.

You're right. But Bama didn't play well offensively in their game against Auburn.

Which is why Nick fired his OC.

[Großer Kriegschwein]

You're right. But Bama didn't play well offensively in their game against Auburn.

Which is why Nick fired his OC.

This

[Peter Porker]

By scoring more points..

And that's also how you beat Alabama.


Can we be adults now?

You think we can't "out-Alabama Alabama". How are we supposed to "out-A&M A&M" or "out-Auburn Auburn"? Your theory of having to habe a spread offense to beat Bama doesn't hold water.

[Hawgon]

I'll make a prediction.  BB won't get it done here.  He'll be gone by year four.  But, he is a decent coach and he is raising our talent along the lines and the defense.  The next coach will come in and recruit a few skill players and maybe a QB and have almost instant success.  He'll look like a genius.

BB is doing some things right.  I just don't think he is going to be here long enough to see the ultimate reward on them nor do I think he can quite get there with his system at Arkansas.  But, the cupboard won't be bare for the next guy and we'll reap the benefits.

[Großer Kriegschwein]

I'll make a prediction.  BB won't get it done here.  He'll be gone by year four.  But, he is a decent coach and he is raising our talent along the lines and the defense.  The next coach will come in and recruit a few skill players and maybe a QB and have almost instant success.  He'll look like a genius.

BB is doing some things right.  I just don't think he is going to be here long enough to see the ultimate reward on them nor do I think he can quite get there with his system at Arkansas.  But, the cupboard won't be bare for the next guy and we'll reap the benefits.

I smell a little smoke there, but I'm not sure there's fire yet. I think if the offense is not so good this year, then we'll see a change in OC over the offseason. If that doesn't work, then yes, I think we'll see a change at HC. Cheney was right for BB on paper, offsetting his run for your life style offense with an uptempo passing game. But if it doesn't work this year, Cheney will be gone. Just hope we can keep our position coaches if he leaves.

[HogHolio]

I guess I've been listening to too much sports talk. I looked these up after seeing Wisconsin's schedule for next year. How would BB's record be if he had played our schedule?? The positives about Bielema all revolve around him being a winning coach at Wisconsin.  My question is whether he would have been a winning coach had he played in the SEC or a tougher schedule.  If you look at his record from 2006-2012, he played against 23 top 25 teams and compiled a record of 10-13 (43%) against them. 8 of those games came against top 10 teams and he was 2-6 (25%) in those games.  During the same time, Arkansas played against 37 (61% more) top 25 teams and compiled a record of 14-23 (38%) against them. 19 (137% more) of those games came against top 10 teams and we were 4-15 (21%) in those games. Is this anything?

Nick S. won only 59% of his games at Michigan St, and Brett B. won 74% at Wisconsin.  I didn't look up records against ranked opponents, but looking at traditional powers in the conference Nick struggled there as well. 

I think all you can take away from the past stats is that coaching wise they both are good coaches and exactly how succesful they will be against top teams is dependent on how much talent they have.  I'm not saying BB will be as great as Saban at Alabama or LSU, but if you want to compare stats BB looks better than Saban after spending simillar time in the BIg 10. 

However BB is now at a place much more difficult to recruit than what ol st nick went to in LSU and AL(still better than Wiscy).  Only time will tell if BB has the ability to improve on his record like Nick did.   

[dj shanon "Notshavin" smeya]

Can we be adults now?

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

I like a good Bert troll as much as the next guy but some of this stuff is just stupid.  It doesn't make BB look bad just the OPs.

[VT HOG]

The facts do not play in Bret Bielema's favor. Current nine game losing streak, will be ten after Gus blows him out again. No SEC wins and recruiting classes in the bottom 4th of the conference.

Those that do not look at facts objectively think he will be a good coach because he grew up as a pig farmer or because he recruits "uncommon men." He will be great at Arkansas because he coached Russell Wilson for one season or because he likes to insult Wisconsin college students on twitter.

[hawgsalot]

The facts do not play in Bret Bielema's favor. Current nine game losing streak, will be ten after Gus blows him out again. No SEC wins and recruiting classes in the bottom 4th of the conference.

Those that do not look at facts objectively think he will be a good coach because he grew up as a pig farmer or because he recruits "uncommon men." He will be great at Arkansas because he coached Russell Wilson for one season or because he likes to insult Wisconsin college students on twitter.

LOL, way to add such intelligence to a thread!

[VT HOG]

LOL, way to add such intelligence to a thread!

It's not a problem sir

[mhuff]

You're right. But Bama didn't play well offensively in their game against Auburn.

Which is why Nick fired his OC.

+1

[Fayettechill14]

The way to beat Bama is to Run and Pass very well, stop the run, don't turn the ball over, and don't commit any penalties. Being a heavily run oriented team won't get the job done. Being a team with a balanced offense will.

2014 Auburn
Rushing per Game: 328.3 (1st NCAA)
Passing per Game: 173.0 (106th NCAA)

Auburn 34, Alabama 28

RIP your argument

[870hogfan]

The facts do not play in Bret Bielema's favor. Current nine game losing streak, will be ten after Gus blows him out again. No SEC wins and recruiting classes in the bottom 4th of the conference.

Those that do not look at facts objectively think he will be a good coach because he grew up as a pig farmer or because he recruits "uncommon men." He will be great at Arkansas because he coached Russell Wilson for one season or because he likes to insult Wisconsin college students on twitter.

His recruiting is far and better than Petrino...

[VT HOG]

His recruiting is far and better than Petrino...

Nobody said it wasn't. The product on the field was ugly

[870hogfan]

Nobody said it wasn't. The product on the field was ugly

Petrino first year was ugly too....