M and OSU vs. common opponents, S&P

Submitted by steve sharik on

These are averages.

Team Points Plays Yards Yards Per Play Scoring Opps Pts Per Opp Avg Field Pos. Success Rate TO Margin
M Offense                    42.00    74.83    473.00                     6.37                   8.00                4.83                   35.10 47%                   6
OSU Offense                    37.67    80.17    438.83                     5.40                   7.83                4.60                   34.70 46%                   3
M Defense                       8.83    63.00    245.33                     3.71                   3.00                2.79                   25.15 27%  
OSU Defense                    13.83    64.67    258.67                     3.95                   3.50                3.22                   26.08 30%  

For the life of me, someone explain why OSU is thought of more highly. They're only better in previous years' recruiting rankings.

Oh, by the way, the above averages include one game where we didn't have our friggin' starting QB.

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Clarence Beeks

November 20th, 2016 at 6:06 PM ^

So the talk is that O'Korn wasn't good against Indiana. I think we'd agree with that. Anyone want to guess how many more passing yards Barrett had against Indiana, though? Exactly four. FOUR. And OSU only had about 100 more yards of offense than we did (yards against we're about the same). Yet somehow that game should be held against us, but not OSU? Such a joke. So tired of this narrative. How about Indiana is actually just a lot better this year? Our backup quarterback passed for four less yards than their Heisman contender.



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MonkeyMan

November 20th, 2016 at 6:08 PM ^

Actually it all comes down to whether or not I remember to drink a strawberry daquiri at 10:30 am on game day. 

 

But none of you would be expected to know this is the deciding factor.

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MGoStrength

November 20th, 2016 at 6:47 PM ^

I believe most believe that OSU is more talented and when up for a game has more weapons than UM does.  UM is probably more consistent and their weaknesses are less evident against lesser opponents.  But, their inability to run the ball and their difficulty holding the edge will be evident against OSU.  

 

OSU may not have as good of a defensive line as UM, and although they also don't have a great o-line themselves, their weaknesses aren't likely to be as much of a problem for them as UMs will.  OSU's offense doesn't require strong performances form their o-line to make their offense work because their QB can run, they don't take a lot of time in the pocket, and their plays don't take as long to develop.  

 

UM's weaknessess on the other hand will show up against stronger opponents and will be obvious against OSU because they will have trouble getting push with their running game against a better defensive line, which will also give them trouble throwing, and vice versa. Defensively, UM will also have trouble with the edge with Barrett & Samuel.  Although UMs defense is good, it won't be enough to win the game alone without an offense that can throw the ball to open up some room in the running game.  This will be especially true if Speight isn't healthy.  Unless Peppers is lights out, they use him in some different ways, they get special teams scores, they get TOs, or there is a ton of new things they do offensively to trick OSU, most believe OSU is the stronger team in a head-to-head matchup.

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Richard75

November 20th, 2016 at 7:26 PM ^

Excellent rundown, although I think it's a bit colored by (understandable) pessimism that we'll never get over the hump against OSU.

OSU has a young, exploitable OL, and Mich has a rampant DL. Have to remember that sometimes—like the OSU-Florida title game—one team just can't block the other.



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MGoStrength

November 22nd, 2016 at 7:32 AM ^

I have no doubt that our d-line will be penetrating into the backfield all day and will give OSU trouble doing what they want to do.  But, I also think they will be effective getting to the ball to their backs in space and running the option, which should get guys to the edge.  We had a lot of trouble with Wadley and Sameul will do some similar things.  If they were just dropping back to pass that would be a different story.  

 

OSU probably only needs somewhere between 17-24 points to win this game assuming Speight isn't healthy.  I don't picture O'Korn or our running game being able score more than 17 pts against this defense unless O'Korn is significantly better than last week, we do a lot of new things offensively, we get special teams scores, or we get a number of turnovers.

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Sharuck

November 20th, 2016 at 8:13 PM ^

OSU fan here. You guys should be hoping for bad weather. JT really struggles in bad weather, particularly wind. All QBs do, of course, but him more than most. (I also think that it is impossible to draw conclusions about Okorn given the weather for your Indiana game.)

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Rabbit21

November 20th, 2016 at 8:55 PM ^

They have a history of consistent success, Michigan hasn't closed the season the way they started, the fancy stats meant Jack and shit in the game last year, and, finally, after the past few years it takes very little to make people doubt Michigan and Michigan has seemingly confirmed those doubts with the past couple of games.



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Aziraphale

November 20th, 2016 at 10:20 PM ^

If you want to look just at common opponents, Michigan played four at home and two on the road. Ohio State played two at home and four on the road. Beyond Michigan State (both played MSU on the road) and Indiana (both played IU at home), Michigan played @Rutgers and Ohio State played @Wisconsin, @Penn State, and @Maryland. Think there's a a bit of a difference in difficulty?

This week is always a slapfight online. The teams are pretty equal, there's no need to parse through the splits like this.

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AmayzNblue

November 21st, 2016 at 7:12 AM ^

Have to agree with this. The teams have both show monstrous capability and sluggish games. This Saturday will go to whichever team can perform at their highest level. I believe one team will run away with this game and it won't be close. I just can't say for certain which team that will be.



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BoCanHam15

November 21st, 2016 at 12:47 AM ^

Thanks for the history lesson; I was using numbers and words for Affect! It wasn't the verbiage that I was expressing! See: aspirin However, I apologize for using the stupid term Uckeyes(S). Lastly, the main reason for the purposeful either Deveon sucked mis-spelled again for affect because De'veon as LSA so eloquently put it DID NOT! Good luck to all those looking for reasons we won't win! Book it, we will win!!!

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AmayzNblue

November 21st, 2016 at 7:09 AM ^

It's all "eye test" reasoning. OSU looked like a juggernaut against Nebraska, who was overhyped and way over-ranked when they played. It was a good win, but still it's funny how no media sources seem to recall the PSU and MSU games for OSU. I think we will get their best shot.

I also believe most predictors are Vader on our performance in the game last year. We have to admit, we totally crapped the bed in our own stadium against our biggest rival. They looked unstoppable against us and most taking heads are not willing to take a risk predicting us until we show on the field that we can dominate The Game once again. It could happen this Saturday if our boys show up to play their top level of ball.



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