What is the X factor for The Game?

JT's annoying ability to escape pressure is frustrating beyond belief. He isn't shifty as Braxton was/is, but JT is usually so good at escaping pressure. I have a feeling I will be punching the air many times when our defense has what seems to be a sack, but turns out to be a third down conversion simply because JT escaped.

UM has knocked several QB's out of games this year. I think it will come down to how often we can get to JT. I'm hoping Chris Evans can create some big plays also.

I agree with the OP, its turnovers. Michigan's defense and OSU's defense are pretty similar in terms of effectiveness. In most categories of NCAA defensive stats, OSU is only a few spots behind Michigan. There is not, I would guess, a significant statistical difference between the two defenses.

However, in multiple offensive categories Michigan is many spots behind OSU. I think OSU's offense is significantly better than Michigan's offense. And given where the game is being played, OSU's offense will be better still. This is why, for UM to have a real shot at winning, they need some help from turnovers to even out offensive play. 

It's Jabrill. He needs to play his best game of the season.

Scoring more points than the opponent

Need a Biakabutuka-like performance from a Mich RB.

Fuck Ohio

!!!!!

I keep imagining the scene in Star Wars when the pilots are getting prepped for blowing up the Death Star. 

Offense:

For Michigan - the ability to get separation from the DBs.

For Ohio - JT's ability to evade Wormley and Taco.

Defense:

For Michigan - Edge contain with the OLBs. My guess is the DEs will always crash on JT.

For Ohio - The ability to get pressure on O'Korn or Speight

Special Teams:

For Michigan - Block a punt or two

For Ohio - Don't kick to Peppers

Whether or not we bail them out once or twice with a running/roughing the kicker penalty on a punt.

weather.

Our Oline is the xfactor. If we can get push and play Stanford style manball, we will dominate this game. It's not likely, but is possible. If our Oline craps their pants and acts like a sieve like they did against Indiana, we have no chance.

No matter who is at RB or QB positions, no matter how good our D plays, no matter how Peppers is used? It ALL comes down to our Oline.

Was it just me or did he not look as explosive in the Indiana game?  He looked...human. 

X factor will be Peppers making plays on offense. Running, maybe throwing it, and catching some passes too. I'd love to see a screen pass or two thrown his way. Then of course what he can do on special teams. But seriously, the X factor will be how many Michigan jerseys get sold in Ohio between now and noon on Saturday.

Yards are gonna be tough sledding. And OSU on offense will get their yards.

It all comes down to special teams for me. Can we make a big play or two (blocked punt, returned punt/kickoff for a TD, or for a near TD)? Can we win the battle of field position? I expect quite a few punts in this game. Kenny has got to be on his game. Can we hit the crucial not-so-short field goal when we absolutely need to?

 

I don't know what the X factor is, but I will say it probably won't be special teams. According to S&P+ they have the 2nd ranked special teams unit.

Their FG kicker has only missed one kick all year (the PSU block) and can hit from around 40-45, so he's a very solid kicker.

Their punter is one of the best in the country. He's averaging over 46 yards a punt, and since he's a rugby style punter his kicks rarely get returned. I don't think Peppers will get any real chances to return a punt.

They have had 2 punts blocked that I can think of, but one of those was PSU again. Minus that game they don't have kicks blocked so I don't think we'll see any blocked kicks either.

The only special teams areas I think we may see any slight positive are kickoff returns and punts. When they kickoff I expect them to squib it to avoid Peppers, and I think they've had some issues with the kickoff guy putting them out of bounds, so between that and squibs we might get decent field position around the 30/35 after kickoffs.

For punts, Kenny Allen looks like what he thought he would be, which is a plus. Their punt returners have also done a terrible a job all year. Barely any big, or even solid returns, a lot of questionable decisions to field kicks, and a lot of muffs. I wouldn't be surprised to see those issues pop up again and hurt OSU Saturday.

confidence late. There was a lapse in confidence on offense at Iowa, which upset me, since Speight has been tough. D must bring pain early, O must show we can run a bit. Hopefully that will be the case; MSU exposed them a little.

1 - finding the stadium. i heard they moved it, so this will be key

2 - remembering which direction your team is going. refs will be deliberately misleading on this point, so trust but verify

3 - locating the football. new nike camo balls are hard to see, catch

4 - pinpointing the locker room. signs posted around stadium just lead outside, and then boom, you're out of the game

5 - not getting hit by a yellow "flag". this year flags have been replaced by golden bricks so watch out!

If we can get Wilton or O'Korn to have a solid game through the air, our run game & defense are good enough to get the W. If our passing attack sucks, it's gonna feel like 2007 again

Michigan didn't have Don Brown last year. They had Coach Durkin who checked out. He prepared during the week for his Maryland interview. This year Michigan will be better prepared to win in the trenches and all facets of the game. Converting 3rd downs will be huge.

cuz we beat MSU so if we win Saturday, we can do things again. 

 

Also, I think there are 2 main X-factors.  Our OLine has got to play the game of their lives and keep whichever QB off their backs.

 

DL has to get pressure but not lose contain.  Also, they gotta close those gaps so we don't see that 50 yard run right up the middle.

Off-Topic, but need some advice,

I'm going on vacation to Nashville this weekend and am trying to prepare for the best bar to watch the game. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Not an original thought, but that's it. I can't see Michigan winning with O'Korn.