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Game Thread THE GAME: #1 Ohio State 42, #2 Michigan 39 (11/18/06)

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Well Manningham WILL be back fo this game so the prosect of Jenkins vs. Manningham is going to be very interesting. Jenkins IMO is the best corner in the nation. He's strong enough and big enough to play the run and jam the recievers, and yet still has the speed to stay step for step with manningham. Also Jenkins only wanted to face Ginn on 1 on 1's this offseason and considering how Ginn and Manningham have similar styles I don't see Manningham putting up huge numbers. To be honest I'm more worried about Arrington than any other of the scUM recievers.

This comes down to IMO to who can be the most balanced offense, the better special teams, and field position. Because I think this game the offenses will get their share of yardage, but points will be a premium. With that said I like OSU's chances because I think our offense is by far more balanced, better special teams, and we always do well in field position.

I'd also agree that stopping Hart is the biggest key for our defense. If we stop him and force Henne to throw against our defense We'll get turnovers. Since Hart doesn't fumble at all scUm would have a better chance winning this game by putting the ball in his hands. So make them Pass the ball and throw against our defense.. If we get some turnovers we will turn those into points, but that can't be done if Hart is aloud to run for over 125... But we got some easier games for our defense to get some more confidence in their ability to stop the run.

How fun will it be watching these two defensive lines though?? I'm pumped already.. Bucks 24-13
 
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The Bruiser

smartone;636294; said:
I may know little about football strategy, but I believe that OSU needs to establish a run game and sustain long drives to win. I do not believe that Pittman/Wells can rush on Michigan. i believe that Michigan will drop back at least 2 of their linebackers to help with the pass defense, and rely on their line and perhaps 1 linebacker to stop the buckeye run. Therefore, it becomes important for Troy to run by design, perhaps quick quarterback sneaks to (a) establish a running game and, (b) pass effectively as an additional linebacker will have to move up and play the run. At that point, Troy can pass more effectively due to having 2 linebackers up playing the Buckeye run.

Don't know if I'm close. Just my thoughts.
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We have not had a dominant running game this year, however it's been our balance that has really greased the wheels so to speak. I would have to agree with you on tsun possibly shutting down our rushers, and I would actually like to see the bruiser (ie; Wells) more than the quick (Pittman). Don't get me wrong, because Pitt is one of the most passionate runners I've seen, and he rarely goes down on first contact, but I want the beasts on tsun's DL HURTIN!

Thinking back to 2004, though, I clearly remember us stuffing the ball down tsun's throat with Brandon Joe at TAILBACK! I have to say that POWER, POWER, POWER, followed by the deep ball to Ginn, and precise short routs by Gonzo will be our best bet. Besides, if they fully concentrate on Gonzo or Ginn, we still have reserves that would start up north.

If Troy has to run to win, he will. But hopefully he won't have to, just like the rest of this season.
 
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Hart is a great RB. We had a great rush D in 04 & 05. We do not have one this year, tho they are improving (thanks in part to increased PT for Terry).

Unlike Texas, I don't see UM abandoning the run if they have to play catchup. Henne has improved over past years, but needs Mike Hart to keep defenses honest.

Our LBs and DBs are excellent in coverage. This will put a lot of pressure on Henne to make smart decisions with the football.. and for their WRs to stop dropping easy passes (it's amazing how many UM wrs struggle with this.

As for their great pass rush, we happen to have a great pass pro OL. UM often has to bring a 5th player (LB, CB) to generate pressure. That's bad news for a secondary which has a big dropoff in coverage after Hall. Trent is an okay #2 corner, but the rest of their coverage is very suspect.
 
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Also there is more pressure on Henne from our defensive line, because when they go for a SACK they get a SACK!! Literally we have to prevent Henne from throwing the long passes to just short passes and the hand-off to Hart for the long gain.
 
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buckeye247;636341; said:
If we are going to win this game we are going to have to stop Hart. That is the key to the game.
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If we fail to contain Hart, our chances of winning decrease significantly, but it would not necessarily lead us to losing the game. On paper, both sides have the guns to win in a shoot out.

I think the more correct way to phrase it is "If we are to lose this game, it would be because Mike Hart had a huge game", or "If Michigan is to win this game, Mike Hart must have a huge game".
 
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OSU Knights;636311; said:
Or what they could do is pull one of the defensive players and put him on offense to give Troy Smith more options: like a QB sneak, or a short pass, or lateral, etc... That's just my opinion, prolly not right or not that close but yeah.


Or what Smith could do is play in shotgun for most of the game and see how well and how far they get doing that.
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What the hell are you talking about? Taking a defensive player and putting him on offense to give Troy more options?!?!?!?!

Have Troy play in the 'gun' most the time, as if we don't extensively use it now?

Fact of the matter is this, TTUN is the best team we will face this year, as we will be for them. Both of our defenses are solid (slight edge to scUM based on better overall LBs, though thier DBs are suspect IMO) but we have the clear edge on Offense with Troy.

Just like Vince Young last year, Troy Smith is the wildcard that will push us past scUM and whoever we play in Glendale.

:oh:
 
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Wells over Pittman

I appreciate the comment that Chris Wells would be harder on Michigan then Pittman. I believe that Wells will contend for the Heisman by his Junior year. My worry is that he has fumbled twice this year - on par for a freshman. So I hesitate about that comment that Wells should play a lot, although I would love to see him play for 3 straight quarters in the next 2-3 weeks. Bet he breaks at least 2 huge runs :). I can't recall Antonio fumbling at all this year. that will be important v. Michigan.

If you recall last year against michigan, in the 1st drive, Maurice fumbled the ball. he never touched the ball again that day. I was surprised last week when chris fumbled early, but Tressel kept him in the game. I acknowledge last week wasn't against Michigan, but Tressel must have confidence in him. I do not think Maurice is good enought to play Michigan (I know he's a senior.....).

(On a side note, Tressel seems so gentle and calm, it's hard to see him get upset and angry with his players. But bet he does. I wonder how he shows it and how he psyches his team up because he doesn't strike me as as a "rah rah" type. Anyone has any insight?)

I still think Troy must run by design. That is the key. More so than stopping Hart. hart will get his yards like all the other backs did this year. Despite that, no one has touched us BECAUSE our offense is a machine. However Michigan's defensive line is extraordinary (not that out Off. line is not). I can easily see Troy drop back 2 yards and take off up the middle for 8-14 yard gains a few times b4 they adjust. Once they do, it will make the passing game easier to execute. Troy needs quick release passes like screens and quick 14 yard sideline hits as their def. backs will respect our receivers' speed.

I am so excited. can't wait. Why does Michigan have to be so good this year when our chances of winning it all are better than ever? Just kidding, it makes life interesting.
 
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smartone;636398; said:
If you recall last year against michigan, in the 1st drive, Maurice fumbled the ball. he never touched the ball again that day. I was surprised last week when chris fumbled early, but Tressel kept him in the game. I acknowledge last week wasn't against Michigan, but Tressel must have confidence in him. I do not think Maurice is good enought to play Michigan (I know he's a senior.....).
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No he's not.
 
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smartone;636398; said:
I still think Troy must run by design. That is the key. More so than stopping Hart. hart will get his yards like all the other backs did this year. Despite that, no one has touched us BECAUSE our offense is a machine. However Michigan's defensive line is extraordinary (not that out Off. line is not). I can easily see Troy drop back 2 yards and take off up the middle for 8-14 yard gains a few times b4 they adjust. Once they do, it will make the passing game easier to execute.
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I am pretty sure after the 100+ yards in '04 and somewhere around 50 last year that Michigan is VERY aware that TS will and can run. I actually think it is the same m.o. we have seen this year, Troy using his legs to buy time to make the big play with his arm, not taking off for a scramble.

I think that the Key to this game will be Gonzo's ability to get open, Ginn's ability to stretch the field and our other WR's ability to make clutch plays and then Troy finding these open recievers.
 
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