Around the Big Ten

[Hannibal]

OSU has huge advantages at RT, RB, and WR. LB too. Don’t know about DBs. I would have said that we have an advantage at QB a few weeks ago, but not anymore.

DL is probably the only advantage for UM, but its not a big one and it won’t be enough. OSU has outrecruited us big time and it shows. It will show brutally from 2024 through at least 2026 when the bill comes due for our crappy recent classes.

[iam416]

You actually thought that we were better than Georgia?

dumbass

Well, I did until, you know.

[iam416]

OSU has huge advantages at RT, RB, and WR. LB too. Don’t know about DBs. I would have said that we have an advantage at QB a few weeks ago, but not anymore.

DL is probably the only advantage for UM, but its not a big one and it won’t be enough. OSU has outrecruited us big time and it shows. It will show brutally from 2024 through at least 2026 when the bill comes due for our crappy recent classes.

M has a better OL in 4 of 5 spots. Corum is every bit as explosive as Henderson and better at grinding out hard yards. LBs -- I like Colson a lot and it's unclear if Eichenberg is going to play. But that's probably even.

I think Ohio State actually has a really good secondary. I think M does, too -- Will Johnson is an NFL first round pick (not surprising given that he's a 5*). But, I'd give OSU a slight edge there.

DL is a big advantage for M. WR is a big advantage for OSU. Unfortunately, M's big advantage does a lot to negate OSU's big advantage.

[Hannibal]

M has a better OL in 4 of 5 spots. Corum is every bit as explosive as Henderson and better at grinding out hard yards. LBs -- I like Colson a lot and it's unclear if Eichenberg is going to play. But that's probably even.

I think Ohio State actually has a really good secondary. I think M does, too -- Will Johnson is an NFL first round pick (not surprising given that he's a 5*). But, I'd give OSU a slight edge there.

DL is a big advantage for M. WR is a big advantage for OSU. Unfortunately, M's big advantage does a lot to negate OSU's big advantage.

We’re only better in 2 out of 5 OL spots. Center is meh and tackles have been a problem spot all year. I like our TEs better, but there’s a reason why Henderson is averaging 2 ypc better than our top 2 guys, and it ain’t because we played a tough schedule. You guys can run it a lot better, unlike 2021 and 2022. Our advantage at QB is minor.

If Eichenberg plays OSU has a huge advantage at LB. M’s aren’t nearly as good. Home field helps but IMhO the off the field distractions are a big problem for Michigan.

[THE_WIZARD_]

I didn't.

[Hannibal]

Well, I did until, you know.

From now on, leave the pessimism to the experts.

[THE_WIZARD_]

If by "pessimism" you mean "inglorious and shameful sandbagging" you are correct.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Reading some stuff today there were a couple of good articles dealing with, "what's up with JJ." If something is actually up, that tilts the scales to an osu win, IMO. In one of his interviews this week JJ remarked that therapy has been good and he'll be there on Saturday (paraphrased). That self admission of an injury that he's receiving treatment for pretty much tells us something is up in that department. He did a lot of limping (favoring his r or L leg, I'm not sure) in both the PSU and Maryland games. So, a lower body injury?

The other article of Interest dealt with JJ's performance with and without JH on the sidelines. w/o JH it's considerably worse. The author remarked that after every offensive series, JH would meet up with and talk to JJ. Versus Maryland, when he came off the field coaches stayed clear of him.

There are also legitimate issues with Moore's play calling that has appeared in sports news print and was addressed in mgo's podcast today. Where was PA. Maryland was vulnerable to that and it was never exploited to the level observers think it should have been. Moore was definitely trying to man-ball it (or play LLLLoyd Ball, if you will) in the 2nd half v. the Terps Reasons for the questions include is that because Moore wanted to protect JJ? Is Moore less sure of himself being "the guy"? Was there a chemistry between Moore and Harbaugh involving play calling, flow of the game stuff that is now gone? What kind of effect did injuries and substitutions involving the OL have on in-game play calling? What about the effect of Wilson in concussion protocol have?

I guess we'll find out soon enough but, I'm concerned and agree with talent that M looked dominant until they didn't and, in his eye, M is no longer the odds-on favorite to win the NC

[Jeff Buchanan]

A comment on The Game of 2023:

I've watched or followed the osu versus Michigan contest since 1966. Bo's first win over his mentor, Woody Hayes, was big in '69 but the pre-game hype wasn't anywhere near what it has become for the 2023 contest. With the questions involving the legality of M's sign-decoding activity and speculation that CRD hired a PI firm to investigate Michigan to uncover dirt places the rivalry on a whole different level. Day and the osu players/coaches are facing the potential for a third loss to Michigan. The B10 has, for all intent and purpose, forced Michigan to play osu (PSU and Maryland) with one had tied behind their back. IMO, losing Harbaugh on the sidelines, for this game in particular, but also the foregoing post, is a big deal.

Both programs have a lot to gain, or lose, from the outcome. IMO, more than any previous contest. Admittedly, recency bias is playing a role in the lead-up to the game. There's always been major importance to the outcome when osu and M meet as undefeateds but this contest feels way different. As an M fan I'm disappointed, no, I'm fucking furious about what I consider an orchestrated hit-job on M and Harbaugh in particular. Our rival osu fans will abide by none of that talk and just as furiously exclaim, DIRTY FUCKING CHEATERS. It's not necessary to continue to debate this between fans that have staked out their positions and will not be moved by either side's arguments.

IMO, The scandal broke into the news after some questionable private investigation that built upon smoldering beliefs among B10 conference members that saw an opportunity to face plant Michigan for their long standing pious arrogance and Harbaugh becasue he can be and usually is a dick. Coincidentally, ABC/ESPN, feeling pissy about the B10 ditching them for a tripartite broadcasting agreement with NBC, CBC and FOX, became the mouth piece of the collaborators for spewing a narrative that was based on speculation. Things got hyped way out of proportion to the actual acts that Michigan was accused of performing and here we are.

Look, I'm not excusing what went down and it's likely that M is guilty, certainly wrt the Partridge behavior and firing, but also, if the NCAA rules are interpreted in a certain way, guilty of obtaining information on signs that was in violation of those NCAA rules. There's also the Uncle T shit which could amount to some severe penalties if proven to connect Stalion's activities to M coaching staff. What I'm miffed about is the incessant piling on by B10 members that had an unwritten rule of one for all all for one. In other words, Pititti should have handled this much more discreetly. Instead he inflamed the angry mob. Shit like this would never go down in the SEC. It would have been handled internally. Instead we have a very public and massive black eye administered to Michigan.

[iam416]

Personally, I don't see the scandal and The Game as connected. If OSU pulls off a miracle upset, I have zero inclination to say, "ha, you'd have never won in 2021 and 2022." I haven't taken that line yet and don't plan on it.

That said, the Purdue, Penn State and Maryland games and the modeling and the discussion on CFB Nerds and the "what's wrong with JJ -- (it can only be the injury, not that he now no longer knows exactly what is coming)" stuff is fascinating to me. His 3 lowest YPA games are his last 3. But, as I've always maintained -- it's far, far easier for me to "fight" from the high ground and the high ground is that the M program broke rules. The far harder argument is that they changed outcomes. That's never an area I wanted to wade into because it's so damn speculative.

The rules violations are separate and will be dealt with in 2024. That's coming regardless of the outcome. And, IMO, the punishment will be harsh. But, again, that's separate from Saturday.

[THE_WIZARD_]

STFU

[iam416]

I deserved that.

[THE_WIZARD_]

I have zero inclination to say, "ha, you'd have never won in 2021 and 2022." I haven't taken that line yet and don't plan on it.

Well there were plenty of M fans claiming their PSU win was proof positive the cheating made little to no impact...which of course is ludicrous.

[iam416]

Well, they went from looking invincible to basically beating PSU exactly how a pedestrian OSU team did.

And back when M was invincible I remember Mike mocking OSU for needed a 2H comeback against Maryland—to win by 20.

[THE_WIZARD_]

Cheating doesn't help...which is why everyone is doing it...