31°OSU outright Big Ten champs
12:31 PM
Nov 22
2009
Nov 22
2009
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Ohio State University’s 21-10 win over the University of Michigan Saturday at the Big House wouldn’t be classified as spectacular.
The Buckeyes used the same formula in recent outings to achieve the victory — run the ball and let the defense do the best.
OSU started off passing and hit some early, safe passes, but its main focus was running the ball and that they did.
First, the Wolverines are a better team than 2008. They are a young team also.
True freshman Tate Forcier shows a tremendous upside at quarterback and freshman Vincent Smith has good speed. Michigan can certainly score points.
The defense played well at times. They were able to pressure OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor and get some stops.
Then again, the Wolverine defense gave up an 11 play, 89-yard drive for a touchdown in which 10 of the plays were on the ground. There was nothing fancy. It was zone read in which Pryor decided to hand off to either Dan Herron or Brandon Saine or keep the ball himself.
That was after Michigan had just drawn to within 14-10 on a touchdown.
The bottom line, though, is that the Wolverines only improved by two wins this season — from three to five. I don’t think that’s the type of improvement the folks in Ann Arbor were looking for, considering a 4-0 start.
Michigan doesn’t go to a bowl game for the second straight season and finished 1-7 in the Big Ten. Once again, those type of stats won’t fly for the folks in Ann Arbor.
Next season is a huge year for coach Rich Rodriguez. Unless significant improvement is made, I have a feeling Rodriguez will be shown the door.
I have to give a shout to my friend The Drake, a Michigan graduate. Six straight and counting. Better luck next year.
Positives.
1. For the fifth straight time and eighth time this season, the Buckeyes surpassed the 200-yard mark in rushing.
Pryor, Saine and Herron have combined for 1,959 yards.
Pryor’s ability to create is the difference.
The offensive line deserves a kudo for making the running game happen.
“We’re just used to playing with each other,’’ center Michael Brewster said. “We have to get better, but we’re heading in the right direction.’’
2. With being able to run the ball, the Buckeyes had a 32:56 to 27:04 time possession advantage over Michigan. That also helped keep Forcier off the field.
3. The defense is the defense. They added five more turnovers, including scoring one for a touchdown when defensive end Cameron Heyward jumped on a Forcier fumble in the endzone. OSU moved its turnover margin to plus 16 — the best in the Big Ten.
4. The Buckeyes didn’t kick a field, but Michigan had a big miss when Jason Olensavage pushed a 24-yard attempt to the right in the first quarter.
Negatives
1. For the second straight week, OSU faced a quarterback that had a good throwing game.
On Nov. 14, Iowa signal-caller James Vandenberg went 20-of-33 for 233 yards and two touchdowns.
Saturday, Forcier completed 23-of-38 passes for 226 yards and a TD.
The difference is that Forcier became more dangerous when he was out of the pocket and improvising.
2. OSU had six penalties to just three for Michigan. The Buckeyes are ranked fifth in the Big Ten in penalties.
3. The Buckeyes went just 4-of-15 in third-down conversions.
4. The throwback uniforms. I didn’t like them. I don’t have a good reason for not liking them. It just didn’t work for me.
The Buckeyes are off to Jan. 1 when they face either Oregon or Oregon State in the Rose Bowl. Those two schools play Dec. 3 at Oregon.
The Ducks are ranked ninth in the nation in scoring at 37.7 points per game, while the Beavers are putting up 32.4.
Oregon has a dynamic duo in quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and running back LaMichael James. James is ranked seventh in the nation at 1,310 yards rushing, right behind Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers at 1,313.
The Buckeyes are looking to snap three-game losing BCS bowl game streak.
The Buckeyes used the same formula in recent outings to achieve the victory — run the ball and let the defense do the best.
OSU started off passing and hit some early, safe passes, but its main focus was running the ball and that they did.
First, the Wolverines are a better team than 2008. They are a young team also.
True freshman Tate Forcier shows a tremendous upside at quarterback and freshman Vincent Smith has good speed. Michigan can certainly score points.
The defense played well at times. They were able to pressure OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor and get some stops.
Then again, the Wolverine defense gave up an 11 play, 89-yard drive for a touchdown in which 10 of the plays were on the ground. There was nothing fancy. It was zone read in which Pryor decided to hand off to either Dan Herron or Brandon Saine or keep the ball himself.
That was after Michigan had just drawn to within 14-10 on a touchdown.
The bottom line, though, is that the Wolverines only improved by two wins this season — from three to five. I don’t think that’s the type of improvement the folks in Ann Arbor were looking for, considering a 4-0 start.
Michigan doesn’t go to a bowl game for the second straight season and finished 1-7 in the Big Ten. Once again, those type of stats won’t fly for the folks in Ann Arbor.
Next season is a huge year for coach Rich Rodriguez. Unless significant improvement is made, I have a feeling Rodriguez will be shown the door.
I have to give a shout to my friend The Drake, a Michigan graduate. Six straight and counting. Better luck next year.
Positives.
1. For the fifth straight time and eighth time this season, the Buckeyes surpassed the 200-yard mark in rushing.
Pryor, Saine and Herron have combined for 1,959 yards.
Pryor’s ability to create is the difference.
The offensive line deserves a kudo for making the running game happen.
“We’re just used to playing with each other,’’ center Michael Brewster said. “We have to get better, but we’re heading in the right direction.’’
2. With being able to run the ball, the Buckeyes had a 32:56 to 27:04 time possession advantage over Michigan. That also helped keep Forcier off the field.
3. The defense is the defense. They added five more turnovers, including scoring one for a touchdown when defensive end Cameron Heyward jumped on a Forcier fumble in the endzone. OSU moved its turnover margin to plus 16 — the best in the Big Ten.
4. The Buckeyes didn’t kick a field, but Michigan had a big miss when Jason Olensavage pushed a 24-yard attempt to the right in the first quarter.
Negatives
1. For the second straight week, OSU faced a quarterback that had a good throwing game.
On Nov. 14, Iowa signal-caller James Vandenberg went 20-of-33 for 233 yards and two touchdowns.
Saturday, Forcier completed 23-of-38 passes for 226 yards and a TD.
The difference is that Forcier became more dangerous when he was out of the pocket and improvising.
2. OSU had six penalties to just three for Michigan. The Buckeyes are ranked fifth in the Big Ten in penalties.
3. The Buckeyes went just 4-of-15 in third-down conversions.
4. The throwback uniforms. I didn’t like them. I don’t have a good reason for not liking them. It just didn’t work for me.
The Buckeyes are off to Jan. 1 when they face either Oregon or Oregon State in the Rose Bowl. Those two schools play Dec. 3 at Oregon.
The Ducks are ranked ninth in the nation in scoring at 37.7 points per game, while the Beavers are putting up 32.4.
Oregon has a dynamic duo in quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and running back LaMichael James. James is ranked seventh in the nation at 1,310 yards rushing, right behind Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers at 1,313.
The Buckeyes are looking to snap three-game losing BCS bowl game streak.
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