osu 63, Michigan 39

[Hannibal]

[WingsFan]

Well, it's not that you're wrong - but we do have a puncher's chance. Overall, as a unit, or even as a position group, we're very close group and confident. Have to win sooner or later down there.

[Hannibal]

[iam416]

[Jeff Buchanan]

Hanni's in the BPONE. Dont blame him. What's happened to the osu rivalry is sad. Stiil, M can win this one and I cant say I've gone in thinking that could happen in a decade. It also could mark a turning point if ufm experiences a loss and then leaves for health reasons. That will put a dent in recruiting if Day isn't the heir in waiting and even then a window of opportunity exists to equalize the level of talent getting pulled in. It is a game of epic implications and the loser is going to suffer a hit, fan disappointment is going to be soul crushing.

[Rocky Bleier]

I see this going much like the Notre Dame game...

I think Haskins has a big day against Michigan's overrated pass defense. Haskins will flourish in part due to a lack of pressure from the DTs. Maurice Hurst was great at getting penetration, but the guys replacing him aren't. Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich frequently get too far upfield on their rush and leave lanes for the QB to run through. If Brown bring LBs into the rush, that will leave areas open underneath for speedy receivers to exploit. Watch for Kinnel to be chasing receivers all over the field.

The Michigan offense has functioned best when Shea Patterson has gained yards on the ground, but the best athletes are at WR. Shea has DPJ, Collins,and Black to throw to deep, though he's most effective with short and mid-range throws, The TEs are good receivers, and the slot guys aren't bad either. Unfortunately, I can't see Harbaugh getting away from ground and pound. The box will be stacked early to stop Higdon, and osu will go ahead early because Harbaugh will be trying to deliver his "body shots." That's why I think they'll be playing from behind all game. I say go off script like Jim Bollman did in 2011.

[Rocky Bleier]

It is a game of epic implications and the loser is going to suffer a hit, fan disappointment is going to be soul crushing.

Unless you've become conditioned to losing. Michigan is in FAR better shape than they were under Rodriguez or Hoke. I believe the corner has been turned. But I'm still not ready to believe this team can beat a damaged osu team in Columbus.

[lineygoblue]

Dear lord .. please let us win .. just so at least once this decade we can get a smile from Hanni .... and Hanni, you know I love you man, .. and I admit I feel a lot like you do right now.

Its been 18 years since we won in Columbus. The kids playing today were newborns or toddlers back then. Its been so long since a victory there, that no Michigan fan can envision us winning there. Its hard to see what that would look like. We've seen Michigan lose by nearly every manner possible. How do we manage to win?

Sorry to chime in... I'll show myself to the door .. I know the way ...

[WingsFan]

Thanks Liney and post more, I talked to OP the other day - I told him I have a friend in the Keys and glad he was ok (hurricanes) he invited me if im down there to stop by. Maybe next winter (?)

[maxreturn]

Where do I begin? Of course OSU will be focused but I would argue UM even more so, don't you think? I also don't think you can use the IU and Rutgers game as a benchmark to forecast how the defense will play against the Buck Nuts. IMHO there was a natural let down, especially against Rutgers. We don't have the skill players to expose OSU's defense; a defense that gave up an average of 24.6 points per game against lesser opponents? What about Collins, Jones, Gentry, and Higdon? I would also throw Patterson into the mix. We finally have a QB that improved 3rd down efficiency fairly dramatically by his ability to run and create plays. He also ranks 17th in passing efficiency, completing 66% of his passes.

Having said all this I agree with Joel Klatt; this game will be closer than many think. We're playing in Columbus against an elite coach. But if we execute and win the turnover battle UM wins 31-27.

[iam416]

I think that if it's a close game then Ohio State will win. If it comes down to the final 5 minutes and the final drive, then I like Ohio State. I don't see that happening. I really don't.

I expect M to grind their way to a 10+ halftime lead and then continue to the "slow motion blowout" to the end.

The team that runs the ball better nearly always wins this game. M is going to run the ball better. There's almost no doubt about that. I mean, even if you think OSU is in it to the end, you stll think M will outrush OSU by a mile and it'll be Haskins that keeps them in it.

Can't win this game without a running game. Can't do it.

[Hannibal]

[Hannibal]

[Hannibal]

So this must be what it feels like to be a fan of Minnesota when they play Michigan in a down year.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Hanni, Rocky and all the doom-sayers, past performance does not predict future results. Cheer up.

talent, your posts in this thread have been pretty honest at least based on what I've seen looking at osu this season. The thing about a close game, if it happens, reflects your hope, not reality. I think M wins a close one in regulation or OT, should that happen. The only way osu gets to and wins a close game is if Harbaugh fails to leverage his team's strengths during and especially late in the game or OT. I think a shootout is another matter. osu has a better chance of winning that way. I don't think Harbaugh will let that happen. The first quarter could be fun to watch though if ufm tries to make it one.

M DEFENSE v. osu OFFENSE:

osu improves it's win chances by inviting Brown to blitz his LBs on standard downs with > 10 to go or on passing downs and Brown accommodates. Inviting the blitz takes advantage of Brown's psyche to intimidate and opens the middle of the field for the predictable result. A QB draw by Haskins, drag routes, under routes and slants where no one is in that space the play design is exploiting. Lesson? Play more zone - Haskins struggles with it - if Brown wants to blitz, do it more conservatively (loop blitz with switch to zone on the back end).

Here is link to videos of M blitzing IU with LBs. Start with the second one (QB run against vacated middle) and view videos 3, 5, 6 and 8 sequentially to see what I'm talking about above:

https://simoncriminaldefense.com/the-michigan-defenders/

M increases it's chances of winning if the D get's pressure out of a 4 man front and Brown shows some restraint with his blitzing.

See the link above and view videos 1, 4, 7 to see why M needs to dial back the blitzing v. osu. Also of note - a loop blitz - which could be effective v. osu.

osu increases it's chances of winning if it handles M's DTs in an IZ run game featuring Webber like IU did with Stevie Scott. If Brown has to bring a guy up to shore this up, Either Haskins will feast throwing short and setting up his receivers for YAC - osu is really good at this - or osu can counter the IZ with Dobbins running OZ - this is ufm's bread and butter. M can't let that run game get in rhythm.

M OFFENSE v. osu DEFENSE:

Do this. M is good at the IZ run, shows that formation and IU comes out lined up to defend this tendency. M runs a counter.