It's almost that time again.
Though Ohio State was hoping to definitively have more riding on this year's version of The Game, the bottom line is that Urban Meyer's squad heads to Ann Arbor tomorrow for a showdown with Jim Harbaugh's Michigan Wolverines and a hangover from last week could spell doom.
The Buckeyes have said all the right things this week and they still have plenty to play for. For starters, they can send out the seniors with a perfect 4-0 mark against their rival in addition to keeping themselves in the hunt for a berth in the B1G championship game pending the outcome of Sparty's matchup with Penn State.
To get your mind right ahead of the rivalry renewed we welcome DJ, Michael and Eric to this week's 11W Roundtable.
A week after getting smoked in the trenches Ohio State’s rushing attack will have to get back on track for the Buckeyes to have any chance in Ann Arbor. That will likely be a tough chore however with Michigan currently ranked 4th in the country in rushing defense (100.2 ypg). How will OSU fare in moving the ball on the ground?
Michael: Ohio State will have to be persistent with running the football in a way it wasn't against Sparty. The Buckeyes will have to do what they do well and not let Michigan dictate how they play call. The coaching staff allowed MSU to dictate how they played last Saturday and that didn't work out so well. I anticipate the Wolverines stacking the box so the Buckeyes may need to come out throwing a lot early to try to set up Barrett's read-option and the power runs for Zeke.
Eric: Basing this purely off last week's performance against Michigan State, I'll say not very well. The strength of the Spartan defense was its front seven and Ohio State did next to nothing against it. Saturday poses a similar challenge, and as the question noted, the Wolverines are excellent at stopping their opposition's rushing attack.
Jordan Howard dominated on the ground in Indiana's near upset of Michigan two weeks ago, but I think that was an anomaly. Michigan's defense has been stout pretty much all year. With the way the Buckeyes struggled to do anything offensively Saturday, the edge has to be with the Wolverines here.
DJ: It’s going to be tough sledding, no doubt about it. Urban Meyer says Ohio State is offensive line-driven, and if they can’t pass—or lack the confidence to do so—then I hope the coaching staff just tries to batter Ezekiel Elliott down their throat. If Michigan’s defense can withstand that onslaught for four quarters then tip of the cap.
In his Monday presser following the play calling debacle against Sparty, Urban Meyer stated he’ll be more involved against Michigan. I found that interesting since he stated in his postgame presser that he called plenty of the plays versus the Spartans. Going forward, what kind of role do you see for Meyer from a play calling standpoint? More importantly, what would you like to see the offense try to do this week to attack the Wolverines?
Eric: I found that interesting as well, but I think pretty much the only change he could make from what he's doing now is being the final voice on the play call. Tim Beck was that voice once Meyer began to trust him more midseason, but the staff as a whole needs to improve the offensive game plan Saturday if they want a chance to win.
I think if you're an Ohio State fan, you've got to hope the staff shows some sort of confidence in J.T. Barrett and the passing game. Any sort of confidence, really. Starting there should help things, because it won't allow Michigan to sell out and stop the run like Michigan State did. Getting the ball out on quick slants to Michael Thomas, swings to Curtis Samuel or even touch passes to Jalin Marshall will be an improvement from Saturday. Even a touch or two to Braxton Miller would be a change from last week. We just didn't see any of those looks against the Spartans.
DJ: I wish there would’ve been a follow-up about what he meant by “more involved.” More decisive during in-game discussions? More play-calling than already?
Going forward, it looks like Meyer will have to take the reins. Not a great look for the offensive coordinator, and Meyer will be looking at it long and hard this winter regardless of Saturday’s outcome.
As I said above, I hope they just play to the strength. Give Ezekiel Elliott 30 carries and try to pick some shots down field. The downside to that plan, however, is that’s probably what Michigan will be game planning for.
Michael: I would like to see the Buckeyes simply do what they do best and see if Michigan can stop them. If you're going to go down, go down with your best stuff. You can't change your identity in Week 12 (or 11, as we saw last week). Sure, the offense has struggled at times, but there's no reason to put handcuffs on your best players or refrain from calling your best plays. Meyer was likely protecting his staff after the game. I think we'll see him be more involved this week. He always does when there's an area of the team that needs fixing.
Over the last six games Michigan’s Jake Rudock has played pretty solid tossing 11 touchdowns against just three interceptions while completing 68% of his passes. Rudock also has some solid pass catchers at his disposal in Jake Butt, Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson. Any of those three cause you particular heartburn? Why or why not? How will Rudock fare on Saturday?
DJ: I expect Jake Butt to do his thing, and in the games I’ve watched Amara Darboh seems like the most competent Michigan receiver in recent memory.
I’m not tripping about ol’ Jake Rudock. If they want to try to dink and dunk down the field vs. Ohio State’s pass defense/rush… I’ll live with that. Just limit the big plays and make them earn every single point.
Michael: Jake Butt is a problem because Ohio State linebackers have traditionally struggled against tight ends. Darboh and Chesson are good weapons but Ohio State's corners have seen guys as good. This defense has not seen a tight end as good as Butt. (Yes, I laughed a little at what I just typed because I am 12 years old.)
Eric: Rudock's been the reason Michigan's been winning games recently. The Wolverine rushing attack is OK, but Jim Harbaugh's done an excellent job utilizing Rudock's skill set to keep the chains moving.
As good as Rudock's been, however, a large part of the success has to be given to his receivers. Jake Butt's had a great season and is often the quarterback's safety valve. He's a matchup nightmare, runs great routes and has terrific hands. Personally, I think Rudock is set up for a great afternoon against Ohio State, but the bulk of it depends on if the Buckeyes can get pressure him and match up with Butt.
Which big win over Michigan during your lifetime stands out as the sweetest and why?
Eric: Everybody likes to jump to the 2006 game when it was No. 1 v. No. 2, but I think the year before is the most memorable for me. Nine points down with under eight minutes to play? That's Troy Smith's music. Smith led an 88-yard drive down two points to take the lead and ensure Ohio State's fourth win against Michigan in five years. The completion to Anthony Gonzalez with under a minute to play after Smith shook David Harris out of his shoes sent chills down my spine. I think that one will stick out in my mind forever.
Michael: I wrote about this earlier in the week. For me, it's 2006. Despite the fact that the Buckeyes laid an egg against Florida in the next game, that was a No. 1 vs. No. 2 match-up and Ohio State played very well to earn a trip to the national championship game. More importantly, Ohio State denied Michigan a trip to the national championship game. Honorable mention to Earle Bruce's last game in charge of the Buckeyes, because it erased a very frustrating season, sent Bruce out a winner, and because I was there and got to dance on the M at midfield in Ann Arbor.
DJ: My natural reflection was No. 1 vs. No. 2. But after some searching, it would be the 2004 Game. I was in attendance, and carrying Troy Smith off the field will always be an Ohio State memory I’ll cherish.
Conversely, which defeat at the hands of the maize and blue serves as the most painful and why?
Michael: Oh God...I went to Ohio State in the 1990s, so there are so many...so many. I cannot choose. [/curls into fetal position and whispers "why, Coop, why?"]
DJ: Biakabutuka. I was too young to have much skin in the game but I remember him wreaking havoc akin to a natural disaster. It was my first realization about the intensity of this series.
Eric: Two words: Chris Perry. The 2003 affair was one of those you knew what was going to happen once the game started, but didn't stop watching because you hoped it wouldn't. Braylon Edwards tore up Ohio State vertically, but Perry was the slow poison that killed the Buckeyes. I'm still convinced his 154 yards and two touchdowns in that game made the Cincinnati Bengals think he was worthy of a first round NFL Draft selection.
Which Michigan Man has the all-time most punchable face? Why does he get your vote?
DJ: Yeesh. Can I get a Mt. Rushmore over here, please? Jim Harbaugh’s face is pretty punchable, but I have no desire to fistfight a crazy person. Would probably have to go with Desmond.
Eric: Oh boy. This could get messy, but I'll go with Mike Hart. Couldn't stand that guy for more than one reason that I don't think I should write about here.
Michael: This is a great question and probably should be set up as a tournament. As a player it was none other than Jim Harbaugh, although he was only one of many. Desmond Howard, Elvis Grbac, Taylor Lewan...I could go on. Harbaugh particularly was irksome because of "the guarantee." Plus, he still has that punchable face as a coach.
Following Ohio State’s collapse against the Fighting Dantonios, the Buckeyes head to Ann Arbor as a virtual pick 'em. Give us a score prediction and game MVP.
Michael: I'm going to say Ohio State rebounds in a rivalry game under Meyer and wins, 23-21. I have zero confidence in this, but Meyer has a strong history in rivalry games. The game MVP is Ezekiel Elliott, redeeming himself a week after burning the coaching staff to the ground for the play calling against Sparty.
Eric: I've said all season long that Michigan would beat Ohio State. Of course, I thought that with the premise that the Buckeyes would take care of Michigan State and head to Ann Arbor undefeated (hello, 1969). Even though that didn't happen, its because of the way Ohio State looked against the Spartans that I'm still going with Michigan. They're just playing better football right now and Ohio State still doesn't seem to have a clue about it's offensive identity. Prediction: Michigan 31, Ohio State 28.
DJ: Look, I’m never going to not say Ohio State is winning this damn game. Give me the odds on Ezekiel Elliott taking the MVP.
