Why Must Daugherty, Koch Keep Using Ohio State As UC’s Benchmark?

Some pretty Earth shattering news was announced late last week that will change the face of college athletics in the future. The Power of Authority granted to the P5 allows them to make new rules like stipends for players and pre-enrollment coverage. Then on Friday afternoon the Ed O’Bannon v. NCAA ruling was released that allows players to receive financial compensation when their likeness is used via apparel, video game, billboard, etc.

And when both were released, the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Bill Koch and Paul Daugherty were practically drooling at thought of writing an article illustrating how UC was righteously screwed now.

Before I go any further, I should mention that the Enquirer as a whole produces excellent content and has a well-rounded staff. In my opinion, anyways. Tom Groeschen’s coverage of Bearcats football has been outstanding and truly a breath of fresh air for UC fans. His columns are detailed and unbiased, he engages intelligently with his readers on Twitter, and seems like he genuinely cares about the people and topics on which he is reporting.

The same can’t be said of Koch and Daugherty, both of which I’ve called out in the past.

Take dipshit #1’s article in response to the Power of Authority announcement in which he compares UC’s financial situation to that of Ohio State’s.

"By contrast, Big Ten member Ohio State generated a surplus of $24 million in 2012-13, according to ESPN, which shows the disparity between schools in the power conferences and those that aren’t. Much of that disparity is the result of television money."

Couple of things:

1. Why is Koch referencing 2012-13 numbers when the most recent year’s are fully available via a quick Google search? Draw your own conclusions from that one folks.
2. Ohio State is one of about 11 schools in the 128-program Division I whose athletic department actually makes a profit. Making a comparison between Cincinnati and one of the richest 10% of schools in the country is like me looking at my 2010 Honda Accord, then sitting it side-by-side with Mark Zuckerberg’s yacht, and claiming my life is in shambles. It just doesn’t make sense.

Then there’s Daugherty’s typical snarky column.

"Can Cincinnati afford Ohio State’s stipends? Those of Michigan, Notre Dame and Tennessee? Those are the sorts of places the Bearcats need to beat for recruits occasionally, if they want to maintain their football momentum."

When has Cincinnati and Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Tennessee ever gone head to head for a recruit? Maybe once or twice in the last 5 years? The last one I can remember was Dennis Norfleet switching from UC to Michigan on National Signing Day but he was soft in his commitment to the Bearcats anyways and Cincinnati was firmly associated with a BCS conference. So no non-power conference effects there.

Plus, when Brian Kelly was winning oodles of games and sending UC to BCS Bowls, I don’t recall them being loaded with players UC beat Ohio State or Notre Dame for. No, they were mainly compiled of two- and three-star prospects and seemed to do just fine.

But did Koch or Daugherty research any of that? Is it that they just don’t care? Are they trying to perpetuate a negativity that they are desperately clinging to in order to fuel their own narrative? BINGO!

Thankfully you’re smart enough to not fall into that trap, right? You know that Tommy Tuberville and his squad are kicking all kinds of backside on the recruiting trail, arguably better than his predecessors. You know they won 9 games last season and are favorites to win the AAC this year. You know that the Nippert Stadium renovation, making the venue state of the art in college football, is right around the corner.

None of that matters to Tweedledee and Tweedledum, though, because they want you to keep thinking that if Cincinnati isn’t Ohio State and aren’t doing things just like the Buckeyes they’re doomed for failure. Please don’t live your life like them, folks. Enjoy Bearcats athletics, enjoy the excitement surrounding UC right now, and enjoy ignoring every slanted word Bill Koch and Paul Daugherty try to make you believe.