Another note I’d like to make since ppl are on here talking about recruiting. You gotta remember Middle TN has public school talent largely due to lack of relevancy in their private schools other than Lipscomb Academy.
McCallie and Baylor are too close to Cleveland public schools. You don’t much see huge linemen like Oakland has in public schools in Cleveland area. Cleveland area has the skill talent but the linemen are the difference.
The best of the best (9/10 times) go to Oakland in ‘Boro area. The best of the best around here are going to McCallie or Baylor most of the time. (Carson gentle, Amari Jefferson, etc) Former Oakland RB Jordan James is just one of many players in Middle TN Public school history who get huge FBS/SEC Offers. You don’t really see it too often in Cleveland. Yeah sure Boo, Tito, Marcus, but those 3 guys are all diamonds in the rough. It’ll be a while before we see guys or even a guy reeling in a bunch of big SEC Schools from the Cleveland area.
Talent gap is there at the line of scrimmage and that’s what determined this ball game.