[jimotis4heisman]

Originally Posted by ORD_Buckeye

I guess I see what you're getting at. My point, though, is if UM or Penn State were thriving in football while we struggled, it would be perfectly acceptable to use them as a measuring stick by which to judge our success or failure. That's the basis for the focus on Miami of Ohio's success. If they can build a top 5 program with the same in-state liabilities which we face and 1/10 the athletic department resources, it makes a very good measuring stick against which to evaluate and ultimately judge our own program. Given in-state hockey culture and tradition, judging ourselves against Michigan, MSU, Wiscy or Minny is not always going to provide such an apt comparison. To me, Miami of Ohio does provide that apt comparison and one which finds us seriously lacking at the moment.

I'd be a lot less concerned with what's happening at Miami of Ohio (or Bowling Green for that matter) if Ohio State's program was where I believe it has the potential to be. The fact that one of those programs can get there while we struggle just brings the problems at Ohio State that much more sharply into focus.

it is a good measuring stick, the same way some used average big ten teams as the stick for basketball. fred taylor and thad matta have not. thats my point. if you are going to think, my view is think BIG.