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Game Thread Game Eleven: Ohio state 25, Michigan 21 (final)

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Cleveland PD

Weekly Wolverine Watch



Monday, November 07, 2005



On Oct. 29, Michigan beat Northwestern, 33-17. The following Sunday, you know Michigan started preparing for Ohio State.
The Wolverines had a bye last week and will host Indiana in six days, but for the most part, November is for Buckeye preparation.
"Every week you are watching an opponent that you are going to play against," said Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, who practiced his team Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, then planned to get back together for a practice Sunday night. "There is always another team on that tape. It's just natural that you look at things that they're doing, you note how particular guys are playing, and you know all those things."
The Buckeyes should have been able to take some peeks ahead while preparing for Illinois, but getting ready for Northwestern's offense will take some work, though watching the way Michigan contained the Wildcats may provide the most valuable tips.
The bottom line is that this was a big bye week for the Wolverines, who healed up players such as running back Mike Hart and center Adam Kraus.
They also moved up four spots in the AP poll, to No. 21.
"Under normal circumstances, I think we would prefer to continue to play because we do have some momentum and we're doing some things very well," Carr said. "But given our injury position, I would not trade that bye week. I don't think motivation will be a factor in coming off the bye week."
Not with the Big Game right around the corner. After Indiana's defense gave up 35 second-half points to Minnesota, the Wolverines need to keep only half an eye on the Hoosiers.
Their focus, like it has for the past eight days, can stay on Ohio State.
Countdown to The Big Game: 12 days.
 
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The Detroit sportswriters are taking note of the Buckeye offense. It has been quite some time since Ohio State was a lead topic in a Monday morning Detroit paper.

Monday morning quarterback

Buckeyes go on attack

Tressel prefers to win with defense, but Smith and Co. are heating up as OSU stays in hunt.

By John Niyo / The Detroit News
John

Suddenly, it seems, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel isn't playing things so close to the sweater vest.

"We're not opposed to scoring, contrary to popular opinion," he said Saturday, shortly after the Buckeyes had blitzed Illinois, 40-2.

Saturday's rout in Columbus marked the third consecutive game the Buckeyes scored 40 points or more -- the first time that's happened since 1995. In fact, until a few weeks ago, Ohio State hadn't scored 40 points in regulation in a game in more than three years.

Make no mistake: Tressel's Buckeyes, now 7-2 and still in the hunt for the Big Ten championship, remain a team that's less scarlet and more gray. The coach, whose conservatism runs deeper than his old-fashioned sideline attire, still is most comfortable winning with defense and the kicking game.

"We are," said Tressel. "But if we can score, we'll do that, too."

And forgetting for a moment that the opponent was lowly Illinois, Ohio State's offense showed again Saturday that it can score.

Quarterback Troy Smith looks confident again running the offense. The Big Ten's pass efficiency leader has thrown for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns with just one interception the last month, beginning with the victory over Michigan State. On Saturday, Smith, who said he has devoted more time to film study in recent weeks, completed his last 10 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns.

The offensive line, led by All-America candidate Nick Mangold at center, seems to have figured things out as well. The Buckeyes have topped 200 yards rushing the last three weeks -- Antonio Pittman is finally finding room to run -- and allowed just one sack the last two weeks.

But mostly, it's Tressel finally taking the shackles off his offense, one that's blessed with the two of the nation's best playmakers in multi-talented receivers Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn Jr.

Holmes has seven touchdowns the last four games, including five scored on plays of 30 yards or more. Ginn has 719 all-purpose yards the last three weeks as well as touchdowns by reception, punt return and kickoff return.

Ginn's 73-yard touchdown catch Saturday left the Illini speechless. Well, almost.

"Once I beat my guy, I kind of heard him say, 'Man,'" said Ginn, whose five touchdowns this year have all been 40-plus yarders.

Two of Holmes' three touches Saturday went for scores, including a 41-yard pass play that saw the redshirt junior tie Illinois defensive back Charles Bailey in knots on a post pattern.

"You give them the ball and they're going to make a play," said Smith, whose offseason suspension probably explains Ohio State's sluggish start to the season, not to mention the Buckeyes' 25-22 loss to No. 2 Texas on Sept. 10.

The Buckeyes still need a little help to win the Big Ten. But a Penn State loss to Michigan State on Nov. 19, coupled with two wins by Ohio State -- including the big one in Ann Arbor -- would give the Buckeyes the title.

"Whatever we deserve is what we'll get," Tressel said. "We have to make sure that when November ends, we're a very deserving team."
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I saw that gametime was back to listed at 1pm. I wonder what moving it to TBA was all about for a few days.

Michigan can study us all they want. We are probably going to give them looks they've never seen. AND also, we do a lot more things on offense than most teams. I think we are going to be way to versitle for them...it would be funny if they lost to Indiana.

12 Days until
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Will Long's return matter?

Long's return turned season

Offensive lineman suffered injured ankle in practice but came back sooner than expected.

By Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

ANN ARBOR -- It was preseason practice, a play like countless others in which Michigan right tackle Jake Long had participated.

But this time, center Mark Bihl and nose tackle Gabe Watson -- combined weight of nearly 630 pounds -- got tripped up and fell on the back and side of Long's left ankle.

"I definitely knew something was wrong," said Long, a redshirt sophomore who started 10 games last season. "I was definitely afraid to look at my ankle, because I thought it was going to be sideways. I was hoping it wouldn't be anything severe, but when they told me it was, I didn't doubt it."

Before the season had even started, the Wolverines were without their best run blocker and, arguably, their best offensive lineman. Long, who is 6-foot-7 and 338 pounds, underwent surgery and had two screws inserted.

At the time, the best-informed guess for his return was a home game against Indiana on Saturday.

Long's prediction for his return? The Iowa game Oct. 22.

He was right.

Long accelerated his recovery, going through rehabilitation three times a day, including weight work, swimming and riding an Airdyne bike that had one pedal. He lost weight, dropping to 325, as he worked his way back to playing shape.

He didn't start the Iowa game -- Rueben Riley did, his seventh start this season -- but Long was in during Michigan's third series of the first quarter. They alternated series until Long took over and played the second half.

"What doesn't kill me makes me stronger," said Long, who survived a house fire in the summer of 2004 and spent nearly four days in intensive care because of smoke inhalation. "I just kept working hard and it paid off, because I came back.

"They told me I'd probably be back by Indiana, but I knew I'd be back before that. I even told my parents I'd be back by Iowa. I knew I would be. I knew I wanted to play this year. When I was going for surgery, I told my mom I'd be back by Iowa."

Jerome Jackson ran behind Long on the touchdown in overtime that gave Michigan a 23-20 victory and ended Iowa's 22-game home winning streak.

The next day Long experienced some discomfort, but not enough to complain.

"I was really surprised how good it felt," Long said. "I thought it would be a little sore. It was a little sore, but it feels great, and I can still practice well."

He made his first start this season at Northwestern, which was Michigan's third straight victory, and is expected to start Saturday for the 21st-ranked Wolverines (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) against Indiana.

"That's the type of guy Jake is," Bihl said. "What stands in his way, he's going to overcome it. He's going to play. He's one of the toughest guys, one of the most competitive guys, I've ever met."

For coach Lloyd Carr, Long's re-emergence on the offensive line could not have come at a better time. Riley, hindered by injured hands, has played admirably this season, but Long is an exceptional talent.

"At some point, he will be considered with the very, very best offensive linemen that have ever played here," Carr said. "That's high praise, because he is so talented athletically and he is so tough mentally. He is a different dimension. Anybody that is going to start a football team, Jake Long would be a great place to start it."

Carr mentions Long in the same breath as former right tackle Jon Jansen, now with the Washington Redskins. Jansen made a record 50 starts at Michigan.

"He's got great physical gifts," Carr said of Long. "He's big, strong and agile and was a great basketball player in high school. He is a great athlete, and he possesses the same temperament Jon Jansen had. When he goes out to block you, he goes out there with a purpose. He's got all the ability, plus he's blessed with a competitiveness and a desire to be the best. He knows what his potential is, and he's willing to work to realize that potential."

That much was evident as Long rehabilitated three times a day.

He appreciates Carr's comments but says he has much work to do before he can justify such high praise.

"The tradition of all the linemen -- that's the biggest reason why I came here," said Long, a Lapeer native. "I don't think I've proven myself enough to be classified with those types of linemen, but hopefully by my senior year I will be able to. That's what I'm working for."

Game time set

Michigan's regular-season finale Nov. 19 against Ohio State will be on ABC (Channel 7) at 1 p.m.

Injury update

Carr did not offer updates on injured players during his weekly news conference Monday. He did say defensive end Rondell Biggs, who suffered an injured knee during the Michigan State game, is "almost 100 percent."

You can reach Angelique S. Chengelis at [email protected].
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Could it be that we will witness a huge upset in the shithouse on Saturday? Nah.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Burning Questions

U-M will be flat against Indiana

Bye week sure to have an effect, but Michigan should recover in time to dump weak Hoosiers.

By Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

Q. Michigan is coming off a bye. How will the Wolverines come out against Indiana?

A: Flat. No matter how much the players listen to coaches telling them not to look ahead to the season finale against Ohio State, it will be difficult for them to not think about the Buckeyes. Besides, they're out of the rhythm of the season, having had the week off, and it will take a few quarters before the Wolverines regain their momentum.

Q: But Indiana? How much of a threat could the Hoosiers possibly be?

A: Not much. But the Hoosiers are a decent first-half team and will give Michigan some problems initially. Indiana will hang around early but won't have the depth to be a legitimate threat, particularly in the second half.

Indiana has been outscored this season in the second half, 152-98. In the first half, however, the Hoosiers have only been outscored, 127-122.

Q: Are bye weeks helpful?

A: No, not if you're winning. (IMO this will hurt Penn State vs Mich St next week)Sure, it is time to get players healthy and to give them a physical and mental break, but there is something about the continuity of playing week after week through the final game of the regular season. A bye stops the flow and momentum that builds during a season, and it does take a while to regain timing.

Q: What do you want to see in the Indiana game?

A: If Michigan takes a considerable lead, it would be nice to see some of the backups and younger players get playing time. It will be an opportunity for quarterback Matt Gutierrez to get on the field, not just in mop-up duty.

Chad Henne has to use the game to get the rust off before Ohio State, but Gutierrez needs to see the field.

This game should also give U-M an opportunity to see if backup tailback Max Martin can secure the football. Defensively, Tim Jamison needs more playing time, as does Shawn Crable and freshman Terrance Taylor.

Q: So what about the Ohio State game?

A: Nope, not looking ahead.

Q: Oh, come on. It's the game. Some early thoughts?

A: Sorry. Come back same place, next week.

Burning questions Reach Angelique S. Chengelis at [email protected].
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I feel it...the players feel it...The Game is right around the corner...and no matter what anybody says, it's been in both team's minds all week. And yeah, it's a distraction. But so what? I'd be dissapointed if the players weren't already getting excited for The Game. Do I think they will lose focus on Indiana and Northwestern? Nope...not at all. They may even have more focus knowing the end of the season is coming. But The Game is upon us once again...and this one decides whether the coming of Tressel just made it a back and forth rivalry again...or if it ushered in a new era of Buckeye dominace over the weasels...Here is to 4-1!!!

9 Days until
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