(Sorry, first draft stuff today. Real world getting in the way. I’ll go back and fix later if I get a chance.)
Before I get into any sort of game analysis, I’ve got to express my frustration with the Ohio State Athletic Dept. and the scheduling decisions they’ve made as of late. While I can understand scheduling a smaller, in-state school early in the season, to schedule a school as soft as the school we meet this weekend is unexcusable. Ohio State plays on a national level. In order to gain the respect needed to stay in the BCS hunt year after year, we need to schedule the best of the best. The team we face this weekend just doesn’t qualify.
Unlike the SEC and other conferences, there is no conference playoff in The Big Ten. If we ever want to gain the respect we are due, the Buckeyes can’t afford to play second rate teams in November.
That aside, I’ve only got time for a quick look at this weekends matchup against the Mac Conference slumpbust, Mich1AAchigan.
If ever there was a game made for Tresselball, especially the Tresselball of late, this is the game. The Meatchicken has been a sieve on defense against the run giving up more then 160 yards per game. They do front a strong defensive line though and have the ability to pressure the quarterback. The secondary however, not so good. Expect Tressel to run the ball and run the ball again until he can’t run it any more and then he’ll probably run it again. Tress has done more then enough to demonstrate his concern with the turnover and what better way to protect the ball then to tuck and run. Look for the Buckeyes to get the ball and slowly march it down the field with a few big plays thrown in for good measure.
However, while the Michigan pass rush has been effective this season and they’ve managed a number of sacks. The Buckeye offensive line though is healthy, has stepped up their game protecting Pryor and Pryor’s decision making has matured by leaps and bounds. Look for him to roll out to the safety of the sides and take advantage of the week secondary.
On defense, Forcier has been prone to turnovers and don’t tell me the Ohio State defensive front aren’t looking to eat him alive. Ohio State’s pass pressure will have a huge impact on this game. If they can force the turnover, and they will, _ichigan doesn’t stand a chance.
The only thing the Wolverines have going for them is Coach D-Rod and his team are backed into a corner like a hunted beast making it’s last stand against a well armed pack of hunters. It’s only hope is that they can somehow find the motivation in the fact that this is The Game. Problem is, I don’t think their coach has it in them, there is too much infighting and face it, Tressel knows how to beat the whore.
The Buckeyes have been burned a couple of times by freshman quarterbacks and I got burned last week on the spread. I don’t think it’s going to happen Saturday. I’m looking for the shutout and you know if given the chance, they’ll do it.
