Closing gap on Ohio State is an onerous task
MADISON – Many Wisconsin fans were embarrassed and livid in the wake of UW’s 52-21 loss to then-No. 3 Ohio State.
The sight of UW falling behind, 28-0, just 1 minute 27 seconds into the second quarter and never really challenging the Buckeyes left those fans chagrined.
That included former UW players who were unhappy with the product on the field they once called home.
UW officials weren’t happy, either. But they understood the reasons for the gap between the Buckeyes and not only UW but the rest of the Big Ten. Those include in-state recruiting base and enough disposal income to support a small country.
From 2017 through 2020 Ohio State went 30-2 in Big Ten play with four league titles and an overall mark of 45-5.
Tremendous commitment and effort were needed for Michigan to snap the Buckeyes’ title streak last season. The Wolverines beat their rivals for the first time since 2011 and then routed Iowa in the Big Ten title game.
The best team in the Big Ten this season? Unbeaten Ohio State appears to fit the bill again.
Despite the ugly loss to Ohio State, athletic director Chris McIntosh remained determined to allow Paul Chryst and his staff time to turn around the season.
That changed after UW’s 34-10 loss to Illinois on Saturday.
McIntosh said the result of one game didn’t influence his decision to fire Chryst and promote defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard to interim head coach.
Yet the cumulative effect of the three losses this season – to unranked Washington State, to the Buckeyes and to the unranked Illini in their second season under Bret Bielema – forced McIntosh’s hand.
Consider that UW generated a total of 14 points in the second half of those losses, on a total of 14 full possessions. Both touchdowns came in the fourth quarter at Ohio State, long after the outcome had been decided.
McIntosh made it clear Sunday night that the goal for UW is to compete for championships. In most seasons, that will mean finding a way to defeat Ohio State or Michigan. But the Badgers must beat Illinois and other West Division rivals first.
Not being able to match Ohio State every season is understandable. Falling behind anyone in the West Division isn’t.
The job of getting UW (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) past Northwestern (1-4, 1-1) Saturday and making a run at the West Division title this season belongs to Leonhard.
But anyone who thinks Leonhard – or any other coach – can elevate the UW to Ohio State’s level year in and year out needs to temper that enthusiasm.
Ohio State is an NFL franchise competing in the Big Ten. That isn’t a criticism. It is a fact.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day told boosters in June his staff needed $13 million in NIL money to build a championship roster. Day told the crowd that day $2 million is needed for a stud quarterback recruit and about $1 million for outstanding pass-rushers and offensive linemen.
No one blinked.
The odds of Chryst or Leonhard lobbying businesses in that manner? Don’t count on it because UW officials do not want to have even the appearance they are using NIL money to recruit players.
Ohio State’s football culture is national title or bust. That is the result of an institutional decision and is why the Buckeyes’ 11-2 finish last season, which included a victory over Utah in the Rose Bowl, was viewed as a disappointment.
McIntosh no doubt wants to see UW win championships. He made that clear Sunday. Leonhard, who has yet to win a Big Ten title as a player or assistant at UW, has a similar vision.
As far as keeping up with Ohio State? Leonhard knows the challenge is onerous.
“Recruiting is always a huge piece,” he said before the teams met earlier this season. “They’ve got a lot of talented guys and continue to churn ’em out and bring (more) back in.
“You’ve got to go out there and be willing to fight against them that way. You’ve got to recruit well and know what sells and what get kids into your program that are willing to go challenge (them).
“Outside of that, they are well coached. There is no magic. When you’ve got talented players that are well coached and buy into what you are doing and what the team culture is … everyone in the country is trying to match that.
“If I knew the answer, we’d be doing all of it. You’ve got to have a culture. You’ve got to have a place that kids want to come and play. And then you’ve got to coach the hell out of them and develop them.”