Begging for an end to historically bad run of turnover margin.

Submitted by mistersuits on November 24th, 2022 at 9:50 PM
  • Since Lloyd Carr retired Michigan is cumulatively -17 in turnover margin vs OSU.
  • As far as I can tell it is the longest active streak between any two P5 teams in the country dating back to 2013 (Michigan +1).
    • I've looked at every other "elite" program: Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Clemson, Oklahoma, etc. and none of them have turnover margin win-streaks vs *ANY* of their annual opponents as long as OSU's vs UM. I'm talking Bama-Vandy, Georgia-Kentucky, Oregon-Cal, Clemson-NCState.
  • No it's not because OSU good UM bad, because literally every other B1G team (both divisions!!!) has won the turnover battle vs OSU more recently than Michigan, including Rutgers.
  • Every flippin' yakkety sax snap OSU makes miraculously bounces directly back into the arms of the QB/RB.

To win in Columbus this year someone has to put an end to this ridiculous voodoo. For the love of all things maize and blue, regress to the damn mean already.

Blue@LSU

November 24th, 2022 at 10:01 PM ^

Just looked at my point total and I think good luck is coming our way. Had to neg myself after posting this to make sure that it stays the same. 

That can't be a coincidence, can it?

Edit: Damn, negging myself drops me down two points. Can someone please neg me to get it back?

Edit 2: Thanks, all. Now I'm going radio silent until after the game. See you all on the other side.

Edit #3: Thanks Rob and XM for staying vigilant! Looks like some ne'er-do-wells (Scarlatina) were trying to mess with the mojo.

StateStreetApostle

November 25th, 2022 at 8:27 AM ^

it's stances like yours that are growing awareness, that Michigan beat OSU 42-27.

...

HOWEVA

...

We need to speak clearly, as I have found that, while awareness grows, the vagaries of English homophones are what they are, and some people are under the impression that Michigan beat OSU forty to twenty seven.  

But...it's two higher.

will

November 24th, 2022 at 10:19 PM ^

Tomorrow? It's still Thursday right?

While turnovers haven't gone our way - we had more than our share of breaks last year - olave didn't drop many open TD passes last year, or in the NFL this year. 

I'll take a lucky break or 19, but we need to rely on skill on Saturday if we want to win in Columbus.

A2Townie

November 24th, 2022 at 10:20 PM ^

Excellent post. That's a huge part of the lopsided past couple decades. A couple turnovers here and there and we easily have 3 more wins. 

I'm still haunted by Metellius dropped INT.

DennisFranklinDaMan

November 24th, 2022 at 10:39 PM ^

I'm not sure what you mean by "active streak." Are you saying we haven't won the turnover battle in one game since 2013? Or are you saying that the last 17 turnovers have ALL gone for Ohio State? That can't be right, can it? SEVENTEEN turnovers in a row?!?

Both would be amazing. And you should make sure -- I don't think I'm kidding -- that the broadcasters have that information. I'd love to hear some acknowledgment of the history of bad luck we've had in this game the past decade.

 

jmblue

November 24th, 2022 at 11:00 PM ^

So we have lost the turnover battle every time in the Game since 2014?  Ugh.

2016 is definitely a win without those three TOs. 

2017 quite possibly too, if Metellus holds on to the pick or O'Korn doesn't airmail one to the OSU defense.

mbrummer2

November 24th, 2022 at 11:18 PM ^

No. its quite amazing.

However,  we don't seem to create many turnovers, almost as a program.  We would rather wrap up and tackle then try to strip the ball and bleed yards on a tackle.

I have no idea why we don't have a bunch of picks since Brown left.  Don Brown's man to man- it's hard to get a bunch of picks.

Only 11 turnovers forced for the whole year.  And 6 given.  

I'm always amazed in these marginal games, Maryland Indiana etc never has a consequential turnover.

Then vs OSU these teams are coughing up the ball like it's a hairball

Eng1980

November 25th, 2022 at 7:19 AM ^

Regarding Don Brown - Writes up about DB's defenses before he came to Michigan mentioned a lot of traps, none of which were observable by me after he came to Michigan.  I still don't understand the change.  I still think one of the reasons Mattison left was that he had a much different view than DB.

DennisFranklinDaMan

November 25th, 2022 at 11:11 AM ^

Don Brown get a lot of hate here, which I don't quite understand. His defenses were awesome, and generally successful. What I never understood, though, is his ... apparent failure to recognize the way Ohio State's talent exceeded everyone else's -- and ours -- and game plan for it. Even worse, I will never understand his (or Harbaugh's) failure to adapt in game to OSU. 

Those fucking crossing patterns. Sure, if we drop a linebacker we probably start giving up other big plays. But at least force them to change their plans. What was Brown doing, just shrugging?!?!

Don

November 25th, 2022 at 4:14 AM ^

The hit on Braxton Miller by Frank Clark in 2012 that somehow miraculously didn’t dislodge the ball was an indication there was some serious juju the football gods were casting to help the Buckeyes.

flashOverride

November 25th, 2022 at 7:54 AM ^

I was curious as to whether the problem went back further, to the start of Carr vs Tressel. The first three losses to him were what I expected, -8 turnover margin (the teams were even in Michigan's win in 2003), but wow, I forgot Michigan was +3 in both 2005 and 2006 and managed to fritter those away. Man, those were such rough losses, 2006 obviously because of the stakes, but also 2005 because of the total 4Q collapse. I was at that one.

Fishbulb

November 25th, 2022 at 8:18 AM ^

RichRod ain’t walking through that door, and Hoke ain’t apologizing for that door. Those teams have nothing to do with the current team. That said, OSU was much better those years, which is reflected in all the stats.