The next 3 games leading up to The Game

Submitted by TK on October 28th, 2019 at 3:29 PM

So for the coaches and players it’s all about one game at a time, but I wanted to have a quick discussion about the teams we face before OSU.

Maryland: This team appears to have fallen apart after a promising start. Road games always concern me, and we saw what Illinois did to Wisconsin in the Badgers “trap game”. Still the game left that should be the least concerning. 

MSU: I admit that Dantini’s voodoo still creeps into my mind a little. MSU’s issues are the same as they had last year. A weak OL and lack of playmakers. Their D is solid, but not elite. Issue for us is that the way to punish them is through the air, and our passing game hasn’t really clicked yet. They might be a little healthier on the OL as well when they play us. Lot of talk that this could be Mork’s last year and if his team knows that they will likely play as inspired as they can possibly be. It’s a game we should win but I hope we use the bye week better than we did in 2017 when we came out flat and got down early.

IU: Is this team actually good this year or is it another pesky Hoosier team that’s just punching above their weight class right now? They always play us tough and it’s on the road, but their stadium isn’t a huge home field advantage usually. SP ratings have them at #23, above Notre Dame. Maybe sometime can calm down my fear that ranking is horribly inflated?

 

Maize N' Ute

October 28th, 2019 at 3:33 PM ^

The most important thing, other than winning these three games, is building off that ND beat down.  I would be extremely disappointed if Michigan comes out flat next week and struggles, especially on offense.  Let's see the boys continuing to grow offensively and show that they've actually "hit their stride".  If they do this, then OSU looks less of a 3 TD loss.

Joined: 02/01/2018

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wolve1972

October 30th, 2019 at 3:33 PM ^

I agree with you about OSU being far better this year than those 90 teams BUT not that 1969 team that we upset 24-12, That 1969 team was being considered as unbeatable and just steamrolled everybody til that November day in 1969. It's considered by almost everyone to be one of the top 10 or so upsets of all time. My point: NO ONE is unbeatable including the 2019 Buckeyes.

Joined: 12/07/2018

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wolve1972

October 30th, 2019 at 3:33 PM ^

I agree with you about OSU being far better this year than those 90 teams BUT not that 1969 team that we upset 24-12, That 1969 team was being considered as unbeatable and just steamrolled everybody til that November day in 1969. It's considered by almost everyone to be one of the top 10 or so upsets of all time. My point: NO ONE is unbeatable including the 2019 Buckeyes.

Joined: 12/07/2018

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Red Sammy

October 28th, 2019 at 3:35 PM ^

For the Indiana game, I hope Ramsey is their QB, not Penix.  I'm not confident in Don Brown's ability to keep Penix from hitting us deep, or busting some runs.

Joined: 01/07/2011

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Durham Blue

October 28th, 2019 at 4:17 PM ^

Problem is, Penix is pretty big.  If IU shocks us with Penix Ramsey action they may do some damage.  Then again, Michigan is skilled enough to absorb whatever IU tries to ram at us.

EDIT: joking aside, based on history, IU is the only game of the three that worries me.  But, it looks like we are doing a much better job defensively this season to shut down their dink and dunk passing attack.

Joined: 10/09/2008

MGoPoints: 30060

mgobaran

October 28th, 2019 at 3:43 PM ^

I don't see how anyone thinks THIS Michigan team can overlook any team on their way to the OSU game. Regardless of what they have accomplished in the past 1.5 weeks, we should all still be fearful of that MSU game, at the very least. Indiana will be close as it always is, and this is the Michigan team capable of actually losing to them. 

Joined: 09/12/2012

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GBBlue

October 28th, 2019 at 4:11 PM ^

I have a different take. Winning the next three games will mean nothing if we lose to OSU. So beginning now, every practice and every game should yield something of value for the OSU game, whether it's installing plays, developing players, containing mobile quarterbacks, whatever. It's all about Ohio State now.

Joined: 06/13/2013

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Couzen Rick's

October 28th, 2019 at 5:48 PM ^

I agree, bar none, the rest of practices should be devoted to beating OSU.

They have the Jimmys and Joes to out-talent MD and MSU. MSU will be a dog fight, so I wouldn't look into that game beyond the final score.

Indiana though, their scheme (similar to Ohio State's) matches up well against us. If we struggle against them, we will get destroyed by OSU. If we're going to have a fighting chance against OSU, we should be able to blow out Indiana, as that's essentially a poor man's Ohio State.

Joined: 12/22/2014

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tigerd

October 28th, 2019 at 8:01 PM ^

I believe this team is already working on some of their shortcomings that hurt them against OSU last year. Not sure which of the players said it but when interviewed afer ND they talked about the defense focusing on areas where the other team has taken advantage of them. It was clear that they appear to now be open to playing some zone when they anticipate one of those crossing pattern plays that hurt them so bad last year. Also against ND there were times that McGrone was clearly spying Book which he will probably have to do plenty against OSU. That is when he's not knocking him on his back on the blitz.

Joined: 11/12/2016

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LickReach

October 29th, 2019 at 9:34 AM ^

I do not think this team is going to overlook anything given their path to 6-2 this season.  If they can keep playing inspired ball and installing more into the offense we *should* take care of business.  As to MSU, Mork should step down now instead of resigning in disgrace (the latter seems to be more popular in E. Lansing for some reason).  Based on the scuttlebutt here (in other words no factual basis at all) it would seem like the players may still not play inspired for him but rather just the rivalry (if that makes sense).  We will see their "stars" come out with a furious effort but unless a lot goes their way I am not seeing it happen.  I hope for a "Big Noon" game since the weather could be milder and fans will be inspired anyway.  

A larger concern heading into "The Game" is injuries.  I see Willekes chop blocking, Mike Hart foaming at the mouth, and honestly all three of the opponents before Nov. 30 hacking at us.  Here's to hoping Haskins doesn't leap over players, Shea gets out of bounds quickly, and no lineman from one of these inferior squads does a swan dive on Uche or Kemp.  Seriously.

Joined: 09/26/2015

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tspoon

October 28th, 2019 at 6:40 PM ^

Thankfully their two best players last year (Wilikes and Bachie (sp?)) seem meaningfully less good so far this year.  In '18 they both made a number of plays that were critical to the overall defensive effort.  Without those two performing at a high level, you get the pretty 'meh' D that we've seen out of them against real competition in October.

Skipping the draft was a very costly decision for each of them.

 

Joined: 07/30/2008

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Eng1980

October 28th, 2019 at 9:50 PM ^

I think both are still pretty good but you can work around them as they don't get much help.   They looked pretty good against OSU but ran out of gas at the end as the offense gave them little help.

That said, it could get ugly quickly if Michigan doesn't turn the ball over.

Joined: 04/28/2016

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Maize and Blue AF

October 28th, 2019 at 11:54 PM ^

It looks like those two are being asked to do more this year.  Bachie, especially, is playing more coverage than last year.  The whole team, to include the coach, just seems deflated.  I mean, Dantanini usually looks constipated, but now he looks like he's been constipated for so long that he's given up on any hope of relief...

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