The Game: 10 Reasons Why Michigan Can Make It a Good Game on Saturday
Since 2006 the Big Game has definitely decreased in popularity and excitement while remaining "The Big Game".
Michigan will travel to Columbus this year with a very large six game losing streak burden on their shoulders.
They come in at an OK 7-4 record accompanied with a very shaky 3-4 Big Ten record. They are guaranteed a bowl berth, and they're pretty much stuck where they are.
Ohio State comes in with an impressive 10-1 record that is paired with a 6-1 Big Ten record. They need a win and losses from both Michigan State and Wisconsin to secure an outright Big Ten championship and Rose Bowl berth.
Ohio State is favored by the huge amount of 17 points. This may seem ridiculous, but many people are still taking Ohio State in this one.
Here are ten reasons Michigan could at least make it a game Saturday and possibly pull off the improbable and beat the almighty buckeyes (cue rolling eyes).
10. Ohio State Is Exhausted From Iowa
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Ohio State played a hell of a game last Saturday. It was a tough-fought victory and Ohio State definitely earned it.
That being said, tough-fought victories involve playing tough and playing tough involves blood and sweat, and you can't recover that kind of effort in one week.
If Ohio State is still celebrating their victory and licking their wounds from last week, the Wolverines could catch them off guard and come away with an unexpected "W".
9. Embarrassed About Last Week
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Last week, the Wolverines were embarrassed. The Wisconsin Badgers came in, shutout our "almighty" offense for the first half, and then rolled to a 48-24 victory. More importantly, it was Wisconsin's first win in the Big House in 16 years!
If the Wolverines are still PO'd about last week, they could be coming out for blood against Ohio State.
8. Seniors On Defense
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Eight of Michigan's twelve seniors are on defense, and Rich Rod will probably play all of them at some point.
This will be their last time suiting up to go face the hated team in Columbus. Sure, two full classes have come and gone without winning a game vs. the Bucks, but the majority being on defense could change things.
The defense plain out sucks, and this added motivation could give a much needed boost.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Ohio State Could Be Looking Ahead To Their Bowl Game
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Let's face it. Michigan is not a team to be afraid of right now.
That being said, Ohio State could be looking at last week's game against Iowa as their last real test before their bowl game. If they are looking ahead and asking each other what bowl (Rose? Fiesta? Capital One?) they want to go to, they could be caught off guard.
6. Ohio State Also Starts Slow In Games
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So far this season, Ohio State has trailed or tied in 6 of their games. They have come back to win 5 of them...
- Trailed 10-3 against Miami before winning 36-24
- Trailed 10-7 against Illinois before winning 24-13
- Trailed 21-0 against Wisconsin before losing 31-18
- Were tied 7-7 against Minnesota before winning 52-10
- Trailed 14-3 against Penn State before winning 38-14
- Trailed 17-10 against Iowa before winning 20-17
If they do the same thing on the 27th, Columbus could have some trouble. Michigan gains momentum and confidence, then gets the crowd out of it, look out.
5. Neither Team Has Much To Gain Besides Bragging Rights
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This could immediately work as an equalizer.
With a win, Ohio State needs both Michigan State and Wisconsin to lose (a long shot) and they will win the outright Big Ten Championship. If both/one of MSU or Wisconsin were to win, one of those teams would win the Big Ten, and Ohio State would be at the mercy of the BCS.
With a loss, Ohio State would be at the mercy of the BCS and would probably go to either the Capital One Bowl or Outback Bowl.
With a win, Michigan would be at the fate of other conference members games and would probably go to the Texas Bowl or TicketCity Bowl
With a loss, Michigan would be at the fate of other conference members games and would probably go to either the Texas Bowl or TicketCity Bowl.
4. Cockiness
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Ohio State has won six straight games. Michigan would be pretty cocky too if the tables were turned.
From Chad Henne to Steven Threet (gag) to Tate Forcier the poisonous nuts (by the way, what kind of school names their team after a nut?). Wolverines v. Nut - UFC 151 I take Wolverines) have set them all down.
If Ohio State comes in with the chest out looking around and taking the game as already over, the Wolverines could catch them off guard.
3. The Rivalry
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No matter what the past six years have shown, the Michigan-Ohio State game is still "The Game" and is still the biggest game on each teams (non-January) schedule.
Even being 17-point underdogs won't stop Michigan from fighting their hearts out, and that could cause some nuts to be crying after the game.
Weirder things have happened, so keep watching on Saturday.
2. Denard Robinson
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The Show, Shoelace himself, had to make it on the list, and I bet you are surprised he isn't #1.
Robinson really is one of the best athlete's the University of Michigan has ever seen in their illustrious 129-year history.
If he brings his best stuff the the Horseshoe, you better watch the hell out.
The Quarterbacks that Ohio State has faced this year are (their team and season passing and rushing yards follows)...
- Brian Anderson, Marshall, 2,196 pass yards / 62 rush yards
- Jacory Harris, Miami (FL), 1,646 pass yards / 24 rush yards
- Boo Jackson, Ohio, 1,555 pass yards / 325 rush yards
- Alex Gillett, Eastern Michigan, 1,622 pass yards / 727 rush yards
- Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois, 1,522 pass yards / 684 rush yards
- Ben Chappell, Indiana, 2,965 pass yards / 4 rush yards
- Scott Tolzien, Wisconsin, 2,070 pass yards / -14 rush yards
- Rob Henry, Purdue, 744 pass yards / 519 rush yards
- Adam Weber, Minnesota, 2,515 pass yards / 133 rush yards
- Ricky Stanzi, Iowa, 2,677 pass yards / -21 rush yards
Denard Robinson has accumulated 2,229 pass yards / 1,538 rush yards this season. Ohio State has seen nothing like him.
Note: I did not include Robert Bolden or Matthew McGloin of Penn State because Bolden had only three pass attempts v. Ohio State and McGloin played in only five games, two of them he split time with Bolden.
1. Rich Rodriguez
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Don't worry. I'm not claiming Rich Rod to be an awesome coach who has just been unlucky.
Far from it.
In fact, I can't stand the guy. But that's a different article.
A few nights ago, WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC local affiliate) teased their 11:00 news with the statement "Has Rich Rodriguez been fired by the Wolverines" which turned out just to be an opinion of sports writer Lynn Henning. The rumor though, spread, going to PTI, Kirk Herbstriet, and the such.
When Michigan AD David Brandon was asked about it, he declined to comment and said that there would be a news conference on the Monday after the Ohio State game. He also refused to deny that Rich Rod would be fired.
That long speech being said, this could very well mean that Rich Rodriguez's last game will be Saturday if the Wolverines don't come out with a win.
College Players, no matter how awful the coach is, tend to reside around defending a coach. A new coach means new schemes, which means new players, which tends to mean transfers.
If Michigan loses on Saturday, it would be very easy for David Brandon to fire Rich Rod and subsequently hire _________ (fill in the blank).
If Michigan wins, needless to say, it would be impossible for David Brandon to fire Rich Rod.
Thanks for reading. I will respond to any and all comments!!!
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
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