thanks to Purdue...
Don’t look now but Michigan sits atop the B1G and the B1G East. Will also be in the top 4 at the end of next week at the latest...probably (Alabama vs LSU). It just feels different this year, less like we’re just hanging on and more like we’re in the driver’s seat.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:05 AM ^
An Ohio State fan just said it will take an effort for the Buckeyes to upset the Wolverines... in Columbus.
I just... I need to process this.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:16 AM ^
Why bother playing the game? Michigan is the better team.
They should cancel The Game and just hand Michigan the division title...they've already earned it. OSU doesn't have a chance to beat them.
(sigh) Maybe the Buckeyes can start a new streak in 2019.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:46 AM ^
Chuck...we know you're depressed right now. We've been there...BUT DON'T STICK US WITH THAT VOODOO SHIT.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:09 AM ^
I don't know if we are going to end up winning B1G East, but I know one thing for sure, OSU ain't going to the playoffs, even if they win out rest of the season. There is no way the committee is going to put a team that lost by 29 to Purdue in playoffs.
And that is going to be a HUGE help in our cause. Why?
If we go to OSU game undefeated in B1G, it is in the league's best interest that we win that game, because we will be the only team that will be playoff eligible. That means it is much less likely that we will have bunch of homer refs that OSU routinely has for the game. B1G will probably make sure that we have every chance to win that game, for their own sakes. That is a HUGE factor in our favor. I feel much better about our chance for THE GAME, after tonight.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:20 AM ^
Gameboy, despite the ugly loss to Purdue, OSU is not eliminated from the playoff.
Had last year's ugly loss to Iowa been the team's only loss, OSU would still have made the playoff. They finished #5 and were the first team in 4 seasons to be legitimately considered for a playoff spot despite 2 losses...which means if they had only 1 of those two losses, they would be in.
OSU can still make the playoff if they win out. One ugly loss does not eliminate a team.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:28 AM ^
I think you need to take your rose colored glasses off. Alabama is in (even if they lose one), ND is probably going to win out (even if they lose, it will not be by 29 to Purdue). Clemson ain't losing. That only leaves probably one spot. Georgia/Alabama/LSU finishing with one loss will be ahead of OSU. If Oklahoma/Texas finishes with one loss, they will be ahead of OSU as well.
Yes, crazy things can happen and OSU could be back in, but right now, that is pretty unlikely. And as long as B1G believes their best chance lies with Michigan, we should get a much fairer outing at Columbus.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:30 AM ^
Strictly from a W-L perspective, no, but you have to know when it comes time to choose, all the other 1-loss teams are going to be pointing to this game and it's going to have an impact. There is a beauty contest aspect to picking playoff teams as long as it remains a 4-team bracket. After tonight OSU is an ugly contestant.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:31 AM ^
Just like you weren't eliminated after Iowa last year? The committee won't forget a blowout loss on the road to an unranked team.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:32 AM ^
Uh, they gone. Sorry Chuck, but ohio st aint gots no bidness being anywhere near the playoff. Playoffs? Playoffs?
October 21st, 2018 at 12:36 AM ^
This is the correct take, although I think last year's OSU team was much better than this year's OSU team.
The difference between Michigan and OSU at this point is that only Michigan controls its own destiny (assuming the chips don't fall perfectly for a second SEC team). OSU would need to win out have Texas and possibly Oklahoma lose again. It's also more likely that a second SEC team would get in ahead of OSU than ahead of Michigan.
Neither Michigan nor OSU can survive a second loss, though.
October 21st, 2018 at 2:15 AM ^
Chuck that's funny. Purdue is such a garbage loss it puts OSU behind pretty much all other 1 loss teams who might win a conference.
Your delusion is hilarious tho
October 21st, 2018 at 5:44 PM ^
I'll acknowledge OSU's loss to Purdue sets them behind other 1-loss teams. But it's also naive to think that few other teams ahead of them will win out. Have you watched college football in November before?
If OSU wins out (I said IF, not that they will), they are right back in the discussion. Might the Purdue loss set them behind other 1-loss teams? Sure, that will be part of the discussion. Might a 12-1 OSU team be viewed favorably because of their wins? Perhaps. (which would mean wins over PSU, MSU, UM, Wisc/Iowa/Purdue in B1G championship game, and a TCU win that looks less impressive but still better than any non-con win half the SEC has.)
It's not unrealistic that about 5 teams in the current top ~8 or so will suffer a future loss. Plus, we know the current rankings will be torn up in about a week when re-calibrated by the CFP rankings....we'll see where everybody sits then and re-evaluate.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:59 AM ^
This thought crossed my mind as well. If we win the next 3 we are the B1G only shot at the playoffs. Don't think Delany wants to be left out again.
October 21st, 2018 at 1:02 AM ^
Knocks on wood three times!
October 20th, 2018 at 11:46 PM ^
In two weeks, UM hosts PSU and Sparty plays in Columbus.
If UM defeats PSU and Sparty defeats OSU, UM will auto-win the B1G East. Unreal.
UM is quite clearly in the driver's seat. First time UM has been in the proverbial "driver's seat" since the B1G started doing a league championship game. FEELS DAMN GOOD! #GoBlue
October 20th, 2018 at 11:55 PM ^
You're right except for one thing. MSU plays OSU at HOME in 3 weeks time (in East Lansing).
Personally I don't care who wins that game. Michigan controls it's own destiny with regard to the Big Ten East and mostly does with it's chances of making the Playoff. Win out and everything will fall into place. Winning the Big Ten East is not on my Christmas list this year. lol
October 20th, 2018 at 11:57 PM ^
Really? I will be rooting for MSU to beat Ohio State as hard as I've ever rooted for Michigan given the scenario. I want a Big Ten championship.
October 20th, 2018 at 11:59 PM ^
No, never!
I always root for OSU and MSU both to lose. I will never root for MSU to win.
However -- in this particular game, I will happily root for OSU to lose more. ;)
October 21st, 2018 at 1:16 PM ^
I'm rooting for an MSU "win" of 4-0.
October 20th, 2018 at 11:58 PM ^
Well... technically Michigan would still have to win at Rutgers and then against Indiana on Senior Day.
Rutgers is the ultimate tire fire, of course, but Indiana is decent and I'd hate to see Michigan get caught looking ahead.
Michigan was in the driver's seat for a division championship in 2012 before Denard got hurt, although that was at 3-0 (out of 8 conference games), not 5-0 (out of 9).
October 21st, 2018 at 12:36 AM ^
Assuming we beat Rutgers and Indiana. Now Rutgers I’ll give you. That would be a rediculous level upset. Indiana is a good team though. Granted we should win both games but the only gimme game is Rutgers.
October 20th, 2018 at 11:46 PM ^
Did we just become the best team in the Big Ten???
Yup!!!
October 20th, 2018 at 11:50 PM ^
Let's not go sucking each other's...
October 20th, 2018 at 11:56 PM ^
We’re not here to judge.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:49 AM ^
Yes! Let's!
October 20th, 2018 at 11:47 PM ^
Happy not to be playing Purdue for a couple years, at least. Coach Brohm, if he stays there, is going to build a powerhouse. Don't tell me he's going to be Urbs' replacement...
October 20th, 2018 at 11:47 PM ^
Wow, Marcus going at it with Brian now on Twitter.
October 20th, 2018 at 11:52 PM ^
This is unfortunate.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:00 AM ^
Yeah. That’s a good word for it. I don’t know why Brian bothers with Twitter for anything other than promoting the website and related products.
October 20th, 2018 at 11:59 PM ^
Oh man awkward. Real not recognizing...really, real.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:35 AM ^
Marcus...the poor man's Braylon.
In a battle of words, my money is on Brian.
October 20th, 2018 at 11:48 PM ^
If Alabama loses a close game, they'll probably only drop to #2 keeping michMich at #5. Gotta make sure they get in the playoff
October 20th, 2018 at 11:53 PM ^
Bama has reached borderline NFL caliber territory. They aren't losing to anybody.
October 20th, 2018 at 11:50 PM ^
Top 4 after LSU/Ala. game. Right behind Notre Dame....PERFECT! God...please God....let us get ND in the playoffs.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:59 AM ^
Yes. Complete the revenge tour.
Whatever happens to us against Bama after that.....fine.
October 20th, 2018 at 11:52 PM ^
If we take care of business in 2 weeks vs. PSU and MSU beats OSU, we could have the east locked up before The Game. What a time to be alive!
October 21st, 2018 at 8:23 AM ^
If PSU hadn't gacked up that 12 pt fourth quarter lead against OSU earlier this year, UM would just need to beat PSU in two weeks (then beat Rutgers and Indiana) to have the Big East locked up before the game.
Thanks, Franklin!
October 20th, 2018 at 11:52 PM ^
On BTN Dave Revsine just said about Urban Meyer, "He's not afraid to confront problems".
...Yeah
October 20th, 2018 at 11:58 PM ^
So how's about this for some intrigue: we play PSU, at Ruggers, Indiana, and THAT game. OSU plays home against Nebraska, at Sparty, at Maryland, and THAT game. If we win out going into Columbus, and OSU slips up even one more time, which seems incredibly possible with how bad their D is and with two offensive threats coming up (Neb and Maryland -- I know they got shutout today, shut up) and a mud fight with Sparty, we go into Columbus as outright Big Ten East Champs. Obviously I don't mind going to the CFP, but I wouldn't pass up a Big Ten title as a nice building block to something bigger
October 21st, 2018 at 12:07 AM ^
I swear to god, if the Buckeyes manage to step on their own dicks against Nebraska...
I can't even begin to describe how that would make me feel.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:38 AM ^
If I could step on mine I would feel pretty proud.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:10 AM ^
OSU won't lose to Maryland and Nebraska. This will force us to have to root for Sparty in the meteor game.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:00 AM ^
I'll say it... there were times today that we didn't even look like a top 10 team.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:08 AM ^
Fuck. Off.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:26 AM ^
In his defense there were, what, 75 minutes where we were sitting in a locker room instead of on the field.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:09 AM ^
OK, name ten better.
I bet OSU wishes they looked as bad as Michigan did today.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:16 AM ^
There was a whole fucking game where osu didn’t look like a top 50 team.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:08 AM ^
Blue:
Avid Buckeye fan here but I know a good team when I see one. It is good to see you back and to see you win with class in East Lansing. I do NOT want you to win in the 'Shoe, but good luck anyways. I always pull for UM except for one weekend in November!
October 21st, 2018 at 12:14 AM ^
Purdue is 4-5 against Ohio State in their last 9 meetings. Not exactly a brilliant record, but really not bad at all. They've certainly had more success than we've had against OSU over the last 15 years.
October 21st, 2018 at 12:20 AM ^
Like us, both LSU and Bama have next week off.
Lot's of if's but...if we ended up crushing Penn State and LSU wins a close one over Alabama, I don't see Alabama dropping below us in the rankings. They would probably drop to #3 at worst just because the pollsters will always keep them as high as possible.
But again, that's a big if. I'd be shocked if any team can even put a scare in to Bama.