What To Expect Saturday at “The” Game
Posted at 4:00pm — 11/26/2010
What To Expect Saturday at “The” Game
The weather forecast has been up and down this week for Saturday’s Michigan-Ohio State season finale. As of now it has been changed (again) to sunny and 42 degrees. Plenty of rain and cold came through Cowtown the last couple of days, but thursday (Thanksgiving) has been very nice with temperatures nearing 60. The Ohio State players are eating and will have a light workout on friday. So, the weather will be like last week’s encounter with Wisconsin, not bad.
Columbus 610 WTVN’s Art Schlichter, resident genius, has been giving his predictions on games all week. All of you, as Michigan fans, will have to live with the collective thought of your humble staff, as we certainly do not have anyone with Art’s notoriety.
Michigan is wounded, probably to the point that little if anything can be done to negate this disadvantage. One never knows for certain in a game like this who will play until game time. But if Demens cannot go, the middle is even more wide open.
Two Ohio State assistant coaches are personally attached to preparing a season long game file on Michigan and hence the preliminary game plan. The toughest decision may be what not to run and not what to run against the Michigan defense.
The Buckeye offense has come alive recently and is far more dangerous than some believe. The claim that Ohio State cannot run is unfounded. This group may have some trouble running against a top five defense, but such a defense will be only on one side of the ball Saturday.
After Ohio State gains a lead, Tressel may use the remaining time to sharpen all aspects of the offense. That includes running inside, running at the edge, letting Pryor take off for big yardage and hitting some big passes. Pryor is better over the middle hitting seams than going for the deep post homerun, but he has hit that pass. Michigan has stopped no one on the post corner route in front of the safety seam and this a favorite Pryor throw. Big plays have been given up on the deep routes as well. It would provide no surprise if Zach Boren is sent to the flat on a screen or two as a family treat. The view here is that Pryor could run for 200 yards if Tressel “permits” this. Tressel knows there is a big game on the horizon. Boom Herron runs hard and arm tackling could result in a big numbers day for him.
Regardless, Tressel has thrown the ball deep off the bat before to see if Michigan can defend. But most of the first half will likely be pounding the ball with Boom Herron and Pryor taking off on planned runs.
The Ohio State receivers are very talented and there is no one to match up with Posey, or maybe even the others as well.
The running game may see some pull and seal blocks up the middle, springing runners past the safeties as in past years.
The Michigan offense will probably not do much different than what has been seen already this year and will worry more about what UM does well versus identifying what OSU may have a problem defending; there may be a trick play that has been practiced but never used, or a fake punt or field goal may be executed. But zone reads, wildcat, and the base passing game should dominate play selection.
Michigan is badly damaged at the receiver spot, including wide-outs and slots. Unfortunately this cuts down on the execution of the base offense. Running up the middle has not been that successful for UM running backs this year and getting to the outside against Ohio State is a challenge against the speed of OSU.
As stated it will be difficult to run inside on the Buckeye defense and Ohio State will have at least one spy in that general area. So, the Buckeye defensive plan is simple: control Denard to the point where his offense is limited, not lethal. It will be tough for Michigan to drive 80 yards in 10 plus plays against the Ohio State defense. Michigan is hoping for a few big plays out of Denard, one way or another.
On paper the special team match-up is not close, even though Ohio State fans ruled this a glaring weak spot for the Buckeyes after one early blocked kick this season. Ohio State has given up some big returns, none bigger than Wisconsin. But the Ohio State kick return team can bust one to the house as well.
Michigan’s primary task is to stay competitive the first half and play every play like survival depends on maximum effort, because it does.
If the turnovers flow in Ohio State’s favor the battle may be short. If Michigan executes, is not sloppy with the ball, and can actually make some stops on defense, television sets of neutral observers may not surf and disconnect.
Well the game will come soon enough and let us hope the players play their butts off.
Written by GBMWolverine Staff
Go Blue — Wear Maize!