I've been running thru the scenarios of the matchups we will see in this game, and (even considering the history of upsets) I cannot envision a result other than Buckeye domination. Not calling for a blowout, but OSU dictating the pace of play, and controlling the game in every facet. OSU will be the best team that UM has faced all season (with the possible exception of PSU). Man for man, we dominate at every position. Especially our D vs. their O is all OSU. Their O-line is crap, and our D-line has made great strides since the begining of the season (give it up for Abdallah and Nate Williams). Sheridan will be starting for the weasels, which means no deep passes, which means all of our back 7 will have a chance to pick him off. I'm kind of disappointed that Threet will not be playing, because he telegraphs his throws so bad I could snag an INT. The only player on that team that I could see making an impact on O is McGuffie, and he's out, perhaps never to suit up in Maize and Blue again. The kicker in the D vs. O matchup is that we just played a team that runs a better version of UM's offense, with superior personnel, and held them to 13 points thru 59 mins. Tyler Moeller should be starting again, and if we play the same scheme as last week, he could have 4+ sacks. Sheridan will be shitting his pants, and we may see Feagin pressed into service. I don't see the UM O moving the ball on our D.
Our O vs. their D isn't much different. Even though the UM D is the strength of the team, they haven't done much against any team with a pulse. I'm hoping that our O-line will have the motivation to play their best game of the season, and if they can open running lanes and protect, we should move the chains at will. We have a world class RB who has been a Wolverine Killer since he was a fumble prone frosh, and a phenom frosh QB who is ready to make his mark on the biggest rivalry in CFB. Even if we come out with a game plan that is exclusively power RB plays and QB draws, I don't think they can stop it. If the coaches are smart, they will challenge the UM DBs, and if TP has success passing, the O will open up. Beanie is ready for a big game, and TP can make a satement by makig big plays with his arm and his feet. The WRs need to show up for the big game. Even if the weather condidtions make this a one dimensional game like 08 ILL, or 07 UM, OSU should dominate.
I've heard all the arguments that The Game is never a gimme, and that new UM coaches usually win their first game, etc, etc., but this is different. DickRod does not compare to Bo, or Lllllloyd, or even Gary Moeller. All of those named were quality coaches who understood what coaching in the Big Ten and at UM meant. DickRod does not. He is trying to run a big east finesse team in the coliseum of Big Ten football. He just doesn't get it. You can run a spread offense in the Big Ten, wheter it's a passing spread, or a spread/option, but you ain't gonna do it with physically inferior players who aren't suited for the system. You can see the results UM has had vs. the "soft" teams in the Big Ten. PU, NW, and ILL, all had their way with UM. 5'7" slot receivers cannot make it in the Big Ten. A razzle dazzle offense without a world class player like Pat White will not win in the Big Ten (or the Pac-10, for that matter). DickRod is outmanned, outcoached, and outclassed in the Big Ten, and he will get his harshest lesson to date on Sat. True, this is UM's last game of the season. True, they have nothing left to play for. True, a win on Sat. will salvage the worst season in the history of UM football. But, their best game cannot compete with our best game. Their men are not on the level of our men. Their coach cannot fathom what our coach knows about this rivalry. The history of The Game looms large, but this year's matchup does not resemble year's past.
Apart from all that, this will be Senior Day in Ohio Stadium. Time to give a special recognition to those who have spent the last 4-5 years working their butts off to contribute to the success of the OSU football program. As the players take the field, take a moment to recognize them.
Nader Abballah, Todd Boeckman, Alex Boone, Doug Ebner, Marcus Freeman, Tyson Gentry, Bryan Gray, Malcolm Jenkins, Ben Kacsandi, Shaun Lane, J.D. Larson, James Lurinaitis, Ryan Lukens, Kyle Mitchum, Rory Nicol, Jamario O'Neal, Nick Patterson, Ben Person, Ryan Pretorius, Steve Rehring, Brian Robiskie, Kyle Ruhl, Jon Skinner, Brandon Smith, Curtis Terry, A.J. Trapasso, Maurice Wells.
(Oh, and Morgan
Trent. Who else has done so much to help OSU win?)
