We Have the Motivational Edge
OSU has played two big-time emotional games the last two weeks. Remember how celebratory and jubilant they were after the Penn State game in addition to the Iowa game. It is extremely difficult to get that high emotionally for three consecutive games. Furthermore, they have almost nothing to play for, save an outright Big Ten title.
Michigan, on the other hand, is a dangerous, wounded animal. Michigan hasn't played an emotionally charged game since the PSU game on October 24. Players only meetings. Ufer over the loudspeakers at practice. Seniors who have earned the respect and admiration of their teammates, teammates who badly want to give the seniors something good to remember. Signs they've been pointing to this game for two weeks. Bowl game on the line. Avoiding back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since Stevie Wonder was known as Little Stevie Wonder. Getting Rich off the hot seat.
We own the intangibles match-up this week. The question is, will that be enough?
November 19th, 2009 at 11:16 AM ^
Intagibles wont be enough, the game will be decided by execution, both teams have similar talent, so the team that executes better will win.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:46 AM ^
JUST KIDDING--I've always wanted to say that. Next up on my bucket list of things I want to say is "Operator: Get me the Police!"
But really, UM and OSU have "similar talent"??????? OH NO YOU DI'INT!
Because, you know, that has some serious implications if true.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:34 PM ^
I figure if you're going to have Dan's line, we may as well have Jane's retort.
...and yes, similar talent is a stretch of herculean proportions.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:50 AM ^
two legs, two hands and one brain...then okay. If not, WTF? Did you just return from Africa after a 3 year trip?
November 19th, 2009 at 11:54 AM ^
I thought almost everyone on the board has already agreed that Michigan lacks talent and that is the reason we are losing. Were does the similar talent statement come from. Was that a mistake? Did you really mean to say that?
Seriously, we have spent the last 4 weeks beating this very topic, and I was nearly run off this board because I said the coaching was horrible. But I now understnad it is mostly lack of talent.
Can someone clarify?
November 19th, 2009 at 12:59 PM ^
Mr. Cook has been on top of the roster attrition/shortfall issue as long as anybody has, but even he's been saying for a while that there are legitimate concerns to have about the position coaching for LBs and DBs. I'm a RR supporter who believes that the roster issues are real and significant, but I also believe that they don't explain everything about the lack of production on field. At least some blame has to go to the coaches. To absolve RR and his staff of any responsibility from a coaching standpoint is silly.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:04 PM ^
That's the upperclassman talent on our roster, based solely on their Rivals ratings.
That's not just a disparity. That's a chasm.
The only similarity is that they have talented, veteran guys at one cornerback and one defensive end spot, and so do we.November 19th, 2009 at 1:34 PM ^
a more appropriate time for the junior-senior mass exodus to strike the NCAA, in anticipation of the freshman salary cap?
Hopefully it closes that chasm a bit.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:12 PM ^
http://ohiostate.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp?team=OHIOST&TEKey=56&Offense…
1. Juniors are:
RB: Brandon Saine
WR: Dane Sanzenbacher
OL: Justin Boren
OL: Bryant Browning
DE: Cameron Heyward
DE: Thad Gibson
LB: Ross Homan
LB: Brian Rolle
S: Jermale Hines
CB: Chimdi Chekwa
CB: Devon Torrence
K: Devin Barclay
Bold guys are those who would project in the first three rounds. Heyward has already stated he will stick around, which isn't a lock, but makes him more likely to return next year than, say, Donovan Warren.
Saine, Sanzenbacher, Boren, Browning, Homan, Rolle, Checkwa and Torrence are pretty much locks to stick around. Hines lost his job to Anderson Russell this year, so he's even less of a threat to bolt.
Most likely, they return all of those juniors.
On the other hand, OSU loses plenty of seniors: Jon Thoma, Jake Ballard, Jim Cordle, Todd Denlinger, Doug Worthington, Austin Spitler, Kurt Coleman, Russell, and depth guys Andrew Moses, Rob Rose, and Lawrence Wilson.
That's their punter, their best tight end, their best OT, their top DE depth, the top three guys from their interior defensive line, a starting linebacker, and both starting safeties. There will be a sizeable defensive drop-off next year. The offense will probably be much improved.
2. LOL moment: on offense they have depth charts for Power I, Split Backs, Pro-Set, and Two-TE's. But try 5-wide and...
November 19th, 2009 at 11:23 AM ^
Motivation and intangibles are always great to have, but talent and strength and speed usually execute better. Some of our execution problems are definitely tied to lack of talent and lack of experience.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:23 AM ^
Don't say OSU almost has nothing to play for. They absolutely hate us and want to win this game more than any other game this season. They will be fired up.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:28 AM ^
I dunno, man, we don't get a little pair of gold underwear when we win. There's a lot to be said for that.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:29 AM ^
But OSU gets tacky little dollar store keychains of pants if they win.
You're telling me that's not enough motivation to counter, you know, like our whole of existence being wrapped up into the outcome of this game?
I'm not kidding: they're GOLD and PANTS! Who wouldn't want little gold pant keychains?
November 19th, 2009 at 12:20 PM ^
Tressel: Hey guys, if you win we'll give you a replica of your opponents' pants to wear around your neck!
November 19th, 2009 at 1:39 PM ^
And if you lose, it won't be a replica.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:35 AM ^
There are media reports around that suggest that this is no longer a big rivalry; that The Game is just another game. That was pretty much the case in the mid-60s too. Then came 50-14 and 24-12 and all of a sudden it was war. If OSU routs Michigan again, that will further erode the national intention given to the game. That, of course, is something OSU, like Michigan, doesn't want to happen. Given OSU is going to a BCS bowl regardless of the outcome, wouldn't it be better off long-term by having Michigan upset OSU and in so doing reinvigorate the rivalry?
November 19th, 2009 at 11:40 AM ^
You're saying that it's in their best interests to throw the game? Er, sorry, but no. If this were pro football where the players were more or less constant, maybe. But when you've got seniors graduating and freshmen with only a few chances to play THE GAME, you don't let up.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:38 PM ^
??? Huh? You really believe that? Especially on defense?*
I'd have said the same thing back in 2004 and 2005 and 2006 and 2007. OSU hasn't beaten us five straight times with just smoke and mirrors.
For the 2004 through 2008 NFL drafts, here are the numbers for total players drafted, number drafted in first three rounds, and number of defensive players drafted for Michigan and OSU:
M: 23; 13; 9
OSU: 37; 21; 16
I don't think this means necessarily that OSU's draft choices have been more productive than ours in the NFL, but I do think it is an indication of the depth of talent on the respective teams, in the judgment of NFL scouts. Certainly it has a lot to do with our struggles against OSU since our last victory in 2003.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:10 PM ^
"Yes, my post has been hijacked by an ignorant comment. ... His name? maizenblue92."
November 19th, 2009 at 12:21 PM ^
November 19th, 2009 at 12:28 PM ^
The issue of motivation made me think of these quotes:
The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That's real glory. –Vince Lombardi
“greatness in our heart can be kept (alive) only after we develop a sense of urgency and importance.... I mean a sense of urgency to the extent that we feel it is a matter of life and death; and it is a matter of life and death, for in growing we are alive and in quitting we are dying in a sense. If you don't believe this, talk to anyone who has lost the sense of urgency of getting things done and has been drifting in complacency, mediocrity and failure. If you are without a sense of urgency in your work, you know what I mean.”
http://www.famous-motivational-quotes.com/Motivational-Story-7.html
November 19th, 2009 at 12:34 PM ^
Bo won in 1969 over Woody's "team of the century" because he was able to motivate that team to play out of body for 4 quarters, not two. It's an intangible that you can't measure. Sorry, get ready to hit your liquor cabinet because I think this is going to be another of those dismal afternoons that we have come to know and hate simply because this team does not seem to be motivated to win - talent or no talent.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:47 PM ^
It's an intangible that you can't measure.As opposed to those intangibles you can measure?
November 19th, 2009 at 12:35 PM ^
I don't know if having the 'lady motivation' on our side will be enough to stem the tide of blown coverages and Jonas Mouton over running plays, be they runs or passes. And without Minor I see an abundance of zone reads,bubble screens and qb sneaks. Hoping for the best (ND) fearing the worst (IL), as our worst will surely lead to the worst loss in the storied rivalry.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:37 PM ^
...and hold us to 14.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:49 PM ^
You are trying to convince yourself of something that simply isn't true. The notion that "We have more to play for" is ridiculous. There is nothing they would like more than to keep us from a bowl and beat us for the billionth time in a row. Remember when Tressel took the job and basically said they would walk into the Big House and win the following year? Well, I think they are still riding that wave of motivation.
I am certain we want to win this one badly, and I am certain we will be emotionally up for th game, but we don't have an edge in either of those areas. Without Minor, and without any competence behind our front 4, it looks grim. That being said, I will be in the Big House, and I will be loud. Go Blue!
November 19th, 2009 at 1:04 PM ^
It seems ridiculous that OSU needs to start their first string. They have locked up the BCS bid in the Big Ten. This game is meaningless to them, unless they simply want to crush Mich. They have won five straigth years, this game is no longer "the rivalry" as many want to believe.
A rivalry has to be competitive.
Give Mich a chance to get in a bowl OSU, please back off for just this year. Play your backups. They deserve a chance.
Please discuss
November 19th, 2009 at 2:04 PM ^
I want OSU's sympathy about as much as I want the swine flu.
We have a chance. They don't need to give us one.
You need a grow a backbone, friendo. Of course, since you think this rivalry is dead, you must mot be much of an M fan anyway, which could explain the lack of spine.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:34 PM ^
You actually had to be competitive to have a rivalry. Mich got beat 42-7 last year and unless they have some unconvential game planning, it will be another 42-7 wooping.
I can tell I am speaking the truthg, since you became immediately defensive.
I am a die hard wolverine fan, but I have also looked at the truth, even when it is uncomfortable.
I suggest you at least consider this.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:56 PM ^
I can tell I am speaking the truthg, since you became immediately defensive.Only the Internet could come up with a fallacy this dumb. I sometimes wonder if it's possible to actually tell about a poster by the word they ascribe for surety:
- I posit: Sit back, this is going to be a very long post with tons of proofs which you will absolutely believe by the end
- I postulate: Respect his veracity. But he doesn't believe it that much either.
- I theorize: You should listen to this guy; he seems likely to support this with evidence
- I believe: Probably does believe it, and probably for good reason
- Pretty sure: Most likely correct
- Almost sure: Might not be full of shit
- Would bet you [obscene amount]: Good chance he's full of shit, but at least he's quantifying his faith
- Common knowledge: Likely full of shit
- Fact: Probably full of shit
- Truth: Almost assuredly full of shit
November 19th, 2009 at 2:10 PM ^
when did we turn into an obnoxious soccer mom who doesn't understand the value of winning or losing?
Would we want to win such a game? How gratifying is that really? OSU not playing its starters would not infuse passion into the rivalry; it could very well drive another dagger into its bleeding heart.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:57 PM ^
...get in the Michigan HS playoffs. I heard excuses that the team from Steubensville, OH were coming off two gut wrenching games and were down for the Inkster game.
More important might be the fact that it will be 52 degrees and sunny, meaning we get to play with a dry football for four quarters. If we commit zero turnovers, our chances of winning go up dramatically.