I’m going to start by saying I’m not from Ohio, I grew up in Atlanta to be specific. I have no allegiance to either Oregon or Ohio State. I don’t have any emotion to either team, but I do watch Oregon and I love college football.  When I watch the Buckeyes and I feel like I’m stuck in Anthony Sowell’s House of Horrors. Everything for Ohio State is button-down, professional and conservative. Everything Oregon isn’t and doesn’t want to be.
The two teams are more similar than people think on the field. Oregon with their wide open offense is first and foremost a running team. They piled up 288 yards on the ground last night, and super freshman running back LaMichael James has 1,476 yards rushing this year. Everything Oregon does is predicated on the running game. The Buckeyes’ offense also totally revolves around the running game, but it’s so boring to watch. Three yards here, five yards here, grind it out until we’re in scoring position and then we can always kick a field goal. I think that’s the official motto during the team’s week of preparation.
Oregon spreads you out, three and four receivers with shotgun formations and then proceeds to ram the ball down the other team’s throat. It’s done with a panache and excitement that escapes the Buckeyes. Jim Tressel trots out his two tight ends and fullback and proceeds to ram the ball down other team’s throat too, but it’s just not the same. The goal of Oregon’s offense is to score in bunches. The goal of Ohio St’s offense it seems is to just not lose the game.
Terrelle Pryor came in to Ohio St. as one of the most exciting players in high school football. The number one recruit in the nation. He was, apologies to Dominique Wilkins, a human highlight waiting to happen. He had an arm that would make NFL players blush, and could run like Mike Vick before he went to jail. So, what happened? Well, he came to Ohio State where the halfback dive has 82 different variations in the Buckeyes playbook. The offensive coordinators don’t know how to use him. They’ve never had a quarterback like this, rather than adapting to his talents and devising a game plan for him, they choose to force his square-peg quarterbacking into their round hole.
Put him in an Oregon uniform or even a Penn State uniform and who knows how he would be developing by now. Instead, he’s stuck in mediocrity, learning how to hand off and throw halfback screens. To say he’s not being used to the best of his ability would be an insult to his ability. He still has that talent, it just takes someone who isn’t afraid to take chances to bring it out in him. But that will never happen with the Buckeyes, they do what they know. Who can blame them? It’s guided them to two straight championship games and a Big Ten championship this year.
Speaking of uniforms, how about those beauties the Ducks rolled out last night? Those helmets looked so much brighter and yellower in high def, and the green jerseys were a great complement. The Ducks have about 10 different uniforms, some better than the others, but it’s always fun to see which one they’re going to break out for that specific week. The Buckeyes roll out their throw back uniforms and it looks exactly like the ones they wear now! I know this has nothing to do with the football field, but that’s the difference between the two programs. One is 1950’s Leave It To Beaver, and the other is 1990’s Married With Children. If you’re a fan of neither team, Oregon is must see TV and Ohio St is must watch only if there’s absolutely nothing else on!
Make no mistake, I respect Ohio State, but because I have no allegiance to either team I can look at this from an outsider’s point of view. Ohio State fans and people in Big Ten states will watch and root for their beloved conference and team.  I like the other 90% of college football fans will watch and root for Oregon, because they play the game how college football should be for us as fans, exciting to watch.

Sean Coleman / ProFootballinsight.net

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For Michigan, a win would give them a .500 record, as they are currently 5-6, with only one Big 10 victory. The Wolverines should throw everything they have into this game that they have available in their playbooks!

Not that I am counting, but the Wolverines are currently on a five game losing streak to the Buckeyes, and have not won since their victory on November 22, 2003. The Wolverines were ranked 4th, and the Buckeyes were ranked 6th. Michigan won 35 to 21, as countless current NFL players were involved in this game. For Michigan, Chris Perry carried the load with 154 yards on 31 carries and 2 TD’s in addition to 55 receiving yards. Michigan QB John Navarre threw for 278 yards, 2 TD’s and a pick, and Braylon Edwards had 7 grabs, 130 yards and 2 TD’s. The Buckeyes had Craig Krenzel and Scott McMullen at QB, but the stars of the show for the Buckeyes were NFL wide-outs Michael Jenkins and Santonio Holmes. Jenkins had 132 yards receiving, as Holmes had 121 yards and 2 TD’s.

Since 2003, the Wolverines have failed miserably against the Buckeyes, as seen below;

2004-Michigan at Ohio State – Buckeyes Won 37-21
2005-Ohio State at Michigan – Buckeyes Won 25-21
2006-Michigan at Ohio State – Buckeyes Won 42-39
2007-Ohio State at Michigan – Buckeyes Won 14-3
2008-Michigan at Ohio State – Buckeyes Won 42-7

Last year, Rich Rodriguez referred to the Ohio State game as “just a game.” This game is so much more than a game Coach, and here is why. If you lose this game, no one will care that you won 2 more games than last year, or that Tate Forcier shows flashes of brilliance, or how close you were in countless games this season. They will remember that your defense falls apart in the 4th quarter, that we were molested by the rest of the Big 10 this year, that the Wolverines have not been bowl eligible in 2 years, and we have now lost to Ohio State six consecutive years!

A win over Ohio State will be a savior to this season. You will have ended on an incredible note, you will be .500 against the hated Buckeyes, you will be .500 on the year, and the momentum you will have going into next year will be tremendous. Clearly, this is more than a game.

I do not care what you have to do to get this win. If you have a play where Denard Robinson is lined up as a wide receiver, and Tate throws him a pass behind the line of scrimmage, then Robinson throws a pass to Forcier for a touchdown, so be it! If you have to run triple option reverses where the fullback throws a pass to anyone for a touchdown, do it. Throw the entire playbook at the Buckeyes, win this game, and begin your legacy with this game as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines!

As of Monday, November 16, 2009, BetUS.com has the Wolverines as 12 1/2 point underdogs, with the over/under not yet set.

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Go Blue!

Kurt Fraschetti / ProFootballinsight.net
Kurt@Profootballinsight.net

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• Location:  Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Date:           October 17, 2009
• Time:          12pm
• Watch:        Big 10 Network

sportsthenandnow.com

How they match up?  Michigan has an overall record of 4 and 2, with both losses coming in divisional play.  Delaware State is 1 and 3, carrying a 1 and 2 divisional record (Mideastern Athletic Conference).

Delaware State can’t score, as they only have 57 points for on the year.  Their defense however does not promote scoring, allowing only 63 points against.  That stat is great until you understand that their opponents to this point have been Florida A&M, Delaware, Hampton and Bethune-Cookman.

Michigan has scored 198 points, allowing a staggering 147.  Michigan is undefeated at home this year.

What little offense Delaware State has generated this year has come from Junior quarter back Anthony Glaud, Sophomore running back Tahree McQueen, and Sophomore wide receiver Darius Jackson.  Glaud has passed for 578 yards on the season with 2 TD’s and 2 INT’s.  McQueen has 168 yards rushing and 0 TD’s, and Jackson has 200 yards receiving with 0 touchdowns.
Michigan’s offense still revolves around Freshman sensation Tate Forcier.  Forcier’s status for the game has been upgraded to probable.  This is stemming from his injured shoulder and concussion.  Forcier on the year is 79 of 138 for 988 yards with 9 TD’s to only 4 INT’s.  On the ground, Forcier has done damage as well, rushing for 180 yards and 2 TD’s.

There is no line on this game.  With that said, I expect Michigan to take a commanding lead, with Forcier to play until a comfortable lead is reached.  At that point, I look for Rich Rodriguez to save Forcier from further injury and play Freshman Denard Robinson, giving him more game time experinece.  Robinson on the year is 7 of 15 for 87 yards with 3 INT’s.  Robinson on the ground has been a machine, rushing for 219 yards and 4 TD’s.

What to watch?  Michigan’s defense.  I hope that they do not look past Delaware State, and use this game to solidify their defense and shut down a very poor offense.

My prediction.  I assure Wolverine Fans that this will not be an Appalachian State revisited game.  I see this game getting out of hand, with Michigan winning 47 to 10.  Editor’s Note; Last week Kurt Fraschetti was dead on in his predition, click the link to view more.

Go Blue!

Kurt Fraschetti / ProFootballinsight

Kurt@ProFootballinsight.net

photo usatoday.com

The Wolverines current record is 4 and 1, with their only loss coming in Big 10 play.  The Hawkeyes are 5 and 0, and boast an outstanding defense, as they have only allowed 67 points over the five game span.  This in comparison to Michigan’s 117 points against.  Michigan does have the edge in points for, with 170, to the Hawkeyes 124.

Freshman sensation Tate Forcier will play with his injured shoulder this week as he continues to be the Wolverines primary weapon on offense.  Forcier currently has a 142.6 passer rating.  He is 71 of 119 for 894 yards with 9 touchdowns to only 3 interceptions.  Tate also has rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns on the year.

According to BetUS.com at the time of this article, Iowa was favored by 8 points, with the over / under not yet released.

If the Wolverines could play in the first quarter and on the way they play in the 4th quarter of games, the Wolverines could upset the Hawkeyes.  After exploding for 14 unanswered points against Michigan State to force the game into overtime, it is obvious that this offense is explosive when it wants to be.  Coach Rich Rodriguez must get his troops motivated right out of the gates, or this could be a long game.

Again, I do think that Michigan could squeak out a win, but that is my optimism interferring with my brain.  If forced to pick, Michigan covers the spread, but their defense fails them,  31 to 27.

Kurt Fraschetti / ProFootballinsight

Kurt@Profotoballinsight.net

The Wolverines enter the game with an overall record of 4 and 0, going 1 and 0 so far in the Big-10.  The Spartans are 0 and 1 in division and 1 and 3 overall.  The Wolverines lead in the points for category, scoring 150 points, to State’s 131.  They also lead in the points against column, allowing only 91 points against to the Spartans 103.

Michigan’s pass defense will be tested this week, as the Spartans are 9th in the country with 325 passing yards per game.  The Wolverines are ranked 8th in the country with slightly over 240 yards per game on the ground.

This will be true freshman Tate Forcier’s first road test without the “Big House” crowd behind him.  I expect Forcier to fair well, as he already showed us in two of his first four games, he as no problem taking his offense down field to win games with time running out in the 4th quarter with the game on the line.  You can’t create any more pressure than those situations and are great stepping stones for the young QB.

Michigan State won last years battle in Ann Arbor, 35 to 21, October 25, 2008.  Michigan has won the last three at Michigan State, and lead the overall series 67-29-5.

The current line on the game according to BetUS.com has the Wolverines as 2 point favorites with the over at 57 1/2.

This again will be a big test for Forcier, which I expect him to pass.  Michigan’s Defense has had a problem consistently making stops against opposing offenses, expect when necessary.  I do not see that issue changing this week as much as I would like it to.  The Wolverines cover 34 to 31.

Kurt Fraschetti / ProFootballinsight.net

Kurt@ProFootballinsight.net

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The Wolverines enter the contest ranked #22 in the Coaches Poll and #23 in the AP Poll. Indiana is not ranked in the Top 25. Michigan leads the series with 50 wins to only 9 loses to the Hoosiers, with an at home record of 34-7.

The Wolverines have had great success on the ground this year, averaging over 270 yards per game. The Michigan Offense has scored 114 points over three games, with their Defense only allowing 53 points against. Indiana has posted 80 points for, and also gave up 53 points on defense.

Michigan currently is a 20 1/2 point favorite, with the over/under at 54 points. The key to this contest will be the play of Wolverines true freshman quarterback Tate Forcier. Forcier over the last three games is 43 of 66 completed passes versus attempts, thrown for 487 yards, with five passing touchdowns to only one interception. Forcier on the ground has rushed 30 times for 112 yards and a touchdown.

photo mgoblue.com

I look for Michigan to continue their winning ways after this match up, as the Hoosiers have not won against a Top 25 team on the road since 2003!

Kurt Fraschetti / Profootballinsight
Kurt@profootballinsight.net