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

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DDN

Logic says BCS' title could be OSU-Michigan rematch

By Marc Katz
Staff Writer

Saturday, November 04, 2006
Some people say if Ohio State and Michigan play a close football game Nov. 18, and both teams are undefeated before kickoff, they should meet again in the Bowl Championship Series title game Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.
Others say only the winner of that Nov. 18 game should go.
I say let 'em play again, and there is some precedent.
In a previous configuration, there was a Bowl Alliance, and in 1996, after No. 1 Florida was knocked off by No. 2 Florida State, 24-21, in the last regular-season game, Florida saved face by beating Alabama, 45-30, in the Southeastern Conference championship game.
Meanwhile, No. 2 Ohio State was upset by Michigan, 13-9, and No. 3 Nebraska was upset by Texas.
Entering the bowl season, the polls ranked undefeated Florida State No. 1, followed by undefeated Arizona State, then one-loss teams Florida and Ohio State.
The Sugar Bowl chose to match Florida and FSU a second time, giving the Gators a chance at revenge, which worked splendidly in a 52-20 thumping of the Seminoles.
Meanwhile, Ohio State had no chance to avenge its gaffe against the Wolverines, but did defeat Arizona State, 20-17, in the Rose Bowl.
I had an Associated Press vote that year and sheepishly figured OSU beating an undefeated team had as much right to No. 1 as a team that went 1-1 against its biggest competitor. Turns out, I was the only voter in the nation who thought so.
Oh, well. The real point here is this: Should all those other pretenders stumble and OSU and UM put on a show for the ages, it would not be unprecedented to ask the two combatants to stage a live Instant Classic.
Here's hoping that happens.
 
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osugrad21;652188; said:
Meanwhile, Ohio State had no chance to avenge its gaffe against the Wolverines, but did defeat Arizona State, 20-17, in the Rose Bowl.
I had an Associated Press vote that year and sheepishly figured OSU beating an undefeated team had as much right to No. 1 as a team that went 1-1 against its biggest competitor. Turns out, I was the only voter in the nation who thought so.
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Hey, Marc Katz! Two thoughts.

First, we want to blow out TSUN right here in Columbus and then blow somebody else out in the National Championship game. No rematch. I'm thinking something like 50-14 in the 'Shoe. This is about showing our rivals up north who their daddy really is.

Second, if I could, I'd drop a basketfull of greenies in your lap for that vote. Ohio State deserved to be #1 and would have beaten either of those teams. If Tressel were our coach then, we would have.
 
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As for Ohio State and Michigan, it's hard to imagine a whole lot of scoring when they meet, as both teams are putting up some staggering defensive numbers:

12: Michigan has allowed one touchdown in its last 12 quarters.

13: Not to be outdone, the Buckeyes have allowed one TD in their last 13 quarters.

7.33: Ohio State leads the nation in scoring defense, giving up just 7.33 points per game. I know I've harped on this a bit this year, but it truly boggles the mind -- this is a team that was fifth in the nation in scoring defense last year and had six players drafted from that side of the ball, including three in the first round. The Buckeyes lost nine defensive starters in all, yet they're giving up exactly one touchdown less per game than they did last season.

18: Michigan's offense, which has performed a bit underwhelmingly in its past three games, will have the unenviable task of trying to score on the Buckeyes. Michigan averaged just 18 points in wins over Penn State, Iowa and Northwestern. The 17-point performance Michigan had against Northwestern was precisely half as many points as New Hampshire got against the Wildcats.

Granted, Michigan has been without star wide receiver Mario Manningham for all three of those games, but it does make you wonder a bit about the Wolverines' offensive firepower. They'll try to get well this week on a Ball State team that is 116th nationally in total defense.

22-2: As for Ohio State's offense, it certainly appears to be more explosive than the Wolverines', thanks in large part to Heisman front-runner Troy Smith. Smith has thrown 22 touchdown passes this year and just two interceptions. He's also 22-2 as a starter for OSU. How's that for symmetry?

4: The Buckeyes' opponent this week, Illinois, does appear to be improving a bit under Ron Zook, as evidenced by the fact that it actually led at the half in its last four conference games. Sadly for the Illini, they've won only one of them, which would seem to indicate that Zook's halftime speeches could use a little improvement.

So, that's Ohio State and Michigan for you. Just two weeks of hype to go. In the meantime, with the BCS as tightly grouped as it is, let's take a look at some key numbers among the one-loss challengers.

Link
 
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I don't care to see a sCUM rematch, any more than I would care to see a Texas rematch. I must say though that the sCUM defense worries me. I hope we are able to put 44 points on them this year. Wouldn't that be a slap in the face to Lloyd?
 
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I think Indiana/scUM is going to be an interesting game. Michigan's defense is stout but if it has a weak spot, its the secondary. And James Hardy has just gone off the last few weeks (except for that little trip to C-bus).

Watch Kellen Lewis. Anything he can do, Troy can do better.

Indiana could in fact get them.
 
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scooter1369;652402; said:
I think Indiana/scUM is going to be an interesting game. Michigan's defense is stout but if it has a weak spot, its the secondary. And James Hardy has just gone off the last few weeks (except for that little trip to C-bus).

Watch Kellen Lewis. Anything he can do, Troy can do better.

Indiana could in fact get them.
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Ditto
:oh:
 
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dwimmer38;652396; said:
One more thing, I hope sCUM gets pounded by both Ball State and Indiana before playing us. :)
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why why why!!?? I can maybe understand Indiana because there big10 and terr bear coaching them, but Ball State? That won't help the Bucks out at all.

Heres to The Game to end all Games. :cheers:
 
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