The Eleven Warriors Web Report comes to you from the Spectrum News 1 studios in downtown Columbus, featuring our own Beau Bishop and Dan Hope along with former Buckeye linebacker Joshua Perry.
With Brett Hiltbrand filling in for Bishop, this week's show is all about The Game, as Ohio State prepares to face Michigan in its annual rivalry game – with a Big Ten East title on the line – on Saturday at noon at Ohio Stadium.
Perry, who knows a thing or two about beating Michigan from his four wins against the Wolverines during his Buckeye career, talks about how Urban Meyer – despite his insistence on Monday that he won't talk about Ohio State being an underdog – motivates his players in the week leading up to this game.
"The Game deserves a little bit more respect than to say that's going to be your one point of motivation, but he's absolutely using that," Perry said. "These guys aren't used to being underdogs. Coach Meyer's been very successful as an underdog. But this week more than any other week, the motivation comes into play."
The panel also talks about the confidence Michigan is carrying into this week's game, and the challenges the Wolverines will present on both offense and defense as they look to end Ohio State's six-year winning streak in the annual rivalry game.
Perry believes the Michigan offense, led by quarterback Shea Patterson and an offensive line coached by former Ohio State assistant Ed Warinner, is a big reason why the Wolverines – and specifically head coach Jim Harbaugh – are entering this game with confidence.
"I think the offense, to him, is what he's been looking for ever since he's taken the helm at Michigan," Perry said.
Michigan's defense, meanwhile, leads the nation in both total defense (234.8 yards allowed per game) and passing defense (123.2 passing yards allowed per game).
"This is going to be a huge challenge," Hope said. "We've seen Ohio State improve in the running game ... but this is going to be a real tough, physical defense to go against, and then that passing defense, they're going to challenge Dwayne Haskins on every throw."
