GBMWolverine Staff Predictions: Ohio at Michigan

Posted at 3:00pm — 11/25/2011

GBMWolverine Staff Predictions: Ohio at Michigan

After reading our predictions for the Ohio State game come to our message board and make your prediction and comment on what you believe will happen Saturday afternoon at Michigan Stadium for “The Game”.

Reminder special day at Michigan Stadium. Of course, anytime Ohio State comes to Ann Arbor it is also a special day as one of the greatest football college rivalry in all of college sports and sports in general . Also “Senior Day” for a group that has been through a lot the past 4-5 years with three different coaches, many different offensive coordinators/defensive coordinators, schemes, etc… Please remember what these Seniors have been through the past several years and they have came back strong this season to help build the foundation for the Michigan future under Coach Hoke.

Ohio State (6-5, 3-4) at Michigan (9-2, 5-2)
All-time Series: Michigan leads, 57-44-6

Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan |
Stadium: Michigan Stadium

12:00pm – 3:30pm
DirecTV Channel: Local ABC
ABC

CoachBt:

We all know the cliches, throw out the record books and so forth.

Game is closer than record shows and I am sure Ohio State seniors will want to go out with a bang.

But am just as confident in this MICHIGAN TEAM will be ready.

The streak and nightmare finally ENDS!

Ohio State 14
Michigan 24

Doc4Blu:

We will see how much will power counts in this game. It will be a game of physical and mental toughness more than X’s and O’s. Michigan must be consistent and make the routine plays, especially on defense. UM is going against a huge line and a great cut back runner. Patience, play the hole, FORCE, FILL, CONTAIN, CUT-BACK!!! It will be ok to give up the five and ten yard runs now and then. Ohio State will take a few shots down the field and the secondary better be ready. If Michigan cheats up two much look for Posey on the middle post or down the sideline on the dig route.

Hoke has been waiting his entire life for this moment and he will not crack, there may be mistakes, but the staff is prepared and will prepare the team.

In this series running the ball and forcing turnovers usually means wins. This could easily happen tomorrow. The running attack for Ohio State has trumpeted linemen and big time backs. But the attack had had to live and die with the feet of a talented freshman. Expect some wildcat and a trick or two from Ohio State, regardless of the public proclamations to the opposite. If things go south and Miller gets hurt, and the score is close, I would expect the wildcat over a second quarterback..

Michigan will fly to the ball but again the troops must not allow the backside cuts. The pass defense of Michigan has improved even taking into consideration the last two quarterbacks are more run oriented. The coverage has been tight. Brown is still a little dinged up and if he does not play Posey will be target number one. Ohio State has, as always, a talented tight end. So, no doubt look for him in big situations where Ohio State actually passes instead of Miller taking off.

And here is the prediction.

Ohio State 17
Michigan 21

ErocWolverine:

As I stated last week Michigan is a completely different team at home vs. on the road. Call it home cooking, call it fans getting behind them, but whatever it is Michigan has played better at home inside Michigan Stadium and hope it continues Saturday against “Ohio”.

Call it drinking the kool-aid, but I am pretty confident in this team under Coach Hoke and the future of this program. Never did I think that Michigan would make such a drastic turnaround on the defensive side of the ball in such a short time after having three of the worst defenses in the history of Michigan football.

Now isn’t the time to pat each other on the back, because you have the storm troopers, darth vader, and being from the state of Ohio that I am from it is still a four letter word.

Woody vs. Bo will always make this game and the memories of those two great coaches who helped build this into a friendly war on the field while fans make it a very heated. The former coaches such as Yost, Crisler, and Bo will be looking from the press box upstairs and giving this team a little extra motivation. These are the type of rivalry games that make college football so great and something that many college programs are losing with all the conference changes.

Whenever I watch this game on TV or in Michigan Stadium I remember all the great players and being from Ohio I am a little more in favor of those players that either got spurned or spurned Ohio State to go Michigan. I remember highlights or Bob Ufer’s call of Rob Lytle, Dan Dierdorf, and watching games with players like Jim Harbaugh, Jon Kolesar, Desmond Howard, Elvis Grbac, along with local talent Charles Woodson, and more recent players like Kevin Koger who I have had the privilege to cover/follow ever since he was a sophomore in high school. Hard to believe he is a senior at Michigan.

Now to the game:

Michigan needs to come out strong and not think it will be as easy as the previous week against Nebraska where turnovers were the biggest key to the game and how Michigan dominated the game. The first 5-10 minutes of the game could dictate how this game will finish. If Michigan can come out and control the game, get points on the board early Ohio State could crumble with all the NCAA stuff that is going on, coaching changes that will be coming, and Michigan ending a streak that has been well overdue.

If Michigan can get the lead and control the game in the first half that usually means that Michigan will come out on top because the Michigan defense seems to get stronger as the game goes on and also the offense has outscored the opponent big-time in the second half of games.

What does Michigan need to look out for. A Ohio State team that has noting to lose and in this game we have seen the underdog do quite well and disrupt or spoil something special for the other team.

Michigan defense needs their best game of the simple things such as tacking, reading the keys/reads, taking the proper pursuit angle and gang tacking and show the techniques/fundamentals they have gained this year.

STOP Herron and you stop the Ohio State offense and their team. Braxton Miller is a weapon with his legs, but is more effective when Herron is putting on a clinic. If you can stop Herron that makes Miller less effective. Making them one-dimensional and Michigan wins big. Need to watch out for the 2-time 10 game suspended player in Posey who could be a factor and something they have been lacking all season long.

Think the game will be close, but think Michigan playing at home, playing for the Seniors, and playing to stop the streak will pull away in the second half and will be celebrating after the game with a big win and a possible BCS bowl game in the future for this Michigan program. What a great job these coaches and players have done in year 1 of Coach Brady Hoke.

Ohio State 17
Michigan 32

MaizeMan:

No prediction this week.

Mike Fitzpatrick:

My first thoughts are these. Ohio State is in turmoil. They have a lame duck coach, are burned out from the NCAA investigation interviews and chatter, and are ready to end the season and move on to brighter days under the direction of their Messiah Urban Meyer. Not happening! Even if some of that is reality, the boys from Columbus will bring it on Saturday…..bank on it.

I’ve been listening to some fans this week who seem to think this game is already ours. A quick look back at History will tell you this is a foolish and dangerous notion. This Ohio State team is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. There is no denying this fact. The defense is as good as any Michigan has played this year. The offense has sputtered under the direction of a Freshemen QB (been there done that), injuries on the O-line, and receivers who can’t seem to run complete routes (partially because they are shocked when the ball is actually thrown their way). So, one might logically ask – what do we have to worry about with these guys? Plenty! This is THE GAME! That’s all we really need to say.

This is what I do know. The Bucks are more than capable of giving us fits with their defense. While the offense has been very inconsistent, they have shown unexpected productivity out of nowhere, ie Nebraska & Wisconsin. No doubt, Coach Hoke and staff will treat this game with the attention to detail it deserves.

Game-day Keys: Ohio State

Offense: Michigan must seek and find balance in their attack. This defense is too good. We cannot let them T off on Denard. So, establish Fitz inside early, hit some early quick outs and slant passes. Then move the pocket so Denard can have the run/throw option that keeps defenses, especially good ones, on their heels. My number one key is NO TURNOVERS! Especially in the red zone. We cannot play over those miscues against a team like Ohio State.

Defense: Slow down, or frustrate the inside rushing attack led by Boom Herron. Not only does that mean stay in your lanes, but hitting and wrapping will be required. That kid does not go down with arm tackles or missile hits. We must lockup and drive those legs into the ground. The other thing is contain on the edges. Braxton Miller must be kept in the pocket. I think we all agree this is where he struggles from. If we can do those two things, and not let their receivers run around in the secondary uncovered, we should be able to handle this offense.

Synopsis: I can’t say it enough. This is THE GAME for a reason. Both teams will be physically and mentally ready to go. I look for a hard fought and low scoring game. Turnovers, which are impossible to predict, will be the wild card . If we balance our attack & don’t turn the ball over, then take away Boom Herron & pressure Braxton Miller, the streak ends at seven .

Ohio State 17
Michigan 24

WerlsWolverine:

Ohio State 17
Michigan 28

Yostmeister:

Since I was wrong with an 8-4 season I may as well go with a heart pick over a head pick.

I truly think the game is a toss up, depending on how well the defense can stop Ohio State and limit our turnovers on offense.

Ohio is going to have as much incentive in this game for Fickell and has the talent to match Michigan.

In the end, though, the Maize and Blue finally get that scarlet and gray monkey off of their back.

Meeechigan 21 OhowIhateohiostate 17

Ohio State 17
Michigan 21

You can contact us at our e-mail address: GBMWolverine

Please comment on our GBMWolverine Message Board about this article and read what others comment.

Written by GBMWolverine Staff

Go Blue — Wear Maize!