Michigan vs. OSU
Northwestern is next week,and the team this year is definatly not good enough on either side of the ball to over look any team. A few years ago we might of been able to get away with it but not now. But as a fan, not a player I can over look any game I want, and I'm going to have to say I am just as excited to watch this years game as I ever was. It is, for sure, the last game of the season and, in my humble opinion it will be a good match up. Ok, I might be a bit of a homer but hey. If michigan can play against OSU like they did against MIN then they have a shot, not a huge one but a shot. The seniors on defense have something to really play for in Columbus. They have never beaten OSU (that statement is getting really old). They are a talented group of athletes, whether they play like it or not that is yet to be seen, but if they want to, I believe that they can carry this team to a win. It all sits on the lines ability to get penitration into the osu back feild. If they can hold Bennie Wells to the same type of day that they held PJ Hill to, that should be considered a great victory. It will be even more emotional game this year than it has in the past because of all of the story lines. RR first year, Pryor not committing to michigan, and the d line mens last year to beat the sweater vest. I think this game will be closer then the experts will say, if the defense plays with intensity. Not going to predict a win but it, hopefully will be close.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:41 AM ^
I think our D line will show up, for the reasons you stated, and should be able to manhandle OSU's OL. Why their offensive line has underperformed so much this season is beyond me, but they are definitely manageable. Defense should do a good job, agreed.
Unfortunately, as we saw last year the defense can give a stellar performance but if our offense can't get some points up, we have no chance. I'm worried about that. To win, our D will have to go beyond mere stoppage and get some points off of turnovers. With the frosh golden boy throwing the ball, if we can rattle him a bit, I'm thinking some INTs aren't out of the picture
November 13th, 2008 at 10:42 AM ^
i like your optimism but i have never been more comfortable saying we have no chance this year. someone is sure to bring up the brian greise upsets here, but circumstances were certainly different then, when we either had a raging awesome tailback, or a better defense, or both. our team was way better then than now.
i think the score will be close but only because tressel will score 2 or 3 touchdowns and go into super lockdown let's not make turnover mode just like last year. our offense is still not good enough for more than a drive or two against big time defenses (we started well against penn st, but they adjusted pretty well, didnt they?) and so (to all of our supreme annoyance) tressel will beat us something like 17-6 or 20-9 but it really wont be that close.
the game will look just like last year- yes, for totally different reasons, but the outcome will be the same.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:44 AM ^
Mark my words - this team will play well at the start, give us hope, and then dash it in a storm of turnovers and missed tackles.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:02 AM ^
I have convinced myself we are going to lose this one, but there has never been an M v OSU game that I haven't been retardedly hyped up for, and this year is no exception. I will spend the next 2 weeks convincing myself Michigan will lose, only to completely forget all of that at kick-off.
Shoot me if I ever lose that blind faith...but keep saying things like this to make sure I and the rest of the insane masses don't go delusional.
Chitown, you're crazy. I like you, but you're crazy man (what is this you say about a dart in my neck?).
November 13th, 2008 at 4:09 PM ^
Don't get me wrong - I will have convinced myself, by the start of the game, to believe that we can win. Distance, right now, breeds rationality.
November 13th, 2008 at 12:01 PM ^
this is almost certainly the correct view. rodriguez will have a couple of good planned drives, we will take the lead, but as the game goes on osu will take over. the score will be close b/c tressel will eventually put it in lockdown mode, so something like 20-9.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:51 AM ^
Our defense has shown that they can lock down decent teams this year. Whether that's due to the individual players or to different schemes, it doesn't matter - if our D shows up with another performance like those, then it's anybody's game. Also, we definitely have the psychological edge. I like the idea that we're going in there with absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. Fuck it. Let's go balls out and try some crazy shit.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:56 AM ^
but really, what decent team has our team locked down on D. Toledo? Miami ? Minnesota(overrated)? Before the Minnesota game there were a lot of posts about how this is the worst defense Michigan has ever had. I don't think one good game and a scheme change to a 4-2-5 can magically make this D better than it was for the majority of the season.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:53 AM ^
won't be able to tackle Chris Wells or Terrelle Pryor(I hate his goddamn nickname. so fucking stupid.)
November 13th, 2008 at 11:20 AM ^
I live in Ohio because I'm going to school down here and the last few years have just been unbearable. BUT! Hope springs eternal, and just like every year I will sit down to watch that game with hopes for victory.
I have even promised to dance naked in the streets should the Wolverines win.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:57 AM ^
and that always helps a team's chances. It would take OSU being EXTREMELY down that week for whatever reason, whether they don't take M seriously or they all have hangovers from the vast amounts of moonshine they consume the night before while out cow-tipping (as many Ohioans do when they're in a good mood) but regardless, we know Michigan will certainly be up for the game, the question is how each team responds mentally to the current situation.
November 13th, 2008 at 12:11 PM ^
I'm pretty sure that tackling Pryor is going to be Stevie Brown's worst nightmare. I call one sack on him throughout a game of him Vince Young-ing us to death. I have a feeling this one isn't going to be pretty, and in Columbus no less.
November 14th, 2008 at 2:08 AM ^
And you know how we are in Bowl Games.
Maybe we can pretend they're Florida.
November 14th, 2008 at 9:28 PM ^
I just feel mathematically, we can't lose this one! Ok, maybe we can. I was going to mention a few more streaks we haven't broken yet, but I'd rather not go there. Bottom line - I have faith that we'll play a hard, competitive game. Who knows, maybe Michigan will end up on top...crazier things have happened.
I wonder how many of the Michigan faithful will make this trip? Kudos to them, I don't think I'd ever willingly go to Columbus...
November 14th, 2008 at 9:47 PM ^
T.P.-don't let him get around the corners-force him inside. Stuff the middle, "tackle Wells and Force Pryor to pass which puts this game in the hands of our secondary(did I really say that?). Hope for an interception early. I'd also start Sheridan, Minor and Robinson saving McGuffie and Threet for the second half. Odums should return the kick offs and pray he doesn't fumble(this is a gamble I'd take). I'd Blitz up the middle and not the corners. Sheridan will have to throw a few screens early to slow down the OSU rush and hit some quick slants. Minor will have to play and play big.
Yes, Michigan can beat OSU-but there is little room for turnovers and penalties-play tough-play smart. TP likes to scramble which gives his recievers time to get by the secondary-the secondary must stay close-but don't over play the recievers-TP's arm can be suspect and has a tendency to underthrow the ball while scrambling-avoid the interference call by over playing the receiver-when the ball is in the air-play the ball not the player.
November 14th, 2008 at 10:26 PM ^
First things first, Northwestern. The Wolverines will destroy the Wildcats, I mean c'mon, it's Northwestern vs. Michigan and the greatest coach in the history of college football. It will be a tune up for the big game against the Buckeyes, no more, no less.
As for the game against OSU, ya'll might want to just skip it and take in a movie. I know, I know, you can't do that--I understand. But just remember as you are watching the game--there is always next year and by then the Blue and Maize should be a little better than they are now.
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