Ohio State Preview 2007

OHIO STATE PREVIEW

Let me say first that I was very disappointed in the HBO Special documentary on the Michigan vs. Ohio State rivalry. I saw the one hour program slanted 65-35% towards Ohio State and their fans. The assertion presented in the documentary that the Ohio high school football players who have come to Michigan as being responsible for Michigan's success against Ohio State is absolutely ridiculous. In our society, a young man can vote and enlist in the military service at 18; he becomes a man and part of his maturity includes making choices, including choices for his future. When any young man with football talent reviews what is best for him and his future, and chooses a college to play for, he makes his choice and declares his loyalty. Part of the decision-making for any player who accepts a scholarship and plays for either Michigan or Ohio State is the motivation to play in this wonderful rivalry. Yes, I'd agree that there are many states who have better high school football talent that the state of Michigan; certainly, Texas, California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio are amongst those. This game and rivalry isn't about high school football, it is about who the best team is in the Big Ten and in this rivalry in college football. Ohio State has also had many outstanding players who played high school football in Michigan, Jim Krenzel, Vernon Gholston and Pepper Johnson come to mind. It really doesn't matter what state or country a player is from, when they suit up in a Wolverine or Buckeye uniform, and play in this rivalry, it becomes a matter of which team wins and not where the individual players played in high school. The lines of loyalty are decided by the players no matter where they played high school football.

Undefeated Seasons Ruined by Arch-Rival	Team	Times
1969, 1973, 1993, 1995, 1996	Ohio State	5
1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 2006	Michigan	5
Undefeated Conference Seasoned Ruined by Arch-Rival	Team	Times
1939, 1964, 1969, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1986, 1993, 1995, 1996	Ohio State	11
1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1982, 1998, 2004, 2006	Michigan	10

This is the greatest rivalry in all of sports in the United States. They have played every year since 1918, and the game was moved to the last Saturday of the season in 1935. Both teams have outstanding football programs and their fans are loyal and passionate in support. As a result of the talent and emphasis on excellence for both schools in football, it is a closely contested rivalry. Even though Michigan holds an advantage with 57 wins in 103 games; since 1918, the advantage is 45 wins and 40 losses with 4 ties. Michigan's record in Ohio Stadium is 21-21-1, and at the Big House is 21-16-3 since 1918. Every game from 1972-1981 determined the Big Ten representative in the Rose Bowl.

Decade	Team	Record	Highlight
2000	Ohio State	5w-2L	2006 #1 vs. #2
1990	Michigan	7w-2L-1T
1980	Michigan	6w-4L
1970	Ohio State	5w-4L-1T	Tie and Rose Bowl Vote
1960	Ohio State	7w-3L	50 points in 1968 and 1969 Revenge
1950	Tied	5w-5L	Snow Bowl
1940	Michigan	6w-2L-2T
1930	Tied	5w-5L
1920	Michigan	6w-4L	1922 Ohio Stadium dedication game ruined, and 1927 Big House dedication game celebrated
1910	Michigan	3w-1L-1T
1900	Michigan	9w-0L-1T
1890	Michigan	1w-0L

On offense, Ohio State leads the conference in passing efficiency and best percentage in 3rd down conversions. Todd Boeckman has really had a great season, and is +12 (TD passes-Interceptions thrown); however, he has averaged one interception thrown per game. The fighting Illini picked him off three times. Still, he leads the conference in passing efficiency and is ranked #12 nationally. Certainly, part of our game plan is to reduce his efficiency and effectiveness, and force him into turnovers. The reason we've lost this game the past three years is simply we were unable to stop Troy Smith, and his ability to make big plays running and throwing in spread offense.

Heisman Trophy Winner Troy Smith's Statistics against Michigan in last 3 years

Year	Total Offense	Passing Yards	TD Throws	Completions	Rushing Yards	Rushing TDs	Red Zones	First Downs	3rd/4th Down Conversions	Time of Possession
2006	503	316	4	29/41	12	0	3	24	6 of 12	29:51:00
2005	418	300	1	27/37	37	1	3	25	6 of 12	31:39:00
2004	448	241	2	13/23	145	1	4	18	8 of 18	34:16:00

Fortunately for us, Boeckman is no Troy Smith, and doesn't run a spread offense. Boeckman has three primary receivers, Junior Brian Robiskie, Sophomore Brian Hartline and Ray Small. Hartline and Small handle punt and kickoff returns as well, but they are no threat like Ted Ginn. Trent, Warren and Harrison will have the task of blanketing these three. The three average 10 catches and 160 yards per game. They underutilize their tight end, Jake Ballard, like us and he has 2 TDs; however, Rory Nichol is the starter. While their passing attack is potent, it is not nearly as dangerous as they had last year. The Buckeye running attack is anchored by Chris "Beanie" Wells who averages 112 yards per game with 1 rushing TD per game. The Buckeyes have only lost 7 of 14 fumbles. They also have Freshman Brandon Saine and Junior Maurice Wells who are very capable backups. Michigan's game plan will certainly be to stop Wells and the Buckeye running game; our linebackers, Crable, Graham and Ezeh will have to have a solid afternoon, and our line, Taylor, Johnson, Jamison and Graham will have to get penetration against the Buckeye offensive line. Their offensive line is anchored by 5th year Senior Captain Right Tackle Kirk Barton, Junior Left Tackle, Alex Boone and Junior Left Guard Steve Rehring. Sophomore Jim Cordell is the center and Junior Ben Person is the Right Guards. Ohio State has only allowed 14 sacks in 11 games, and Illinois recorded two of those. Illinois got penetration, and limited the Ohio State running game. Their H-Back or fullback is Senior Captain Dionte Johnson, son of Pepper Johnson, who clears the way for Wells. Every Buckeye starter on offense hails from Ohio except Pennsylvanian Nichol. I think we limit their offense to around 300 yards, and significantly limit their 3rd down conversion success; hopefully, we can also force the turnovers we'll need.

Ten Best Game Matchups

Michigan	Ohio State
Jake Long	Vernon Gholston
Adam Kraus	Jim Laurinaitis
Tim Jamison	Alex Boone
Shawn Crable	Chris Wells
Mario Manningham	Malcolm Jenkins
Adrian Arrington	Donald Washington
Mike Hart	Marcus Freeman
Morgan Trent	Brian Robiskie
Donovan Warren	Brian Hartline
Zoltan Mesko	A.J. Trapasso

On defense, the Buckeyes lead the Big Ten scoring defense, pass defense, passing efficiency defense, rushing defense, total defense and least first downs given up. They have 38 sacks, 2nd in the Big Ten and 5th in the nation. They are led by Minnesota native and Junior MIKE Captain Jim Laurinaitis who has 97 tackles, 8 for loss with 5 sacks, 2 interceptions and a pass break up. WILL Inside Linebacker is Junior Marcus Freeman with 85 tackles, 9.5 for loss including 1.5 sacks, 4 pass break ups and a forced fumble. Senior Larry Grant is the SAM Linebacker who has 2 blocked kicks this season. Junior Detroiter Vernon Gholston leads the pass rush, and has 10 sacks this year. Sophomores Doug Worthington and Todd Denlinger start at the tackle positions. Junior Nader Abdallah and Freshman Dexter Latimore may also see a lot of action in the trenches. A much larger Robert Rose and Frosh Cameron Heyward rotate at the other Defensive End. I think we can run on this group. Illinois managed a 6 minute time of possession advantage due to their ability to run for 260 yards, and that gave them a 14 play advantage. Their defensive backfield is led by Junior Corner Malcolm Jenkins and Sophomore Corner Donald Washington. Frosh Floridian Chimdi Checkwa will also see action. They have Sophomores Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell at Strong and Free Safeties. I think we can pass on this group. Detroiter and Sophomore, Aaron Gant, backs up at safety along with Junior Jamario O'Neal. Only 3 defensive starters are from Ohio, and 3 starters hail from Georgia so we can hardly call this a Buckeye defense, can we?

The Buckeye Special teams are led by Junior punter, A.J. Trapasso, the Buckeye punting unit that is ranked #2 in the Big Ten Conference and #14 nationally compared to a Wolverine unit ranked #56 nationally. Trapasso has a 42.0 yard average with 17 of 39 punts inside the 20. If the game comes down to a kick, Junior Ryan Praetorius has converted on 17 of 21 including a 50 yarder; he has also had 3 kicks blocked. Like us, Ohio State is no threat on kickoff returns and is ranked #11 in the conference while we are ranked #10.

List of Michigan Seniors, 5th Year Players and Possible Players not Returning for 2008

Last Game in the Big House ???

Mike Hart

Jake Long

Chad Henne

Shawn Crable

Jamar Adams

Brandent Engelmon

Mario Manningham

Adrian Arrington

Adam Kraus

Chris Graham

Anton Campbell

Max Pollock

Jeremy Ciulla

Doug Dutch

Grant DeBenedictis

Ben Wright

Ankit Kachhal

As always, this game will be determined by turnovers, points off turnover, red zone efficiency, the ability to come from behind or from a deficit, play over mistakes and/or make the big defensive stop at the end of the game whether it is the 4th quarter or overtime. This will probably be a low scoring game especially by today's standards with both teams forcing many punts, yes, a game of field position. The last time one of these teams won 4 in a row was 1960-63 when Woody Hayes was coaching the Buckeyes against Bump Elliot while we were terrible. Michigan has never lost more than 4 in a row to the Bucks. Either team should have a chance to win this game in the 4th quarter, but I like our chances at home with Senior leadership of Henne, Hart, Long and Kraus on offense with this perhaps being Arrington and Manningham's last home game as well. Michigan is 31-18-4 against the Bucks in Ann Arbor, and 22-16-1 in the Big House. We send Carr out with a win at home!

Michigan 21 Ohio State 17

Category	Michigan	Ohio State
Legend Coach(es)	Bo Schembechler, Fielding Yost and Fritz Crisler	Woody Hayes and Jim Tressel
Legend Players	Tom Harmon, Charles Woodson and Desmond Howard	Archie Griffin, Hopalong Cassidy and Troy Smith
Current Record	8 wins-3 losses, 6-1 in Big Ten	10wins-1 loss, 6-1 in the Big Ten
Heisman winners	3	6
All-Americans	76	128
Bowl Record	18 wins-20 losses, 20 Rose Bowls	18 wins-20 losses, 13 Rose Bowls
Big Ten Titles	42	30
NCAA Titles	11	7
Series Record	57w-40l-6t	40w-57l-6t
Overall Record	868-285-36	797-302-53
Fight Song	The Victors	Fight the Team
Hate Song	Liquidate Ohio State	Don't give a damn about Michigan
Rally Song	Let's Go Blue	Hang on Sloopy
Other Song	Varsity	Buckeye Battle Cry
Other Song	Hawaiian War Chant	Hey Cheer
Other Song	Yellow&Blue	Carmen Ohio
Mascot	Wolverine	Buckeye (Brutus)
Reward	Satisfaction	Golden Pants