ijohnb

November 21st, 2011 at 8:28 AM ^

read much into that.  And I am uncomfotable with the M over Ohio being treated as a foregone conclusion in the last 48 hours.  Truly, records out the window.  Ohio is going to pissed for this game.  This is going to be the most physical game of the year and they still have weapons, a couple who are just getting their feet wet this year.  This is going to be a knock down drag out game.  I hope and believe that M will come out on top, but this is by knows means a cake walk.

WolverineLake

November 21st, 2011 at 8:41 AM ^

  I'm feeling pretty good about Michigan trouncing Ohio this week, but our level of confidence and surety that the good guys will come through is kinda irrelevant.  You know damn well that Hoke & Co. are making it clear to the boys that this is the only game that matters on the year.

 

  As an aside, I'd be shocked if Borges and Mattison didn't have a few tricks up their sleeves.  I'm calling a bubble screen.  It's there.  It's gonna be awesome.

Wendyk5

November 21st, 2011 at 8:47 AM ^

Given the tricks so far, I'm not so sure if I want more tricks. We, as fans, may be acting over-confident, but I doubt this team is. They're had a lousy three years, and I can't imagine you get over that in 2 games. The feeling of loss has to still be there from the past four years (seven years). They just have to stay calm and focused. 

ijohnb

November 21st, 2011 at 8:52 AM ^

think it is irrelevant.  I think that players on teams develop thoughs and beliefs about certain games often very similar to the sentiments proclaimed by serious fans.  OK, everybody understands that we don't play for the team, but given M opening up a can against Nebraska and Ohio playing a little below their ability the last two weeks, I do see overconfidence as a potential problem this week for the players as well.  It is only going to take one big hit from an Ohio player for that overconfidence to fade, but I would not be surprised to see a lethargic football team for at least a half a quarter of so this weekend.

Logan88

November 21st, 2011 at 8:42 AM ^

I agree with this sentiment. Any UM fan who is chalking this up as an "auto-win" for UM is crazy. Yes, UM is definitely the better team this year, but OSU has nothing else to hang their hat on for the season. This is the only chance at redemption for OSU in 2011 and they will be playing like madmen to win this game.

I would also mention that Braxton Miller is a wild-card, much like Troy Smith was during his career and we all remember what kind of games Smith played against UM. I was completely wrong about Miller: I thought he was overrated and that his scrambling ability would not fly in CFB but he is a more dangerous runner than Denard IMO. When he learns to pass in the pocket (all of his good passing plays seem to come on scrambles), he will be a very dangerous player.

Having said all of that, I still expect UM to win on Saturday, but I expect it to be a pretty close game. UM wins 24-17.

Thatguy2525

November 21st, 2011 at 10:54 AM ^

If we do to B. Miller and the RB like we did Nebraska, it should make a lot of fun for us. I know this the Game, but the last few years we have had nothing to lose either and they pounced on us. So rivalry game or not we have the ablility to blow this open. Especially with our D playing like they are and ohio's D not playing so well. God, I can't wait!!!



GO BLUE

randyfloyd

November 21st, 2011 at 8:46 AM ^

This is the team that beat Wisconsin, earlier this season.

I do think we have a great chance of winning this year, because we are at home snd we've played well against dual threat QB's this season.

cseeman

November 21st, 2011 at 8:43 AM ^

I was not sure if this always changed during game week - but I noticed that also. 

I feel good that Coach Hoke is going to keep the guys focused on the prize this saturday.  If anything, they are playing their best football of the year over these last two games.

 

Amaizeinblue

November 21st, 2011 at 8:44 AM ^

Also, don't forget they get Posey back for The Game, his one and only game this season, that adds anothet WR threat, hopefully Countess will have him on lockdown all day long.

Gorgeous Borges

November 21st, 2011 at 9:04 AM ^

 Yeah, he had 66 of their 83 total receiving yards. Braxton Miller was still 7 for 17 for a glorious 41% completion percentage. Ohio State is not very good at passing the football. In fact, only Navy and Army do it less (Ohio State is 118th (!) in the FBS in passing yards).

gopoohgo

November 21st, 2011 at 9:30 AM ^

I think it was a luxury to play Martinez and Nebraska right before playing Miller.  Miller is a more shifty runner than Martinez, however.  Both passing games exist in theory and can burn you if the safeties overcommit.

But I think the defensive concepts will be the same; watch the run, watch the run, watch the run.  DE/OLBs cannot lose outside contain, gap discipline will be key for D-line in obvious passing downs.

I was yapping with the spouse this weekend that it's amazing that before the season, Nebraska and tOSU were marked down as almost certain Ls...now, we ran Nebraska off the field, and are up against the worst tOSU team since Tress' first year.

Crazy crazy crazy season.

thereverend

November 21st, 2011 at 9:22 AM ^

because i check out their page everytime they lose. Schadenfreude; this is what happens when a Michigan fan lives in enemy territory! I will have been married for seven years in December; I have not been a married man during a win over Ohio. My 5 year old son, who loves Michigan, has never seen Michigan beat Ohio. My 3 year old daughter who says "yucky! Buckeye!" everytime she sees anything with an Ohio logo on it has never seen Michigan beat Ohio.

 

I was looking forward to them bringing the clock down after the game; but this vote of no confidence might be even better.

 

 

Thatguy2525

November 21st, 2011 at 11:06 AM ^

Unfortunately I live in ohio too and both of my girls are die hard UM fans also. My younger who is 8 has never witnessed a Michigan win, although they did beat them the year she was born which proved something special about her. But has always questioned why we can't beat them and why people always harass a 8 year old little girl just because she is Michigan fan. Proves how petty these shit faces are around here. I hope we stomp a mud hole in them just for my girls alone. GO BLUE beat ohio!!!

thereverend

November 21st, 2011 at 9:24 AM ^

By the way, even after losing to Penn State, all of the Ohio fans ragged on me at church yesterday, telling me who is going to win on Saturday... I let it slide... I'm not a trash talker... I would rather have a big smile next week. No words, just a smile.

Wolverine 73

November 21st, 2011 at 1:35 PM ^

Who rags on someone after his 6-5 team just lost at home to an offensively-challenged opponent, and has lost two straight, and is about to play a hot team?  And more significantly, who thinks ragging about football is something people should do at church?  While it is wrong to generalize to all Ohio fans, I truly believe they have the biggest complement of jerks among their fans of anyone in the Big Ten.

thereverend

November 21st, 2011 at 2:01 PM ^

My brother, a gigantic UM fan since the day he was born, attended OSU for his BA and MA (only because our family lived in Columbus; free room & board before he got married+ cheap in-state tuition) & allowed me to use his wife's student section ticket in 2004. You should have seen them swearing at Tressel & their QB (Bellesari?) --- it was great!  UM ended up losing, but they were nutcases after the game anyway; my brother and I saw some fans picking up a UM fan & (pretending?) they were going to throw him over the bridge just outside of the stadium. I also believe that was the year that they set a bunch of cars on fire after they won!

Columbus, a classy town!

True Blue Grit

November 21st, 2011 at 10:16 AM ^

And I don't believe the team will either.  I'm going to get there early, and scream and yell until Michigan wins (and my voice is gone).  Their streak ends Saturday.  Go Blue!

Umfan77

November 21st, 2011 at 10:29 AM ^

Not sure what this means but I was at a wallmart in ohio yesterday and there were no Michigan Jerseys. Plenty of Ohio jerseys. It must mean that all of the Michigan Jerseys were sold out right? I thought to myself turning the tide oh yeah! On a serious note I hope the team wins on Saturday for a lot of reasons but especially the seniors. Since Hoke and company have been here they have stressed playing for the seniors and senior leadership. I have to imagine the seniors will be up for this game and with their leadership I'm sure the rest of the team as well. Hoke seems to have brought the idea of accountability to the whole program. No where to hide, everyone has a job to perform including the coaches. Hoke has been all about this game from day 1 on the job. The whole program will be ready this Saturday from coaches, to players, ball boys, clock operator etc... One program united and laser focus on beating those crazy nuts from columbus with class.
Go Blue
Go Seniors

thereverend

November 21st, 2011 at 1:54 PM ^

they have a ton of Michigan Gear @ Cardboard Heroes. This is just one of the multiple stores in Ohio that have everyting Michigan. In the Dayton area Michigan gear is a little hard to come by; believe it or not, it is easier to get Michigan merchandise in Columbus.

MGoblu8

November 21st, 2011 at 11:21 AM ^

They are ready. I know it. Every time I hear them talk about ohio I think about how Bo made sure that they ran a couple of ohio plays every single day in practice. This is how it should be. Never looking too far ahead, but always looking forward. Go Blue!

sactown321

November 21st, 2011 at 11:23 AM ^

My first child was born a week ago today so this will be her first game to watch dad going crazy(wife kept her upstairs for neb game). She'll be wearing "born to be a wolverine" on front with "go blue" on the back and football leggins! I can't wait for her to witness Hoke's first victory agaist tsio!!!

GO BLUE!!!!