M-Borg vs. THE Flavortown U Thread, Orig. by Buckeye Paul, absconded w/by talent.

[AlabamAlum]

Through 5 games last year, Ohio State beat:

VaTech by 18
Hawaii by 38
NoIll by 7
West Mich by 26
Indiana by 7


These 5 teams finished the year with a combined record of 32-34.

So far this year, they have beaten...

BGSU by 67
Tulsa by 45
Okla by 21
Rutgers by 58
Indiana by 21

I know, different year, different teams...but OSU looks very good to me. Right now, I think they're the best team in the nation.

[Paul L]

That's a terribly impressive resume. Especially BGSU, Tulsa, OU, Indiana and Rutgers.

You're a fucking genius, in addition to being a sandbagger.

[AlabamAlum]

That's a terribly impressive resume. Especially BGSU, Tulsa, OU, Indiana and Rutgers.

You're a fucking genius, in addition to being a sandbagger.

Yes, I am a genius. Thank you for noting that which is so obvious. It is often under appreciated, so I will allow it, nonetheless. I never sandbag, though.

Anyway, their resume from last year is fairly comparable to this year. A collection of bad and medicore teams sent on their way easily. Except more so.

[Detroit Dan]

I agree that Ohio is much better so far this year, as compared to last. They did close out the season strong last year. It's like they finally started playing up to their talent level after tasting defeat in the rain against Michigan State. Ohio State also finished very strong 2 years ago after JT Barrett went down against Michigan, beating Wisconsin 59-0 in the B1G championship, and going on to win the national championship. Those players are mostly gone now.

[iam416]

They probably have a better OL than they did last year and it's definitely more talented. Last year they played a guy who just wasn't OSU caliber.

The QB play is better than it was last year because it's a not a clownshow and JTB is getting all the reps in practice.

The skill position was way better last year. Elliot is irreplaceable. Thomas and Marshall were high quality WR threats. Samuel was more of a third/fourth option.

Defensively, I think last year was slightly better. The DL was more talented up the middle and Joey Bosa. LBs were better last year, but Baker and Worley have made that a small difference. Baker, in particular, is showing why he was so highly regarded out of HS. And I think the secondary is slightly better this year. I can't believe I'm typing this, but Hooker is matching Bell. And Lattimore had emerged to the point where I not only think he goes pro, but I also think he has a real shot at being a first round pick.

Overall, I'd say the glaring difference is at RB and WR.

[iam416]

UFM currently has a career record of 159-27 as he works in his 15th season. He is also 19-0 in true road games at OSU. If Ohio State somehow pulls off the upset on Saturday, then Urbs will tie Big Game Bob for most wins in his first 15 years and become only the 2nd coach to win his first 20 road games at a school -- a feat equaled only by Walter Camp in the 1880s. And Ohio State would tie Miami for 3rd longest road winning streak since 1900.

I still can't get over 159-27. His average year is roughly 11-2. I also still have a hard time with why it isn't at least 160-26.

[THE_WIZARD_]

STFU

[Detroit Dan]

There is no doubt that Urban Meyer is a great coach.

[THE_WIZARD_]

So was Woody...

[Detroit Dan]

UFM is a great coach, but Talent knows that this is the year of Harbaugh. It happens.

Anyway, it should be a great game this year. And whomever loses will be back.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Link to Tale of the Tape ...... Comparing M v Wisconsin to osu v Wisconsin.

Lots of variables that render this kind of comparison weak in terms of using it to draw conclusion's but the numbers do tell a story. My Take:

(1) M's D > osu's. Probably not by a small margin either. I think if you look at some of the other modeling (FEI, S&P+, ESPN's Power), the same conclusion can be drawn and it's not really close.

(2) osu's O > M's. This one is closer. jtb and Speight are about equal in efficiency. osu's O - the general offensive philosophy - does present a more difficult problem for defenses than M's does. From what I've seen, though, I don't think the pieces are all there (compare and contrast osu offense 2104/2015). If the pieces do fall in place for osu in The Game, if jtb is on (and I don't think he was for Wisky), M is going to have a hard time winning.

(3) My sense is the the home field advantage is mostly eliminated in games of this magnitude against opponents with quality players and coaches. Maybe as the disparity between quality increases, there is some advantage to a team of lesser quality playing at home v a team with higher quality.

http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/tale-tape-ii-compare-osu-um-stats-vs-wiscy

[WM Wolverine]

M played an inferior Hornibook; injury, progression, but he was lousy vs us. Hornibook completed tough throws vs OSU that he didn't vs M. Wisconsin's first TD there was clearly a communication issue that allowed their slot to be so wide open.

JTB is a handful, his weapons are young and not very polished. He doesn't need a lot of help, but his scrambling and read-option both force a defense to change what they'd like to do...

Transitive property doesn't apply much if at all if CFB.

[Jeff Buchanan]

M played an inferior Hornibook; injury, progression, but he was lousy vs us. Hornibook completed tough throws vs OSU that he didn't vs M. Wisconsin's first TD there was clearly a communication issue that allowed their slot to be so wide open.

JTB is a handful, his weapons are young and not very polished. He doesn't need a lot of help, but his scrambling and read-option both force a defense to change what they'd like to do...

Transitive property doesn't apply much if at all if CFB.

On your first point, pretty much agree. Hornibook played much better v Wisconsin than he did v. M. In the M/Wisky game, did he get injured on the first big hit he took, like Alvarez said he was, or does M have a more disruptive and effective defense? I don' know the real answer to that.

On your second point, I think jtb is the difference maker in most games he plays in. He was v. Wisconsin. Frankly, its probably not really about whether or not he is on. It may be more about if ufm and his coaching staff are on their games.

Coaches have to know where their individual player's strengths and weakness are as well as judge the effectiveness of the team's units on the fly. It takes really good leadership on the part of the HC and great communications between the coaches themselves and coaches and players again, on the fly/in game.

Teams with talent playing at the elite level and winning do this. Teams that have talent but still lose games they shouldn't, don't. There are handfuls of teams in both categories.

I don't mean to imply that the players on the field don't actually win or lose games. They do. But the HC and the staff that he directs have a huge bearing on outcomes. The Game is going to not only be a match-up between Jimmies and Joes and who among them is going to make plays but also, it is going to be classic match-up on the battlefield between the Generals and the lieutenants they command.

[hack]

M's defense is clearly better, but I agree there's not much to take away from this.

[iam416]

On the positive side of things, Ohio State more or less righted the ship at halftime. They were "base-oriented" on offense and managed to avoid punting in the 2nd half. On defense, they made obvious adjustments to the jet sweep. In terms of results, this is JTB's 4th ROAD win against a top 15 team as a starter. He gives me some solace, even if he overthrows a WR at the 2 resulting in an interception...during a flash downpour that lasted, literally, for that single play. And on defense, when they're able to go "pass rush" with their defensive line, they get tons and tons of pressure (IU neutralized this with tempo).

On the negative, I'm not sure how you're not prepared to handle a jet sweep against Wisconsin. The WRs aren't good enough. At all. And the DTs were shoved into the LBs a few too many times. So, their weaknesses are their weaknesses. Not enough skill at WR and meh DTs.

They still have a mulligan to work with and some games they could, in theory, lose. I'm not sure where Penn State is with their LBs...if they're still starting the walk-ons/band members that played against M, then I have zero concerns. If their regular LBs are back, then a slight concern with it being another night game and all. MSU could, in theory, get shit figured out in a month. I'd have zero concern playing them now, but things can change. The far more likely future is continued ineptitude. And UNL will be tough, but it's in Columbus. I think OSU can go at least 2-1 in those games to set up a showdown against Harbaugh Death Star. I don't see OSU being within a TD in that game, but hopefully some turnovers will help them pull the upset.