How big is the gap between UM and OSU?

Submitted by Blue_Bull_Run on

After watching Pryor and the OSU defense today, I must admit that I am having a tough time feeling confident about our 2010 matchup at the horse shoe.

2011 could be our year, assuming Pryor goes pro after his junior year.

Am I being too pessimistic? How big do you think the gap is between OSU and UM?

Personally, I feel somewhat defeated right now - it seems like OSU has solid players at every position, and Pryor pretty much can't be tackled once he starts moving. We, on the other hand, seem to have a number of big question marks (Williams, Mouton, Ezeh), as well as a lot of inexperienced players (QB, corner backs??)

Soo...What's your take?

jrt336

January 1st, 2010 at 8:29 PM ^

I think our secondary will be our biggest problem next year. Lots of talented guys, but not a ton of experience. I don't see us winning against OSU, but I don't know how many players are leaving. Anyone else know?

Tater

January 1st, 2010 at 9:52 PM ^

Remember that the chronically-maligned UM defense played better against OSU than Oregon did. I am fully convinced that the defense finally "got it" agianst OSU, and that UM may have the horses to beat them next season.

Michigan will be a bigger, older, more experienced team next year. RR's teams always have a "quantum leap" year. I will not discount the possibility that 2010 will be that year in the Big House.

HartAttack20

January 2nd, 2010 at 12:08 AM ^

I definitely agree that the defense started to "get it" in that last game, but I'm not totally sold. The problem is that we have probably 3 or more guys that will need to start "getting it" for the first time as they will be new starters. I definitely think the defense can improve, but it won't be easy.

zohizzle101

January 1st, 2010 at 8:31 PM ^

but watching Tressel and buckeyes celebrating right now makes me sick to the stomach. Its been too long and I hope these days come back to us. I feel like throwing my remote into my tv right now...

Simi Maquoketa

January 1st, 2010 at 8:33 PM ^

Is in position for a great 2010. I don't think you are pessimistic as much as realistic.

I think the gap is HUGE. And next year does not bode well for ANYBODY on OSU's schedule.

There's no denying the scope of this game for Pryor, Tressel and OSU. They won a game very few thought they would and they imposed their will on Oregon. I think that's the most impressive thing about it.

Crime Reporter

January 1st, 2010 at 8:34 PM ^

The gap has widened the last two years, but it will close again. Maybe not next season, but we are putting the pieces in place. They have a ton of depth and above all, a fierce defense. It will get better.

marc_from_novi

January 1st, 2010 at 8:39 PM ^

Pryor is clearly a gifted athlete. However, I believe he is a bit slow on the uptake. Having an entire month to prepare for this game no doubt helped him learn the game plan. That is something the coaches couldn't count on him to do week to week in the regular season.

GustaveFerbert

January 1st, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^

the benefit of bowl practices on overall development.

And I think you are a bit shortsighted if you do not think that Pryor will continue to develop next year...Maybe wishful thinking but his talent is there...painful to say, but it is true. Maybe not NFL quaterback talent, but that matters little in the games between osu and UM.

mscharbo15

January 1st, 2010 at 8:40 PM ^

I don't understand how anyone can claim there is a massive gap between OSU and UM when Ohio State only beat Michigan by 11 despite 5 Forcier turnovers and all-around sloppy play by the Wolverines.

Believe it or not, if Olesnavage makes a 24-yard field goal and Tate doesn't throw the interception in the end zone, you're looking at a hypothetical tie game late in the 4th quarter.

A sizable gap, yes. A massive gap? I don't see it.

jmblue

January 1st, 2010 at 8:45 PM ^

It's worth noting as well that we had to go without arguably our top two offensive players (Molk and Minor) in that game. I wish for once OSU would come into the game more injured than us.

Still, that was just one game, and we had more to play for than they did. Over the course of the season they looked a lot better than we did.

Blue_Bull_Run

January 1st, 2010 at 9:25 PM ^

But I think the real wild card is Pryor. I see your point about how the could-have-should-have would lead to a tie game, but somehow I think that Tressel could have let Pryor run a little more. I, for one, was not confident in our ability to tackle Pryor.

The thing is, Tressel usually only scores as many points as he needs to be able to start running out the clock. If we had put up a few more, then Tressel probably could have matched us.

Just my epinion.

imablue

January 1st, 2010 at 8:40 PM ^

Let's hope we get some quick studies in the secondary and
the new linebackers coach gets them playing solid quickly.
OSU's D was dominant.

brose

January 1st, 2010 at 8:41 PM ^

I dont see how we beat them next year - a lot can happen in 11 months, but they look strong...I hope they send a lot of Juniors to the draft.

Leaders.and.Best

January 1st, 2010 at 8:43 PM ^

There is no question there is a gap right now but anybody chalking up our game agaisnt them next year as a loss is crazy. It's a long time away til that Saturday after Thanksgiving.

PhillipFulmersPants

January 1st, 2010 at 8:47 PM ^

I don't see Pryor leaving after his junior year.

As for Michigan, it's going to be baby steps, unfortunately. At least in 2010. 2011 they may take a big stride. The gap between Michigan and some other B10 schools is more worriesome at this point to me.

UM Indy

January 1st, 2010 at 9:04 PM ^

11 points is the correct answer. We played with these guys. The Tater turnover fest hurt, but do you remember when it was 14-10 and Brandon Graham personally body slammed Pryor on two consecutive plays only to have him hit a little screen over the line for a TD on the next play? If we hold them to a field goal there, it could've been a different game.

With that said, it won't be easy to beat them next year at their place, but to think there's this huge gap between us is incorrect.

Simi Maquoketa

January 2nd, 2010 at 5:38 AM ^

I can't believe you guys point to the 11-point difference in the game this year and use that as some sort of benchmark in terms of assessing the difference between the two programs.

Using that logic, what does that say about Purdue closing the gap between themselves and the Buckeyes?

Amused

January 1st, 2010 at 8:53 PM ^

The biggest gap is in the defense. Michigan's offense is pretty good, but we don't have the talent level or the coaching to field a defense comparable to theirs. If that doesn't change soon, some heads will have to roll.

Jensencoach

January 1st, 2010 at 9:03 PM ^

From what I have seen from OSU offense (mostly Prior), I do not think they/he have a large up-side left. His throwing mechanics are bad and are no better then they were last year. I also feel confident that following this win, there will be a number of OSU Juniors who go to the NFL draft. Add that to the potential of Michigan's offense next year and the "they can't be any worse" defense, I predict a more competitive game between the two teams next year. A win would be tough to conceive, but if Pryor continues to make poor/no reads it is within the realm of possibility.

Bobby Boucher

January 1st, 2010 at 9:03 PM ^

I don't think there's too much of a gap between our offense and OSU's offense. We have a lot of talent and explosive potential that will get a big boast with the added experience. The gap between our defense and OSU defense is unprecedented. There's where the worry should be. Their defense is tough and talented where our defense...well is just plain bad. But, hopefully next year the defense turns a corner.

WanderingWolve

January 1st, 2010 at 9:11 PM ^

1-2 years. That's when our talented underclassmen will be upperclassmen. I know we lose a lot on D because of BG and DW and it sucks that we'll have such a young secondary but our LB's could improve...Right? Right? Please tell me it can happen! We will have pretty good depth this year and it's great that anywhere from 6-9 recruits are going to EE. The O will make significant strides forward (please God, let Molk stay healthy) and the D will be adequate.

Clair Voyant

January 1st, 2010 at 9:12 PM ^

We have one a total of 3 Big Ten games the last 2 seasons, the gap is significant. People need to stop wordsmithing our ineptitude the last 2 seasons, we have sucked.

I am not in the fire RR camp, I think he should get a 4th season regardless of how 10 plays out, but things have been awful.

MGoObes

January 1st, 2010 at 9:40 PM ^

i don't think it's as big as most people would say it is having just watched ohio st win the rose bowl. all it takes is one win and the "gap" will be closed.

zippy476

January 1st, 2010 at 10:24 PM ^

The thing that freaks me out is that was RR's offense out there only with better\more experienced players. And ohiostate shut them down.