Michigan - Ohio State Preview

Memories of the "good old days"

What a strange year this has been. Michigan hires their first "outsider" to lead the program in nearly 40 years. He brings a new offensive system, a top-tier strength and conditioning coach, and a top 10 recruiting class into Ann Arbor for the 2008 season.



Nobody expected this team to be world beaters this year. They lost their entire offense to the NFL and their top 4 tacklers on defense. The QB's on staff were either a walk on, a transfer, or a Freshman. None of them had any experience playing football at a Division 1 level. With all that said, we didn't expect 3-9, we thought this team could/should win between 5-7 games. That didn't happen. We expected loses to ND, Penn State, and Ohio State. It was just one of those years where we have to take our medicine and move on.



Saturday won't be any different. Michigan plays Ohio State and it's not even in the top 5 big games of the day, there are much more important games being played in Happy Valley, Utah, and Oklahoma to name a few.



Michigan's #1 QB is out with a separated shoulder and Michigan's walk on QB Nick Sheridan will get the start. Michigan's top running back Brandon Minor will play but missed last weeks loss to Northwestern due to a number of nagging injuries. The weather in C-Bus is going to be cold with a high of 35 degrees for the day. All signs point to a ton of pain for the Wolverines on Saturday.



Even the media this week has been running with a quote from Michigan's head coach Rich Rodriguez about the state of the economy and fans needing to "get a life". It's been running non-stop on ESPN for two days. Let's take a look at exactly what he said during his Monday press conference and see if you believe his quote was taken out of context:



On what he has learned about himself this year?... "I've learned. I think you've got to keep learning. There's probably a lot of fans that think I'm dumber than I was a year ago or two years ago, back when we were winning games. I'd like to think I'm smarter. We showed up on Saturdays. I think you've got to learn a little about personality, about your place. I've learned more about this place. I learned a whole lot more about our team -- which I think is important -- your team, your staff.





"Obviously you've got to learn to have thick skin, I learned that a long time ago with coaches. The last 10 months, even before I started the season, we've learned the effect it can have on your family, and the things that you've got deal with as a coach.





"This is a public position. It's not like a politician. I'm not running for office. I mean, God bless them. They choose to have that public scrutiny. As coaches, we know it's part of the job, but we don't choose to have it. Most of us would rather not.





"The biggest thing that is disappointing is when somebody, not necessarily the media, but when a fan or somebody would make it personal to your coach or to your players, especially to the players, because those guys are amateurs. When they would make a personal comment or say something that's not related to coaching or not related to playing.



"I don't get on message boards. I don't think anybody, any of our players or family should, but it's amazing some of the things that people would say or amazing things people will yell at you of a personal nature. You almost want to tell them get a life. I mean, there's a whole lot bigger problems. You lose a ballgame, and then you look at the economy or after every game I usually get to meet one of our veterans or somebody. To take it personal on a coach or player to me, I don't think it's ever right.



"I'm glad fans have passion, but it's still kind of, I guess, a lot more bolder. You all would know. It's a lot more bolder what people would say and write. Not you all, but bloggers or whatever, than it used to be. We've seen it coming for a few years."

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I think the media should get a life or at least do some damn research before they run with a story 24x7. Do wonder the newspaper industry is in a quick downward spiral.





With that mystery solved let's move on to game preview:

• Ohio State is a top 10 team, Michigan isn't



• Ohio State plays pretty good defense, Michigan does at times



• Both teams are lead by Freshman QB's: One was the #1 recruit in the nation, the other is out with separated shoulder, the Michigan starter is a former walk on



• Ohio State loses to Top 10 teams, Michigan lost to Purdue and Toledo and 6 others



• Ohio State's coach wears a snappy Vest, Michigan's coach doesn't
• Michigan's top offensive lineman hurt his knee in practice this week
  
  
• This game will be played in "chilly" Columbus



• Ohio State is a 20.5 point favorite

In every area, Ohio State is better. Wait, Michigan has a better punter, but how effective can you punt in freezing temperatures? I hate to say this but this game won't be even be close. Sheridan doesn't have the arm strength to keep Michigan's offense balanced. Odoms is experiencing his first winter weather, McGuffie is dealing with the loss of his Grandmother and a concussion, and most of the players on the team will be getting their first taste of playing in the Shoe.

Anyway you add it up, it will be a long day for the Wolverines. At least we have Basketball Season and recruiting for next year! Ohio State 34 Michigan 6

Does anyone have any Advil?

The Preview - The Game

As I watched the HBO special this week, I got a feeling that this game has gotten a bit out of hand in some people's mind. No matter which fan base you sit in, this game has grown to something more then a football game.

It's not a religion or war, it's an athletic contest that will garnish a winner and unfortunately a loser. This game is a gift before Thanksgiving every year and we should recognize that. Respect is lost at times in this rivalry; respect for the players, coaches, and teams. Cheer loudly for your team, but respect them. No mater who wins or loses on Saturday at 3:30pm, shake that persons hand next you and say, "see you next year, good luck in the Rose Bowl and make the Big 10 proud." John Cooper wasn't wrong when he said, "The Michigan Game is just another game", he just wasn't right either. This game is the oldest rivalry in team sports and out dates the Super Bowl and the World Series. Everyone in the country will secretly root for one team or the other on November 17th at high noon. Because you watched this game with your dad and he watched it with his. So bring your pride and your voice to the corner of stadium and main but remember to also bring your respect.

Now on to the game preview:

In this game, you throw everything out the window that has happened all year. The Sweater Vest coaches differently, the players play differently, the crowd is much louder, the pressure is much higher. So where does that leave us? If your going to break down this game you have to look a pure fundamentals, the run game and the passing game. Where does the advantages lie?

Michigan has had trouble stopping the run the last two games. OSU loves to run with The Wells brothers. I expect The Sweater Vest not to spread out the Wolverines as much as he has done in the past. Michigan is expecting that now and seen that formation all year. His advantage is to run the ball right at Michigan for a bunch of long drives and keep the Michigan play makers off the field.

With Michigan's top offensive stars not at 100% this doesn't bode well for the Wolverines. I see OSU scoring often in this game and if Michigan continues it's trouble with run blocking, they could be in for a long afternoon. Michigan's offensive line has played poorly the last few weeks and OSU will bring blitz after blitz to keep Mario from getting deep and trying to knock Chad out of the game.

The Michigan defense will do the same and try to force Boeckman into some bad throws. This will leave huge holes in the defense for Bennie to bust through if The Vest guesses right.

Michigan's only chance in this game is to play through pain and with pride. I know both Henne and Hart will play, but for how long and how effective? If they can play the entire game and play at their best, they have a fighting chance. Trying to predict this game is like trying to guess the lotto numbers. If both of these teams met in a back yard with out fans and with out media, I believe the following would occur: Ohio State 31 Michigan 21

Sing "Hail to the Victors if":

• H and H are ready to play and play all game



• The Linebackers play with pride and stop the Buckeye Running attack



• Crable doesn't make any stupid penalties and has regular encounters with Boeckman



• The Offensive Line steps up; run blocks and pass protects on a regular basis



• Zoltan finds his punting power



• KC continues to make field goals

Start thinking about Lloyd's retirement gift if:

• The Vest out coaches him in his last OSU game



• Michigan continues to get fooled on defense and gives up long passes and long runs



• If Ryan takes any snaps



• If Hart doesn't take 80% of the snaps at tailback



• Michigan shoots itself in the foot with a late penalty that costs us the game
  

Special Post: The "Game" Preview from Buckeye John

Oh, what could have been………

In the span of a few short hours last Saturday afternoon my anticipation level for “The Game” went from sky high to…well...not so high. It would have been pretty special to take an undefeated team to AA to play the Wolverines for the second consecutive year with the outright Big-10 title on the line (still the case mind you). Add a probable trip to another BCS Championship game, 110,000+ fans, Lloyd Carr’s last OSU game. Wow!! How much more could you ask for?

The stakes are still pretty high. The winner will be Big-10 Champions and get to play in the Rose Bowl. The loser will be playing somewhere in Florida. Since my expectations for this year started fairly low I guess there shouldn’t be too much complaining.

In all honesty, when I looked at this game at the beginning of the year I had Michigan winning. Several factors supported that prediction: The return of Hart, Henne, Long and Super Mario; the loss of Gonzo, Ginn Jr; Troy Smith; almost the entire defensive line; the game is in AA; we’ve won the last three so the hammer has to drop eventually; and many question marks on offense. Some interesting developments have come up since early September. Appy St. and Oregon blew through AA and wiped out any hope that Michigan would be playing for a National Title. Nagging injuries to Henne and Hart have kept them on the sidelines in recent weeks. Their defense has been inconsistent and the offensive replacements go hot and cold from possession to possession. For Ohio St. the offense has been almost explosive for most of the year with Boekman playing at a higher level than I expected. Well up until last weekend that is. The defense started out hot but has shown signs of weakness the past several games.

I believe this game hangs on the shoulder of Henne and the ankle of Hart. I think Hart will be back pretty close to normal but I have some lingering doubts about Henne’s shoulder. It could be worse than advertised. If he is unable to perform as four year starter should I think the game could be wide open. I think both teams will be able to move the ball. If Henne can sling the ball around without having to worry about his shoulder and Hart can find the seams in the Buckeye defense I think Michigan will put up numbers similar to last year. However, if they have to rely on Mallett to win the game, they could be in serious trouble.

There are several wild cards to keep in mind. The game is reportedly going to be Lloyd’s last game in the Big House. I’m sure the team will try to rally around their departing coach and try to deliver one last victory. However, if they couldn’t rally after the death of the legendary coach Bo Schembechler last year, will they be able to do it this year? There is also the game plan that Coach Tressel cooks up for this game each year. Who knows what to expect. It’s been something new every year. Michigan’s health was discussed earlier but Ohio St. has some injury issues too. Beanie Wells has been walking around campus with a brace on his right wrist. Mo Wells has a boot on his leg and Brandon Saine suffered a mild concussion last week. This could spell doom for the running game. There status for Saturday has not been announced…yet. I don’t believe there are any significant injury issues with either defense.

So…how will it go?

With Henne and Hart I think Michigan wins 35-31. Without Henne and a hobbled Hart I think The Buckeyes win 31-21.

See you next Monday with my recap of the game. Best of luck to both teams.

Buckeye John