The concerns expressed, as pointed out in the article, are that we only averaged 2.2 yards/carry on 30 attempts. TTUN averaged nearly doubled that. Last year’s loss to TTUN featured two main storylines: OSU’s inability to run and OSU’s inability to stop the run. So far, Knowles and the defense seem to be holding up on their end as far as stopping the run, which is a BIG deal. But the rush offense didn’t inspire much confidence in the Iowa game. Thankfully, Day took note of that and there is still time to improve. Are the concerns about the rush offense valid? I don’t know. We will find out
“If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.”
-Jack Handey
So I've seen this argument a lot the last couple days, and it's fair - to a point. Yes, the comparison of the run game against Iowa favors TTUN. However, what if we look at the passing game? Didn't Mccarthy only throw for 150 yards that day? We did significantly better in the area of offense that is typically our strength, whereas TTUN did the same. That's not really surprising. Iowa had an elite defense and clearly sold out against the run. I'm not worried - yet.
Right. It’s clear that both offenses played to their strengths. Again, the concern is: what happens if TTUN is defending the pass well or CJ isn’t having a great game and/or the conditions aren’t conducive to airing it out? What then? Can the Bucks get it done on the ground if they absolutely have to? Last year they couldn’t, at least not against Oregon or TTUN.
To be clear, I’m certainly not panicking. The defense appears to be playing at a very high level and no one will be sleep walking into the game. I’m sure the preparation will be outstanding. I just think there’s a little PTSD from last season when one sees the run game struggles.
“If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.”
-Jack Handey
Agreed, Stl. *ichigan has a better defense than Iowa, imo, and they're better on defense than they were last year as well, and they were pretty good last season. I believe Ohio State will need to be able to run the ball Vs ttun to win the game, and when the competition levels out, OSU has had some issues under Ryan Day in the ground game, and in getting push at the LOS. Iowa's offense is the worst in FBS football, and that isn't hyperbole, and while their defense is outstanding, *ichigan's is a bit better and more talented, so I do not see Ohio State winning The Game if they average 2 yards per carry... not unless ttun's offense turns the ball over 6 times and Day's offense has a 50 yard (or shorter) field all afternoon, like they enjoyed against Iowa. Assuming the *ichigan offense plays exponentially better than Iowa did on Saturday, the Buckeyes will need every bit that Williams, Henderson, and the o-line can muster in the ground game.
Why do we think Coach Day's offense struggles running the ball against stiff competition ? I was hoping Coach Frye would have this fixed. Is it scheme, personel, play calling or poor execution?
You may be right about ttun defense being better than Iowa’s. However for Iowa to be ranked in the top15-20 on various team defense stats is amazing as their offense struggles to convert 3rd downs. I know what I saw , an extremely good iowa d worn out by too many 3&outs by the offense. A middle level offense would change Iowa’s defensive stats by a lot. But we won’t know till The game.
I don't think they are better than they were last year! They have played no one including Penn State. Clifford is not a div 1 QB. They don't defend the run nearly as well as they did last year and the DB's are suspect. Tell me who they have played that actually passes the ball? Iowa? NO Penn State? NO! Indiana? NO! Maryland SOME!!! Maryland scored 27 points against them.. Michigan is a paper tiger.
McCarthy has not been allowed to throw the ball even when they need him to for what ever reason Jimmy Nutbags won't let him throw it around! He tends to make stupid decisions like getting sacked for a 16 yard loss or throwing side arm into traffic. IMHO Illinois is a trap game for Michigan!
There is PTSD regarding last year, but it's also one game. Rutgers, ND and Wisconsin all have pretty good run defenses, too, and we ran more or less at will against them. If we struggle against PSU, then maybe it's time to worry.
Using one opponent to make all comparisons between two teams who have yet to play each other is of zero value. Right now ttun is 8th in the country and the Buckeyes are 21st in rushing yards per game with only 37 yards per game separating them. Ttun is averaging 5.77 per carry, Buckeyes are 5.56.
Then there is passing. Buckeyes rank 15th at 321 yards per game. Ttun is 74th at 231 yards per game. And we are averaging 3 yards per completion more. And I cannot find a single ranking of schedules that has the ttun schedule closer than 20 spots to ours.
Not worried about putting our offense against theirs this year and not worried about our running game.
I don't buy one goddam drop of gas in the state of Michigan!
I think that this is the biggest question that Ryan Day has left to answer. He has proven to be a good offensive mind and he's proven that he has expectations and if you don't meet them, he'll find someone that will. What he still needs to answer is if he's willing to commit to the run when needed and be patient. Against Iowa, I was impressed that Day kept running (in the past, he may have abandoned it completely) and used the 2nd half like an extended practice.
If you look at the way that OSU was built from Meyer into Day, they built the program to compete on a national level while Tressel had the team built to compete/own the Big10. Up until last year, OSU could get away with focusing on that national level and lean on a high powered passing attack more than a power running game. On the other hand, UM last year stepped up and built a team, like Tressel, to dominate the Big10 (strong defense, power run, etc.) and caught OSU from behind. UM is built the same way this year and unless/until their QB can take the next step, they'll compete in the Big10, but not really stand a chance on the national stage.
We've had exactly 1 game so far this season where we were forced to rely on the ground game. Rutgers. Does that sound a bit laughable? Sure, except that their defense isn't complete garbage (though still not top tier). Our ground game did just fine, if you recall, though schematically Rutgers schemed to allow the run and take away any easy throws. The MSU game was raining and Stroud had like 5 touchdowns, so conditions could have been a factor there and we had no problems on offense.
If we insist on running with 8 in the box defending, then that's just stubbornness. I'm sure we could sub in a heavier set of TEs/FBs (Rossi) and still impose our will on the ground against Iowa if we'd had to. Except that we didn't have to. And when we did it anyway, we actually scored a touchdown on the ground (and one of the passing touchdowns was in a similar set with the throw to Rossi). It was only when we tried to repeatedly run against 8 with our typical set of 11 personnel and 3 wideouts that we were stymied, as you'd expect when the numbers don't favor us in the box.
The only offensive play of the game where I was actually worried was when we went empty set, which was the play with the scoop and score fumble on Stroud. I have no idea what we were thinking other than that maybe Stroud could dump the ball quickly and then we'd have numbers down the field, but we didn't have the numbers on the line to block and they ate our lunch that play. You probably could see it coming before the snap, too, at least I did.
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Fair points. I'm not an x's and o's guy, but we ran the ball 30 times against Iowa and basically got nowhere. I know there's a lot to unload there and I think you brought up a good point about numbers/stubbornness, but I just hope that if a situation arises where it's windy and/or snowy that the team can still move the ball one way or another.
“If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.”
-Jack Handey
IMHO Harbaugh is still hesitant to turn McCarthy lose with the offense. McCarthy has been absolutely horrid throwing the ball over 25 yards and when he does throw a completion over 25 it's either because the WR makes a great play or the DB fell down. I personally do not see Michigan as a balanced offense or even close at this point. Most of McCarthy's yards are short routes and Bell made plays against bad defenses. The other WR's or TE's are just not there. I look for Knowles to just sell out to stop the run and make McCarthy beat you. He looks shakey at best.
Buckeye Bob I agree with you but it doesn't really matter. scum does not need McCarthy to be great. If they can run the ball, even when everyone knows it is coming, it doesn't matter much. The Bucks will struggle against good teams and have little chance at winning another NC until:
1. Our defense can shut down the running game of good teams.
2. Our offense can run the ball even when everyone in the stadium knows we are going to run it.
Defense was a problem last year and fingers crossed that they have fixed the issue of the running game.
The offense appears to have a lot of work to do before they can impose their will on an opponent.
The concerns expressed, as pointed out in the article, are that we only averaged 2.2 yards/carry on 30 attempts.
Rushing yards are not in the won-loss column. The two teams employed 2 different strategies against Iowa. One worked twice as good as the other. As stated, what else is there?
Never been so excited for a game in my life. The atmosphere for the Game will be incredible and the best of the entire season, I dont care what they say about the Bama vs Tennessee game. People are underestimating just how hostile and intense the atmosphere will be. Every buckeye i know is pissed off about last year and the year before for that matter. Keep propping Michigan up media, as a wise coach once said the pride comes before the fall.
They did. But I'm fully ready for that to be completely forgotten by their fans if we don't beat PSU by as much despite them saying they played Iowa in Kinnick and we got them at home.
That isn't news, but what I find interesting is that the Buckeyes weren't playing Iowa on Saturday so much as they were shadowboxing Michigan.
I appreciate the attempt and I don't think it's wrong to make comparisons, but comparing two different teams to the same opponent doesn't always tell us how those teams will match up against each other. Compare last year's common opponents.
UM vs Rutgers: 20-13, OSU vs Rutgers: 52-13
UM vs Neb: 32-29, OSU vs Neb: 26-17
UM vs Ind: 29-7, OSU vs Ind: 54-7
UM vs PSU: 21-17, OSU vs PSU: 33-24
UM vs MSU: 33-37 (loss), OSU vs MSU: 56-7
UM vs Mary: 59-18, OSU vs Mary: 66-17
UM vs OSU: 42-27
As you can see OSU has the clear edge in common opponents. While they played similar against Nebraska, Maryland, & PSU, OSU blew out MSU, Rutgers, and Indiana whereas UM beat Rutgers and Indiana in close games and lost to MSU in a close game. Despite this UM still beat OSU. Matchups matter. Home field advantage matter. Having a strong senior class matters. But, common opponents do not always. All that said I'd be surprised if UM beats OSU in Columbus. But, I do think both teams will present challenges for each other that no one else in the conference can. For UM, it will be Stroud & the passing game, whereas for OSU it will be UM's run game. Both defenses are stout, but not vastly different than PSU's. But no one OSU plays has UM's run game and no one UM plays has OSU's passing game. They will both find some success at times.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Last year's defense was a train wreck, that was the entire story of the game. Michigan had no business being a playoff team and we didn't either. We lost by 2 scores and the defense never stopped their offense 1 time in the 2nd half. I don't see that happening this year, I think that McNamara is a better game manager than McCarthy, he makes the plays that keep the offense on the field. McCarthy against IU, and Iowa looks really confused at times.
There was another story in the game beyond the train wreck defense. I can’t emphasize enough how much the cumulative affect of 13 mainstay players having the flu that week had on the team’s energy, strength and stamina in the cold and flurries. Yes it’s an excuse … and it’s a fact. They need to start taking airborne before the plane leaves Maryland the prior Saturday
Also, the energy from the crowd was so huge you could hear it through the TV coverage. The difference between that game and the 2019 game was unbelievable. In the 2019 game I remember looking at the crowd before the game, and actually feeling sorry for the UM fans (I know) thinking they could possibly win the game. Last year, about 5 minutes into the pregame, struggling to hear the announcers, I was thinking "holy shit, this crowd is fired up, this reminds me of the 1970's games up here"...
I'll be happy with even a one point win, but I disagree with you. The game on Nov. 26th will be like our last Clemson game. Something was taken from us last year and we always pay our debts. I'll be shocked if we win by less than 2 TDs.
Why do you guarentee it wont get out of hand? 3 of the last 4 wouldve been Ohio State blowout wins against Michigan (2020 wouldve been a bloodbath). I think a lot of people are also discounting home field in this game, the place will be nuts. Ill definitely have big money on the buckeyes covering the 10ish point spread so at least my guarantee will have some money behind it. Ive had Ohio State covering this spread as a lock since the start of the year and I see no reason to change that now. The problem is Ohio State is held to such a different standard than Michigan that no one points out Michigans flaws and how Ohio State isn't a good matchup for them. They just look at Michigan ran the ball better against Iowa (eventhough it was also mediocre) and block out every other aspect of the game. If i was a Michigan fan i would be pretty alarmed that they were in a dog fight with Iowa while Ohio State played like Shit and beat them by 44. Like i said what if Ohio State gets out to a 14 point lead early? What will be their answer running for 4 ypc? That wont cut it and they dont have the skill on the outside to expose Ohio States biggest weakness either.
They also haven’t won in Columbus in over 20 years
Agreed, which is why I said home field advantage matters and I doubt UM wins. But, I don't think it will be a blowout. I'd expect something similar to last year, but with the score flip flopped.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Iowa was a test of the defense not the offense but it did do one thing for me...it showed that when the offense was just good and not a Ryan Day Deathstar we had a defense that did what was expected...annihilate a dumpster fire offense and kept giving the offense back the ball... that will hopefully keep improving when we are not playing a Dumpster Fire offense. That clinic we saw Saturday puts us #2 in the nation for total defense....complimentary football exactly why Knowles was hired, to win a natty not fix a defense...though that's how it will manifest itself...PSU will give us more data points.
UM does perplex me. I wanted to say they are slow starters (Indiana, PSU and Maryland) but then there is Iowa making things interesting in the second half after it looked to be a runaway at the half. It almost appears they take a half off (or not as focused). Just an opinion but Ifeel UM's window for victory is smaller than OSU's. I think it's crucial for them to stay close or in the lead so as not to get away from the running game.
From what I've seen UM has started strong. They script the first 15 plays. Then, they either have a lull in the second quarter if it's a team with a pulse or just the run ball down their throat if it's a bad team. Obviously, OSU is a good team so I'd expect a lull in the second quarter. Then, both teams make half time adjustments and the better team wins the second half.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
I know you think we all have scarlet and gray glasses on but last year I seen all year our defense struggle with just about everything (especially run defense)while sitting in one look and there was some concern going into last year's game (albeit not losing like that). This year I still see some struggles running though not as much but aside from a few big passes a game (which Knowles warned us from the start that comes with his style of defense) I'm seeing that side of the ball as a strength instead of a weakness. On the other side I can't see JJ winning the game with his arm and I feel our defense will make him have to. Seeing Maryland do damage against UM's pass defense even with a poor oline, I can't help to feel much more confident this time around. Still with the glasses off I'm either seeing a close UM victory ( anything close goes in favor of UM) or OSU exposes the pass defense badly and force JJ to throw (which takes them out of their strength)and blow them out. I honestly see the last scenario much more likely. This is also the scenario I see with Illnois vs UM only with UM in a blow out.
This is where I'm at too, I think. UM was a few fluky plays away from blowing PSU out in the 1st half (not sure what deal with the devil PSU has made, but they seem to get a lot of those in big games) because there was no defensive answer for UM's run game.
OSU's key to The Game will be slowing the run and getting a double digit lead - if they can do that, UM will need to pass and OSU should be able to drop back and defend. If that happens, I can see OSU winning comfortably. On the other hand, if UM is able to get pressure on Stroud with 4 and keep the passing game in check, they can stay in the lead/within striking distance and stick with the power run/play action, I could see UM winning and possibly even comfortably late in the game if OSU abandons the run and Stroud presses. I don't get the takes from either fan base that this is a guaranteed win/blowout - maybe I'm just shell shocked from last year and I'll be surprised.
This is where I'm at too, I think. UM was a few fluky plays away from blowing PSU out in the 1st half (not sure what deal with the devil PSU has made, but they seem to get a lot of those in big games) because there was no defensive answer for UM's run game.
Absolutely, at the end of the 1st half the score was 16-14, but UM had 18 first downs compared to one for PSU. It was a blowout by all measures except the score.
OSU's key to The Game will be slowing the run and getting a double digit lead - if they can do that, UM will need to pass and OSU should be able to drop back and defend. If that happens, I can see OSU winning comfortably. On the other hand, if UM is able to get pressure on Stroud with 4 and keep the passing game in check, they can stay in the lead/within striking distance and stick with the power run/play action, I could see UM winning and possibly even comfortably late in the game if OSU abandons the run and Stroud presses. I don't get the takes from either fan base that this is a guaranteed win/blowout - maybe I'm just shell shocked from last year and I'll be surprised.
It should be a good game. It's hard to predict how it will play out. I can see lots of scenarios. CFB can be unpredictable. Ultimately you'd think the big questions are can UM defend OSU's passing attack and can OSU defend UM's ground game. But, we also often see things go against tendency at least for a while to set up their bread & butter. I'd also expect emotions to be high, maybe some ejections or personal fouls, and I'd expect some close calls that one of us will be complaining about later.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
I agree that OSU's rush defense looks better this year than last year, but to be honest only Oregon & UM had the ability to exploit it and they didn't play anyone like Oregon this year so we don't have much good evidence to judge them against. It would have been interesting to see if MSU actually tried to run the ball last year, but oddly they did not and got behind early and had to abandon the run game. And, it's hard to get a good read on OSU's rush defense this year because they haven't played anyone with a good rushing offense. ND is the best rushing offense they've played and they are #47 nationally. UM will be unique to anyone they play all year prior. Minnesota or Illinois would have given us a better read, but OSU doesn't play either one this year.
I also see OSU being somewhat Maryland-y, but with a greater reliance on throwing whereas Tag likes to use his feet as well. And, although Maryland has some legit pass catchers, they don't have the same level of talent and depth OSU does. I don't see anyone shutting down the OSU passing game entirely. And, of course Henderson is a fantastic player in his own right, and the o-line appears improved this year as well. I see OSU as a clear favorite and able to find success on offense, but I also see a close game up until the very end because I think UM has the ability on offense to exploit some OSU weaknesses as well. Maybe not to the same degree as last year in the snow and at home, but I think they do have some offensive success, but you never know.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
I knew someone was going to debunk the “our team is better than your team because our team beat the common opponent by more points” argument. Good job, Maine. Drawing inferences in such a manner doesn’t really work anyway, but it makes us feel better, right now. I think I speak for most Buckeye fans: we’re pissed off. And I know the players and coaches are.
OSU and Michigan play different styles. Michigan is old school, 1970s “smash-mouth football,” led by it’s o-line. Not a bad thing. Ohio State has a more modern offense, utilizing the skill positions, especially QB and WR. Not a bad thing. The one big difference from last year is Ohio State’s defense. It’s much, much improved and seems more ready to stop a power run game like they’re going to face in November. UM doesn’t have Hutchinson or Ojabo, two players that I KNEW we’re going to make a big difference in the game last year, and some fans in here laughed at me.
It’s possible it could be a #1 vs. #2 matchup. The thing I’m most concerned about is if the weather turns shitty like last year. I believe that clearly benefits your team, Maine. Obviously, I’m praying for a sunny day, dry and a high temperature of about 52*.
As you get older, three things happen: The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two.
Most of the games in Columbus have had decent weather. The 1972 and 1982 games were played in the rain and we won both of them. Since then, unless I am forgetting a game somewhere down the line, the weather has not been a factor in The Game when it has been at home.
The knock on the Buckeyes is that they're a finesse Xs and Os team that runs circles against lesser opponents but wilts when faced by tougher teams with comparable talent. Harbaugh and company believe they're the tougher team and that they'll knock CJ on his butt and beat us into the ground. Nothing people are saying here and nothing in our performance against Iowa changes that narrative. Maine's too kind to put it that way, but that's the message of those scores against mutual opponents he posted above.
There's only one way to shed that narrative, and we will get our chance.
I'm actually a little skeptical of the Bucks match-up with ScUM only for recency bias in how anemic our running game was against Iowa. Granted, Iowa's defense is probably better than a good ScUm defense but
The Rivalry negates that difference. I'll feel better once we get back on track against PSU and I dont even care if our margin is greater than theirs was, just win the next game and keep improving.
We'll need to be at the top of our game this Saturday and most e-spacially at Noon Nov. 16th. We'll need to physically out-tough them, out-last them, and out-run them. One thing I'm NOT concerned about is our defense having that dawg in 'em that day!
Fuck Michigan and their weirdly woke fans. They haven't been challenged by a talented passing attack outside of Maryland and even that mediocre team put some scare into them.
Urban Meyer >Jim Harbaugh for ever and ever, Amen. 0
I agree that Iowa’s last touchdown wasn’t relevant, but the first one made it a 20-7 game. Then Iowa drove the length the field and had first and goal with about five minutes to go. At that point the game was very much in doubt. Michigan held and ended the threat, but there were plenty of nervous Michigan fans with five minutes left in the fourth. OSU was up 30 at the end of the third. The notion that UM was as dominant against Iowa as OSU was is ridiculous.
With that said, it doesn’t mean anything for THE Game. Common opponents are a really terrible way to predict a winner of two teams.
I believe he's referring to a previous drive.
Iowa drove 78 yards to the 6-yard line with almost seven minutes left.
At that point I'd say the outcome was in doubt.
On fourth and two they threw a one yard pass. Awful call, the same play went for nothing on second down.
Nonetheless, that drive was against the first team Skunkweasel D who were definitely putting forth their best effort.
It has been a LONG time since Ohio State has looked in conference for that measuring stick, probably since maybe 2017 Penn St? If not, it might be 2014 Sparty which is 8 years ago. That’s crazy.
The last time we as a fanbase were so focused on one opponent was Clemson. Hopefully the outcome is similar to that game.
If you take everything I’ve accomplished in my life and condense it down to one day, it looks decent!
I tend to agree that comparing games against common opponents is a suckers game that are mainly not instructive. But it’s worth looking again at what happened in Iowa City on Oct. 1st. Michigan slogged to a 20-0 lead through 2 1/2 quarters. Iowa then goes 59 yards in the last couple of minutes of the 3rd Q to cut the lead to 20-7. Michigan gets the ball after the ensuing Kickoff and goes 3-and-out. They punt to Iowa who then goes on a 13 play, 7 minute, 78 yard drive. At the MI 14, the run for 6 yds on first down. They then go pass/run/pass which gain collectively 3 yds and so turn the ball over on downs with only 5:41 left on the game. MI again goes 3-and-out, and punts to the Iowa 42. Iowa attempts 4 passes, and is sacked twice. They turn the ball over on downs at their own 28. MI scores 3 plays later when Iowa’s defense sells out on 3rd and 2. That’s the ballgame with about 1 1/2 mins left, MI leaves their starters in and Iowa goes 75 yds in 5 plays, capped by Luke Lachey’s first touchdown of his college career. The conventional wisdom is that MI dominated this game and that Iowa only scored after the win was secured by MI. The reality is that it was a typical Iowa ugly-fest. Just like Saturday’s game in the ‘Shoe and hence all the grumbling in spite of the result.
TTUN fans are already doing their typical mental gymnastics as they try to justify their 14 point win over Iowa as being more impressive than our 44 point domination. They claim we only won that game because of the 6 turnovers, which begs the question: why didn't Michigan's "Zomg legendary" defense do that, then?
I've been to Mgoblow a few times recently and that fanbase is collectively suffering from nothing short of pure and utter delusion. They're convinced that they're going to dominate us in Columbus and prance back into the playoffs. I absolutely despise that fanbase and everything they represent. Beat Michigan by a hundred.
I heard you calling for me at the end of your post.
Now onto being serious: I believe last year gave TTUN a ton of confidence and that will not go away until they kicked in the teeth by us again. They have every right to be cocky and confident as the winner gets the bragging rights. Enjoy it while it lasts because you only have a few weeks left.
As for my thoughts on how THE GAME will play out, I see this being an absolute war until we near the end of the 3rd quarter and get into the 4th. The Buckeyes will pull away with Stroud looking like a true Heisman candidate and Williams running with some hatred in him as we take back bragging rights and march into the Championship game in route to the CFP.
In my mind every game for both teams has been two halves. Michigan can point to the first half of Iowa and say “we can do better” but no one does second half offensive adjustments like this current Buckeye offensive brain trust.
not that I expect UM to suddenly become a rock slinging juggernaut but I do expect the defense to be actively working to disrupt.
Johnny, that last paragraph puzzles me. It hasn’t been that long since ttun was favored over OSU, and ttun should always be the team in the Buckeyes’ sights. If the inward B1G look at ttun is overlooked, the rest falls apart.
Inertia?!
Meh, our team should focus on wins, not style points. If we only win by 10 and Michigan fans want to chirp, let them.
Styles and matchups make games, so what we do at Penn St makes no difference to our game against Michigan. Penn St has a drastically better secondary that makes it a strength on strength situation.
I've also been interested to see how OSU & UM do against common opponents . . . although as said above, that doesn't tell you a lot.
I don't want to repeat a lot of what was said above, but there are several observations I have.
The OL is perhaps the area it takes longest to fix. Michigan had a bad OL for the longest time. I don't think you can have massive improvement in one year, so this is good for Michigan. (i.e. Michigan's DL vs. your OL and RB. I am pretty skeptical that OSU can improve a lot with their OL.)
Will JSN be back at full health? I really think he is the best of your returning receivers . . . if he is at full health. If not, that helps Michigan a lot. And Michigan's secondary has been pretty good.
How much can Michigan QB McCarthy realistically improve over the next 4 games? OSU has rightly observed that he hasn't been very good over the top and with long passes. The question is whether that is the way things will stay, or if everything will click for him going forward.
I still don't have a clue how The Game will play out. But I'll say, I don't think the Michigan team is afraid of OSU anymore.
This is a general consensus of what M thinks of OSU
”Precisely. OSU is soft. UM's gonna put up at least 300 on the ground vs OSU, and keep the ball for 40 minutes. What worked last year, will work this year because OSU has done nothing to think otherwise. Hell, UM's O-line and D-line are even better this year. Who thought we could have written that 6 months ago?
The felons who inhabit Columbus HAVE NO IDEA the freight-train heading their way. Either get mowed down, or get out of the way. There is no 3rd option for OSU.”
this is entirely correct. the unwritten contract of a rivalry is that the loser sits, stews, works, makes promises to themselves, begs their deity of choice, and otherwise scheme to make their rival eat every sour word uttered in the previous 364 days, to impose every year-old humiliation and degradation tenfold. but they do so stoically and with full knowledge that chest-thumping and bravado are as unconvincing as they are unearned. as fans, we enter this contract by proxy. they have my full blessing to crow. they don't need it, though; they won.
Although it's interesting to speculate, forget about the "necessary" margin of victory against Penn State. A dangerous distraction.
Stating the obvious, stay focused on preparing to win the game, the coaches devise a great game plan, the players execute it, and effective in-game adjustments are made as necessary.
Go Bucks! Beat the Nittany Lions!
The next game is always the most important game of the season.
Comparing osu and ttun used to be about the outcome but now it’s about play style. OSU can annihilate an opponent but if ttun wins less convincingly while running more somehow that’s seen as being better. I think we forget that teams are supposed to play to their strengths while the opponent is hoping to make them do something they don’t want to do. OSU is a passing team that can run. ttun is a running team that hasn’t shown they can pass it very well. If they make us one dimensional it will make things a little clunky but those wide receivers won’t be contained an entire game. You can count on that. If we make ttun a passing team I don’t think anyone believes they’ll just pass themselves to a victory. The onus is on the OSU defense to shut their running game down and nothing I’ve seen from Knowles makes me think he won’t do just that.
I think that Michigan could be heading into a trap game the week before THE GAME, Vs Illinois because the Illini have improved greatly and are physical and have learned to win ugly. That Game is at Illinois they have the best RB in the Big Ten this year.
My observation is our Running Backs are not close to 100%. The best a lineman can do is maintain contact for 2-3 seconds with the defensive linemen. Oline needs to drive block at times not just push and seal. Backs need to hit the holes quicker. I think it is time to unleash some CHIP.
The only time the running game concerns become a concern is when the opposing defense uses 9 of it's allotted 11 defenders to focus on one thing, and one thing only, stopping the run... And on the flip side the passing game can't seem to get going.
That was the concern with the first half against Iowa... The running game wasn't doing anything and Stroud and his pass-catchers couldn't pick up the slack... That's what the team needs to look at and fix.
The Excellence of Execution, the Best there is, the Best there was, the Best there ever will be!
We have a much better chance to make Michigan abandon their preferred style than they do. Must play a crisp first quarter and win field possession penalties and keep the crowd alive. Getting ahead early will be a huge confidence boost.
We’ll hold them to field goals and then our receiver talent will take over. We’ll be up 13 and hold them to a fg and on our possession it’s Marv schooling the db for a td to add to the lead.
After the Clemson loss in 2020, Coach Day and the Buckeyes had 367 days to get ready for a rematch. They got that chance and put a convincing 60-minute beatdown on Dabo and his team.
After the ttun loss in 2021, Coach Day and the Buckeyes have 364 days to get ready for a rematch. Has anybody seen ANYTHING that doesn't appear aimed at getting ready to win that game? Coaches, players, schemes, etc, etc.
We have to trust. They want it WAY worse than somebody typing on a blog - myself included in that.
The mind numbing delusional, logic pretzel twisting the wolverine fans were dropping on social media outlets to poo poo our win of Iowa, was nowhere near as impressive as their victory has been astounding! Equally annoying are the moronic Vols fans who now feel entitled to enshrine themselves kings of college football and weigh in on anything and everything college football to declare their team superior in all ways!
It has been an interesting year to say the least!
The best thing about Pastafarianism? It is not only acceptable, but advisable, to be heavily sauced
The Vols seem to forget they gave up 49 points to Alabama lol
Michigan fans seem to forget that the stars lined up perfectly last year, with OSU bad Defense and a very young defense along with reported illness and they could run the ball. They actually copied Oregon's plays.
OSU better get A LOT better at running the football against stout defenses like TTUN. Or it could be a long day in late November (again) if what Stlbuckeye15 mentioned above comes to fruition.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
Most of the runs that Michigan and Oregon had success with were either Jet Sweeps, Off Tackle Counters or something out side, I do not see anyone out flanking a Jim Knowles defense, one of the 1st things that I noticed about his defense in spring ball was the discipline on the contain which last year we never had. I look for Coach Knowles to run blitz the pants off them and make McCarthy throw the ball. I expect to see a dominant defense on the OSU side this year. Folks Michigan still recruits 2 or 3 4 star athletes every year and the rest 3 star Ohio State is 5 stars and 4 stars across the board. Way too talented to lose to Michigan!
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27 is far less than 47. What else is there?
#walkaway
The concerns expressed, as pointed out in the article, are that we only averaged 2.2 yards/carry on 30 attempts. TTUN averaged nearly doubled that. Last year’s loss to TTUN featured two main storylines: OSU’s inability to run and OSU’s inability to stop the run. So far, Knowles and the defense seem to be holding up on their end as far as stopping the run, which is a BIG deal. But the rush offense didn’t inspire much confidence in the Iowa game. Thankfully, Day took note of that and there is still time to improve. Are the concerns about the rush offense valid? I don’t know. We will find out
“If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.”
-Jack Handey
So I've seen this argument a lot the last couple days, and it's fair - to a point. Yes, the comparison of the run game against Iowa favors TTUN. However, what if we look at the passing game? Didn't Mccarthy only throw for 150 yards that day? We did significantly better in the area of offense that is typically our strength, whereas TTUN did the same. That's not really surprising. Iowa had an elite defense and clearly sold out against the run. I'm not worried - yet.
We can't stop here; this is bat country...
Right. It’s clear that both offenses played to their strengths. Again, the concern is: what happens if TTUN is defending the pass well or CJ isn’t having a great game and/or the conditions aren’t conducive to airing it out? What then? Can the Bucks get it done on the ground if they absolutely have to? Last year they couldn’t, at least not against Oregon or TTUN.
To be clear, I’m certainly not panicking. The defense appears to be playing at a very high level and no one will be sleep walking into the game. I’m sure the preparation will be outstanding. I just think there’s a little PTSD from last season when one sees the run game struggles.
“If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.”
-Jack Handey
Agreed, Stl. *ichigan has a better defense than Iowa, imo, and they're better on defense than they were last year as well, and they were pretty good last season. I believe Ohio State will need to be able to run the ball Vs ttun to win the game, and when the competition levels out, OSU has had some issues under Ryan Day in the ground game, and in getting push at the LOS. Iowa's offense is the worst in FBS football, and that isn't hyperbole, and while their defense is outstanding, *ichigan's is a bit better and more talented, so I do not see Ohio State winning The Game if they average 2 yards per carry... not unless ttun's offense turns the ball over 6 times and Day's offense has a 50 yard (or shorter) field all afternoon, like they enjoyed against Iowa. Assuming the *ichigan offense plays exponentially better than Iowa did on Saturday, the Buckeyes will need every bit that Williams, Henderson, and the o-line can muster in the ground game.
When I die, sprinkle my ashes over the 70's
Why do we think Coach Day's offense struggles running the ball against stiff competition ? I was hoping Coach Frye would have this fixed. Is it scheme, personel, play calling or poor execution?
You may be right about ttun defense being better than Iowa’s. However for Iowa to be ranked in the top15-20 on various team defense stats is amazing as their offense struggles to convert 3rd downs. I know what I saw , an extremely good iowa d worn out by too many 3&outs by the offense. A middle level offense would change Iowa’s defensive stats by a lot. But we won’t know till The game.
I don't think they are better than they were last year! They have played no one including Penn State. Clifford is not a div 1 QB. They don't defend the run nearly as well as they did last year and the DB's are suspect. Tell me who they have played that actually passes the ball? Iowa? NO Penn State? NO! Indiana? NO! Maryland SOME!!! Maryland scored 27 points against them.. Michigan is a paper tiger.
McCarthy has not been allowed to throw the ball even when they need him to for what ever reason Jimmy Nutbags won't let him throw it around! He tends to make stupid decisions like getting sacked for a 16 yard loss or throwing side arm into traffic. IMHO Illinois is a trap game for Michigan!
There is PTSD regarding last year, but it's also one game. Rutgers, ND and Wisconsin all have pretty good run defenses, too, and we ran more or less at will against them. If we struggle against PSU, then maybe it's time to worry.
We can't stop here; this is bat country...
Using one opponent to make all comparisons between two teams who have yet to play each other is of zero value. Right now ttun is 8th in the country and the Buckeyes are 21st in rushing yards per game with only 37 yards per game separating them. Ttun is averaging 5.77 per carry, Buckeyes are 5.56.
Then there is passing. Buckeyes rank 15th at 321 yards per game. Ttun is 74th at 231 yards per game. And we are averaging 3 yards per completion more. And I cannot find a single ranking of schedules that has the ttun schedule closer than 20 spots to ours.
Not worried about putting our offense against theirs this year and not worried about our running game.
I don't buy one goddam drop of gas in the state of Michigan!
I think that this is the biggest question that Ryan Day has left to answer. He has proven to be a good offensive mind and he's proven that he has expectations and if you don't meet them, he'll find someone that will. What he still needs to answer is if he's willing to commit to the run when needed and be patient. Against Iowa, I was impressed that Day kept running (in the past, he may have abandoned it completely) and used the 2nd half like an extended practice.
If you look at the way that OSU was built from Meyer into Day, they built the program to compete on a national level while Tressel had the team built to compete/own the Big10. Up until last year, OSU could get away with focusing on that national level and lean on a high powered passing attack more than a power running game. On the other hand, UM last year stepped up and built a team, like Tressel, to dominate the Big10 (strong defense, power run, etc.) and caught OSU from behind. UM is built the same way this year and unless/until their QB can take the next step, they'll compete in the Big10, but not really stand a chance on the national stage.
We've had exactly 1 game so far this season where we were forced to rely on the ground game. Rutgers. Does that sound a bit laughable? Sure, except that their defense isn't complete garbage (though still not top tier). Our ground game did just fine, if you recall, though schematically Rutgers schemed to allow the run and take away any easy throws. The MSU game was raining and Stroud had like 5 touchdowns, so conditions could have been a factor there and we had no problems on offense.
If we insist on running with 8 in the box defending, then that's just stubbornness. I'm sure we could sub in a heavier set of TEs/FBs (Rossi) and still impose our will on the ground against Iowa if we'd had to. Except that we didn't have to. And when we did it anyway, we actually scored a touchdown on the ground (and one of the passing touchdowns was in a similar set with the throw to Rossi). It was only when we tried to repeatedly run against 8 with our typical set of 11 personnel and 3 wideouts that we were stymied, as you'd expect when the numbers don't favor us in the box.
The only offensive play of the game where I was actually worried was when we went empty set, which was the play with the scoop and score fumble on Stroud. I have no idea what we were thinking other than that maybe Stroud could dump the ball quickly and then we'd have numbers down the field, but we didn't have the numbers on the line to block and they ate our lunch that play. You probably could see it coming before the snap, too, at least I did.
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Fair points. I'm not an x's and o's guy, but we ran the ball 30 times against Iowa and basically got nowhere. I know there's a lot to unload there and I think you brought up a good point about numbers/stubbornness, but I just hope that if a situation arises where it's windy and/or snowy that the team can still move the ball one way or another.
“If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.”
-Jack Handey
Notre Dame?
Excellent post! I could not have said better.
IMHO Harbaugh is still hesitant to turn McCarthy lose with the offense. McCarthy has been absolutely horrid throwing the ball over 25 yards and when he does throw a completion over 25 it's either because the WR makes a great play or the DB fell down. I personally do not see Michigan as a balanced offense or even close at this point. Most of McCarthy's yards are short routes and Bell made plays against bad defenses. The other WR's or TE's are just not there. I look for Knowles to just sell out to stop the run and make McCarthy beat you. He looks shakey at best.
Buckeye Bob I agree with you but it doesn't really matter. scum does not need McCarthy to be great. If they can run the ball, even when everyone knows it is coming, it doesn't matter much. The Bucks will struggle against good teams and have little chance at winning another NC until:
1. Our defense can shut down the running game of good teams.
2. Our offense can run the ball even when everyone in the stadium knows we are going to run it.
Defense was a problem last year and fingers crossed that they have fixed the issue of the running game.
The offense appears to have a lot of work to do before they can impose their will on an opponent.
Foreshadowing?
;)
The last time McCarthey was turned lose was a dark time in this country’s history.
Rushing yards are not in the won-loss column. The two teams employed 2 different strategies against Iowa. One worked twice as good as the other. As stated, what else is there?
#walkaway
http://theozone.net/2018/11/ohio-state-vs-michigan-run-the-ball-win-the-...
It's not about Iowa. It's about THE game. Running the ball matters in that one. That's what else there is....
“If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.”
-Jack Handey
The comparison is who did better against Iowa. 27 or 47.
#walkaway
It'll be Ohio State vs. MiSU vs. scum, next week.
TBDSNITL: The best damn screen name in the land!
Never been so excited for a game in my life. The atmosphere for the Game will be incredible and the best of the entire season, I dont care what they say about the Bama vs Tennessee game. People are underestimating just how hostile and intense the atmosphere will be. Every buckeye i know is pissed off about last year and the year before for that matter. Keep propping Michigan up media, as a wise coach once said the pride comes before the fall.
Like how you think Elguapo - hope you are right!
TTUN played PSU in Ann Arbor.
Hell with the lid off
Yep
Urban Meyer >Jim Harbaugh for ever and ever, Amen. 0
brain fart, ty
I didn't hear anything.
Sbd, the silent killer.
OSU Class of 1999
Flipped with Iowa
Read my entire screen name....
They did. But I'm fully ready for that to be completely forgotten by their fans if we don't beat PSU by as much despite them saying they played Iowa in Kinnick and we got them at home.
Not gonna lie.
beat PSU That is all
I appreciate the attempt and I don't think it's wrong to make comparisons, but comparing two different teams to the same opponent doesn't always tell us how those teams will match up against each other. Compare last year's common opponents.
As you can see OSU has the clear edge in common opponents. While they played similar against Nebraska, Maryland, & PSU, OSU blew out MSU, Rutgers, and Indiana whereas UM beat Rutgers and Indiana in close games and lost to MSU in a close game. Despite this UM still beat OSU. Matchups matter. Home field advantage matter. Having a strong senior class matters. But, common opponents do not always. All that said I'd be surprised if UM beats OSU in Columbus. But, I do think both teams will present challenges for each other that no one else in the conference can. For UM, it will be Stroud & the passing game, whereas for OSU it will be UM's run game. Both defenses are stout, but not vastly different than PSU's. But no one OSU plays has UM's run game and no one UM plays has OSU's passing game. They will both find some success at times.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
No one you play has OSU’s defense. That will be the difference in The Game.
They also haven’t won in Columbus in over 20 years mark my words if Michigan gets down by 2 scores early it will get out of hand by halftime
Which is why OSU should take the ball if they win the coin toss instead if defer like always. I said the same last year....they deferred.
David Peck
Seeing as it takes us a few drives to “figure it out”, I’d prefer to start the 2nd with the ball but…. That didn’t work out well for us last year.
JUST WIN BABY
JTNYC
Last year's defense was a train wreck, that was the entire story of the game. Michigan had no business being a playoff team and we didn't either. We lost by 2 scores and the defense never stopped their offense 1 time in the 2nd half. I don't see that happening this year, I think that McNamara is a better game manager than McCarthy, he makes the plays that keep the offense on the field. McCarthy against IU, and Iowa looks really confused at times.
There was another story in the game beyond the train wreck defense. I can’t emphasize enough how much the cumulative affect of 13 mainstay players having the flu that week had on the team’s energy, strength and stamina in the cold and flurries. Yes it’s an excuse … and it’s a fact. They need to start taking airborne before the plane leaves Maryland the prior Saturday
Also, the energy from the crowd was so huge you could hear it through the TV coverage. The difference between that game and the 2019 game was unbelievable. In the 2019 game I remember looking at the crowd before the game, and actually feeling sorry for the UM fans (I know) thinking they could possibly win the game. Last year, about 5 minutes into the pregame, struggling to hear the announcers, I was thinking "holy shit, this crowd is fired up, this reminds me of the 1970's games up here"...
I agree, but comparing common opponents did not show that. It showed OSU blowing most teams out and winning bigger than UM.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
You. Are. High
i can guarantee you THE GAME will NOT get out of hand. It will be a heavyweight fight till 4th quarter
Those who stir the shit pot should have to lick the spoon.
I agree. And I’m sure Coach Day will say the same thing: “Prepare to play 100% for four quarters. COMPETITIVE ENDURANCE.”
As you get older, three things happen: The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two.
I'll be happy with even a one point win, but I disagree with you. The game on Nov. 26th will be like our last Clemson game. Something was taken from us last year and we always pay our debts. I'll be shocked if we win by less than 2 TDs.
We can't stop here; this is bat country...
Why do you guarentee it wont get out of hand? 3 of the last 4 wouldve been Ohio State blowout wins against Michigan (2020 wouldve been a bloodbath). I think a lot of people are also discounting home field in this game, the place will be nuts. Ill definitely have big money on the buckeyes covering the 10ish point spread so at least my guarantee will have some money behind it. Ive had Ohio State covering this spread as a lock since the start of the year and I see no reason to change that now. The problem is Ohio State is held to such a different standard than Michigan that no one points out Michigans flaws and how Ohio State isn't a good matchup for them. They just look at Michigan ran the ball better against Iowa (eventhough it was also mediocre) and block out every other aspect of the game. If i was a Michigan fan i would be pretty alarmed that they were in a dog fight with Iowa while Ohio State played like Shit and beat them by 44. Like i said what if Ohio State gets out to a 14 point lead early? What will be their answer running for 4 ypc? That wont cut it and they dont have the skill on the outside to expose Ohio States biggest weakness either.
Agreed, which is why I said home field advantage matters and I doubt UM wins. But, I don't think it will be a blowout. I'd expect something similar to last year, but with the score flip flopped.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Time will tell and I can't go back and look now, but I believe PSU's defense was ranked ahead of OSU's prior to PSU playing UM.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Iowa was a test of the defense not the offense but it did do one thing for me...it showed that when the offense was just good and not a Ryan Day Deathstar we had a defense that did what was expected...annihilate a dumpster fire offense and kept giving the offense back the ball... that will hopefully keep improving when we are not playing a Dumpster Fire offense. That clinic we saw Saturday puts us #2 in the nation for total defense....complimentary football exactly why Knowles was hired, to win a natty not fix a defense...though that's how it will manifest itself...PSU will give us more data points.
Bbc11
UM does perplex me. I wanted to say they are slow starters (Indiana, PSU and Maryland) but then there is Iowa making things interesting in the second half after it looked to be a runaway at the half. It almost appears they take a half off (or not as focused). Just an opinion but I feel UM's window for victory is smaller than OSU's. I think it's crucial for them to stay close or in the lead so as not to get away from the running game.
From what I've seen UM has started strong. They script the first 15 plays. Then, they either have a lull in the second quarter if it's a team with a pulse or just the run ball down their throat if it's a bad team. Obviously, OSU is a good team so I'd expect a lull in the second quarter. Then, both teams make half time adjustments and the better team wins the second half.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
I know you think we all have scarlet and gray glasses on but last year I seen all year our defense struggle with just about everything (especially run defense)while sitting in one look and there was some concern going into last year's game (albeit not losing like that). This year I still see some struggles running though not as much but aside from a few big passes a game (which Knowles warned us from the start that comes with his style of defense) I'm seeing that side of the ball as a strength instead of a weakness. On the other side I can't see JJ winning the game with his arm and I feel our defense will make him have to. Seeing Maryland do damage against UM's pass defense even with a poor oline, I can't help to feel much more confident this time around. Still with the glasses off I'm either seeing a close UM victory ( anything close goes in favor of UM) or OSU exposes the pass defense badly and force JJ to throw (which takes them out of their strength)and blow them out. I honestly see the last scenario much more likely. This is also the scenario I see with Illnois vs UM only with UM in a blow out.
This is where I'm at too, I think. UM was a few fluky plays away from blowing PSU out in the 1st half (not sure what deal with the devil PSU has made, but they seem to get a lot of those in big games) because there was no defensive answer for UM's run game.
OSU's key to The Game will be slowing the run and getting a double digit lead - if they can do that, UM will need to pass and OSU should be able to drop back and defend. If that happens, I can see OSU winning comfortably. On the other hand, if UM is able to get pressure on Stroud with 4 and keep the passing game in check, they can stay in the lead/within striking distance and stick with the power run/play action, I could see UM winning and possibly even comfortably late in the game if OSU abandons the run and Stroud presses. I don't get the takes from either fan base that this is a guaranteed win/blowout - maybe I'm just shell shocked from last year and I'll be surprised.
Absolutely, at the end of the 1st half the score was 16-14, but UM had 18 first downs compared to one for PSU. It was a blowout by all measures except the score.
It should be a good game. It's hard to predict how it will play out. I can see lots of scenarios. CFB can be unpredictable. Ultimately you'd think the big questions are can UM defend OSU's passing attack and can OSU defend UM's ground game. But, we also often see things go against tendency at least for a while to set up their bread & butter. I'd also expect emotions to be high, maybe some ejections or personal fouls, and I'd expect some close calls that one of us will be complaining about later.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
I agree that OSU's rush defense looks better this year than last year, but to be honest only Oregon & UM had the ability to exploit it and they didn't play anyone like Oregon this year so we don't have much good evidence to judge them against. It would have been interesting to see if MSU actually tried to run the ball last year, but oddly they did not and got behind early and had to abandon the run game. And, it's hard to get a good read on OSU's rush defense this year because they haven't played anyone with a good rushing offense. ND is the best rushing offense they've played and they are #47 nationally. UM will be unique to anyone they play all year prior. Minnesota or Illinois would have given us a better read, but OSU doesn't play either one this year.
I also see OSU being somewhat Maryland-y, but with a greater reliance on throwing whereas Tag likes to use his feet as well. And, although Maryland has some legit pass catchers, they don't have the same level of talent and depth OSU does. I don't see anyone shutting down the OSU passing game entirely. And, of course Henderson is a fantastic player in his own right, and the o-line appears improved this year as well. I see OSU as a clear favorite and able to find success on offense, but I also see a close game up until the very end because I think UM has the ability on offense to exploit some OSU weaknesses as well. Maybe not to the same degree as last year in the snow and at home, but I think they do have some offensive success, but you never know.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
I knew someone was going to debunk the “our team is better than your team because our team beat the common opponent by more points” argument. Good job, Maine. Drawing inferences in such a manner doesn’t really work anyway, but it makes us feel better, right now. I think I speak for most Buckeye fans: we’re pissed off. And I know the players and coaches are.
OSU and Michigan play different styles. Michigan is old school, 1970s “smash-mouth football,” led by it’s o-line. Not a bad thing. Ohio State has a more modern offense, utilizing the skill positions, especially QB and WR. Not a bad thing. The one big difference from last year is Ohio State’s defense. It’s much, much improved and seems more ready to stop a power run game like they’re going to face in November. UM doesn’t have Hutchinson or Ojabo, two players that I KNEW we’re going to make a big difference in the game last year, and some fans in here laughed at me.
It’s possible it could be a #1 vs. #2 matchup. The thing I’m most concerned about is if the weather turns shitty like last year. I believe that clearly benefits your team, Maine. Obviously, I’m praying for a sunny day, dry and a high temperature of about 52*.
As you get older, three things happen: The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two.
It very well could be #1 vs #2 and I hope that's the case cause the spoils is #1 overall seed.
"Put ya' weight on it"
Wondering or more hoping but not likely to happen is Coach Knowles installs a 4-4-3 aka Wiscy in 2019.
I think if it was a home game for UM I'd say it's a 45/55 game with OSU getting the advantage. I think in Columbus it's a 35/65 game in favor of OSU.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Most of the games in Columbus have had decent weather. The 1972 and 1982 games were played in the rain and we won both of them. Since then, unless I am forgetting a game somewhere down the line, the weather has not been a factor in The Game when it has been at home.
Main, that was a lot of words just to sneak in last years Bucks-michigan score.
“Being average means you are as close to the bottom as you are to the top.” John Wooden
It was a lot of words to say common opponents don't tell us how teams match up against each other. Evidence takes time to explain.
That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
We’ll put, Maine. This will be settled soon. Until then, we will have to read and listen to similar drivel.
Hmm
The knock on the Buckeyes is that they're a finesse Xs and Os team that runs circles against lesser opponents but wilts when faced by tougher teams with comparable talent. Harbaugh and company believe they're the tougher team and that they'll knock CJ on his butt and beat us into the ground. Nothing people are saying here and nothing in our performance against Iowa changes that narrative. Maine's too kind to put it that way, but that's the message of those scores against mutual opponents he posted above.
There's only one way to shed that narrative, and we will get our chance.
Go Bucks!
I'm actually a little skeptical of the Bucks match-up with ScUM only for recency bias in how anemic our running game was against Iowa. Granted, Iowa's defense is probably better than a good ScUm defense but
The Rivalry negates that difference. I'll feel better once we get back on track against PSU and I dont even care if our margin is greater than theirs was, just win the next game and keep improving.
We'll need to be at the top of our game this Saturday and most e-spacially at Noon Nov. 16th. We'll need to physically out-tough them, out-last them, and out-run them. One thing I'm NOT concerned about is our defense having that dawg in 'em that day!
"Put ya' weight on it"
Fuck Michigan and their weirdly woke fans. They haven't been challenged by a talented passing attack outside of Maryland and even that mediocre team put some scare into them.
Urban Meyer >Jim Harbaugh for ever and ever, Amen. 0
I agree that Iowa’s last touchdown wasn’t relevant, but the first one made it a 20-7 game. Then Iowa drove the length the field and had first and goal with about five minutes to go. At that point the game was very much in doubt. Michigan held and ended the threat, but there were plenty of nervous Michigan fans with five minutes left in the fourth. OSU was up 30 at the end of the third. The notion that UM was as dominant against Iowa as OSU was is ridiculous.
With that said, it doesn’t mean anything for THE Game. Common opponents are a really terrible way to predict a winner of two teams.
Their lat TD was scored on Michigan's first team offense on a sustained drive?
I hope Michigan never wins another game.
I believe he's referring to a previous drive.
Iowa drove 78 yards to the 6-yard line with almost seven minutes left.
At that point I'd say the outcome was in doubt.
On fourth and two they threw a one yard pass. Awful call, the same play went for nothing on second down.
Nonetheless, that drive was against the first team Skunkweasel D who were definitely putting forth their best effort.
The game was never in doubt, brother. Not once
Urban Meyer >Jim Harbaugh for ever and ever, Amen. 0
It has been a LONG time since Ohio State has looked in conference for that measuring stick, probably since maybe 2017 Penn St? If not, it might be 2014 Sparty which is 8 years ago. That’s crazy.
The last time we as a fanbase were so focused on one opponent was Clemson. Hopefully the outcome is similar to that game.
If you take everything I’ve accomplished in my life and condense it down to one day, it looks decent!
Michigan forced no turnovers and gave up multiple touchdowns to Iowas offense right?
I hope Michigan never wins another game.
I tend to agree that comparing games against common opponents is a suckers game that are mainly not instructive. But it’s worth looking again at what happened in Iowa City on Oct. 1st. Michigan slogged to a 20-0 lead through 2 1/2 quarters. Iowa then goes 59 yards in the last couple of minutes of the 3rd Q to cut the lead to 20-7. Michigan gets the ball after the ensuing Kickoff and goes 3-and-out. They punt to Iowa who then goes on a 13 play, 7 minute, 78 yard drive. At the MI 14, the run for 6 yds on first down. They then go pass/run/pass which gain collectively 3 yds and so turn the ball over on downs with only 5:41 left on the game. MI again goes 3-and-out, and punts to the Iowa 42. Iowa attempts 4 passes, and is sacked twice. They turn the ball over on downs at their own 28. MI scores 3 plays later when Iowa’s defense sells out on 3rd and 2. That’s the ballgame with about 1 1/2 mins left, MI leaves their starters in and Iowa goes 75 yds in 5 plays, capped by Luke Lachey’s first touchdown of his college career. The conventional wisdom is that MI dominated this game and that Iowa only scored after the win was secured by MI. The reality is that it was a typical Iowa ugly-fest. Just like Saturday’s game in the ‘Shoe and hence all the grumbling in spite of the result.
“Holy Buckeye!”
TTUN fans are already doing their typical mental gymnastics as they try to justify their 14 point win over Iowa as being more impressive than our 44 point domination. They claim we only won that game because of the 6 turnovers, which begs the question: why didn't Michigan's "Zomg legendary" defense do that, then?
I've been to Mgoblow a few times recently and that fanbase is collectively suffering from nothing short of pure and utter delusion. They're convinced that they're going to dominate us in Columbus and prance back into the playoffs. I absolutely despise that fanbase and everything they represent. Beat Michigan by a hundred.
We can't stop here; this is bat country...
I heard you calling for me at the end of your post.
Now onto being serious: I believe last year gave TTUN a ton of confidence and that will not go away until they kicked in the teeth by us again. They have every right to be cocky and confident as the winner gets the bragging rights. Enjoy it while it lasts because you only have a few weeks left.
As for my thoughts on how THE GAME will play out, I see this being an absolute war until we near the end of the 3rd quarter and get into the 4th. The Buckeyes will pull away with Stroud looking like a true Heisman candidate and Williams running with some hatred in him as we take back bragging rights and march into the Championship game in route to the CFP.
"I wipe my a$$ with wolverine fur"
In my mind every game for both teams has been two halves. Michigan can point to the first half of Iowa and say “we can do better” but no one does second half offensive adjustments like this current Buckeye offensive brain trust.
not that I expect UM to suddenly become a rock slinging juggernaut but I do expect the defense to be actively working to disrupt.
Jim Harbaugh is overrated and so is his team.
I hope Michigan never wins another game.
Johnny, that last paragraph puzzles me. It hasn’t been that long since ttun was favored over OSU, and ttun should always be the team in the Buckeyes’ sights. If the inward B1G look at ttun is overlooked, the rest falls apart.
Inertia?!
Go Bucks, beat ttun!
Were they really? Who cares about how we do against common opponents? None of it means anything because we play each other November 26.
Meh, our team should focus on wins, not style points. If we only win by 10 and Michigan fans want to chirp, let them.
Styles and matchups make games, so what we do at Penn St makes no difference to our game against Michigan. Penn St has a drastically better secondary that makes it a strength on strength situation.
Buckeyes…Beets... Battlestar Galactica.
I've also been interested to see how OSU & UM do against common opponents . . . although as said above, that doesn't tell you a lot.
I don't want to repeat a lot of what was said above, but there are several observations I have.
I still don't have a clue how The Game will play out. But I'll say, I don't think the Michigan team is afraid of OSU anymore.
This is a general consensus of what M thinks of OSU
”Precisely. OSU is soft. UM's gonna put up at least 300 on the ground vs OSU, and keep the ball for 40 minutes. What worked last year, will work this year because OSU has done nothing to think otherwise. Hell, UM's O-line and D-line are even better this year. Who thought we could have written that 6 months ago?
The felons who inhabit Columbus HAVE NO IDEA the freight-train heading their way. Either get mowed down, or get out of the way. There is no 3rd option for OSU.”
greymarch: mgoblow
Go Bucks! TTUN tears are best! Beat Wisky!!!
They earned the right and it’s theirs for another 4 Saturdays.
Hmm
this is entirely correct. the unwritten contract of a rivalry is that the loser sits, stews, works, makes promises to themselves, begs their deity of choice, and otherwise scheme to make their rival eat every sour word uttered in the previous 364 days, to impose every year-old humiliation and degradation tenfold. but they do so stoically and with full knowledge that chest-thumping and bravado are as unconvincing as they are unearned. as fans, we enter this contract by proxy. they have my full blessing to crow. they don't need it, though; they won.
to the writer of the article:
SCUM played PSU at home in AA. You reference SCUM played in Happy Valley. A big difference in your write up.
Although it's interesting to speculate, forget about the "necessary" margin of victory against Penn State. A dangerous distraction.
Stating the obvious, stay focused on preparing to win the game, the coaches devise a great game plan, the players execute it, and effective in-game adjustments are made as necessary.
Go Bucks! Beat the Nittany Lions!
The next game is always the most important game of the season.
Comparing osu and ttun used to be about the outcome but now it’s about play style. OSU can annihilate an opponent but if ttun wins less convincingly while running more somehow that’s seen as being better. I think we forget that teams are supposed to play to their strengths while the opponent is hoping to make them do something they don’t want to do. OSU is a passing team that can run. ttun is a running team that hasn’t shown they can pass it very well. If they make us one dimensional it will make things a little clunky but those wide receivers won’t be contained an entire game. You can count on that. If we make ttun a passing team I don’t think anyone believes they’ll just pass themselves to a victory. The onus is on the OSU defense to shut their running game down and nothing I’ve seen from Knowles makes me think he won’t do just that.
Ohio State has ran the ball 248 times and passed the ball 208 times. Fairly even split.
I hope Michigan never wins another game.
I think that Michigan could be heading into a trap game the week before THE GAME, Vs Illinois because the Illini have improved greatly and are physical and have learned to win ugly. That Game is at Illinois they have the best RB in the Big Ten this year.
The game is in Ann Arbor.
Schichata
My observation is our Running Backs are not close to 100%. The best a lineman can do is maintain contact for 2-3 seconds with the defensive linemen. Oline needs to drive block at times not just push and seal. Backs need to hit the holes quicker. I think it is time to unleash some CHIP.
Don't sleep on Dallan. He's going to be really good.
The only time the running game concerns become a concern is when the opposing defense uses 9 of it's allotted 11 defenders to focus on one thing, and one thing only, stopping the run... And on the flip side the passing game can't seem to get going.
That was the concern with the first half against Iowa... The running game wasn't doing anything and Stroud and his pass-catchers couldn't pick up the slack... That's what the team needs to look at and fix.
The Excellence of Execution, the Best there is, the Best there was, the Best there ever will be!
We have a much better chance to make Michigan abandon their preferred style than they do. Must play a crisp first quarter and win field possession penalties and keep the crowd alive. Getting ahead early will be a huge confidence boost.
JDK
Way too much overthinking.
OSUAlumInAZ
Michigan's D will not have been tested to the degree that it will be tested by the Bucks. Nothing even close.
Schichata
We’ll hold them to field goals and then our receiver talent will take over. We’ll be up 13 and hold them to a fg and on our possession it’s Marv schooling the db for a td to add to the lead.
Banks of olentangy
After the Clemson loss in 2020, Coach Day and the Buckeyes had 367 days to get ready for a rematch. They got that chance and put a convincing 60-minute beatdown on Dabo and his team.
After the ttun loss in 2021, Coach Day and the Buckeyes have 364 days to get ready for a rematch. Has anybody seen ANYTHING that doesn't appear aimed at getting ready to win that game? Coaches, players, schemes, etc, etc.
We have to trust. They want it WAY worse than somebody typing on a blog - myself included in that.
Michael
The mind numbing delusional, logic pretzel twisting the wolverine fans were dropping on social media outlets to poo poo our win of Iowa, was nowhere near as impressive as their victory has been astounding! Equally annoying are the moronic Vols fans who now feel entitled to enshrine themselves kings of college football and weigh in on anything and everything college football to declare their team superior in all ways!
It has been an interesting year to say the least!
The best thing about Pastafarianism? It is not only acceptable, but advisable, to be heavily sauced
The Vols seem to forget they gave up 49 points to Alabama lol
Michigan fans seem to forget that the stars lined up perfectly last year, with OSU bad Defense and a very young defense along with reported illness and they could run the ball. They actually copied Oregon's plays.
OSU better get A LOT better at running the football against stout defenses like TTUN. Or it could be a long day in late November (again) if what Stlbuckeye15 mentioned above comes to fruition.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
Woody Hayes
Most of the runs that Michigan and Oregon had success with were either Jet Sweeps, Off Tackle Counters or something out side, I do not see anyone out flanking a Jim Knowles defense, one of the 1st things that I noticed about his defense in spring ball was the discipline on the contain which last year we never had. I look for Coach Knowles to run blitz the pants off them and make McCarthy throw the ball. I expect to see a dominant defense on the OSU side this year. Folks Michigan still recruits 2 or 3 4 star athletes every year and the rest 3 star Ohio State is 5 stars and 4 stars across the board. Way too talented to lose to Michigan!