The Game. 2010 edition.
After watching what really was nothing short of a putrid performance by OSU Saturday night, I felt somewhat comforted and the pain from earlier in the day had at least mildly been assuaged. The casual observer was able to notice a very ho-hum, average offense for OSU that has zero creativity - even with a mobile QB who frankly may be one of the most overrated players in America - and their "stout" defense didn't really strike much fear in me as Wisconsin was able to run seemingly with little trouble against them.
In looking forward to our matchup with them in November, I'm somewhat confident that this may be our best shot in a while to finally restore the proper balance on earth and get a W in Columbus. Our offense - with it's leader at less than 100% and who played one half - was able to carve up the #1 ranked defense in America and move the ball at will. We were also missing our top O-lineman pretty much the entire game as well. Also, our biggest weakness- defense - should only be older and more improved going into this game, and won't be facing an offense any different than what we've seen so far. If anything, the fact that our defense practices against the closest thing to Denard the conference is able to throw out there, I like our chances against their offense better than any we've faced this year.
So chins up gents. I'm going out on a limb here, and saying we finish the year 9-3 with a signature W in Columbus to close out the schedule. And shit I hope as hell we win in Happy Valley next week - going there with a bunch of buddies and last thing we need is to deal with gloating drunk obnoxious PSU fans on Halloween.
October 18th, 2010 at 2:33 PM ^
ummm... errrr.... older by November.
i am digging the optimism though and i'm with you.
October 18th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^
we can't get younger...or can we? FML.
October 18th, 2010 at 8:03 PM ^
That we carved up the 4th best defense in the country. Give me a break. We were down 35-14 and Iowa pretty much went on cruise control.
This was sort of the same thing last year. Didn't we come back from afew touchdowns to almost beat Iowa? And weren;t they just as good defensivley last year? Don;t you get it...this is a pattern Mich has when playing better teams. They make mistakes and move the ball, but can never win it.
October 18th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^
October 18th, 2010 at 2:36 PM ^
I agree that we will be able to put up points on them. We will run on them, especially if fully healthy on the line.
They're O will still put up points on us. It might not be creative, but if executed they can be explosive with the playmakers they can utilize.
The game on Saturday did give me a little more faith that this game is attainable, but improvements on defensive fundamentals are a must, and a healthy and confident Denard would be nice. Unfortunately, I think they will be coming off a very tough, physical loss to Wisconsin the week prior.
October 18th, 2010 at 2:41 PM ^
Had not taken the Wiso game into account and how bruising it can be on us physically. Oh well. I'll take a W there too.
October 18th, 2010 at 2:44 PM ^
And I mean Turnover Margin. We just need to take care of the ball and we can stay in any game. I predicted 8-4 at the beginning of the year. Stop losing the TOM and we are in great shape to finish up with at least that record.
October 18th, 2010 at 2:58 PM ^
With a defense that is not strong (to put it nicely) and the offense having to carry more than its weight, the intangibles are going to be an important piece of each game. By intangibles I mean turnovers, penalties, not kicking the ball out of bounds on kickoffs, etc. I think we had a perfect storm of not playing sound football against Iowa and I'm not sure it can get any worse than that. It may not get better, but it can't get worse. HOLD ONTO THE DAMN BALL (and DON'T THROW IT TO THE OTHER TEAM)!!!!
October 18th, 2010 at 2:56 PM ^
10-2 (6-2)
win the bowl james
11-2
it's true until it isn't
October 18th, 2010 at 3:26 PM ^
love your thoughts. Michigans defense scares me in a bad way. I feel like the scout team carves them up.
October 18th, 2010 at 4:59 PM ^
is cool.
October 18th, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^
The better way to think is that we have perhaps a 40% probability to win the game. That does not mean that we will surely win - but if our guys cut out their mistakes, a couple of blown assignments or duck throws by OSU, a fortunate penalty or some other combination of luck - and we will have an upset.
I think for an away game against a senior laden, talent infused OSU team, I would happily take a 40% chance of winning.
October 18th, 2010 at 5:22 PM ^
The problem is that OSU has become USC circa '06-'08; they're loaded with talent but decide not to show up for one or two conference games each year. But given the emphasis Tressel places on the Michigan game, there's zero chance that they repeat their awful performance against us.
I do think we have a shot against them, but I don't think the Wisconsin game is all that indicative of how they'll perform against us. Both teams will bring their A-games.
October 18th, 2010 at 5:39 PM ^
Well.. the plus there is hopefully we do get the wins against PSU, ILL and Purdue..
None of those teams have very good offenses, so even if our D gives up the usual extra points above average we should be able to outscore each of those teams even if we may have 1 or 2 turnovers.
October 18th, 2010 at 6:00 PM ^
I was only able to watch the last few minutes of the Wisc OSU game, but TP's inability to complete a pass was encouraging.
October 18th, 2010 at 8:47 PM ^
We managed to move the ball on them last year, I have full confidence it can be done this year again. They just need to be more disciplined, eliminate the fumbles and interceptions. And the defense needs to have at least a clue of whats happening.