THE GAME: Ohio State 42, Michigan 7 (Nov. 22)

[calibuck]

No, he was a Tennessean!

[osugrad21]

They forgot to mention that Coach Hazell has already been to Rutgers this winter to pick their brains also...

DFP

Report: Ohio State goes on a mission to counter Michigan coach's new offense

Buckeyes do reconnaissance work at University of South Florida

FREE PRESS STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES ? March 13, 2008


Ohio State is already preparing for Rich Rodriguez's spread-option offense that he will likely use at Michigan.



The Buckeyes have won the past four meetings against Michigan, but they still sent cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson to meet with University of South Florida defensive coordinator Wally Burnham and secondary coach Troy Douglas this week, the Tampa Tribune reported.

"Johnson said it was because we've done such a good job against that offense," Burnham said. "And we've had some success."

Cont...

[utgrad73]

toledoblade.com -- Questions arise on UM's defense

Much of the attention paid to the Michigan Wolverines this fall has been on their offense - particularly the players they have and the players they don't.

And on Saturday UM coach Rich Rodriguez said his offense, which is learning a new spread-option scheme, scored a "few touchdowns" in the team's 100-play scrimmage.

Is this a case for a new spread offense that is difficult to defend or a defense that needs more reps?

[Taosman]

I still say Utah lights them up and wins by 10.

[utgrad73]

Originally Posted by Taosman

I still say Utah lights them up and wins by 10.

Miami (ohio)?

And Notre Dame?

Tough schedule

[ant80]

CFN

Michigan
Realistic best case record with this schedule: 10-2
Barring total disaster worst case record: 6-6
Realistic record: 8-4

While the non-conference schedule might not seem like that big a deal on paper, it's a lot rougher than it appears. If you thought Appalachian State was a nasty home opener, wait until Utah comes to Ann Arbor. No, Miami University isn't going to be a breather with its loaded defense led by a linebacking corps that's as good as any in the Big Ten outside of Ohio State's. Going to Notre Dame isn't going to be a layup this year, and Toledo has a high-octane offense. On the plus side, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan State have to come to the Big House, and there's a relatively easy two-game stretch in mid-November going to Minnesota and hosting Northwestern before the Ohio State showdown, but there's a rough patch of three road games in four weeks going to Penn State and Purdue, wrapped around the always-emotional rivalry game with the Spartans, before finishing up in Minneapolis. Missing Iowa and Indiana isn't necessarily a plus.
Aug. 30 Utah
Sept. 6 Miami Univ.
Sept. 13 at Notre Dame
Sept. 20 OPEN DATE
Sept. 27 Wisconsin
Oct. 4 Illinois
Oct. 11 Toledo
Oct. 18 at Penn State
Oct. 25 Michigan State
Nov. 1 at Purdue
Nov. 8 at Minnesota
Nov. 15 Northwestern
Nov. 22 at Ohio State

- Almost certain win - Likely loss
- Could go either way



Ohio State is a likely loss? Hate to say it, but all this propaganda about the scUM game being a sure thing for us this year has me very nervous.

[Jaxbuck]

Some historical stuff as it will relate to this years Game.

OSU goes for 5

1938
OSU playing at home goes for 5 straight wins vs scUM. scUM under first year HC Fritz Crisler and his new winged helmet look wins 18-0. OSU also played USC early that year but in C'bus not LA. before scUMers get all happy the big difference was that OSU team was very mediocre(4-3-1), the 2008 edition will not be.

1964
OSU once again playing at home and going for 5 straight over scUM lose 10-0 . The 1964 OSU team was very good and finished 7-2. It was scUM's only B10 title from 1951 till 1969.

scUM goes for 5

1905@ scUM
As usual in leather helmet games pre dating WWI scUM dominated winning 40-0. This was in the midst of a 9-0 scUM win streak in The Game.

1926
In Columbus scUM wins 17-16 on a missed extra(drop kick) point. The next year scUM actually won again making it 6 in a row.

1949
@scUM. In the first televised edition of The Game OSU needed a tie or win to claim the B10 title and a trip to the Rose Bowl. The OSU kicker actually missed the tying extra point but scUM had lined up offsides and the second attempt was good. The Game ended in a 7-7 tie, OSU went on to win the Rose Bowl over Cal 17-13. In another twist of fate OSU played USC @USC in 1949, a game that ended in a 13-13 tie.

1992
Columbus. 1990's, Cooper, 13-13 tie, Gee's "greatest win in OSU history" gaffe. Nuff said, lets move on.

So in a final talley, one team has gone for 5 wins in a row 6 times, only 2 have done it. OSU is 0-2 in chances to win the 5th in a row at home.


Results when The Game is played on 11/22

1941 20-20 T
1947 0-21 L
1952 27-7 W
1958 20-14 W
1969 12-24 L
1975 21-14 W
1980 3-9 L
1986 24-26 L
1997 14-20 L
2003 21-35 L

OSU is 3-6-1 when The Game is played on 11-22.


You can say history is against us but the flip side of that is we are due.

Also of note:

• This would be the firt time OSU has ever won 5 straight
• A win this year ties this decade with the 1960's (7 wins) as the most dominant for OSU in the history of The Rivalry.