Have faith, young (and old) Jedis.....
I won't do a Star Wars schtick piece because I don't do schtick, but I do think some faith is in order. In the following week, I'm sure Magnus, Sharik, Brian, and others who kick royal ass on the x's and o's will break the game down much better than I can, so I would like to focus on those elusive intangibles and semi-tangibles that I think are pointing UM's way.
1. OSU has played two tough teams the last two weeks, and has expended a lot of energy. In rivalry games, teams are always looking for an edge; having more in the tank may be one equalizer.
2. OSU has already accomplished all they can on a National scope; they are in the Rose Bowl. Nothing they can do will get them into the title game, so they don't have as much external motivation as UM does.
3. The streak and arrogance: I can remember when UM regularly pounded OSU, and can remember Walter Smith's arrogant statement that he hoped they got Cooper fired. We all know how that went. OSU hates UM and it is their most important game of the year, but they haven't felt the sting of a loss to really give them that extra burst of energy when they need it.
4. It has happened before. 1993: unranked UM beats fifth-ranked OSU 28-0. 1996: UM 13, OSU 9, UM fifth place in the Big Ten and OSU tied for first. Of course, there's also 1969.
5. It is setting up perfectly. OSU will do the peacock strut into the Big House to face a UM team that is extremely disappointed and looks like it has no chance to win. This is a nightmare scenario for any coach in a rivalry game.
6. Shit happens. More specifically, upsets happen. I don't need to mention any the last two or three seasons: think of whatever ones you want. Football is one of those games where the improbable and inexplicable occur on a semi-regular basis.
I know that UM doesn't have much of a chance, and that this would be the biggest upset in the history of the rivalry, but it can happen. And I am not losing faith until the game is over on Saturday. By then, faith, either way, will be a moot point.
November 14th, 2009 at 7:47 PM ^
this calls for photoshopping, or at least paint.
shredderrrr!!!!!!
November 14th, 2009 at 7:49 PM ^
I took today as a plus in terms of seeing hope for the home game/ TP just has to have an average game and the D need to make sure he doesn't run everywhere and I feel we have a chance. This team can score. And OSU is not the OSU they usually are. If they can put points up on a good D we will be in this. Wisconsin has a better O, i really believe that. I hope I am right and we get one of the most needed wins ever next week. FOSU.
November 14th, 2009 at 7:57 PM ^
This team can score.Are you sure about that? We're actually averaging a point per game less than last year . So, if you thought we sucked on offense last year, then we suck even more this year. Add to that the fact that we can't get off the field defensively, and I think this will be a long day.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:26 PM ^
Are you sure about that? I'm almost positive we're averaging almost 10 points MORE per game this year.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/conferences/sortables?year=2009&sort=ppg&…
November 14th, 2009 at 8:51 PM ^
Sorry, I meant Big Ten Play only. We're about a point lower, but 20 yarg/game higher. Either way, not good.
Unfortunately our offense doesn't look so great when you take out the easy OOC games:
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/offence-against-first-7-big-10-opponents-ye…
November 14th, 2009 at 7:54 PM ^
you will lose this game (waving hand in front of Tressel)
November 14th, 2009 at 8:01 PM ^
Thanks for that at least bcsblue.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:02 PM ^
is more unpredictable than recent history would suggest. As the OP noted, the 1993 game featured 5th ranked Ohio State (9-0-1) vs. unranked Michigan (6-4). Michigan won 28-0, stunning the Buckeyes in the season finale. More recently, in 2001, 11th ranked Michigan played host to unranked Ohio State (6-4) and the Bucks pulled it out (I remember being there ...) 26-20. Since 1980, the ranked team going into this game is 3-5, with ranked Michigan going 2-4 and ranked Ohio State going 1-1. What's interesting in the two aforementioned upsets is that the home team lost both games to the unranked visitor. Anything could happen and you can't count them out until all four quarters have been played. As always, Go Blue!
November 14th, 2009 at 8:07 PM ^
to respond to the 1990's OSU examples with one word: Cooper.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:27 PM ^
How we miss thee...
November 14th, 2009 at 8:28 PM ^
not to mention the osu uni's they plan to debute next saturday.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:30 PM ^
We need to show as much support as possible for this team this week especially at the game this coming Saturday because this will be a huge weekend for recruiting. And if all the posts about players and recruits reading blogs are true then we need to let the Big Blue Pride show because this weekend could have much greater implications than just wins and losses this season.
I love this team.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:33 PM ^
Sorry , double post from my stupid phone.
November 14th, 2009 at 9:41 PM ^
I struggle to load mgoblog from my phone...too many images
November 14th, 2009 at 8:44 PM ^
If we don't host a liveblog, anything is possible.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:59 PM ^
Guys, we need to give them hell next week. Scream til your lungs bleed. I don't care about anything now except beating osu. if they can beat osu, everything will be ok. just scream your ass off.
November 15th, 2009 at 12:23 PM ^
That is all.
November 14th, 2009 at 9:00 PM ^
I've felt from the start of the season that the osu game was the one game we would definitely win. I have not seen anything from either side this year that would make me want to change that.
November 14th, 2009 at 10:16 PM ^
I could have faith on Michigan victory based on skill, coaching, experience, and tradition. There was no question that we had a good chance of winning ANY game.
After two years, I am now in the realm of mysticism, miracles, and the Forcier.
GO BLUE ANYWAY!
November 15th, 2009 at 6:31 AM ^
I had a dream last night that Forcier threw a bullet to Mark Moundros who went deep (remember, dream, no logic, etc.) and Moundros came down with an amazing circus catch with nobody within 15 yards, but then he forgot which end zone he was heading toward and ran 90ish yards for a safety despite Michigan players trying to tackle him. Dream-announcers were horrified. Oh, and it was the last play of the game, and Michigan was up by one and just needed a first down to win.
I'm hoping this was just a dream and not some sort of Jedi prophecy.