Crimson Red Sports

In the two months following his hiring by Ohio State, Urban Meyer took what was shaping up to be a middle-of-the-road recruiting class and turned it into a consensus top-five group by the time National Signing Day 2012 had been put to bed.

UW head coach Bret Bielema told reporters that he had prior concerns over what he considered recruiting tactics on the part of the new OSU regime that were — his word — illegal.  As a result, Bielema claims to have spoken to Meyer about the situation and resolved whatever issue there was.

“There’s a few things that happened early on that I made people be aware of, that I didn’t want to see in this league, that I had seen take place in other leagues,” Bielema said during his signing day press conference yesterday. “Other recruiting tactics, other recruiting practices, that are illegal.

Meyer “breaking” an unwritten agreement among Big Ten coaches in which, once a prospect commits to a program in the conference, other coaches decline to actively recruit the player.  Meyer “broke” that “gentleman’s agreement”

“There’s a few things that happened early on that I made people be aware of, that I didn’t want to see in this league, that I had seen take place in other leagues,” Bielema said during his signing day press conference yesterday. “Other recruiting tactics, other recruiting practices, that are illegal.

For better or worse, Meyer has brought an SEC way to the Big Ten recruiting trail. 

GulfCoastTider Dave
RT @DanWolken: Bieliema doesn't want to be anything like the SEC in any way, shape or form. Except his salary, of course.
5 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

 Bret Bielema is very upset that Urban Meyer stole two players out of his recruiting class.  Of course when you only have a dozen players in your class everyone is very important.  I do find if humorous though that Bielema, the king of running up the score on MAC teams, wants to preach about being classy. 

Bielema says he is going to speak to Big 10 commissioner, and world champion staring contest winner, Jim Delany about the awful Urban Meyer. Bielema says there was a gentleman's agreement in the Big 10 and they don't want to become the SEC. 

Don't worry Bielema I don't see you winning any big games anytime soon. However, not many folks know Bielema isn't just upset about the recruit stealing, he has a whole list of grievances.  These two pages were found stuffed in Jim Delany's mailbox

BourbonWarfare Hare Bryant
Hey Bielema, if you don't like Urban's tactics just beat him a couple times and he'll quit. #processed
45 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

BourbonWarfare Hare Bryant
I obtained a stolen copy of the list of proposed new Big 10 slogans http://bit.ly/zI5W56 #collegefootball
7 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Proposed New Slogans for the Big 10

The B1G is a conference on the move.  New (horribly named) divisions, a new trophy, new teams and new coaches.  One of those new coaches is former Florida head man Urban Meyer, imported from the lawless SEC. 

The Scourge of the Swamp's impact is being felt immediately as he plundered and ravaged the signing classes of other programs.  Other coaches such as Bret Bielema have let it be known that they do not appreciate Meyer having the nerve to call or text a recruit who has not signed a letter of intent and is totally and completely free to speak with whomever they choose.

 It is this spirit of camaraderie that driving the conference re-branding effort, complete with new slogan.  We at Bourbon Warfare have obtained a copy of the list of possible slogans.

"3 Texts and a Verbal Commitment (all other programs will now refrain from further contact)"

"The Big 10: Obesity, Awful Weather and Bad Football!"

"B1G Football: Handbags at 5 Paces!"

"Everyone Gets a Trophy (unless we play the SEC)!"

"Dominating the MAC since 1862"


I for one can't wait to see which way the conference decides to go.  Maybe the Southern and West Coast influences of coaches like Meyer and Hoke will drag the conference kicking and screaming into the 21st century.  Most importantly though, maybe somebody will get Bret Bielema a binky, as well as that other T to fix the ridiculous spelling of his first name.

Is it really wrong to have a gentleman's agreement if everybody plays by the agreement? RTR!