34°It's OSU-Michigan week
01:03 PM
Nov 18
2008
Nov 18
2008
Five things to watch for
1. Michigan leads the series 57-41-6, but Ohio State has won four straight.
2. In the Big Ten, the Wolverines are tied for ninth in scoring offense at 21.5 points per game and 10th in scoring defense at 27.7 per outing.
3. OSU is last in the conference in pass offense at 144.8 yards per game.
4. Michigan is first in the Big Ten in punting at 42.2 yards, followed by the Buckeyes at 40.5.
5. OSU ranks second in the Big Ten in turnover at plus 14, while the Wolverines are last at minus 9.
OSU wins 28-10
Since Fandy.com the print edition won’t return until Dec. 4, The Ohio State-Michigan preview will be posted online.
The game is Saturday and pits the 10th ranked Buckeyes against the unranked Wolverines.
OSU is a 19-point favorite, matching the largest spread in the rivalry according to World Features Syndicate, provider of the Glantz-Culver Line.
But you ask the Buckeyes players and coach Jim Tressel and you know what they’re thinking — Michigan has absolutely nothing to lose. They’ll come out and play care free.
OSU, meanwhile, has everything to lose — a chance to share the Big Ten title, a possible shot at a BCS Bowl game.
Stranger things have happened in this series.
In 1995, No. 12 ranked Michigan topped the second-ranked Buckeyes 31-23 as Wolverine running back Tim Biakabutuka ran all over OSU for 313 yards on 37 carries. The following season No. 21 Michigan beat the second-ranked Buckeyes 13-9.
In 1969, No. 12 Michigan doubled up top-ranked OSU 24-12. The Buckeyes were defending champs and had a 22-game winning streak, but were stopped a rookie coach Glenn “Bo’’ Schembechler
The Buckeyes have also had their share of good wins.
In 1974, fourth-ranked OSU edged No. 3 Michigan 12-10.
Of course, since coach Jim Tressel owned former Wolverine coach Lloyd Carr.
Tressel took over in 2001 and won in his first time at Ann Arbor, 26-20 when the Wolverines were ranked 11th.
In 2002, OSU downed Michigan 13-9 to reach the BCS National Championship Game.
Two years later, the Buckeyes downed the seventh-ranked Wolverines 37-21 in game that saw the emergence of Troy Smith and Ted Ginn Jr. for OSU.
Of course, the 2006 game that was the Game of the Century saw the top-ranked Buckeyes met No. 2 Michigan with a trip to the BCS National Championship Game on the line. OSU gained a 42-39 win over the Wolverines in the highest scoring game in the series.
So what does 2008 bring?
The Buckeyes have captured three straight wins after a 13-6 loss to Penn State Oct. 25. They seem to be finding their rhythm offensively with freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor and running back Chris Wells as a potent 1-2 combination.
Take Saturday against Illinois, for example. With windy and cold weather conditions, the Buckeyes pretty much shelved the pass and relied on Wells and Pryor. Both delivered as Wells picked up 143 yards and Pryor added 110.
Pryor did a much better job of recognizing the rush and taking off sooner with the rush. He didn’t take any sacks. It looked so effortlessly for Pryor at times, even though it wasn’t.
Wells had a highlight reel leap that drew praise from the press box.
It reminded me much like the Michigan game last season in which OSU relied on Wells in tough conditions. He picked up 222 yards in a 14-3 win.
The Buckeyes passed for just 49 yards. At some point, a passing game needs to develop, but OSU is winning.
Meanwhile, Illinois quarterback Juice Williams frustrated the Buckeyes with his elusiveness. The Fighting Illini carved out 455 yards against OSU.
Illinois was much better with the no-huddle, quick snap offense that kept the Buckeyes off balance.
OSU was saved by two turnovers and a blocked kick.
I’m not sure Michigan has a quarterback as elusive as Williams, especially if Stephen Threet doesn’t play. He is listed as doubtful for the Buckeyes game with a shoulder injury.
Threet ranks 10th in the Big Ten in passing at 110.5 yards per game.
Also listed as doubtful for the Wolverines is leading rusher Sam McGuffie, who had a death in the family.
Despite all that is stacked against Michigan, the Wolverines aren’t going to lay down. This is a proud program that is down now. They want to head into next season with some confidence, but it won’t happen this time.
1. Michigan leads the series 57-41-6, but Ohio State has won four straight.
2. In the Big Ten, the Wolverines are tied for ninth in scoring offense at 21.5 points per game and 10th in scoring defense at 27.7 per outing.
3. OSU is last in the conference in pass offense at 144.8 yards per game.
4. Michigan is first in the Big Ten in punting at 42.2 yards, followed by the Buckeyes at 40.5.
5. OSU ranks second in the Big Ten in turnover at plus 14, while the Wolverines are last at minus 9.
OSU wins 28-10
Since Fandy.com the print edition won’t return until Dec. 4, The Ohio State-Michigan preview will be posted online.
The game is Saturday and pits the 10th ranked Buckeyes against the unranked Wolverines.
OSU is a 19-point favorite, matching the largest spread in the rivalry according to World Features Syndicate, provider of the Glantz-Culver Line.
But you ask the Buckeyes players and coach Jim Tressel and you know what they’re thinking — Michigan has absolutely nothing to lose. They’ll come out and play care free.
OSU, meanwhile, has everything to lose — a chance to share the Big Ten title, a possible shot at a BCS Bowl game.
Stranger things have happened in this series.
In 1995, No. 12 ranked Michigan topped the second-ranked Buckeyes 31-23 as Wolverine running back Tim Biakabutuka ran all over OSU for 313 yards on 37 carries. The following season No. 21 Michigan beat the second-ranked Buckeyes 13-9.
In 1969, No. 12 Michigan doubled up top-ranked OSU 24-12. The Buckeyes were defending champs and had a 22-game winning streak, but were stopped a rookie coach Glenn “Bo’’ Schembechler
The Buckeyes have also had their share of good wins.
In 1974, fourth-ranked OSU edged No. 3 Michigan 12-10.
Of course, since coach Jim Tressel owned former Wolverine coach Lloyd Carr.
Tressel took over in 2001 and won in his first time at Ann Arbor, 26-20 when the Wolverines were ranked 11th.
In 2002, OSU downed Michigan 13-9 to reach the BCS National Championship Game.
Two years later, the Buckeyes downed the seventh-ranked Wolverines 37-21 in game that saw the emergence of Troy Smith and Ted Ginn Jr. for OSU.
Of course, the 2006 game that was the Game of the Century saw the top-ranked Buckeyes met No. 2 Michigan with a trip to the BCS National Championship Game on the line. OSU gained a 42-39 win over the Wolverines in the highest scoring game in the series.
So what does 2008 bring?
The Buckeyes have captured three straight wins after a 13-6 loss to Penn State Oct. 25. They seem to be finding their rhythm offensively with freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor and running back Chris Wells as a potent 1-2 combination.
Take Saturday against Illinois, for example. With windy and cold weather conditions, the Buckeyes pretty much shelved the pass and relied on Wells and Pryor. Both delivered as Wells picked up 143 yards and Pryor added 110.
Pryor did a much better job of recognizing the rush and taking off sooner with the rush. He didn’t take any sacks. It looked so effortlessly for Pryor at times, even though it wasn’t.
Wells had a highlight reel leap that drew praise from the press box.
It reminded me much like the Michigan game last season in which OSU relied on Wells in tough conditions. He picked up 222 yards in a 14-3 win.
The Buckeyes passed for just 49 yards. At some point, a passing game needs to develop, but OSU is winning.
Meanwhile, Illinois quarterback Juice Williams frustrated the Buckeyes with his elusiveness. The Fighting Illini carved out 455 yards against OSU.
Illinois was much better with the no-huddle, quick snap offense that kept the Buckeyes off balance.
OSU was saved by two turnovers and a blocked kick.
I’m not sure Michigan has a quarterback as elusive as Williams, especially if Stephen Threet doesn’t play. He is listed as doubtful for the Buckeyes game with a shoulder injury.
Threet ranks 10th in the Big Ten in passing at 110.5 yards per game.
Also listed as doubtful for the Wolverines is leading rusher Sam McGuffie, who had a death in the family.
Despite all that is stacked against Michigan, the Wolverines aren’t going to lay down. This is a proud program that is down now. They want to head into next season with some confidence, but it won’t happen this time.
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