Bill Connelly breaks down why this game isn't a walk for Michigan
People have been talking on this board like OSU is a 7-5 team that will only beat Michigan if Michigan spectacularly fails. The reality is OSU is a top 10 team to S&P including a top 5 offense and despite their big play problems are still a top 40 defense. If our big plays aren't turning into TD's and instead turn into field goals we are losing this game. This game is a 55-60% lean, it is by no means one over matched team just hoping to keep it close like Michigan was trying last year. This is going to be a tough game that is going to need Michigan to play its best game of the year to win.
https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2018/11/19/18101061/ohio-stat…
November 19th, 2018 at 3:00 PM ^
Somebody thought a rivalry game was gonna be easy?
November 19th, 2018 at 3:13 PM ^
No, but OP wanted to make a fluff post, so OP gonna say what he wants. (Original poster).
November 19th, 2018 at 3:35 PM ^
But are you down with OPP?
November 19th, 2018 at 3:37 PM ^
Yeah, you know me!
November 19th, 2018 at 3:38 PM ^
No, you don't know me...
November 19th, 2018 at 4:26 PM ^
Not down with OPP, pulled over by the OPP*.
He wasn't buying the line that I misunderstood that the 110 posted speed limit was KPH and not MPH...
*Ontario Provincial Police
November 19th, 2018 at 5:18 PM ^
Was one for over 30 years. It kind if became a theme song.
November 19th, 2018 at 4:02 PM ^
ak47 is a sparty troll
November 19th, 2018 at 4:38 PM ^
hey did you see where they lost to nebraska this weekend???
that was hilarious
November 19th, 2018 at 6:01 PM ^
Wait, they lost? How was their offensive output?
November 19th, 2018 at 6:06 PM ^
Hilariously similar to their anal output.
November 20th, 2018 at 8:49 AM ^
*input
November 19th, 2018 at 8:39 PM ^
Their output was offensive.
When asked about his offense's execution, DarkMantonio was quoted as saying "I'm in favor of it."
Follow up questions regarding which definition of execution -- did he want them TO execute, or did he want them executED -- were met with No Comment.
November 19th, 2018 at 7:24 PM ^
2003 was supposed to be a cake walk too. Didn’t turn out that way. Silly to think it will be a blow out in any way, shape or form.
November 19th, 2018 at 7:46 PM ^
Exactly. As if going to Columbus and winning is second nature. We haven't won there since the turn of the century. So, the contention of an easy win belies optimism based on the law of averages. Beat their ass. We have a better team. And that's the feeling of the fan base, and that's where confidence lies.
November 20th, 2018 at 9:52 AM ^
Beat they ass on 3!
November 19th, 2018 at 3:01 PM ^
Does or did anyone think this was going to be a walk?
Ohio State has more talent than anyone in the conference. Its at their place. They still have everything to play for. Its going to be a close game.
Despite that, Michigan should still win as they are the better overall team.
November 19th, 2018 at 3:06 PM ^
Just reading the way people are talking about this game it feels like people think OSU is a fringe top 25 team at best that should have 3 or 4 losses. The reality is they are a top 10 team with a legitimately elite offense. It would barely register as an upset in reality and people are talking on here like only bad juju and history can stop this team and not that OSU is actually pretty good.
November 19th, 2018 at 3:16 PM ^
Well, they SHOULD have 3-4 losses. Purdue hammered them, PSU got Franklin'd and Maryland imploded this past weekend. That's three losses. The MSU game was close until the official Sparty No! was issued.
All of the being said, there's absolutely no reason to be over-confident going into the game this weekend. It's fairly apparent that Michigan has the better (or at least more consistent) team at this point. However, turnovers, bad calls, trick plays, bad weather, blown coverages, missed assignments....could all come into play this game.
November 20th, 2018 at 12:20 AM ^
Referees . . .
November 19th, 2018 at 4:05 PM ^
Just because you feel something doesn't make it true. No one ever said this would be easy.
Go back to the RCMB, sparty troll.
November 19th, 2018 at 4:08 PM ^
And just because someone posts something you disagree with doesn't make them a troll you whiney bitch.
November 19th, 2018 at 4:27 PM ^
We found ak47's other account
November 19th, 2018 at 4:45 PM ^
what a foolish post. stop it. you and OP.
November 19th, 2018 at 5:24 PM ^
Lol I see your agreement with LSA'a advice to take the high road in the Hello Jalen Perry thread is going well.
November 19th, 2018 at 4:06 PM ^
literally nobody thinks osu is a fringe top-25 team, or that this will be an easy game. nobody.
November 19th, 2018 at 4:25 PM ^
You're either terrible at establishing the average opinion or you're being a troll (probably the latter), because that's not how most people are discussing the game.
November 19th, 2018 at 4:29 PM ^
Hes a troll. Has been since day 1.
November 19th, 2018 at 3:21 PM ^
I agree with every bit of your post. They have an insane amount of talent on their roster. I wouldn't feel comfortable betting against them.
November 19th, 2018 at 3:56 PM ^
actually per 247 team composite, they r the most talented team in the country
November 19th, 2018 at 4:09 PM ^
I think Bill Connelly is exactly right. The two big weaknesses of Michigan are (1) its inability to win on obvious rushing plays against good defenses; and (2) its vulnerability to the quick, short passing game. Ohio State's defense is bad against explosive offenses and its offense is great at the quick short passing game.
November 19th, 2018 at 4:24 PM ^
Bill C. is exactly right...kind of a lot
November 19th, 2018 at 4:30 PM ^
Only one of those is likely to be an issue. The running game will be fine in all probability. It has only struggled in recent games when the defense knows Shea will not keep the ball on read option plays. I'm guessing Shea will have the freedom to keep the ball or hand off this weekend.
November 19th, 2018 at 5:29 PM ^
After a few of the zone read keepers by Shea pulling the safeties into the box, look for a shot to Gentry up the middle for the TD!
November 20th, 2018 at 12:00 AM ^
Bluegoinggrey is spot on. They hammered Wisconsin and PSU when they had to account for Shea. The score didn't show it as much verse MSU, but they wore them down too, largely because they had to account for the QB pulling on read option.
Verse Rutgers and Indiana, they knew Michigan was going to still be run heavy but not really use the qb. That will not be the case this week. Osy will get worn down. They will also be hit with several RPO, which will be used as the third option with the read option game. Which is also something they stopped running as much verse the two recent weaker opponents.
November 19th, 2018 at 8:51 PM ^
We may give up chunks of yards in the middle of the field against Ohio's short passing game, but I expect that will break down in the red zone and they'll be kicking field goals. Our D is going to be lights out.
November 19th, 2018 at 5:45 PM ^
I do have friends that with each week OSU struggles talk about how bad they are and how we're going to (or should) crush them. etc. Not sure I've seen that posted here, but I have friends that think that.
November 19th, 2018 at 10:05 PM ^
I live in Ohio and all the annoying fans that have acted like everything OSU is gold are the same ones who have completely given up on this team and say we are going to beat them. They are also saying that Urban will probably leave after this year and they are fine with that. What a freaking spoiled fan base. I want to beat them so bad on Saturday by I just can’t shake the BPONE.
November 19th, 2018 at 3:03 PM ^
Clickable link here:
November 19th, 2018 at 3:03 PM ^
A walk? Rutgers is "a walk" -- this is just thinking we can and should actually beat OSU in Columbus because we are objectively the better football team.
November 19th, 2018 at 3:04 PM ^
What a newsflash!!!
November 19th, 2018 at 3:04 PM ^
I want to meet the guy who looks at a game between two teams where one team hasnt won on the road since Christ was a kid and says "this will be easy".
Cause I'm just SURE I've got some real estate that moron needs to buy.
November 19th, 2018 at 3:12 PM ^
Uh, you spelled it wrong. It's "Moran".
November 19th, 2018 at 3:16 PM ^
LOL. For real. I don't think I've been this nervous for a game in a LONG time.
My head says that Michigan should win, as we appear to be the more complete team on paper.
My heart, however, remains a bruised, battered, and horrendously scarred shadow of its former self after seeing us fall short again, and again, and again in this game.
I want to believe but I'm afraid....someone lead me to the light!
November 19th, 2018 at 3:19 PM ^
On the other hand, we're due to shut out an opponent. Might as well be osu.
November 19th, 2018 at 6:37 PM ^
If we throw up a 38-0 Asswhupping, I don't know if I'll be able to live. I may drink myself to death out of happiness. I don't know, I'm scared shitless, but I think we could win.
November 19th, 2018 at 6:54 PM ^
I’ll join you in feeling the exact same way. I was positively confident (I’m not typically when Michigan has a big game) in 2015 and we got hammered. Again last year and ... so I’m hopeful but not st all confident. We’ve seen what happens against OSU too many times - big plays, turnovers, refereeing, etc.
November 19th, 2018 at 11:22 PM ^
I’m 100% in your boat. Can’t help but feel that way.
November 19th, 2018 at 3:05 PM ^
Water is wet
November 19th, 2018 at 3:05 PM ^
Here's a quicker analysis:
"It's Michigan versus Ohio State. Going to be a nasty and bloody war, with (as Keith Jackson once said) the "big uglies buttin heads". Strap in!"
Go Blue!!!