Those tOSU teams were ridiculously loaded with NFL talent at all positions.
How he managed to choke in 1995 against Michigan and Tennessee was laughable. What was even sillier was in the Citrus Bowl, where he had one of the best offensive lines in the nation, the Heisman winner at running back (Eddie George), along with a plethora of 1st round talent at the WR and TE positions, along with a 4th round pick at QB (Hoying).
All he had to do on 4th and a short one was to either call a QB sneak, or simply hand the ball off to Eddie George, since their OL was blowing Tennessee's DL back 2-3 yards every running play.
Instead, he pulls off a Tommy Rees, and calls an option play to the short side of the field...
John Cooper should have won at least 2 NC's with that talent
Replies to: "John Cooper should have won at least 2 NC's with that talent"
- Hypothetical: what would it have taken for ND to beat OSU in the NC? - iairishcheeks - 12:47am 7/16/25
(31) [View All]
- Pound the run, control the clock, keep OSU O off the field - KWIRISH - 11:49pm 7/16/25
- Re: Hypothetical: what would it have taken for ND to beat OSU in the NC? - IrishChristopher - 11:07pm 7/16/25
- A more balanced offense. A much better passing attack. OSUs DBs were on ice skates but we waited too - oldirish - 9:24pm 7/16/25
- First forced punt before the 4th quarter - Turkish - 6:42pm 7/16/25
- Truth be told, they've had ND's number for a long time - humbaba - 2:13pm 7/16/25
- If we would have played them in 1988 through 1993 we would have beaten them every year. Our talent - THEISMANCARR - 6:18pm 7/16/25
- For sure! But that was 36 years ago! Hoping for another shot at them in the playoffs! [NT] - irishslovak - 12:16am 7/17/25
- The programs were on opposite trajectories in 1995 and 1996. - jakers - 5:07pm 7/16/25
- Lou 1988-1993 would have beaten them. - AlbanyIRISH - 3:23pm 7/16/25
- John Cooper should have won at least 2 NC's with that talent - ndunabomber - 3:15pm 7/19/25
- They are ND's kryptonite! Hate to say it! You are correct! [NT] - irishslovak - 2:55pm 7/16/25
- If we would have played them in 1988 through 1993 we would have beaten them every year. Our talent - THEISMANCARR - 6:18pm 7/16/25
- Simple: Start throwing the ball sooner. Their DB's were their achilles heal and we didn't start - BaronVonZemo - 1:52pm 7/16/25
- Until we get some WRs who can run past their DBs and open up the field, OSU isn't afraid - Rocketman84 - 6:28pm 7/16/25
- If botn teams played their normal games, they were going to beat us because of their speed at the - THEISMANCARR - 12:42pm 7/16/25
- Corners who could play physical press and still cover and a healthy O.L. - jakers - 11:00am 7/16/25
- I think people underestimate how tired the team was at that point in the season - wrdomerson - 11:18am 7/16/25
- OSU wasn't tired too? - AlbanyIRISH - 3:25pm 7/16/25
- Did you see the injury reports for the two teams? - wrdomerson - 5:01pm 7/17/25
- They had far, far fewer injuries, not greater depth. [NT] - BaronVonZemo - 11:25pm 7/16/25
- OSU wasn't tired too? - AlbanyIRISH - 3:25pm 7/16/25
- I think people underestimate how tired the team was at that point in the season - wrdomerson - 11:18am 7/16/25
- More talent. I read that OSU had 18 5-stars, ND had 1. Note sure if exactly correct [NT]
- irishone - 10:35am 7/16/25
- I mean that would be the obvious one, but also more a dream than reality - Rocketman84 - 12:35pm 7/16/25
- Several things - ndunabomber - 10:21am 7/16/25
- We would have stolen it if we won. But as Herb Brooks said, one game. Not 3 out of 4 or 9 out of 10 - Frank L - 10:45am 7/16/25
- Lack of a vertical passing game, among others. [NT]
- faircatchcorby - 9:35am 7/16/25
- This was the glaring issue. And we waited to late to try it. [NT] - oldirish - 9:26pm 7/16/25
- A great QB. - AlbanyIRISH - 6:23am 7/16/25
- Honestly, be healthy which led to abysmal running game and poor 3rd down efficiency [NT]
- Rocketman84 - 6:12am 7/16/25
- This. The difference in the first drive in the second third and fourth was - Quest4twelve - 7:11am 7/16/25
- Fair point. Given the comeback maybe less than we all thought. Those are critical points though. [NT] - Frank L - 10:40am 7/16/25
- This. The difference in the first drive in the second third and fourth was - Quest4twelve - 7:11am 7/16/25
- One point more [NT] - LanceManion - 5:53am 7/16/25
- Re: Hypothetical: what would it have taken for ND to beat OSU in the NC? - nddad98 - 1:04am 7/16/25