EDIT: NOT Michigan Monday

Submitted by StephenRKass on

Michigan Monday is up at Ohio State site "The Ozone."

LINK:  Michigan is Michigan again, but the Buckeyes are still a Mystery.

I will go ahead and block quote a few nuggets from the article.

EDIT: This is NOT Michigan Monday. But still an interesting article.

It would be just like it was in 1969, a first-year coach and his inspired and hungry troops ready to repeat history, spoiling everything the favored Buckeyes had planned for another Big Ten and national title.

 

The second edition of the “Ten-Year War” would break out right before our very eyes.

What is that, you say?

It didn’t happen that way?

Just when you least expect it, the football Gods have a funny way of stunning the narrative and distributing humility along the way.

Michigan has done its part, however. The Wolverines are 9-2 and could have been 10-1 if not for a miracle that handed Michigan State the play of the year back in October. On the flip side, they really could be 7-4, if not for last-second survivals at Minnesota and at Indiana in consecutive weeks.

The important part is that they are much, much better than the mediocre teams that Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke put together the past 10 years.

 

The bottom line: Michigan is Michigan again and the sky is blue in Ann Arbor again and many wonder if the pendulum of momentum in the series is about to swing North again.

 

As for the Buckeyes, they will not strut into Ann Arbor as the story line suggested. History will not repeat itself. There is no doubting they are a wounded duck now, shot down by that same Michigan State squad and now lacking the confidence to consistently gain a first down, much less dominate these Wolverines.

Meyer has to be downright shocked at his team’s offensive problems, which have been consistent from the time he tinkered with two quarterbacks and was as indecisive as the junior high school cheerleader dating two handsome boys at once. What would have been the odds that these Buckeyes would not score 50 or more points even once this season – against a schedule that included two MAC teams, Hawaii, Rutgers, Maryland, Illinois and Indiana?

 

If Meyer can put that psychology degree to use this week and get Ohio State mentally ready to play, especially after one of his best players criticized the coaching staff for the world to hear, because let’s face it -- that’s his uphill battle -- then maybe the Buckeyes have a fighting chance Saturday. Because this team’s problems are not physical. They lie strictly underneath those Buckeye leaf stickers.

“We’re just not operating at maximum capacity,” Meyer admitted Monday. “But we’re still 10-1. So what I am trying to do now is (put) every ounce of ability, every ounce of energy and focus is going on trying to win this game.”

Maybe, just maybe, the tables have been turned with Ohio State’s stunning loss and turmoil last week. Maybe, just maybe, the Buckeyes have the favored Wolverines right where they want them.

Nah …

That’s only wishful thinking.

Michigan will win this game.

I felt that way a week ago before the Michigan State stunner and that feeling is much stronger today, obviously.

There are a few silver linings to a Michigan win in Harbaugh’s debut as head coach against the Buckeyes: It won’t be an upset, and, as long as the Spartans defeat Penn State as expected later in the day, the Wolverines won’t have a chance at the Big Ten championship much less anything bigger.

Yep, thank God for muffed punts and the miracle of all plays.

ChiBlueBoy

November 24th, 2015 at 7:33 PM ^

Even with the current state of OSU's locker room, to the extent it hasn't shifted, I would expect them to come out ready to prove their mettle. My guess is a hard-fought, close game, and the best game of the season for both teams. OSU's talent level may be enough for them to win. With that said, the OSU psyche might be a bit fragile. If so, I expect Harbaugh to sense it and go for the throat. If OSU goes down by a couple scores early, I wouldn't be shocked to see them crumble with in-fighting and finger pointing. It may be one of those games where you almost expect a blow-out, but you just don't know for whom.

GoBlue_SinceDay1

November 24th, 2015 at 8:38 PM ^

Whats up to my fellow Wolverines!

I am new to this board, and so far I have read some of the most honest/non-bias sports writing from one group of fans. I would really like to know what everyones opinion is for the game this Saturday, I may be the only nervous Michigan fan on the site. Anyway GO BLUE!

mgobleu

November 24th, 2015 at 8:42 PM ^

10-1 and defending national champs come to Ann Arbor, and the silver lining if they lose? It won't have been an upset.

Hail Harbaugh.

*Contented sigh*

GoBlue_SinceDay1

November 24th, 2015 at 9:00 PM ^

I feel that our secondary is good enough to lock down OSU's passing game from what i've seen this season, but I am extremely nervous about Elliot and the OSU run game. A few bias friends of mine keep using the MSU comparison, saying "Well you've seen what MSU did to them, and we kept State in check." SMH This will be a totally different ball game..."THE GAME" IS ALWAYS A DIFFERENT KIND OF FOOTBALL GAME. I also love the way Rudock, Chesson, and our offense have been playing,I am really impressed. Lets give OSU hell on Saturday!!!

THE TEAM THE TEAM THE TEAM!!!