A "What If" on the Ohio State Game

Submitted by FauxMo on

If the UM-OSU game were held this coming Saturday - with us coming off a win over Rutgers the prior weekend and sitting at 7-2, and OSU coming off their win over Minnesota and sitting at 9-0, the game still being played at the Big House, etc. - what do you think the opening line/spread would be?

I think it would open at OSU -3, give or take half a point. Curious what others think, mostly because I am curious about perceptions of the relative strength of the two teams at this point in the year...

MGoBoard

superstringer

November 10th, 2015 at 11:28 AM ^

Coach would say, we are focused on Indiana.  That's all.  And frankly, the PSU games scares me (as it always does).

So we should stop daydreaming.

Oh, and uh, OSU -4.  Our games are always close even when we suck.  Well, other than RR games.

Joined: 02/04/2009

MGoPoints: 18176

LJ

November 10th, 2015 at 11:32 AM ^

Posters on this blog started looking ahead to the OSU game way too early in the season, and I think that's what cost us in the MSU game.  We need to focus, people!  The team is depending on us!

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 18306

twohooks

November 10th, 2015 at 11:30 AM ^

I just returned from Planet Hypotheticka and all anyone is talking about there is how the New Jersey Generals won their 15th straight USFL Chamionship. Owner of the team called the rest of the league "piss ants" but also claims he has met the majority of the opponents and thinks they are "good guys."

Joined: 01/21/2010

MGoPoints: 4776

alum96

November 10th, 2015 at 11:32 AM ^

If JT has a drinking incident the week of the game I could see it even.  Cardale makes that O slow down a lot - he is very boom or bust.

With JT in as someone else said it is currently 5ish.

JT has had 100+ rushing the last 2 games - we have not faced that sort of animal in non freshman form this year with Hill out at BYU.  Hopefully good Jake shows up to offset him.  OSU's D is not talked about much since their O has all the sex appeal but they have a half dozen NFL guys incl multiple 1st rounders. 

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82510

TrueBlue2003

November 10th, 2015 at 11:45 AM ^

Teams get 3 for being at home and we'd get a little more than that would get a little more than that.  -5 sounds about right but would probably be anywhere from -6.5 to -3.5.

Joined: 01/05/2010

MGoPoints: 38075

cali4444

November 10th, 2015 at 11:45 AM ^

OSU were closer than expected.  I couldn't help but wonder if Meyer went easy on us, hoping it would help keep Hoke employed longer. (Although I'm sure Meyer didn't want a game as close as the last one)   No doubt we'll be getting the buckeye's best shot now. A win over OSU would be HUGE, opening even more doors to elite recruits. I'm expecting a war on November 28!!!  As for the original question.  I'd say OSU -4.5

Joined: 05/08/2009

MGoPoints: 765

maize-blue

November 10th, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^

Indiana and PSU could be P.I.T.A. games or we could steamroll the both of them, it's hard to say.

If we blow through the next two and OSU struggles with State, it could be a pick 'em. Other than that I think it stays a 3-4 point spread favoring OSU.

Joined: 01/10/2013

MGoPoints: 44662

nMkaczor

November 10th, 2015 at 1:43 PM ^

I don't see OSU as anything less than -7. We're good, but we have already lost to a team that looks a lot like OSU (Utah) and OSU has shown more 4th quarter power than Michigan. Michigan has sputtered twice in the 4th quarter and that doesn't bode well for what will likely be a close game. Plus I just don't see how we can run the ball against the OSU d-line. This means that even if M goes up late in the game OSU will always be able to come back.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 08/23/2013

MGoPoints: 706

Richard75

November 10th, 2015 at 5:35 PM ^

That's fair but a bit pessimistic. Bear in mind that OSU's strategy (spread you out, run inside, hit you over the top) is one we're engineered to stop. Michigan also ran the ball decently on them last year, on the road, with the same OL. Now they're home with a defense that absolutely can keep the score down.

Honestly, the odds of winning that one seem about the same as sweeping this pair of road games—50-50-ish.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 09/23/2008

MGoPoints: 5291