Interesting analysis of the players.....
NFL scout makes prediction for Ohio State vs. Michigan after analyzing pro talent
A pro-centric look at 'The Game' provides a lot of insight entering Saturday
In the eyes of one veteran NFL scout, Ohio State vs. Michigan boils down to two fundamental questions.
- Are the Buckeyes better since they have a more talented but inexperienced team, or does the edge go to the Wolverines' more experienced group that's not considered as fast and athletic?
- Which offensive line has the most success against two talented defenses?
CBS Sports granted anonymity to a longtime NFL scout -- who has seen Ohio State and Michigan play this season -- to candidly assess both teams' talent. The scout's conclusion: Ohio State has more overall team speed, but Michigan can win if it finds a way to run the ball to play keep away like Michigan State did while losing 17-16 to the Buckeyes last week.
The quarterbacks
Though there are questions about J.T. Barrett being a viable NFL starter, the scout believes he's an ideal fit for Urban Meyer's spread option offense. Barrett ranks 25th nationally in quarterback rating and 26th in completion percentage to go with 2,304 passing yards and 722 rushing yards.
"His legs can bail them out with some of his quarterback runs, and that's what you may need in a game like this," the scout said. "I think in some ways he's almost underappreciated because he's not a flashy player, but he can have some 'wow' plays. He's a little streaky. The other day (10 of 22 for 86 yards vs. Michigan State) I thought was weather-related. If I were ranking the quarterbacks who have a chance to beat Alabama, I would say [Clemson's Deshaun] Watson and then Barrett."
For Michigan, John O'Korn went 7 of 16 for 59 yards last week in his first start after replacing injured starter Wilton Speight. The scout chalked up O'Korn's poor numbers to his debut at Michigan, difficult weather that lent itself to running the ball, and a not-so talented offensive line. Speight reportedly practiced on Tuesday and it's not clear if he will play.
"I think [O'Korn] can grow from that game," the scout said. "I think he's probably on par with Wilton Speight, but he just doesn't have a season of experience at Michigan under his belt. If Michigan can run the ball, he'll probably have a chance to play well enough to win. If they can't run the ball, that won't bode well."
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The prediction
Michigan hasn't won at Ohio State since 2000, which was Harbaugh's final year as an NFL quarterback.
"I think Ohio State will win at home with a low score," the scout said. "I think they can make it pretty miserable for O'Korn. If Michigan can play like Michigan State, that's the blueprint for them to win. They have the experience to do it everywhere except quarterback, but it's not as if O'Korn can't be effective."
Entire article:
http://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...gan-after-analyzing-their-pro-talent/?ref=yfp
