The Game: M 42 - "The" Ohio State 27 - Not Anymore. Post Game Thread.

[Tslisher]

I think you guys are vastly underestimating your chances.

I’d give us a chance, but a pretty small one. Being at home helps. Our Team this year is gritty and has the determination needed to win, but osu is just too talented across the board. Unfortunately, unlike early in the year, osu seems to have really hit their stride. Even the defense is playing better. Unless Hutchinson or Ojabo knocks out Stroud in the first quarter I think we will play hard, but probably lose by 2 or more scores.

As to ‘will I watch’? Of course I will. This is THE GAME. Yes, we don’t have much of a chance, but think of how glorious it would be if we somehow manage to pull out a victory! Would you really want to miss that?

[iam416]

It's a matchup game. I really think that what M does on OFFENSE is a very tough matchup for what OSU does on defense. They run enough that they'll get some yards on the ground and I really do think Cade is a very good ball-control passer. I don't think he can take the top off, but I don't think he'll need to. He just has to pick apart OSU's leaky zone. M is going to move the ball pretty easily.

On the other side, I'll need to think about it a little more. I will say OSU's OL ain't Penn State's (which is god-awful) just as I will say M's secondary ain't Sparty (which is awful).

[Cody_Russell]

I’m calling on Mother Nature to provide cold rain or sleet for the game on Saturday. That tsunami from 2017 MSU vs M can make a comeback to The Big House …

Unfortunately we also have one of the weakest secondaries. Maryland would've scored a lot more if their QB simply put the ball on the mark to wide open receivers with nary a DB in sight. Also, OSU's O line protects their QB pretty darn well.

No question, Ohio State will score.
I’m expecting Hutch and Ojabo to create enough havoc plays to force stops.
M’s offense is going to have to show up in a big way too.

Hopefully Brad Hawkins is ok after suffering an injury vs Maryland… losing a starting safety would be a big blow.

[WingsFan]

This is basically a playoff game in the BH. Winner moves on loser goes to Bowl game.

Since 1980, 11 Michigan teams have gone into the Ohio State game with 0 or 1 loss.

I will have to look, seen it last night but forgot the year, the last time these two played (in the top 5) in AA (if Michigan is in the top 5)

Establish the ground game and limit possessions .

Can not turn the ball over once

Have to hit Stroud (a lot)

Get in a track meet we get boat raced without question.

Then we have a tiny chance (very tiny) as in small, like little to none.

[Hannibal]

We would have had a chance in this one early in the year when CJ Stroud would typically spend a half over throwing receivers or throwing into coverage. He doesn't do that anymore. Also, the OSU defense has improved tremendously to the point where it is CFP caliber.

[lineygoblue]

As far as the bowl situation, I think that the Rose Bowl has some kind of clause where they can do the old traditional B10 vs Pac12 matchup first. With Oregon's loss, that's going to remove them from playoff contention, and with OSU headed into the playoffs, they won't be available for the Rose. So, that could end up pitting Michigan vs Oregon (or Utah) in the Rose Bowl, I believe. The Rose won't be interested in the B1G CCG loser, because they'll have at least 3 losses. But, they'd probably love to have Michigan at 10-2.

Some of you bowl experts may have more info on that.

[Mike]

I think that’s a very possible scenario, Liney.

[THE_WIZARD_]

Will be closer than what people think but in the end too much offense for the Bucknutz.

HCRD!!! 36 HARBAUGH!!! 31

[Jeff Buchanan]

I suppose Hassan Haskins could be Billy Taylor, Erick All could be Jim Mandich, and Cade McNamara could be Don Moorhead.

That is eerie, Liney. The Jim Mandich and Don Moorhead comparisons are spot on. M and OSU were miles apart in terms of both objective measures and the eyeball test. I'll go through some match-ups during the week but the disparity between the two teams in terms of performance during the 2021 season is very much like it was in 1969. Bo's '69 team was competent but not elite. Woody's team was unbeatable. OSU was undefeated in '68 (10-0 including a convincing win v. #2 ranked USC in the Rose). They were on their way to that in '69 until they met up with M in AA and lost.

Let's not forget that if M wins it will be the first time since 2011 (Brady Hoke - a decade ago). It's also the 4th time JH will take his team to meet OSU with 9 or more wins, losing the last 3 that he did that - the 9/10 wins thing surprised me when I looked it up. It's no coincidence that despite Harbaugh's overall record, although every M fan claims they don't over-emphasize the MSU or OSU games, Harbaugh is seen by the M fan base as a failure because he can't bring a team to the field that can beat OSU or MSU.

[lineygoblue]

The only problem with the comparisons is I don't think OSU has a John Stillwagon comparison. That guy was an animal. As was Jack (the assassin)Tatum. Stroud is probably better than Rex Kern.

And CRD isn't as overt about his hatred for Michigan. His is mostly behind the scenes. Woody would tell everyone within hearing distance that he hated Michigan, and he didn't care who knew it. He thrived on it. ("I went for two because I couldn't go for three")

Also, IIRC, I believe both of Michigan's radio guys (Brandstatter and Dierdorf) both played in the '69 game.

There were some great players on that team, that underachieved until Bo came along. He beat the snot out of them, but he got what he wanted.

[iam416]

Sooner or later you’ll get your 1969 again. I’ve heard it lots — about every time OSU goes to AA with an undefeated or 1-loss team

[Jeff Buchanan]

Another thing worth reminiscing about is that CFB is waaaayyyy different in 2021 than it was in '69. No scholarship limits, coaches with unlimited capacity to terrorize players and a game that was much more mano-a-mano than it is today - not to say the game is less violent. If anything it is more violent because of the elevated forces introduced by stronger players and higher velocities. But I don't think anyone who has watched the game evolve from the 60s and 70s to the present day don't see it as hugely different.

Coming out on top in today's game involves more cerebral coaching and player execution, more exotic plays and play making, less 3 yards and a cloud of dust. But it's still a game of power and will to win at it's most basic level. Still, a lot like live combat minus metaphorical bullets and bombs.

[Hannibal]

Sooner or later you’ll get your 1969 again. I’ve heard it lots — about every time OSU goes to AA with an undefeated or 1-loss team

The last time that I thought of 1969 was 2015.

Never again.

[Hannibal]

OSU is favored by 6.5. It goes without saying where I think people should put their money.

[lineygoblue]

Another thing worth reminiscing about is that CFB is waaaayyyy different in 2021 than it was in '69. No scholarship limits, coaches with unlimited capacity to terrorize players and a game that was much more mano-a-mano than it is today - not to say the game is less violent. If anything it is more violent because of the elevated forces introduced by stronger players and higher velocities. But I don't think anyone who has watched the game evolve from the 60s and 70s to the present day don't see it as hugely different.

Coming out on top in today's game involves more cerebral coaching and player execution, more exotic plays and play making, less 3 yards and a cloud of dust. But it's still a game of power and will to win at it's most basic level. Still, a lot like live combat minus metaphorical bullets and bombs.

Back then, a OL that averaged 250 was considered "huge". I remember when Bubba Paris came along and he weighed 275. We thought he was a monster. Jumbo John Elliott came along after that and he was somewhere around 310, and was considered a giant. Today, most CFB OL's are at least 320 or more. Anything less is considered "small". Even MAC OL's are in the 300's.

Its a different game now, with the size, and speed. Big OL's can run a 5.5 40. That was unheard of back in the 70's. Even bad teams have big and fast guys.