If you’re a longtime reader of Eleven Warriors, this week’s edition of Across the Field will serve as a blast from the past.
For this week’s opposing beat writer Q&A, we caught up with Kyle Rowland – Eleven Warriors’ first-ever football beat writer – who is now the Michigan football beat writer for the Toledo Blade.
As Ohio State prepares to face the Wolverines in this year’s edition of The Game, we asked Kyle what the mood is like in Ann Arbor, why Michigan has struggled on offense but excelled in passing defense, how much Jim Harbaugh needs to win this game and what it’s like to cover the rivalry from the other side.
Q: Kyle, what's the mood like in Ann Arbor going into this game? Are the Wolverines and/or their fans confident they can beat the Buckeyes despite their struggles in big games this season?
Rowland: There was considerable buzz building up in recent weeks. But I think a lot of the air was released when Brandon Peters crumbled to the Camp Randall Stadium turf. No, Michigan's offense didn't turn into Oklahoma with Peters behind center, but it was a unit that had confidence and could move the football. There was an entirely different demeanor with him in the huddle. This is a game where anything can happen, as a bulk of the 1990s showed, but I'd say the confidence in Michigan fans has subsided significantly. The players and coaches certainly believe they can win, as they should. No one on Michigan's current roster has ever beaten Ohio State and when you add in last season's ending, there's plenty of motivation for the Wolverines.
Q: For all the hype surrounding his hire, Jim Harbaugh has lost more games in three years at Michigan than Urban Meyer has lost in six games at Ohio State. The Wolverines are just 1-4 against their two biggest rivals so far in Harbaugh's tenure. If Michigan loses this game, does Harbaugh's seat start to heat up this offseason?
Rowland: There will be justified criticism and a huge hunger for beating Michigan State and Ohio State. But Harbaugh's seat won't truly be hot. Something really bad would have to occur for Michigan to even consider firing him. Let's not forget how bad the Wolverines were during the Rich Rodriguez/Brady Hoke years. Under Harbaugh, they've had two 10-win seasons and some superb recruiting classes. If Michigan goes 8-4 this season, it's completely fair to deem it a failure. Don't forget, though, that the over/under was nine wins. Factor in the quarterback injuries and losing 17 starters, and it's not the worst season ever. In some ways, one could say Michigan's program must be in a good spot since people act like the sky is falling after an 8-4 season. A few years ago, they would have been ecstatic with eight wins.
Q: The Wolverines have scored 13 points or less in each of their three losses this season. Have those struggles been directly tied to their revolving door at quarterback, or are there other significant issues that have held their offense back?
Rowland: The quarterback situation is part of it, no doubt. The offense just has no rhythm or flow to it when John O'Korn is in. But it's not all on the quarterbacks. Michigan's wide receivers have never been able to make themselves a big factor this season. It's essentially an entire new group this year, and there's been a lack of cohesion with the quarterbacks and an inability to get open downfield. Freshman Tarik Black was the top target early in the season, but he was lost to a foot injury, which was a big loss. The offensive line also hasn't been a bright spot. It was a clear weak link in 2016, and all signs pointed to an improved unit this year, but it just hasn't come to fruition yet. Ohio State's defensive line is going to have a significant advantage.
Q: Michigan has only allowed more than 200 passing yards in one game this season and ranks No. 1 nationally in passing defense. What makes the Wolverines so tough to throw the ball against?
Rowland: It's stunning how good Michigan's secondary has been when you consider they had to replace everyone, including a few draft picks. But here they are the final week of the regular season with the top-ranked unit. I guess you can say they're good because they play a physical brand of press coverage, though it did burn them against Penn State. At times, guys can be left on an island. The players occupying the secondary – Khaleke Hudson, Lavert Hill, Tyree Kinnel, and David Long – each have two interceptions. That group also has 22 pass breakups. They should have success against the Buckeyes. Ohio State's wide receivers have improved, but I still think Michigan's cornerbacks and safeties are better.
Lavert Hill is one of four Michigan defensive backs with two interceptions this season. Rick Osentoski – USA TODAY Sports
Q: On a more personal note, you've covered this rivalry from both sides. What are the biggest differences between covering Ohio State and covering Michigan, or are the two programs more similar than their fans would like to admit?
Rowland: I don't really know if there are any major differences. Nowadays, it seems like every major program is operated in a similar fashion. From a media standpoint, Michigan does a good job. I always had the impression that there was zero access, but they have three days of interviews each week leading up to the game. You might not get coordinators each week and there are no assistant coaches available after games, but overall when you glance at the college football media landscape in 2017, I think Michigan is fine. At some schools or with some SIDs, there's an adversarial relationship with the media. It's not like that at all at Michigan.
Q: What do you think will be the deciding factors in this game, and how do you see it playing out?
Rowland: Michigan's quarterback will decide this game. I've said since last summer that I thought Michigan would win. I didn't really base it on anything other than a gut feeling – I didn't think Harbaugh would start out 0-3, Michigan seemed due for a win over Ohio State, the game is in Ann Arbor, the underdog hasn't won since 2004. That's all the crazy stuff I used to justify my prediction. If John O'Korn is Michigan's quarterback, though, I just don't see how the Wolverines can win the game. It would take a heroic performance, and Michigan's defense would still probably need a touchdown.
Obviously, Ohio State is the better, more talented team. Offensively, Michigan has to get the tight ends involved. Oklahoma and Iowa both saw tremendous success from their tight ends. Sean McKeon and Zach Gentry – Michigan's tight ends – are great receivers and could really exploit Ohio State's so-so linebackers down the field. Michigan's defense should bottle Ohio State up for large portions of the game, but if Michigan's offense can't move the ball, it will eventually wear out the defense. Maurice Hurst, Chase Winovich, Rashan Gary – some of the players on Michigan's defensive line are really good. J.T. Barrett's mobility is a plus for Ohio State, but he'll find himself under pressure. The Buckeyes will also have to worry about linebacker Devin Bush, who's one of the most ferocious players in the country, and a secondary that's overachieved. If Brandon Peters or Wilton Speight play, I'll stick to my upset pick and say Michigan somehow finds a way to shock the Buckeyes. Otherwise, I see this shaping up to be a repeat of 2015.
