Chip.Minnich
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Three Things To Watch in ‘The Game’
Chip.Minnich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State seeks its first win over That Team Up North since 2019.
In 2020, an outbreak of COVID-19 led to a cancellation. In 2021 and 2022, Ohio State suffered embarassing losses to their rival. Now in 2023, an ever-expanding scandal will keep Jim Harbaugh, the head coach of That Team Up North, off the sidelines.
It almost feels like another episode from a soap opera. The reality is that it is just another expansive chapter in what is known as “The Game”.
Both teams are 11-0, and can claim The Big Ten East Division with a victory. While the stakes have been comparably high in previous renditions, such as in 2006, the off the field drama for this year’s contest has both teams at an unparalleled intensity.
Below are Three Things To Watch for “The Game” when the ball kicks off on FOX at 12:00 p.m. ET in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Traditionally, the team that has been able to run the ball better than the other has won this contest. While both teams pride themselves on their respective abilities to run the football, it is my contention that the Wolverines are much more dependent upon having an effective running game than the Buckeyes.
Ohio State is getting back key players such as Tommy Eichenberg and Michael Hall Jr. on defense, and both will be needed to slow down Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards of the Wolverines. J.J. McCarthy is a legitimate threat as a runner, whether on designed quarterback runs or improvised scrambles. It would not surprise me if Sonny Styles acts like a spy on McCarthy, as Styles has the versatility to both cover the pass while also hindering McCarthy on potential perimeter runs.
2. TreVeyon Henderson’s moment to shine
Henderson has played very well over the last several games, with big games against Wisconsin (162 yards), Rutgers (128 yards) and Minnesota (146 yards). Henderson would have had a big game against Michigan State, but the Ohio State coaching staff wisely pulled Henderson from the lineup after getting a big lead.
Henderson’s effectiveness as a receiver out of the backfield may be an area that the Wolverines have difficulty accounting for, as they will already have their hands full trying to cover Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Cade Stover. Henderson had five receptions for 80 yards against Rutgers, with one play covering 65 yards. Henderson will be counted upon to come up big against That Team Up North both on the ground and through the air.
3. Lessons learned by Ryan Day and Jim Knowles
One year ago, Ryan Day seemed bound and determined to show That Team Up North that the Buckeyes could be just as tough and physical as the Wolverines. Conversely, Jim Knowles was insistent upon playing a highly aggressive style that often put the secondary in single coverage situations, leaving the Ohio State defense vulnerable to big plays.
Fast forward to this season. After the painful home loss to That Team Up North, it seemed as though Ryan Day recognized that he coached far too conservatively, and seemed to let it all hang out in the playoff game against Georgia. Even though Ohio State lost, the Buckeyes left nothing to chance.
Conversely, Jim Knowles has the Ohio State defense playing exceptionally well, but not playing as much of a riverboat gambler style, like he did in the losses to That Team Up North and Georgia in 2022. The Buckeyes have not given up big plays on defense, and have become very difficult to score points against, as evidenced by the fact that Maryland scored the most points against Ohio State back on Oct. 7, a 37-17 Buckeye victory.
Both coaches know what is at stake, and both seem to be ignoring all of the outside noise and hype coming into this game. It will bear watching to see how the Ohio State game plan shakes out on both sides of the ball.
A quick glance at the weather forecast for Ann Arbor has it in the high 30s, meaning ideal situations for the Ohio State offense to be thriving in both the running and passing game. Look for the Buckeyes to be effective in slowing down the running game of That Team Up North, and for the scarlet and gray to come home victorious for the first time since the 2019 season.
I have it Ohio State 28, That Team Up North 21.
Continue reading...
Chip.Minnich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State seeks its first win over That Team Up North since 2019.
In 2020, an outbreak of COVID-19 led to a cancellation. In 2021 and 2022, Ohio State suffered embarassing losses to their rival. Now in 2023, an ever-expanding scandal will keep Jim Harbaugh, the head coach of That Team Up North, off the sidelines.
It almost feels like another episode from a soap opera. The reality is that it is just another expansive chapter in what is known as “The Game”.
Both teams are 11-0, and can claim The Big Ten East Division with a victory. While the stakes have been comparably high in previous renditions, such as in 2006, the off the field drama for this year’s contest has both teams at an unparalleled intensity.
Below are Three Things To Watch for “The Game” when the ball kicks off on FOX at 12:00 p.m. ET in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- The TTUN running game vs. the Ohio State defense
Traditionally, the team that has been able to run the ball better than the other has won this contest. While both teams pride themselves on their respective abilities to run the football, it is my contention that the Wolverines are much more dependent upon having an effective running game than the Buckeyes.
Ohio State is getting back key players such as Tommy Eichenberg and Michael Hall Jr. on defense, and both will be needed to slow down Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards of the Wolverines. J.J. McCarthy is a legitimate threat as a runner, whether on designed quarterback runs or improvised scrambles. It would not surprise me if Sonny Styles acts like a spy on McCarthy, as Styles has the versatility to both cover the pass while also hindering McCarthy on potential perimeter runs.
2. TreVeyon Henderson’s moment to shine
Henderson has played very well over the last several games, with big games against Wisconsin (162 yards), Rutgers (128 yards) and Minnesota (146 yards). Henderson would have had a big game against Michigan State, but the Ohio State coaching staff wisely pulled Henderson from the lineup after getting a big lead.
Henderson’s effectiveness as a receiver out of the backfield may be an area that the Wolverines have difficulty accounting for, as they will already have their hands full trying to cover Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Cade Stover. Henderson had five receptions for 80 yards against Rutgers, with one play covering 65 yards. Henderson will be counted upon to come up big against That Team Up North both on the ground and through the air.
3. Lessons learned by Ryan Day and Jim Knowles
One year ago, Ryan Day seemed bound and determined to show That Team Up North that the Buckeyes could be just as tough and physical as the Wolverines. Conversely, Jim Knowles was insistent upon playing a highly aggressive style that often put the secondary in single coverage situations, leaving the Ohio State defense vulnerable to big plays.
Fast forward to this season. After the painful home loss to That Team Up North, it seemed as though Ryan Day recognized that he coached far too conservatively, and seemed to let it all hang out in the playoff game against Georgia. Even though Ohio State lost, the Buckeyes left nothing to chance.
Conversely, Jim Knowles has the Ohio State defense playing exceptionally well, but not playing as much of a riverboat gambler style, like he did in the losses to That Team Up North and Georgia in 2022. The Buckeyes have not given up big plays on defense, and have become very difficult to score points against, as evidenced by the fact that Maryland scored the most points against Ohio State back on Oct. 7, a 37-17 Buckeye victory.
Both coaches know what is at stake, and both seem to be ignoring all of the outside noise and hype coming into this game. It will bear watching to see how the Ohio State game plan shakes out on both sides of the ball.
A quick glance at the weather forecast for Ann Arbor has it in the high 30s, meaning ideal situations for the Ohio State offense to be thriving in both the running and passing game. Look for the Buckeyes to be effective in slowing down the running game of That Team Up North, and for the scarlet and gray to come home victorious for the first time since the 2019 season.
I have it Ohio State 28, That Team Up North 21.
Continue reading...