Michigan-Ohio State: The Game, v. 104

Michigan’s defense has not shown the ability to shut down running backs nearly to the extent that last year’s defense—which led the nation in rush defense with a golden 33 yards per game. This unit has struggled in the last game and a half. In the first half against Michigan State, the Wolverines were superb defensively. In the second half, they were awful. They never really did much to slow down Wisconsin’s running back, even without fabulous sophomore P.J. Hill.

Michigan has shown the ability to slow down the power running games they have faced this year, but they have also been pretty poor at times against the same kind of teams. I can’t really tell you why.

Advantage: Ohio State

Key Matchup: Michigan linebackers vs. nonexistence and stupidity.

The Michigan linebackers have a nasty habit of mysteriously disappearing for long stretches of the game, leaving the team’s leading tacklers, safeties Jamar Adams and Brandent Englemon to make the plays on running backs. Chris Graham is a veteran, but he still doesn’t seem to quite know how to get off blocks and make plays. Obi Ezeh is talented, but he’s a redshirt freshman, and, like Mallett, might just be a bit too raw. Shawn Crable, one of the nation’s most talented linebackers, makes lots of plays. Sometimes, though, he just does it illegally or after the whistle, drawing a personal foul penalty. For Michigan to be effective defensively, he’s got to cut down on the stupid penalties. 

Ohio State Pass Offense vs. Michigan Pass Defense

Replacing a Heisman Trophy winner is never easy, but Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman has done a very nice job this year. He is heady, smart, and determined to make plays, sometimes to a fault. Although he throws a great deep ball, sometimes he chucks it into double or even triple coverage and throws a costly interception. But when Boeckman manages the game and just takes what is given to him by the defense, he becomes very hard to beat.

His receivers, headlined by Brian Robiske, Brian Hartline, and Ray Small, have shown a lot of game breaking ability. Hartline and Small are dependable, and if Manningham wasn’t in the same conference, Robiske would easily be the best deep threat in the Big Ten. Boeckman will look deep early and often, and he will throw that direction several times for better or worse. Usually, it’s been for the better.

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