JD Brookhardt > Frank Solich

In the battle of potential, but unlikely future CSU football coaches that took place last night, former Ram J.D. Brookhardt and his Akron Zips beat ex-husker Frank Solich's Ohio Bobcats 48-37.

Both have been rumoured to come to CSU if Sonny Lubick possibily retires, which seems imenent, so Wednesday night's ESPN game would be a good chance to check them out (remember when CSU played Prime Time on ESPN, or heck, played on any real TV station).

Both teams came into the game in the middle of the MAC, but national TV for these small schools ensures a good game, and it delivered for the most part.

The game was close until late in the fourth quarter before Akron pulled away, but it wasn't the win thatled me to declare Brookhardt the better coach, it was the way he coached the team.

Brookhardt has juggled two quarterbacks all season (a novel approach that CSU could never try), so he decided to look for some more leadership. He got it from his QB Chris Jacquemain, who not only passed well, but stepped up in a very rare capacity for a QB, by being a lead blocker on multiple running plays (including a block that de-cleated a Ohio defender).

Brookhardt also showed an ability to adjust midgame, as Ohio ran the ball effectively early, but was shut down the rest of the game.

The Zips also got a kick return for a TD, the type of game changing play that CSU has been lacking lately (not quite as game changing as this one earlier in the year).

Finally, when Brookhardt saw an opposing player celebrating after a hit that resulted in a personal foul, he stood up for his team and got on the referees about it, something that players love and respect.

While I don't think Brookhardt is quite up to the task of running CSU, but he certainly would liven up the Rams with a different offense and more passion than what we currently have.