Ohio State vs. 'Meatchicken' Preview
Ohio State Buckeyes 6-5 vs. Michigan Wolverines 9-2
November 26, 2011
12:00 noon - ABC
Michigan Stadium
Ann Arbor, Michigan
The Drama: 'THE' Game
For the first time in 82 years, two first year coaches face off for the first time in their careers. OSU’s Luke Fickel and UM’s Brady Hoke both have their teams going in different directions. Hoke has the Wolverines in contention for a BCS bowl and Fickel is trying to avoid the first 6-6 season since 1999.
The Buckeyes will have to play as well as they have played all season to beat
The Buckeyes will win because: Pretend its Nebraska and then FINISH THE GAME
The entire offense flows through Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson. Robinson Leads the team in passing and rushing yards this season. If the Buckeyes have any hope of coming out of Ann Arbor with a win they have to stop Robinson. During the Nebraska game both the OSU offense and defense were firing on all cylinders and making the Huskers look silly. For three and a half quarters that is. Ohio State must channel that performance without losing focus to win the game.
The Buckeyes will lose because: Steady downward spiral since Indiana
In the recent past, the Buckeyes have been nearly unstoppable in November but 2011 has proven to be a different story. Both the offense and defense for the Buckeyes have played poorly and unless the coaching staff can turn on some magical “Play Good” switch there isn’t much hope. Michigan has improved their defense immensely under head coach Brady Hoke nearly cutting in half opposing offenses statistics in 2011. With the dreadful offensive play calling and lackadaisical execution of those play calls, the Buckeyes might be lucky to score.
The Wolver-wienie spotlight is on: QB Denard Robinson
Denard is the Michigan offense passing for 1889 yards, rushing for 993 yards and combining for 29 total touchdowns. Interceptions have been a sore spot for Robinson who has thrown 14 so far this season. He is the key to the first Michigan victory since 2003.
“Cooler” Stat of the game (macho stats for the water cooler): 4
The number of times Ohio State has lost six games in a season in its 121 years of football (1890).
“Cooler” Stat of the game Part Two: Edge still with Michigan?
Most Buckeye fans know that Michigan still holds a slight edge in the overall series between OSU and Michigan. At this time, the record is 57-44-6 in favor of the Wolverines.
This is mostly because of the start they got against the Buckeyes. From the first meeting in 1897 through 1918, Michigan was 13-0-2 against the scarlet and gray and outscored the Bucks 369-21 (ouch).
However, starting in 1919 through today, the two teams have played every year. The series is exactly even 44-44-4, and during those 92 games both teams have scored 1392 points.
The Bottom line: I will not mention Urban Meyer! Oops! I just did
The swagger has returned to the Wolverines and along with it the unmistakable stench of arrogant disrespect. Senior defensive end Ryan Van Bergen was quoted in the Dispatch saying, “I think there’s a lot of schools in Ohio, so why are they the Ohio State University? I call them Ohio. That’s what Coach calls them.” That’s like saying “There are a lot of schools in Alabama so I’m just going to call Auburn Alabama. Derp-da-Derp.” Idiots. Unfortunately I think this game will get ugly and I fully expect Hoke to run up the score at every opportunity. I also don’t think the Buckeyes will be able to stop them. However I was wrong about the Wisconsin game. I hope like heck I’m wrong again.
Prediction: UM 44 – OSU 10
2000-2011 Buckeye50.com, All Rights Reserved
By 'Pia' Pete Quint
TBDBITL 1992-96
Buckeye50.com
