Rex Ryan: The new Les Miles

Jets coach Rex Ryan did something Wednesday that mirrored Les Miles. And nobody seems worked up about it.

Ryan, in his first year with the Jets, taped a message that was then mass-telephoned to Jets season-ticket holders, seeking a loud crowd for Sunday, when New England plays at the Jets. Here’s the interesting part: “I’ve already admitted that, hey, the Patriots have a better head coach and they’ve got a better quarterback than us. But we’re going to see who’s got a better team.”

Now go back to 2003, when Miles coached Oklahoma State. Miles never admitted that OU had a better coach or quarterback (Jason White over Josh Fields). But he did issue the infamous statement that drew the ire not just of Sooner fans, but Bob Stoops himself, before the 2003 Bedlam game. “Next Saturday, two teams are going to play. One is maybe the best team in college football and the other one is a darn good football team. We’re going to play to figure out which one is which.”

Miles couldn’t have angered Sooner Nation had he called their colors burnt red. Couldn’t have angered Stoops more had Miles said Carol Stoops wears combat boots.

I never saw what was the big deal. All Miles said was, let’s go play and find out who’s what. He was building up his team, and there’s nothing wrong with that. He wasn’t disparaging the Sooners, who though many thought were the best team in America, turns out weren’t. OU won that game 52-9 and everyone in crimson took it as validation that Miles spoke out of school and got his just reward.