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

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DDN

COMMENTARY
OSU-UM showdown deserves the hype


By Kyle Nagel
Dayton Daily News

Sunday, November 12, 2006

EVANSTON, Ill. ? The first thing that coach Jim Tressel addressed was not the University of Michigan football team. It was his happiness in gaining a road win, this time 54-10 at Northwestern, especially after the Buckeyes' travel troubles because of poor Friday weather.
"Any time you head out and it takes you a half a day to get here ... ," Tressel said.
But actually, it has taken us 109 years to get here. And here we are, six days from the monumental Ohio State-Michigan game that matches two 11-0 teams ranked Nos. 1 and 2 nationally.
After 102 versions of the best rivalry in any sport at any level, we find ourselves on a new frontier. The Buckeyes and Wolverines have played under plenty of circumstances ? including a blizzard's aftermath ? but never with this many combined victories, and never as the nation's top two teams.
"We think that's the way it should be with the Ohio State-Michigan game," Tressel said.
He's right. So, enjoy this week. We've waited more than a century for an opportunity to debate and break down and argue about this game's place among the greats.
This is as big as it gets, gang.
"We know it's the biggest game anyone on the team will probably play in, and we're approaching it that way," OSU safety Brandon Mitchell said.
So how did we get here?
Let's go back to the preseason Associated Press poll, when Ohio State got 35 first-place votes and stood No. 1. Notre Dame was No. 2, and mouths started watering with the idea of a rematch of last season's Fiesta Bowl in this season's national championship game.
Michigan? It was No. 14, behind teams such as Cal, Oklahoma, Florida State and Miami (Fla.). The Wolverines were an afterthought. Texas was sexy. Southern Cal was still hot.
OSU has stayed atop the rankings with a consistently explosive offense and arguably the nation's top defense. Michigan hung around the Top 10 ? No. 10 in Week 2, No. 11 in Week 3.
Then, whammo, a shock wave out of South Bend, Ind. The Wolverines went into Notre Dame Stadium on Sept. 16 and embarrassed the second-ranked Fighting Irish, 47-21. Suddenly, OSU-Michigan went nuclear.
The next Monday, the Wolverines were No. 6, then No. 5 and then No. 2 in Week 8.
"I knew they were going to be the team they are now," OSU receiver Ted Ginn Jr. said.
Like a child's anticipation of Christmas that begins the day after Thanksgiving, we have licked our chops for the past month.
After Saturday's game, those that remained of the majority Ohio State crowd (which Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said he "didn't notice") started singing that beloved Buckeyes chorus: "O, we don't give a damn for the whole state of Michigan."
It was a passionate version, preceding a week bubbling with such emotion that cardiologists and psychiatrists stand to be the real winners.
Yes, it's that big.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or [email protected]
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Some nice pics from Games past
 

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some more nice pics...
OURHOUSE.jpg

carr_oh_no_not_again.jpg

AVANT.jpg

fwh8i1.jpg
 
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Steve19;658970; said:
1. Defensive adjustments

I really admire the ability of Heacock and his staff to make halftime adjustments.

Northwestern got 297 total yards but only 65 in the second half. All the turnovers made the first half more exciting but the second half suggests to me that they are fully tuned up for TSUN. It is all the more impressive when you consider this was an away game and that the second string played a lot of the second half.

2. Rushing attack

Yesterday, we only put about 70 yards more on Northwestern than the average team has put on them. A lot of that has to do with the early turnovers and short field situations.

What impressed me is that we put 231 yards rushing up on a team that has allowed 145 on average. All of our running backs looked good, thanks in large part to excellent zone blocking.

The Game is going to be played in the trenches. Man-to-man. Smashmouth. How long ago was it that we bemoaned the lack of a running game?

I am very comfortable with this team's ability to play the #2 team in the country in the trenches. Man-to-man. Smashmouth.
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Great points! Heacock has been able to do that at will and does do a great job. Also I love the consistancy no matter who plays ie (Homan,int) . It's just absoolutly great. Great coaching.
SMASHMOUTH WOOO WOOO WOOO
:oh:
 
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I'm not going to lie, this game is going to be of epic proportions. Which is why I'm kind of worried. There's no doubt in my mind that we're a great football team, and that playing at the 'Shoe is extremely beneficial. However, with two teams and a game like this, it will just build stress for the rest of the week, until gameday comes.

Prediction:

tOSU: 27
Mich: 17
 
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I think that this game, like most big games, will come down to 2-3 big plays, for one team or the other. They could be turnovers, or special teams, or whatever. And, if I'm right, I think Ohio State has a great chance.

From what I understand, Michigan's strength lies in their defensive line. Ohio State can and should be able to run screens and roll-outs to nullify Michigan's defensive line. I have full confidence in Troy Smith's ability to see holes in a defensive zone and find an open receiver, or a running lane for him to scramble. So if Smith can elude Michigan's pass rush, I don't know that Michigan could consistently stop Ohio State's offense.

On the other side of the ball, I see Michigan being able to do two things: throw the ball deep, and run the ball. Manningham will catch a deep pass. It's up to Ohio State's secondary and pass rush to keep his catches limited. Other than a few dinky-dinky catch-and-run plays by Northern Illinois, Northwestern, etc. Ohio State hasn't given up many long passes this season. I'm fairly confident that they can contain Michigan's deep passes.

Finally, Hart's running: he'll get his yards. He may even get a LOT of yards. I don't know much about a zone-block scheme, but from what I've heard, Ohio State has a great defensive line to face Michigan's blocking scheme. But, whatever. Ohio State has a great defensive line, so I think that they will be able to keep the linebackers free to make tackles. Plus, if they keep the cornerback blitzing, Ohio State should be able to stop Michigan often enough.

Finally, turnovers. Hopefully, Chris Wells has it in his head that the football is more important than his life is. He cannot fumble it. And if it's not windy (November in Columbus - I'm fairly skeptical), Troy Smith shouldn't have any problems.

I believe that this will be bend-but-don't-break at it's finest. Michigan scores a late touchdown to make the score look closer than the game actually is. In fact, their touchdown only makes up for the touchdown drive led by Justin Zwick. Ohio State 30 - Michigan 13.
 
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Beat M*ch!g@n Week!

Upcoming Events

Monday, November 13, 2006

Fundraiser Night For The American Cancer Society
Location: Mongolian BBQ-Arena District 11/13/2006 6:00 PM
Beat Michigan Week Pep Rally and Kick-Off Event!
Location: Ballrooms 11/13/2006 7:30 PM

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

PB and Jam
Location: All Over Campus 11/14/2006 10:00 AM
Banner Signing and Vist From Barrington Elementary
Location: Information Desk Lobby 11/14/2006 11:00 AM

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Toss The Maize (and Blue) Cornhole Tournament
Location: Ohio Union - Ballrooms 11/15/2006 5:30 PM

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Skin Cancer Screening
Location: Ohio Union West Lawn 11/17/2006 9:00 AM
Beat Michigan Week Blood Drive
Location: Main Lounge 11/16/2006 11:00 AM
Pan The Wolverines Pizza Challenge
Location: Ohio Union 11/16/2006 6:00 PM
"The Greatest Rivalry in Sports...in Concert"
Location: Ohio Theatre 11/16/2006 7:30 PM
OSU Wrestling Match
Location: St. John Arena 11/16/2006 7:30 PM

Friday, November 17, 2006

Beat Michigan Week Blood Drive
Location: Main Lounge 11/18/2006 7:30 AM
Beat Michigan Week Clash and BBQ Bash
Location: South Oval 11/17/2006 2:00 PM
Pizza Night with DJ Peter Sheppard
Location: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 11/18/2006 10:00 PM
Jericho Road Breakfast
Location: Summit United Methodist Church 11/18/2006 11:00 PM

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Bill's Brunch for the Big Game
Location: Recreation and Physical Activities Center (RPAC) 11/18/2006 11:00 AM
OSU vs. MICHIGAN FOOTBALL GAME
Location: THE SHOE 11/18/2006 3:30 PM
 
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OSUsushichic;659150; said:
Beat M*ch!g@n Week!

Upcoming Events

Monday, November 13, 2006

Fundraiser Night For The American Cancer Society
Location: Mongolian BBQ-Arena District 11/13/2006 6:00 PM
Beat Michigan Week Pep Rally and Kick-Off Event!
Location: Ballrooms 11/13/2006 7:30 PM

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

PB and Jam
Location: All Over Campus 11/14/2006 10:00 AM
Banner Signing and Vist From Barrington Elementary
Location: Information Desk Lobby 11/14/2006 11:00 AM

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Toss The Maize (and Blue) Cornhole Tournament
Location: Ohio Union - Ballrooms 11/15/2006 5:30 PM

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Skin Cancer Screening
Location: Ohio Union West Lawn 11/17/2006 9:00 AM
Beat Michigan Week Blood Drive
Location: Main Lounge 11/16/2006 11:00 AM
Pan The Wolverines Pizza Challenge
Location: Ohio Union 11/16/2006 6:00 PM
"The Greatest Rivalry in Sports...in Concert"
Location: Ohio Theatre 11/16/2006 7:30 PM
OSU Wrestling Match
Location: St. John Arena 11/16/2006 7:30 PM

Friday, November 17, 2006

Beat Michigan Week Blood Drive
Location: Main Lounge 11/18/2006 7:30 AM
Beat Michigan Week Clash and BBQ Bash
Location: South Oval 11/17/2006 2:00 PM
Pizza Night with DJ Peter Sheppard
Location: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 11/18/2006 10:00 PM
Jericho Road Breakfast
Location: Summit United Methodist Church 11/18/2006 11:00 PM

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Bill's Brunch for the Big Game
Location: Recreation and Physical Activities Center (RPAC) 11/18/2006 11:00 AM
OSU vs. MICHIGAN FOOTBALL GAME
Location: THE SHOE 11/18/2006 3:30 PM
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Thursday: Mirror Lake
Friday: Dead Schembachlers Hate Michigan Rally:
THE GAME: It's on. The biggest game in the history of college football. Number One OSU versus the Number Two scUM. The Dead Schembechlers have issued the following statement, "We publicly announced at the beginning of this season that it would be the greatest in the history of Buckeyes football. It is now coming to pass. We will march on a road of Wolverine bones and dance about on their graves singing 'Hallelujah!' We expect to see everyone in the Buckeyes Nation at The Hate Michigan Rally to help bring victory! It is the solemn duty of all the faithful to attend. Woody be praised."
^from their site lol
 
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