Michigan Monday (Tuesday) up at Ozone
http://theozone.net/Ohio-State/Football/2015/News/Michigan-Monday-The-Immovable-Object
He's very appreciative of the defense and pretty reasonable about the offense.
Shutouts are extremely difficult to attain, and even more difficult against teams that obviously have enough talent to have won a few important games this season. What Michigan's defense has done this season is damn impressive.
They were 2 for 99 in shutting out ranked opponents over 21 seasons before 2015. Right now, in two attempts, Jim Harbaugh is 2 for 2 in shutting out ranked opponents. (Utah wasn't ranked when the two teams played.)
Since you're wondering, in those same 21+ years, Ohio State has only shut out one ranked opponent, but they made the most of it, because it came last December against Wisconsin.
There is, however, almost nothing impressive about the offenses they have faced in their wins, and I've said in the past that the defense is doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing, but that's not true. They're doing better than they should be doing. They have allowed 14 points in their five wins and shut out three straight opponents. That's ridiculous.
It means that in just one half of a season under Jim Harbaugh, Michigan is on the verge of re-taking its spot at the top of the heap in the state of Michigan, which is pretty damn incredible.
Pretty good read and I didn't feel like there was really any snark in there. Didn't see any fear, but definitely respect.
October 13th, 2015 at 7:21 PM ^
It's very much like OSU this year to be late at putting everything together
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October 14th, 2015 at 7:05 AM ^
I know he is on local radio a bit down here, but most of his stuff is late this season. He does weekly picks which he used to have up by noon or sooner on Thursdays. This week it was 10 pm. Michugan Monday has been later in tbe day than usual and then not until Tuesday tbis week. He stopped writing the Gamewatch, which was a snarky recap of his notes as he watched the game.
October 14th, 2015 at 9:35 AM ^
Urban changing his press conference to Monday has caused him issues with his schedule.
October 13th, 2015 at 7:30 PM ^
There is nothing impressive about giving up 28 points to one of the offense we shut out
October 13th, 2015 at 7:34 PM ^
I love when OSU and MSU talk about the shitty offenses we've shut out. But, they never seem to bring up the Shitty offenses that have torn up their defenses.
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October 13th, 2015 at 7:45 PM ^
And does that not scare them that Maryland's putrid offense did what they did against their D? And in Columbus?
If I were them, I'd be more pissed about that than pointing out what "weak" offenses we've faced.
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October 13th, 2015 at 7:48 PM ^
They're just saving all their good schemes and blitzes for Michigan. Duh.
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October 13th, 2015 at 7:35 PM ^
I really want to shutout State. Like a lot. I'm sure every one of you do too.
October 13th, 2015 at 7:38 PM ^
I'm going to be so incredibly disappointed if they score.
October 13th, 2015 at 7:42 PM ^
IDK, I'm a little undecided honestly.
/s
October 13th, 2015 at 8:51 PM ^
We did 14-0 in 2000, 31-0 when Harbaugh was playing(1985), 42-0 in 1983 and a couple more times under Bo in the 70's. So 5 times in the last 45 years. Hell, they have only won 14 times in the span, unfortunately almost half recently.
October 13th, 2015 at 7:36 PM ^
Conner Cook with time in the pocket concerns me. Conner Cook under consistent pressure has me cackling with knowing glee.
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October 13th, 2015 at 7:41 PM ^
Delano Hill with a direct blindside hit on a safety blitz on Cook while concurrently whispering "it's a new year..." would have me having unbridled glee.
October 13th, 2015 at 7:51 PM ^
Yup, that's the one thing that scares me is Cook playing out of his mind on third downs (that and turnovers of course). I feel like Wormley is the guy who has the monster game to win it.
October 13th, 2015 at 7:59 PM ^
You should read this ProFootballTalk link Brian posted earlier today. https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/10/13/harbaugh-has-built-a-t…
This Dline is going to pressure the shit out of Cook. For MSU to be successful passing, Cook will need to get rid of the ball very quickly.
Peppers covering slot WRs on their slants and outs is a big key to this game in my opinion. They may try to pick on him and I'm optimistic he's up to the task.
October 13th, 2015 at 8:32 PM ^
Connor Cook with time honestly barely bothers me. The only weak point I've seen in the secondary is slants. Slants slants slants. No one is beating Lewis over the top and I don't think the rest of our secondary is weak enough to really get hurt deep.
I know we'll come back to earth sometime, but I'm having a hard time seeing how MSU is going to be the one to do it
October 13th, 2015 at 7:44 PM ^
Michigan's average margin of victory over the past 5 games is 29.2. Over the past 3 games, it's 32.3, and that includes 2 ranked opponents and a road game.
Anyone who's not saying "holy shit" to that is flat-out lying to themselves.
October 13th, 2015 at 7:48 PM ^
We need a big win this week. If we win this week, I will feel good about every game the rest of the season. I am cautiously optimistic.
October 13th, 2015 at 7:53 PM ^
by ace or brian or seth or anyone of the guys. it didn't have their humor, but it was with 0% snark and perfectly objective. i bet that ohio writer is someone you could have a beer with and not get into an MMA match.
October 13th, 2015 at 9:24 PM ^
I will tell you I'm getting a LOT of comments to the effect of "welcome back" from my friends and neighbors and to a man they are respectful and more than a bit worried about the game for the first time in a LONG time.
And they all think we will win this Saturday.
October 13th, 2015 at 9:57 PM ^
For one or both of two reasons:
- They would probably just as soon not face a MSU team that could beat the U-M defense.
- It would likely mean a showdown just like the old days of two teams unbeaten in the conference on the last weekend of the regular season.
October 13th, 2015 at 10:14 PM ^
that has to be tough sometimes. good to know the rational buckeyes are showing respect. speaking of which, whatever happened to buckeye jon ross? he was usually pretty cool. curious his take on all of this. he has earned some street cred around here.
October 13th, 2015 at 9:11 PM ^
Gerde drinks Hard Cider.
October 13th, 2015 at 9:27 PM ^
He must truly be impressed. No belittling snark for the Buckeye home crowd to lap up. Just straight analysis. If we beat State, especially if we look really good doing it, it will be interesting to see what the tone is going to be for the rest of these this year.
October 13th, 2015 at 9:31 PM ^
Keep in mind, however, that Michigan State has a whole lot more to lose on Saturday than Michigan does. The Spartans are playing for their place in relevance. A loss moves them down a peg for at least a year, and that's not a peg that they want any part of.
Ah, yes, but that peg still has their name on it and it would like very much to hold that jacket again....firmly below ours. Hopefully, this becomes the case about 6:30-ish on Saturday evening when the game ends.
October 13th, 2015 at 10:46 PM ^
I was hoping he would bring me back to Earth with this week's write up. "Don't get too excited Michigan fans, you're delusional, it's all a sham and Brian at mgoblog is just fanning the flames of your fanatic bonfire burning inside of you with pretty stats and pictures." Instead he dumped a gallon of gasoline on my bonfire, dropped a keg of beer next to it and said "God damn your team looks awesome, have a beer!" Who's on the Harbaugh hype train? Choo Choo!!!
October 14th, 2015 at 8:08 AM ^
Durkin is definitely making a difference! Love the press man coverage.
October 14th, 2015 at 9:06 AM ^
"It's almost like Michigan Football of old has been remastered and "For The First Time Ever" you can now see Michigan Football in high definition."
Great quote.