QB Play Is The Difference in The Game
Shea is it. He is the reason Michigan can win this year agains Ohio.
3 years ago, we got boat raced by a ticked off Ohio team and Ezekiel Elliot (Thanks Sparty).
2 years ago in the Shoe, we had them where we wanted them, until Wilton threw a pick 6 to let them back in the game, then a fumble and a close 4th Down measurement that seemed to go Ohio way (Along with multiple uncalled holding on Ohio O-Line). So close.
Last year- O'Korn, ugh. Many things went wrong there, but if the QB position was solid, we might win that one or at least have a chance to get back in it. But, ugh. O'Korn.
We have been in those last two games, even outplayed the Luckeyes only to fall short. But, QB play has killed us in both of the last two games.
THIS YEAR- Shea has got us in a much better place. Along with our defense, these Wolverines should do well this weekend. Please. This team has stepped up to the occasion all year. Wisconsin- tough test, passed. Sparty on the road- tough test, passed. Penn State- seemingly tough test, passed. Not only passed those, but like Winovich said- took their lunch money back.
This game- toughest of them. In the Shoe. It's Ohio.
PTSD from the last however many years against this dang team has me thinking cautiously. Standing on a ledge. It almost would be better have Ohio on top of their game rather than seeing them struggle. Go in with the mindset that they have to be on their best game to win. Don't want the team to let up because they see The Buckeyes down. Play them like they are Ohio. But- Shea has us in a much better spot than we have been in a long time. This team has a leader on the field. Play as they have been, and these Wolverines win The Game.
Nothing matters right now except this Game. I'm even not too worried about being out of the top 4 CFP, but winning The Game this weekend is the toughest test. Let's pass it guys!
Go Blue!!
November 21st, 2018 at 12:26 PM ^
I'm not sure if I agree with OP's take, though. The last two games weren't won by good QB play so much as lost by bad QB play, and that's pretty much the argument presented. We didn't lose because Speight or O'Korn had conference-average games that were transcended; Speight coughed up the ball three times and O'Korn couldn't make plays at all. So, OK, I guess the point is technically correct, but "low floor = bad" is pretty much the case for any position. At this level, any weakness is going to be picked on.
So, to me, a statement that QB play is going to be key implies it needs to be remarkable in some way, and I doubt that's the case this year, either. Neither coach seems inclined to put it all on the QB. Based on last year it seems Harbaugh's going to scheme to give Shea wide-open targets to hit, and replaced his O-line coach to keep him upright. OSU, for that matter, is just asking their QB to deliver the ball to jitterbugs in space and have them YAC for yards. If there's any aspect where QB play will be key, it's how far both teams are willing to risk running the zone read.
My point is that both coaches -- based on all evidence I've seen -- are approaching The Game asking no more from their QBs than an average performance, relying on TEs (in Harbaugh's case) or receivers (in Meyer's case) to be the difference. If either QB implodes, sure, that's gonna be a huge problem, but if the O-line busts a call on a passing down it's the exact same situation.
November 21st, 2018 at 12:27 PM ^
You think Harbaugh is going to let this team take this game lightly? You think this team in general is going to take OSU lightly just because they don't look as dominant as they have in past years? I doubt it. I think after coming so close for so long against these guys, this team will have no shortage of motivation. That doesn't equate to an automatic win, but the focus is going to be there all week leading up to this game. If we lose, it won't be because OSU wants it more. It'll be because they are just the better team on Saturday.
The difference the past two years has absolutely been the QB. That has been solved from our end, but OSU has a great QB of its own. Both can make plays. To me, this game comes down to a few things:
1) Avoid turnovers. Shea hasn't committed very many of them. Haskins is somewhat turnover-prone. Turnovers have killed Michigan in this game for two of the last three years. If Michigan can get out of this game without turnovers, I'd say it should win the game.
2) Red zone efficiency. I think Michigan should be able to move the ball fairly well, if not very well, but if we're consistently settling for FGs over TDs in the red zone, we're in trouble. All it takes is one big TD play from Haskins to remove the ground gained off of several hard-earned FGs. If Michigan can consistently convert TDs in the red zone, its in good shape. But if we're kicking 5-6 field goals again, I don't like our chances.
3) Perhaps most importantly, don't let the demons of the past get in your head in this game. Twice in the past has this team come close to knocking off OSU, and it then proceeds to shoot itself in the foot at the worst possible time. OSU has had a massive psychological advantage in this game, where they believe that no matter how the first 30-45 minutes of the game go, they will pull through when it matters and win. For years, Michigan has walked around on eggshells in this game, and has shot itself in the foot over and over and over, all at the worst possible times that lead to OSU taking control of the game. Michigan has more often than not been its own worst enemy against OSU. But those past years have no affect on what happens this Saturday. Don't let the past get in your head. Be in the here and now.
November 21st, 2018 at 12:52 PM ^
If Michigan/Moody/Nordin successfully kick 6 field goals then I am pretty sure the Wolverines win. If the 6th kick isn’t for the win, Harbaugh won’t elect to kick it.
November 21st, 2018 at 2:43 PM ^
Hope you're right. That's only 18 points, and I don't feel comfortable saying that 18 points is enough to win this one without an absolutely dominant defensive performance. Not out of the question, but OSU is going to make some plays. It's just going to happen with the athletes they have.
Michigan just has to have a game where it finally stops being its own worst enemy. Just in the last decade alone, that was the difference in 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. Only 2010 and 2015 were games where I'd say OSU won because it was just a flat-out better team.
November 21st, 2018 at 12:33 PM ^
Haskins will torch Michigan.
November 21st, 2018 at 12:47 PM ^
Did the Michigan football program steal your bike, your lunch money and your girl friend? Cause short of that I'm at a loss as to why you're as negative as you are.
Look - I'm HARDLY accused around here of being Mr. Ray of Sunshine but I think it's cause I let facts, not emotions, rule my thinking. And after last year, and as importantly, after our first game this year, I was very pessimistic on our chances. But having watched the last 10 games and witnessing the quality of the coaching the players are getting how can you still stay in negative mode?
Our QB is healthy and talented. Our defense is playing lights out. And we have an excellent coaching staff that will have this team ready to go at noon on Saturday. I had picked this game a loss originally....not any more. We're gonna win this one.
November 21st, 2018 at 12:53 PM ^
I don't know how that guy hasn't been caved after all these years. He's as obvious a concern troll as there is.
November 21st, 2018 at 12:48 PM ^
As long Michigan wins. Is there a quantitative measure for “torch”?
November 21st, 2018 at 4:35 PM ^
Ha! As long as it is not their running game that is not a big deal because Shea is going to torch their ass along with Higdon.
As always, you are an ass.
November 21st, 2018 at 12:55 PM ^
Others here know more than me but I think QB importance may be related to how many times per game they touch the ball. I’m just spitballing here.
November 21st, 2018 at 1:06 PM ^
Just think of this as a tuneup game for the playoffs.
November 21st, 2018 at 1:16 PM ^
This is the first time in a long while where i feel a semblance of confidence coming into The Game. One of the reasons why is this- OSU has been gashed on the ground by both good and bad teams this year. Last time we had a player go over 100 yards against the bucks, we won. Lets go eat boys!
Leading Rushers vs OSU this year:
November 21st, 2018 at 1:51 PM ^
It's a team game.
November 21st, 2018 at 8:45 PM ^
In November, defense and running the ball win championships. We haven’t run the ball this good in the 4th quarter since Mike Hart was here.