Could OSU really beat Georgia?
Lots of hand-wringing after the USC flop. But I'm not seeing any path for them to go to Atlanta and beat UGA, short of a complete meltdown by the Bulldogs. OSU is soft, physically and mentally when you're not playing a video game with your team completely overpowered. UGA is hard as a rock. It's profound self-doubt against no doubt. I think it would look a lot like the Tennessee game, maybe worse without a mobile QB for OSU. UM sent the USA a blueprint for how to defend this 1-dimensional OSU version. In reality, this might be a great thing if UGA sits on OSU like UM did. It will show the world that OSU just isn't that elite level in their program, and they'll be even more self-doubt down in the cooler-pooping flatlands.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:10 PM ^
Yes, that’s why you play the game.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:17 PM ^
Exactly. Projections are worth diddly squat once toe meets leather.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:30 PM ^
Yes. No game is certain until it's over.
December 3rd, 2022 at 2:30 PM ^
My top preference is just about Michigan getting the optimal matchup. I presume this to be TCU; rather confident on this.
After that, things get comparatively sanguine. I want things like OSU out, Georgia eliminated, and deeper intel on OSU and Georgia's weaknesses.
If OSU is in (seems inevitable now, sparing an about-face by the committee on the fairness of 4th place being eliminated by a 13th game while 5th place sits at home), I remain cool with the consolations:
Either Georgia gets eliminated (sweet & helpful!) or Georgia wins and our growing library of intel on OSU's tendencies and weaknesses (when facing a team built like ours) becomes immediately deeper/richer.
Granted, USC losing and "this" wasn't my pre-weekend dream, but that alone is far from enough to ruin my outlook. Plausible positives abound!
December 3rd, 2022 at 1:49 PM ^
Sounds like what Purdue is saying.
December 3rd, 2022 at 1:50 PM ^
Yep. Think about a best of 7 series. One team can be much better than the other but that doesn't mean it's always a 4-0 sweep. Georgia may be 2 to 1 better than OSU (ie, would win 4-2 in a best of 7) but one of the two times that OSU would win in a best of 7 is the actual occurrence in a best of 1 "series".
Remember that bullshit punt fumble game against MSU some years ago? No one can convince me otherwise that in a best of 7, we would not win the series 4-1 against that MSU team. We were the better team in that matchup. The 1 time that MSU would win in the series was the actual occurrence in the real world.
Anyone thinking that it's impossible just hasn't watched enough sports.
December 3rd, 2022 at 2:19 PM ^
It’s impossible, which is why it doesn’t matter if OSU whines it’s way into the playoff
December 3rd, 2022 at 2:31 PM ^
Of course. That’s why you play the game, but it is now a disadvantage to play in your conference championship game. Just ask USC, and TCU.
That’s bullshit. The final 4 will be Georgia, UM, OSU & Bama and I think that’s bullshit - the Bama OSU part
December 3rd, 2022 at 5:12 PM ^
We wouldn't have gone 4-1 against them. They had a significantly better team, and that would have been one of the biggest upsets we pulled off in quite some time.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:28 AM ^
No way you’re talking about that 2015 team
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:11 PM ^
They could, but we all know Ryan Day chokes on the biggest stage. Would love to see them again with all the chips on the table!
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:12 PM ^
Hard disagree. Would not love to see them at all. I hope they lose 45-10.
December 3rd, 2022 at 1:24 PM ^
My brain won't let me root for OSU once the game starts but I think there are a couple reasons it would be a good thing if OSU beat UGA. First, we wouldn't have to play UGA. Not saying they can't be beat but I like our chances better vs OSU. Second, can you imagine the hype of Michigan vs OSU for the natty!!! OMG it would be off the chart.
And just imagine the fun of beating them again to lift the trophy! I'm slightly aroused.
December 3rd, 2022 at 1:41 PM ^
17 million watch THE GAME. How many would watch this one?
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:15 PM ^
Fuck OSU. Hope they get left out and Bama is in or USC is in. If they get in, hope Georgia fucks them up.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:17 PM ^
Fuck OSU. Hope they get left out
Yes
and Bama is in
Hell no
or USC is in.
Yes
If they get in, hope Georgia fucks them up.
Yes
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:18 PM ^
Yeah hard to see any legitimate argument to put Bama over USC or OSU.
December 3rd, 2022 at 1:26 PM ^
Unfortunately, that’s the flaw that in your thinking. The committee is not looking for “reasonable arguments”. They are looking for “reasons to put Alabama in”.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:47 PM ^
No thanks. I want OSU to lose.
December 3rd, 2022 at 2:00 PM ^
Good thought Pete, plus they would end the season with 2 straight losses. Something else for them to chew on until next fall.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:11 PM ^
They could. But they won't.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:14 PM ^
We will beat their ass if we see them again and if Georgia did not. Ryan Day said this morning that they will be aggressive on D. That is their mantra and they are not going to change. He thought UM was held in check in first half. We will beat their ass but Georgia can really take it to them. We have no idea what CFB playoff committee is going to do regardless.of what ESPN and others are saying.
December 3rd, 2022 at 1:13 PM ^
OSU plays like Betty White before eating a Snickers.
December 4th, 2022 at 7:00 AM ^
Dude, you’re playing like an Ohio State defender.
December 3rd, 2022 at 1:43 PM ^
Could you imagine if they make no adjustments and we just carry on the second half into a full game?
December 3rd, 2022 at 2:23 PM ^
They tried both ways in the game we already played, we don’t play USC/OKSt/Big12 football. Aggressive = bombs away + 75 yd + runs. 2 deep = choke them out with 8 min scoring drives after their 3 and outs.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:14 PM ^
Yes they could. They’re about equal in composite talent. They have a better qb. There running backs will have a month to heal and JSN could possibly return to play along side Harrison Jr.
I want nothing to do with OSU in the playoff. Those of us who aren’t insane wanted OSU in the Orange Bowl with a bunch of players sitting out.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:18 PM ^
They have a better QB when he has a clean pocket and he is not pushed out of the pocket. See what happened to Caleb yesterday. Defense makes a difference at this stage of the year.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:19 PM ^
I absolutely do not want to see them again. Their mistakes are easily fixable
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:37 PM ^
I couldn't disagree more about their mistakes being easily fixable.
December 3rd, 2022 at 1:26 PM ^
I'm not sure that's accurate.
OSU played M the way they did because the two drives they tried to play normal football they got mashed, just like everyone else. GA is basically M, but like, better.
On offense they've struggled on the ground all season and for two years now Stroud has consistently struggled when things don't go smoothly.
These exact same players played M back to back and still couldn't figure out that mental-fortitude aspect of championship football.
Two years, same issues, worse at running.
If it were "easily fixable" wouldn't they have, ya know, fixed it?
IDK, I don't think you're fixing all that in a month.
December 3rd, 2022 at 1:56 PM ^
So you're saying UM won't beat UGA?
December 3rd, 2022 at 2:07 PM ^
No, I'm not saying anything like that.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:35 PM ^
LOL, healing a couple backs will suddenly give a team that can't run block or stop the run a running game? And I'd take Stetson Bennet (who is a leader, has won a Championship, carved up UM last year, and can run the ball) over Stroud any day on a college field.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:43 PM ^
Don't want to see OSU again. I think UGA O-line, D-line, and TE's will beat them down, but anything can happen.
UGA is essentially more talented UM, so it's essentially the worst matchup possible for soft OSU.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:49 PM ^
I agree with everything you said here. I think Georgia’s Oline, Dline, and tightends are better. But I’d rather OSU have a 0% chance by being left out of the playoffs rather than whatever percentage they’d have being in.
I know Utah beat USC twice but I don’t want Michigan to have to beat OSU again. That’s a nightmare situation.
December 3rd, 2022 at 1:25 PM ^
They was getting like 5 to 6 yards per carry in the game. They had 150 rushing in the first half. Take away the 2 carries for 160, we couldn't run on them. No I don't want to play them again. Did yall see Urban grinning and hugging the Utah coach during the post-game show last Night? We shouldn't want to see them again. Whether take my chances with Georgia.
December 3rd, 2022 at 1:31 PM ^
This narrative is garbage. Correct, we can't run on them when they put 9 in the box. Once they back their safeties off, even before the DE long runs, we put up 100 on them in the half. They can't stop us with less than 8 in the box.
We had 4 up front the entire game. Once we added a 5th, their run game was shut down. Their biggest problem...their QB won't run. Ours will. Hence the numbers go in our favor, even if we just discount the fact that our O-line and D-line are tangibly better.
If JSN is back, it's a problem, because now the numbers change and we can't just double Marvin Harrison Jr.
December 3rd, 2022 at 1:40 PM ^
They rushed for 143 total yards. They basically had zero rushing yards in the second half.
Why would you take away the two carries? Do you not understand that those big carries were EXACTLY a byproduct of why Michigan struggled with running the other times?
The narrative in your head about this game seems, wrong.
Michigan didn't get lucky and hit a few explosive plays. OSU sold out everything they had to stop Michigan on every single play, they basically played "risk it all" on every single down.
Michigan took exactly what OSU gave them* and the two drives that OSU tried to revert to a normal defense Michigan proceeded to clobber them. Which is exactly what winning teams do.
Just like many other games over the year the opponent threw everything they had at Michigan and Michigan weathered the storm then proceeded to smash them into a paste. That's what good teams do.
*A better pass to bell results in a TD on the first drive and mullings couldve hit that for a TD too, also because of the defense.
December 3rd, 2022 at 2:27 PM ^
I remember when I watched my first football game too. The difference is I actually understood what I was watching.
December 3rd, 2022 at 4:41 PM ^
UM wasn't setting up to challenge the run. They allowed some OSU success in the run in order to hold the passing game in check, knowing OSU could never sustain it. And...........UM was correct. Games aren't played for statisticians.
December 3rd, 2022 at 1:50 PM ^
Absolutely this right here. It makes no sense to play them again with the level of attention The Game has generated. I honestly don't think it ends well for our Wolverines if we matchup again, in a playoff scenario. I don't want to see that shit. I did NOT want osu in.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:14 PM ^
I'm not seeing that team beating UGa, given that Michigan plays a lot like UGa.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:15 PM ^
Georgia barely beat Kentucky, they are not the team they were last year.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:19 PM ^
UM escaped Illinois. They still went on to beat them. Georgia also destroyed good teams.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:29 PM ^
Also they were leading GT by 3 at halftime. There are some kinks in the Georgia offense.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:31 PM ^
There is a difference between playing in conference week to week and having a month to prepare for one opponent.
December 3rd, 2022 at 2:04 PM ^
+1 Underrated comment.
This and get healthy as well.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:32 PM ^
Georgia had close games and OSU was tied or trailing in the 4th quarter against NW, PSU and MD, all in the last 6 weeks. This matters diddly-squat. Georgia knows how to win playoff games and championships. It's a home game for them. They are built just like UM, except with more composite talent, because they built their team to stop exactly the kind of offense OSU runs.
December 3rd, 2022 at 12:15 PM ^
Missouri had Georgia on the ropes. That's all you need to know.