OSU questions
Sorry for the non descriptive title, but I have a few questions on my mind this week.
1. What did MSU do to OSU’s offense that we can replicate? I watched that game and the potent OSU offense looked stagnant. They got half their points on Sparty No!’s and grinded to 4.2 yards per play. Granted, MSU has a very good defense but obviously so do we. We perform like that and we win the game easily. Did they do anything special? Why did OSU struggle so much?
2. What did Maryland do to OSU’s defense? Maryland was one dimensional and still gouged OSU. Was it brilliant game planning that RPSed OSU to death? Bad tackling? Something else?
3. Has OSU been saving Haskins by not running? All of a sudden they are running Haskins. Did they break it out early vs Maryland because they had to? Did they show it to slow down attacking LBs?
4. Pressure and emotion. Are they real things or overstated? The national media is trying to say all the pressure is on UM and if we don’t win, we never will. Doesn’t the pressure go out the window when the clock starts? Same thing with emotion. Lots of talk about OSU being fired up by Higdons comment, but does getting really fired up last long into the game?
November 20th, 2018 at 9:10 PM ^
Exactly. It nullified Ohio State's speed advantage.
November 20th, 2018 at 4:37 PM ^
I think that, in response to #4, those things are real and can definitely reflect positively in game performance. You can feel those throughout the game, and they can be to your benefit.
November 20th, 2018 at 4:39 PM ^
- OSU's OL is meh ... 4.0 YAC is all they get on average (all year)
- OSU's run defense is bad ... bad tackling, bad fits from LBs and S
- Haskins had to keep to move the ball and score in the red zone ... against Maryland !
- This game has been circled since spring ball ... it will be emotional from both teams. Pressure is really on OSU to not barf at home. UM will be playing loose and confident. OSU has been on a stinker streak since getting butt-stomped by Purdue. Maryland had that game won last week ... they just needed to complete a 3 yard pass to a wide-open guy for 2 pts. and the win. OSU players and coaches know they lucked out. We totally dominated Maryland. Can't wait until Saturday, the players must be juiced.
November 20th, 2018 at 4:47 PM ^
All I know is that if I don't see Haskins loping for 16 yards up the wide open middle of the field on 3rd and 9, Michigan will win the game.
November 20th, 2018 at 5:13 PM ^
Michigan's scheme on 3rd down and long is what its always been, and once those receivers got down field there was simply nobody left to contain the QB. We weren't running a spy, and the few times there was someone there that simply didn't read the QB scramble well. Indiana was keying on this and motioning their HB out to the far boundary to take the MLB with him. With Ohio State being a more short to intermediate passing team I assume we will see our defense running more zone coverage, and by default kind of being more ready for the QB run. BTW that QB scrambling by Indiana damn near looked like a designed draw with as much as they killed us on 3rd down with it over and over.
Should be interesting to see how Don Brown chooses to attach this offense. Do we really want to bring the house on blitzes when we just showed our inability to cover the rub and pick routes? Can we get pressure with 4? Pretty excited to see it play out.
November 20th, 2018 at 5:11 PM ^
1. Weather had a lot to do with OSU's offense. Also got pressure on Haskins, see below.
2. Lots of mis-direction. OSU has bad eye discipline. Schiano is an average DC with great talent. Their scheme has been the biggest issue all year. Again, great talent, but the defense always looks out of position. That is coaching as is eye discipline.
3. Haskins is not fleet of foot. I would say that he is less athletic then McSorley and Peyton Ramsey. He is deadly accurate when he has time and feet are planted. NFL arm. If pressured he becomes rattled and irratic.
4. Pressure is a state of mind. There was immense pressure for MSU,Wisconsin and PSU. The nay sayers were waiting for Michigan to fail. Michigan played up to and above expectations in almost every game except Notre Dame. Guaranteeing a game has ZERO to do with outcome of game. ZERO. Michigan will not win or lose because of anything said. The game will be won on what happens on field, execution, play calling, coaching, players making plays. Michigan and OSU have so much respect and hate for each other you can't add more. Like is OSU going to hate Michigan more because of words?
November 20th, 2018 at 5:14 PM ^
Players making plays indeed
November 20th, 2018 at 5:34 PM ^
Is there a new trend for multi-part board posts? It feels like going to the DMV (er, Secretary of State)
November 20th, 2018 at 6:25 PM ^
I haven't watched every OSU game, but hasn't Martell already screwed up 2 short yardage situations with false starts? Seems like that package has not been practiced well. Seems like the sort of thing that might catch Don Brown once and then be utterly smothered.
November 20th, 2018 at 6:56 PM ^
As for #2, buc's defense isn't good. #3, Haskins will run on third down if it is there. No doubt. I don't think they would try to rely heavily on his read option capabilities though. He's just too slow. He'll get murdered. I say make him keep it and give him the beating he asks for by keeping it if they run that stuff with him. #4, I don't think there is pressure on Michigan. As long as they play their game, they'll win. Michigan will play the bully this Saturday.
November 20th, 2018 at 8:09 PM ^
On #3 I don’t think they are saving him. Honestly I don’t think he is very mobile.
November 20th, 2018 at 11:13 PM ^
I've watched OSU play several times this season. They are not the same team we've seen over the last few years. Not sure if I can put my finger on it but they are different. Watching them play Purdue, they just seemed to quit. This Michigan team is also different from teams of recent years. They are close, hungery, angry, confident.. I think this game goes to Michigan because they're a pissed off, talented group who simply want it more.
November 21st, 2018 at 7:59 AM ^
OSU has played two teams with a defensive pulse — MSU (26 points, 17 on offense) and PSU (27 points). Admittedly, both of those games were on the road, but Michigan’s defense is allowing about 30% fewer points than MSU and 40% fewer points than PSU in league games.
Granted, this game often goes the exact opposite of the way I expect (see: 2006). But 28-24 or 21-14 aren’t unrealistic scores in either direction. Keep in mind, if Michigan’s offense is working at all well, they’ll limit the total number of possessions dramatically.
November 20th, 2018 at 11:17 PM ^
If you play Michigan without a mobile QB, you have no chance and will get eaten up by Michigan's D. This is why I think Haskins getting out of the pocket and extending drives with his legs, could be the key to the game. Hudson and Bush will need to fly up and make tackles if Haskins escapes on the middle on 3rd and long.
November 21st, 2018 at 8:50 AM ^
Does anyone know the background of the referee unit?
November 21st, 2018 at 9:38 AM ^
Regarding your point #4, I think it's a pretty stupid idea that if we don't win this year we never will. Michigan and Ohio State have played 100+ times and will continue to play ever year for the rest of our lives. Harbaugh is a good coach and is recruiting well so we should have a chance every year.
November 21st, 2018 at 12:49 PM ^
I'm sure they have looked at all the teams who've had success against OSU and I'm sure they have some stuff on offense and defense that OSU hasn't seen from UM all season. As well, OSU will have the same for us, so just hope we make the better adjustments, Blue Blood Runs Deep -- Go Blue!!!!