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

[Best Buckeye]

GO BUCKS !
0-H

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

 

[JCOSU86]

http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/college/osu/2006/11/13/ddn111406perry.html CINCINNATI ? Bengals tailback and former University of Michigan great Chris Perry added some spice to The Big Game by trashing Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, ripping Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel and predicting a resounding Wolverines victory.
Speaking from the Bengals open locker room Monday, Perry said Smith doesn't deserve the Heisman Trophy as the nation's most outstanding player. Perry also bashed the media for hyping Smith's Heisman hopes and said Michigan will administer a decisive 31-17 triumph.
"It's a blowout," Perry said. "Ain't no ifs, ands or buts about it. (Defensive tackle Alan) Branch is going to knock the stuffing out of ? what's his name ? Troy Smith. You all set that (Heisman Trophy talk) up anyway. That's some BS to begin with.
"He shouldn't even win the Heisman. He's not going to win his league or the national championship. We all know what's going to happen. We're going to win it. It's been long overdue. Tressel's been cheating. So, hey, we're going to keep it real. There ain't nothing else to say."
Perry said two of Michigan's touchdowns "are going to be scored by the defense. (Ohio State wide receiver) Ted Ginn's going to get off, but he's not going to be able to win the game for them.
"We've got a defense with Branch. He's the D-tackle, man ? 6-foot-6, 330 (pounds). We've got (defensive end) LaMarr Woodley, (linebacker) David Harris, (cornerback) Leon Hall. You want me to keep naming names?"
Won't Michigan coach Lloyd Carr be upset with one of his former players blasting the school's No. 1 rival?
"Lloyd's not worried about me because nobody else is worried about me," Perry said. "They're (the Wolverines) going to handle their business like professionals, and go ahead and win the national championship."
Perry believes the OSU-Michigan winner will play Southern California or Notre Dame for the national title, but he wouldn't rule out a Buckeyes-Wolverines rematch in the Fiesta Bowl.
"Michigan doesn't want to see that twice, even though it would be good for us," Perry said. "I think it should be (a rematch). If No. 1 and No. 2 are undefeated, and you lose to the No. 1 or No. 2 team, then why shouldn't you be back in the national championship? It makes sense to me, but that's why we have computers doing this instead of humans."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or [email protected]

Traitors
Ohioans who played for Michigan get grief from OSU fans
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
By Todd Jones THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

They might as well have miniature winged helmets painted on their foreheads as targets and rent themselves out at Ohio State booster parties as human pi?atas.
They are the few, the proud, the Columbus natives who literally crossed the line, as in the state border, played football for the Michigan Wolverines, then returned to their hometown with no regrets.
"It?s like being in the belly of the beast," said Mike Boren of Pickerington, a former Michigan linebacker. "In the (1990s) it was a great place to live. Now, it?s been a little hectic. Hey, it?s humbling."
Boren chuckled, for any razzing he takes from Ohio State fans ? emboldened by two straight wins over the Wolverines and four in the past five years ? is generally goodnatured.
Besides, it?s Boren?s son, Justin, who?ll be viewed with disdain Saturday in Ohio Stadium when he takes the field as a freshman reserve right guard for second-ranked Michigan against No. 1 Ohio State.
"He?s the one who has to put up with people down here saying, ?You?re a traitor,? " said Boren, an Eastmoor High School graduate who played for Michigan from 1980-83, and led the team in tackles his junior and senior years.
David Key, one of seven players from Columbus and 325 from Ohio to letter in football for Michigan, still hears "Benedict Arnold" comments aimed at him, and he hasn?t worn a Wolverines uniform in 16 years.
"I have gone to Ohio State games incognito," the East Side resident said with a laugh. "I tell people, ?Don?t tell anyone I?m here.? "
Jeff Reeves, a Linden McKinley graduate who lettered as a Michigan defensive back from 1979 to ?81, hasn?t received a prodigal son?s welcome since moving back to central Ohio three years ago.
"I?ve had people egg my windows and take the decals off my car," he said. "They write ?Traitor? on my window."
Reeves, the chief administrative officer for Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, has fun with Ohio State fans by giving them his own zingers when they joke about his Michigan coat or hat, as they did recently at a Gahanna High School football game.
"They were all abusing me," he said. "I told them, ?You guys are just ashamed and embarrassed you don?t have a real football program.? I told them, ?I?m so tired of that sloopy song.?
"They say, ?Take that jacket off. Have you lost your mind? Don?t you know where you?re at?? I say, ?Yes, I?m in Columbus, Ohio, and when you get some class you?ll wear a jacket like this.? They laugh, but some of them take it serious. What really gets them mad is when I say, ?We are known for academics (at Michigan). Your guys (at Ohio State) are known for jail.? "
And then there?s Marcus Ray, a foil for his hometown since he helped to beat the Buckeyes three times in his four seasons as a defensive back at Michigan from 1995 through ?98.
"Even to this day, people have stuff to say to me about Ohio State and Michigan," said Ray, a social worker for the Columbus Public Schools. "It?s kind of hard to live here. I?ve thought about moving back to Ann Arbor. I guess they need one person to pick on, but I?ve always got something to throw back in their faces.
"I love living here, but I hate Buckeye fans. It?s just that I?m not a Buckeye fan. Every time I look up, everything they do is the greatest in the world. ?This is the greatest linebacker. He?s the greatest.? It?s all a hype machine. I can barely watch TV."
The state of Ohio first watched a native son leave to play football in Ann Arbor in 1893, when Fred Henninger of Barberton played his first of four seasons for the Wolverines. William Baker of Woodville was the first native Ohioan to play against the Buckeyes in the inaugural OSU-Michigan game on Oct. 16, 1897.
Ohioans who have followed Henninger and Baker to letter at Michigan include Columbus natives Tom Austin, George Johnson and Dale Keitz, Pickerington?s Lawrence Reid, Worthington?s Dennis Jones, Blacklick?s Grant Bowman, Delaware?s Tom Lansdsittel, Circleville?s Miller Pontius and Lancaster?s Don Eaton.
Two of Michigan?s three Heisman Trophy winners were born in Ohio. Desmond Howard, the 1991 winner, is a Cleveland native, and 1997 winner Charles Woodson hails from Fremont.
Bo Schembechler, the legendary Michigan coach, was from Barberton and served as an Ohio State assistant coach under Woody Hayes. His successor as Wolverines coach in 1990 was Gary Moeller, a Bellefontaine native who was a player-captain for the Buckeyes in 1962.
"I hear about that, but I never hear bad things, things like I was a traitor," Moeller said.
Key, a Hartley graduate, enjoys the exchanges he has with OSU fans about why he left home to play defensive back at Michigan from 1987 to ?90.
"I love this rivalry, and it becomes more important to me as I get older, especially in the current atmosphere of Buckeyemania," said Key, who grew up an Ohio State fan.
For defense in the face of OSU fever, Key points out that he went 3-1 against the Buckeyes, won three Big Ten titles and played in two Rose Bowls.
Ray uses his bling to block out unwanted noise.
"I flash my ?97 national championship ring at them to get them to back off a little bit," he said.
Mike Boren and Reeves can say they went 2-2 against Ohio State and played in two Rose Bowls as Big Ten champs.
"I respect Jim Tressel," Reeves said. "I respect what the university is about and how Woody put together that program. But their fans are obnoxious. What I have a problem with, being a Michigan fan in Columbus, is that people here can?t leave it salone. They talk about it all year round."
Reeves expects to hear some comments Saturday when he watches the game on the Wolverines? sideline as part of a Michigan recruiting trip made by his son Darius, a Gahanna junior running back.
And he expects he?ll have clean-up chores at home, too, because of some OSU zealots.
"They?ll toilet paper my yard in Blacklick," Reeves said with a laugh. "I know they will. That?s OK, I?m fine with it. It?s about class. Michigan fans have class. Ohio State fans have a one-track mind: football and drinking beer. Win or lose, those idiots will tear up the city."
[email protected]

Wow. From the classiest fans of the classiest program.

 

[buckeyeboy]

Chris Perry's rant could be the most hate-filled, unsupported, unintelligent trash talk I've ever heard. If one of our former players ever said something like that, I'd be embarrassed.

 

[Buckskin86]

Tuesday Question - Michigan or Ohio State
By Staff
CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Nov 14, 2006

Will it be Michigan or Ohio State in this year's version of the Game of the Century?

Pete Fiutak
Q: Simple ... Michigan or Ohio State?

A: Since I'm doing the write-up tomorrow, doing the Stream-of-Consciousness notes for it and get the final say on the prediction and what might happen before it goes up on CFN and Fox, I'm going to pull a Herbstreit before a game he's doing and not make the pick right now. With that in mind, I think this is as dead-even as a game can get.

While I'm convinced there are the two best teams in America, they're hardly be-all-end-all flawless, and each still has something to prove. Ohio State hasn't really played anyone of note since the Texas win in early September, while Michigan, for the most part, has been able to tame the last few months off since the win over Wisconsin. I know Penn State isn't bad, but it's not last year's Penn State team.

Ohio State's defense and Michigan's offense are a bit underappreciated and should play bigger roles than their more celebrated counterparts on the opposite sides of the ball. As crazy as this sounds this late in the season, I don't think we really know enough about either side. Michigan hasn't faced an offense since Notre Dame, and Ohio State hasn't dealt with a polished, poised offense since, well, it hasn't.

This much appears to be certain: this should be the most important Michigan - Ohio State game ever, which is certainly saying something for college football's greatest rivalry.

Richard Cirminiello
Q: Simple ... Michigan or Ohio State?

A: Conventional wisdom says to go with the Buckeyes. Me too. Obviously, this is an epic and near even match up with historical implications, so one break or one bad bounce could completely shift the balance of power. However, Ohio State has three big edges that?ll tip the scales in its favor: playing at the Horseshoe, having Jim Tressel, who?s 4-1 in this rivalry, on its sidelines and Troy Smith. Home field and head coaching advantages are huge in clashes of this magnitude, but both pale in comparison to the importance of No. 10. Smith is so much more than a magician in cleats. He?s a big game winner, which is exactly what every coach craves in his signal caller. He?s proven time and time again, most notably in this series, that when the Buckeyes need to make a pivotal play, he?s more than capable of delivering. There?ll be so many delicious games-within-games this weekend, including the battles in the trenches, Leon Hall vs. Ted Ginn, Mike Hart vs. the Ohio State front seven?but when the recap is done, Troy Smith will have taken one big stride toward the school?s seventh Heisman Trophy. Oh, and Anthony Gonzalez, not Ginn will be the Buckeyes? other hero on offense.

Ohio State 30 Michigan 20

John Harris
Q: Simple ... Michigan or Ohio State?

A. I haven?t wavered since the spring on the number one team in the nation ? Ohio State, and I?m not in the mood to waver now. Why? Because I?m not in the mood, that?s why. But, really, why? Okay, here?s why.

1. Columbus, Ohio ? Ohio Stadium ? self-explanatory
2. Ohio State QB and Heisman front runner Troy Smith makes mincemeat of Michigan every year. It?s a pre-Thanksgiving ritual.
3. Ohio State RB Antonio Pittman is the most underrated running back in the nation
4. Who does Michigan choose to focus on in the pass game ? Ted Ginn or Anthony Gonzales? Smith will find the one UM leaves open.
5. With Mario Manningham not completely at 100%, Michigan can?t stretch the defense vertically, even with WR Steve Breaston (more a horizontal stretch player).
6. Ohio State?s depth in the front seven will keep guys fresh against one of the most powerful offensive lines in the nation. Linebackers will be able to fill backside gaps and not allow RB Mike Hart to gain a ton of yardage on cutback runs.
7. Ohio State will make something happen on special teams, a return or a block, to change the game.
8. This isn?t 1996.

That all being said, the Buckeyes take care of business on their way to Glendale. Now, don?t get me wrong, Michigan is going to be the most physical team Ohio State has seen this year, and if the zone running game gets rolling to force the Buckeye safeties to move forward before going back, Michigan QB Chad Henne could find success on play action deep down the middle of the field. The Bucks might get beat deep once, but that?s it. Smith will take what the Wolverine defense gives to him, and don?t be surprised to see him get 8 to 10 carries on designed runs to keep Michigan honest?and also open up the middle of the field on the option pass that has killed teams this year. Bucks ? 27 vs. Michigan ? 21

Matthew Zemek
Q: Simple ... Michigan or Ohio State?

A: I trust Troy Smith, who has been kryptonite for Michigan two years running.

I don't trust Chad Henne, who needs to play off the charts for his team to win.

Michigan must not only beat Ohio State. The Wolverines have to beat OSU straight-up. Why? Because if this game is decided by broken plays that require improvisation and think-on-your-feet creativity, Smith will carry the Buckeyes.

It's really rather simple: Michigan is an outstanding team that, in any other year, would be headed for Lloyd Carr's second national title. But in Columbus against a team that has a plan B if things don't go perfectly on the chalkboard, the Maize and Blue only have a plan A. It might be good enough, but Troy Smith's improvisational ability--which has sunk Michigan the past two seasons--gives OSU a huge and fundamental amount of leverage.

OSU, 27-16.

http://cfn.scout.com/2/590459.html

 

[Bleed S & G]

chris perry is a shit head

 

[Crystal76]

It seems fitting that my first real memories of Ohio State football is of Earle Bruce being carried off the field by his team at the end of a Michigan game.

The Game has changed during my time. It went from the Cooper years, which I can say still has lingering effects on me. I still wait for the shoe to drop so to speak. Where no matter how great of a team we had, that damn team (tsun) would beat them. Now to the Tressel years. Where he takes a team, that has talent, no doubt about it. But, not as phenomenal as some of Cooper teams. Beats the hated school, and on to a National Championship.

I realized in 2002 The Game is not about talent. It's not about who is better. It's about who wants it more. Who comes out and plays with the most heart. For me watching a Jim Tressel coached team is a thing of beauty. His players are all heart, along with talent. He is not a coach that just glides through the season. He is a teacher, a student of an ever changing game. Woody would be proud of Jim Tressel. He brought the tradition back.

I can not tell you how happy it makes me to watch these guys(the players, and Coach Tressel.) speak with the media. There is not trash talking, they don?t brag about how great they are. They wait, and prove it on the field.

So, while this game saddens me, because it?s the end of the season. I am also happy. No matter what the outcome of this game is, this class of Buckeyes will go down as one of the best. From Troy Smith, who went from a so-so QB, to one of the best in the nation. To a 'rebuilt' D, that came out and eclipsed the D from a year ago, that was without a doubt one of the best group of guys I have seen play at Ohio State.

I want a win. Of course, I do. But, IF we should loose, these guys have still made us all proud.

So, Good luck, guys.

Beat the living shit out of that damn team!

(Okay, so I can only do eloquent so long before my hatred for that team comes out....)

This is all just my opinion, and it and fifty cents, still won't get you a cup of coffee.

 

[k_stone_69]

DDN

Bengals' Perry talks some trash

Michigan alum mocks Troy Smith, says UM will win 'a blowout.'


By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

CINCINNATI ? Bengals tailback and former University of Michigan great Chris Perry added some spice to The Big Game by trashing Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, ripping Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel and predicting a resounding Wolverines victory.
Speaking from the Bengals open locker room Monday, Perry said Smith doesn't deserve the Heisman Trophy as the nation's most outstanding player. Perry also bashed the media for hyping Smith's Heisman hopes and said Michigan will administer a decisive 31-17 triumph.
"It's a blowout," Perry said. "Ain't no ifs, ands or buts about it. (Defensive tackle Alan) Branch is going to knock the stuffing out of ? what's his name ? Troy Smith. You all set that (Heisman Trophy talk) up anyway. That's some BS to begin with.
"He shouldn't even win the Heisman. He's not going to win his league or the national championship. We all know what's going to happen. We're going to win it. It's been long overdue. Tressel's been cheating. So, hey, we're going to keep it real. There ain't nothing else to say."
Perry said two of Michigan's touchdowns "are going to be scored by the defense. (Ohio State wide receiver) Ted Ginn's going to get off, but he's not going to be able to win the game for them.
"We've got a defense with Branch. He's the D-tackle, man ? 6-foot-6, 330 (pounds). We've got (defensive end) LaMarr Woodley, (linebacker) David Harris, (cornerback) Leon Hall. You want me to keep naming names?"
Won't Michigan coach Lloyd Carr be upset with one of his former players blasting the school's No. 1 rival?
"Lloyd's not worried about me because nobody else is worried about me," Perry said. "They're (the Wolverines) going to handle their business like professionals, and go ahead and win the national championship."
Perry believes the OSU-Michigan winner will play Southern California or Notre Dame for the national title, but he wouldn't rule out a Buckeyes-Wolverines rematch in the Fiesta Bowl.
"Michigan doesn't want to see that twice, even though it would be good for us," Perry said. "I think it should be (a rematch). If No. 1 and No. 2 are undefeated, and you lose to the No. 1 or No. 2 team, then why shouldn't you be back in the national championship? It makes sense to me, but that's why we have computers doing this instead of humans."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or [email protected]

Chris Perry is a douchebag.

 

[TJnTN]

Chris Perry running his mouth cracks me up. This coming from a guy who can't even be a starting tailback in the NFL. As a native of Cincy, I say we send the scUM packin' and get what we really need, some flippin' defense.

 

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

To hell with Perry, that no-name schmuck is just bitter about the past 2 years. Now he is scared about this year, which explains his ridiculous comments.

Gee, Perry, how about you rip on high school kids next? Aren't you supposed to be a professional?

 

[Best Buckeye]

why are you talking about Perry , he isn't worth the time.
We are about to play a very good football team, with a very good coach. They deserve our respect, if for no other reason that they are good and if we don't respect them they will clean our clocks.
Woody and BO were adversaries true, but they were very good friends too who admired and respected each other. Both as coaches and as Men.
We owe it to this game to respect This game , all the players and coaches past and present. and all the fans who will be roaring their lungs out on Sat.
GO BUCKS!
O- H

 

[CookyPuss]

http://www.sportsline.com/columns/story/9799793

Anyone read this article. What a dumb*ss freeman is. Turns out freeman isn't soo clean himself. Freaking liar. Oh makes me sooo mad. Boycott the heck out of CBS. Can't get a freaking journalist.

GO BUCKS! MUCK FICHIGAN!

Yet again someone claims that Lydell Ross trying to use the "hoe doe" from the wrong night is the equivalant of using counterfeit currency. What a jackass.

 

[st8ofmind]

Where do I find the famous "Game Preview" on this site?

Thanks. :osu:

 

[bukIpower]

I don't know if anyone caught this or mentioned this but on sports center they just did a peice on tosu offense, and it was mentioned that Michigan believes they have a secondary that can match up with the buckeyes very well... Wow anyone else think this is far from the truth?

One more thing I just read on bucknuts that I thought was interesting. Does anyone else realize that Texas' is #2 in rush defense at allowing only about 12 more yards a game that Michigan (43.0)?? We did just fine against their run defense, nothing great, but we were definatly not shut down.

 

[Best Buckeye]

On espn2 cold pizza 1st and ten they are downplaying the greatness of this game