Five Lessons for the Padres From Ohio St and Oregon Football

Matt is moving away from LA, but hoping to be the star in the Padres movie of 2015. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

1) Consistency Builds a Dynasty

A lot goes into building a successful college football program – as well as a professional major league baseball organization. Over the last several years both Ohio State and Oregon have done their part in building up successful organizations. It was just 2012 that Ohio State went UNDEFEATED despite sanctions levied on them from the NCAA for previous coach Jim Tressel’s transgressions.

In 2013, they went undefeated in the regular season until losing to Michigan State in the Big 10 championship and then Clemson in the Orange Bowl. They entered 2014 with high hopes with Heisman Candidate Braxton Miller in his junior season ready to make his mark. In the fall, he was injured leaving the program to sophomore QB. JT Barrett , who just went on to lose only one game to Virginia Tech en route to an undefeated Big 10 schedule. Then he was lost in the game against Michigan, leaving 3rd string QB Cardale Jones to play Wisconsin in the Big 10 championship. Naturally Ohio State won the game FIFTY NINE to ZERO. Five Nine.

For Oregon? Back in 2011, they lost to Cam Newton and the Auburn Tigers in the National Championship Game, but they have been consistently good for a little while now. Personally, I moved to Eugene in September just as the season was getting started and certainly big things were on the horizon for the program. Of course, Chip Kelly had moved on to the NFL and Mark Helfrich had taken over. They lost to Arizona early on in the season but battled back in large back because of eventual Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Marriota and defeated 2013 National Champions Florida State in the Rose Bowl. More on Marriota later though.

Also, Chip Kelly really brought Oregon to the national football conversation, but after bolting for the NFL Mark Helfrich took right over where Kelly left off – and now is hoping to do what Kelly could not in winning the title.

The point is both of these programs have had ups and downs over the last few years but held true to the belief that they belong in the national spotlight and won the games that they need to win to prove their belonging. The Padres in 2015 have made the moves now but need to prove early on that they do belong in battling the Dodgers and Giants for NL West supremacy. They have not been knocking on the door of success – but are hoping to make a big jump this season by adding personnel. Not unlike that Auburn team a few years back…