UM v/s Ohio - Position by Position battle 2012 (Part 1)
Both UofM and Ohio reeled in great classes this year. Several blue chip recruits on both sides of the ball.
What this means is that we'll have great position battles throughout the ranks in the years to come.
After hearing Ondre talk about Schutt, I was wondering how all the battles would pan out.
Here is a breadown: (10 point scale - 10 meaning absolute domination, 1 meaning nearly even)
Michigan OL v/s Ohio DL
Mags versus Adolphus - Ohio by 5
Kalis versus Schutt - Michigan by 6
Bars versus Spence - Ohio by 6
Braden versus Pittman - Michigan by 2
AJ Williams versus Marcus - Michigan by 4
Overall Michigan has a much stronger OL compared to Ohio's incoming DL
Michigan DL v/s Ohio OL
Pipkins versus Decker - Pipkins by 6
Ojemudia versus Dodson - Ojemudia by 3
Strobel versus O'Connor - Strobel by 5
Wormley versus Boren - Wormley by 7
Godin versus Elfein - ?? (Haven't seen Elfein in action)
Overall, I think Michigan has put together a better class in the lines compared to Ohio. While Ohio has some blue-chips in Spence and Washington, they seem to be lacking depth which Michigan brings in. This is more evident on the defensive side of the ball, where Michigan's incoming DL should absolutely demolish Ohio's incoming OL man for man.
The offensive line coming in, is probably slightly weaker compared to Ohio's DL (if we had Diamond or Garnett, we would be even or slightly better) but should hold its own with the superior coaching and more reinforcements next year.
Next up - Comparing the backfields with the skill positions
February 4th, 2012 at 6:43 AM ^
It's hard to slow my visions of Pipkins being a stud from Day 1. I wish boren was still around to witness him first hand. Well I guess one boren might when urb is running that power I he told Dunn about.
February 4th, 2012 at 8:07 AM ^
Is there any objective measure used to determine these values, or is it just your feel? I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but thought I'd ask nonetheless.
February 4th, 2012 at 8:12 AM ^
based on films I've seen.
I could have used measurables listed on websites but that doesn't translate to performance.
Stars are a crude predictor at best, probably as subjective as the performance I've predicted.
February 4th, 2012 at 8:16 AM ^
I was going to suggest a patent if you had an equation that predicted success.
It would be interesting to look at this in 2-4 years and see just how right you might be.
February 4th, 2012 at 8:30 AM ^
This is an interesting way to look at it. Even though Adolphus Washington is a top-50 player, Magnuson is pretty solid in his own right. I don't know if Washington has that much of a leg up.
I also don't know if our d-line will dominate their o-line that much, but like you said in a response - it's all subjective fun.
February 4th, 2012 at 8:31 AM ^
Not a offensive lineman
February 4th, 2012 at 8:38 AM ^
I wouldn't be surprised to see him as a lineman, particularly after we failed to land a 5th true lineman.
February 4th, 2012 at 8:39 AM ^
He's a glorified lineman. It was said (somewhere, I can't remember) that he will be primarily a blocker, as opposed to the H-back (who can play FB, WR, etc). I think it was fair to include him in this edition.
February 4th, 2012 at 9:08 AM ^
Yes he can catch really good, but he'll basically be another tackle when not running routes.
February 4th, 2012 at 8:35 AM ^
According to your rankings. Michigan's offensive lineis only one point better than Ohio's defensive line. I would definitely not call that a big advantage considering the whole subjectivity of the rankings.
February 4th, 2012 at 9:09 AM ^
Doesnt Meyer have a John Cooperish feel about him. Great teams, talented teams, but couldn't beat the Wolverines!
February 4th, 2012 at 9:24 AM ^
I think you may bias toward Michigan based on recruiting rankings, but on a subjective view this is a good look. Wormley seems high, but I also think he's going to be very good.
Strobel also may be too high
And then you have Pittman and Ojemudia, who many consider similar players, with both advantages headed Michigan's way against Braden and Dodson. Given I believe both Pittman and Dodson are the higher rated players, I think these should be neutral at best. I say this even though I believe Ojemudia to be a near 5* talent (the only question is can he put on weight and keep the speed), and having heard Sam Webb and Allen Trieu fawn over Braden. So again, subjectively based on your opinion this works, but might go a bit against the collective opinions of others (star ratings). Nice look though
And Washington will be a beast for them, but I agree against Mags (who's specialty is pass pro at the moment), the match-up isn't bad. That actually may be too high for Ohio. But what the hell do I know
February 4th, 2012 at 9:30 AM ^
Braden beating out Pittman is a reach.
February 4th, 2012 at 11:49 AM ^
However, one reason I've stuck with the Michigan advantage is that most of these kids commited really early in the process resulting in lesser attention (and offers) compared to other kids.
With Ojemudia - when you look at his speed - he'll probably dominate Dodson (considering Pipkins already dominated him)
With Braden and Pittman - I would actually call it push on second thought.
February 4th, 2012 at 10:31 AM ^
I hope that you're right because it would be a nice outcome for us. As a couple of posters have noted, I think that you might be a little optimistic on the Michigan side.
I think that an OSU fan would definitely turnaround the Braden/Pittman and Ojemudia/Dodson matchups based on the consensus ratings of the recruiting sites alone. I would also think that they might question the extent of the Michigan domination in the Strobel/ O'Connor and Kalis/Schutt matchups.
Bottom line is that both teams got awesome OL/DLs this time around and it should be a great battle over the next 4-5 years.
February 4th, 2012 at 10:57 AM ^
I think Pipkins vs Dodson (it was Dodson right?) in the AA bowl was pretty indicative of the upcoming battle between our D line and their O line.
Add in to that our Linebackers behind the D line and I have a hard time seeing Ohio State doing much on offense against us in the next few years.
They may have Brionte Dunn, but unless he can break 3 tackles every play he isn't going to do shit against our Defense.
February 4th, 2012 at 11:08 AM ^
With Hoke and Mattison and DL coach, Pipkens gonna turn into a monster on our DL. I can see him being a first rounder in the draft in 5 years
February 4th, 2012 at 11:47 AM ^
Jamal Marcus, while listed as a dlinemen in high school, will play as a linebacker in college.
February 4th, 2012 at 11:55 AM ^
February 4th, 2012 at 12:30 PM ^
although the comparison has merit, i'm not so sure about your point system. i am no expert, since i haven't seen these guys play, but maybe a star-ranking match-up would be more unbiased. if 10 is your max, that would be like a 5* going against a walk-on. 2 similar 4* guys going against each other would be neutral.
in a nutshell, i think you mag-washington comparison really sticks out. mags is a borderline 5* in some places, so i don't think that advantage is nearly that great. i would say 1-2 pts at best. similarly, kalis vs schutt; in the other direction.
February 4th, 2012 at 1:01 PM ^
Didn't Peewee say that Schutt was "Eating Turf" going up agianst Kalis?