Five Things: Michigan

Key Drives Control Momentum

While the year's version of the The Game never quite turned into the runaway we thought it might, the Buckeyes were able to put together TD drives when they mattered most. The fact Pryor and company were able to engineer TD drives to answer both Michigan scores allowed the Buckeyes to keep the Wolverines at arms length and just as important, also kept UM and the home crowd from ever seizing momentum in a rivalry where losing it can come with heavy consequences.

The first answer came in the 2nd quarter after Michigan's Jason Olesnavage nailed a 46 yard FG to bring Michigan to within 7-3. Saine got it started with an inspired 14 yard rumble before a Pryor scramble for 9 yards. After a -1 carry for Saine, he and the offensive line answered with a 3 yard run on 3rd down giving OSU their first such conversion of the day after 0/4 start. Then it really got nasty.

From the OSU 46, Pryor called his own number perfectly executing the read option as he sucked up Graham with a nice fake to Saine before getting a kickout block from Stoneburner springing the rangy Pryor for 25 yards down the Michigan 29 yard line. On the next play, Saine took a misdirection handoff to the left and raced untouched to the endzone with help from a great bock by Cordle. Six plays. Eighty yards. All on the ground. Momentum recaptured.

The next opportunity to lose the Mo occurred after Jonas Mouton intercepted a tipped Pryor pass putting Michigan in business at the OSU 49. On the 8th play of the drive, a misaligned Buckeye defense would surrender an 18 yard TD pass to Vincent Smith drawing Michigan to within 4 points, 14-10, with 10 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Cue the rushing attack...

After an illegal block forced OSU to start at their own 11, the offensive line buoyed an 11 play, 89 yard TD drive taking over 5 minutes off the clock in the process allowing the Buckeyes to once again seize control of momentum - and a 21-10 lead. With the hogs opening lanes, Boom, Zoom and TP had gashes of 13, 17, 13, 12 and 23 yards before a perfectly executed - and unexpected - screen pass to Boom on 3rd and goal allowed him to find the endzone for the third time in 2 games against Michigan. The drive was straight up bully material thanks to spirited efforts from Cordle, Browning and Boren, in particular.

Pryor's Mental Game Takes Some Strides

While Pryor's passing numbers (9/17, 67 yards, 1 INT) were far from dominant, I feel good about the strides he's making from a mental standpoint. It wasn't long ago that myself and many of the faithful were openly wondering if he was capable of grasping the mental complexities of playing QB at an elite level. Obviously, he's still got a ways to go but you can't argue the progression we've seen in recent weeks.

Yesterday, he built on that growth showcasing an improved ability to realize every play can't successful as evidenced by his willingness to throw the ball away when receivers weren't open and no scrambling lanes presented themselves. One example in particular came on a 3rd and 10 on the possession following Coleman's late first half interception of an attempted Forcier to Robinson bomb. Pryor bought himself some time by scrambling left toward the sideline then fading back a few steps before calmly lofting the ball out of bounds. I was especially satisfied with this decision because it followed up a missed opportunity for six when he overthrew Posey on a 1st down bomb before throwing a risky dump off to Carter that DC dropped but was close to being intercepted. In the past, those two plays leading up to 3rd down might have gotten in TP's head forcing him to try and do to much on 3rd down but not in this case. I hate to get too excited about a three and out, but I love the mental approach he showed.

Of course, the other story illustrating Pryor's (hopefully) mental emergence was his handling of the read option. He appeared poised with his head up as he read the end and made the choice of keeping or handing off. As noted, his keeper for 25 yards off a fake to Saine that preceded Saine's 29 yard TD was a thing of beauty as he faked the 1st rounder Graham out of his 0-fer-OSU jock. There were at least 5 other examples of such heady play by Pryor. Let's just hope this is the beginning of a trend and not a fluke at the hands of inferior competition because if Pryor can get the read/option down, this offense can be dangerous.

Stefanie

I had the pleasure of meeting Stefanie Spielman twice at golf outings supporting her crusade against cancer and like with any of you that have met her, she left a lasting impression. In my brushes with her greatness, I remember being so impressed with how impassioned she was about the cause and how positively she spoke and projected herself in the face of such horrible circumstances.

We were aware that Stefanie was really struggling recently though I think many were caught off guard by the news of her passing. Still, sensing a new beginning was near for her, I have to say I'm somewhat pleased that this occurred around The Game because I think it will entrench her and her fight as another part of the storied rivalry forever. I know it's not the same as Bo dying on the eve of the game but there's no doubt Tressel and his players were touched by the Spielman's. Right up there with Woody and Archie, I can't think of a Buckeye more beloved than Chris.

To see the "SS" stickers on the helmets and the signs in the stands shows just how close the Buckeye Nation truly is and for that I think we're all grateful we're a part of it. RIP Stefanie. Your work and lasting impression will carry on.

Big Plays Not Without Luck

Two of the game's biggest plays featured some good fortune and we're assuming it was karma smiling on Tressel as a reward for living such a wholesome, clean life.

In case you missed it, Tressel was way out of the field trying to call timeout just before the snap producing Pryor's majestic screen pass to Boom for six. Doc Tressel suggested the play but there was confusion as to whether or not they could get the play set up to beat the play clock. The refs didn't see the Vest and Pryor promptly tossed a tear drop over the oncoming 8 man front and Boom waltzed in for a 21-10 lead.

The karma Gods also dialed up the misdirection counter Saine took 29 yards to the house giving the Bucks a 14-3 lead. Apparently, the wrong play was signaled in by a student manager but it worked to perfection as Saine raced untouched to the end zone. Priceless.

Defense Takes Advantage of Mis-Tates

Judging from the lack of blitzing and what looked like a pretty vanilla defensive scheme overall, it appeared Heacock and company were content with slowing the run while forcing Tate Forcier to avoid mistakes in a bend but don't break approach that yielded 5 turnovers.

The blueprint allowed Forcier to throw for 226 yards but his 4 INT and unforced fumble in the endzone killed any chances for an unlikely upset. The Buckeyes were particularly tough in the red zone allowing one TD in three UM trips inside the OSU 20.

The Buckeyes would record just two sacks on the day but with Tressel focused on winning the turnover and rushing game battles, the Bullets held the Wolverines to 80 yards rushing (2.6 per) and held a +4 in turnover margin. Game. Set. Match.

Individually, Homan showed again he is clearly OSU's best linebacker (12 stops) and Hines (9) did a solid job in a spy role when Robinson was under center. Devon Torrence also made a name for himself in the rivalry recording 7 stops and an INT in the endzone to thwart a Michigan drive that had reached the six yard line.

The strength of the Bullets, the d-line, also turned in big plays with Heyward recording 1.5 TFL in addition to his TD via fumble recovery to give OSU a quick 7-0 lead. Thaddeus Maximus also stepped up with a 4th quarter INT and 4 tackles.

Finally, props to seniors Coleman, Worthington and Russell. The trio leaves Columbus with a perfect record against Michigan and all made plays in their final appearance in Ann Arbor. Coleman overcame a slow start and turned in a magnificent performance with 4 tackles, 2 breakups and 2 picks. Russell chipped in 5 stops and a pass breakup while Worthington bullied his way to 5 tackles.