[Illusion]

Need I say more. Now let's break this bad boy down!!!

[dave11486]

OT game...

[bigboydan]

Ok i'll start. Tressel has just flat out owned Michigan since he got there.

[onlooker]

What type of car does Tressel own?


Lloyd Carr.

[Illusion]

What type of car does Tressel own?


Lloyd Carr.

Good one.

[McBa1n]

One of my buddys used to play linebacker at OSU, and every year I'd bust his chops that Mich PWNED um. That was back in the early 90s.

Mich is nowhere near the program OSU has right now, with all due respect. In my opinion, OSU has a lot more at every position than Mich has (save 1 or 2 players).
I think OSU also runs a very dirty program - but who cares? They win.

I will also add, this rivalry has a LOT less juice right now, and the Big 10 has always been my fav conference to watch (I was raised in Badger country). I was hoping Cal woulda won today - that was a MUCH better game, to me, vs USC, than OSU/Mich.

I can't see Mich being competitive at all here. I am probably wrong, I've seen them being a 50th or worse ranked team and own Ohio St - but I think this time around it won't be very close.
That's just my FEEL.
Mich _IS_ an excellent team, btw. Just not good enough, though, IMO. I think OSU rolls by over 6.That's just my gut talking, though.

[Razz]

I think there's a lot to be said for getting a touchdown with the better defense and running game. The problem is that the only thing even resembling a weak link in the Michigan defense is its secondary, and obviously OSU is a pretty good passing team.
I do think Michigan is the more tested team at this point (both in level of competition and in playing close games), which could play a role if the game is close. And it may sound ridiculous considering their statistics, but I still don't think the OSU defense is very good. They've still only played one balanced offense this season, and that was Iowa, who moved the ball up and down the field all night, but turned it over 4 times to OSU's none. While that could happen again here, if the turnover battle is even, I think Michigan wins this game outright - or, if Carr gets totally outcoached, loses by a FG, which will serve my purposes just fine.

[moses millsap]

Ohio State with ease.

[hawk 5]

Opening line at pinny is Ohio St -7.

[EBone]

Should be fun to say the least.

My gut tells me to take the points and the underdog ML in this one. Even when Lloyd Carr was vintage Lloyd Carr, the games have still been close historically. I respect Tressel tremendously but I agree with Razz. Michigan is the better team here. The only person that can keep Michigan from winning this game is their coach. Past history tells me to never bet Michigan but I'm buckin my own self-appointed trend. My plays will be:

Michigan +7
Michigan +238


The Buckeyes are still very good and, if another thread in this very forum is correct, they could meet for the national title anyway. With a month to prepare and the same matchup, no matter what the result of this week's game, Tressel would find a way to get it done with a month to prepare. I'd be on the Buckeyes if they met for the BCS national title.




E

[primo_skillz]

I like OSU here. I feel like they are easily the better team.

[bigboydan]

Opening line at pinny is Ohio St -7.

I see it's currently sitting at 6.5 right now.

[primo_skillz]

I see that line coming down to 6 or so by game time.

[dave11486]

People are making this game way too complicated...As long as Troy Smith, Pittman, Wells, and Ginn protect the football, the Buckeyes will win comfortably. Everything else is in place. The problem is...I believe they will turn the ball over a little too much. So, I think Michigan is the bet, but not the better team or the winner of this game.

[hawk 5]

I'll get me some beer and pizza and watch this one, but won't bet it.

[austintx05]

Please keep betting on Michigan.

When Hart cannot run the football, you think Henne with Carr's piss poor playcalling is going to win this game?

[maritime]

I like OSU here. I feel like they are easily the better team.

This is just foolish. Maybe they are better, maybe they aren't. But nothing is "easy" about this game. Sportsbooks make lots of money off superficial thoughts like this.

I'm not speaking as a fan here. I am a fan of neither team. I root for the team that my money is on.

But, Michigan has given up 329 rushing yards all season. That's 1.3 yards per rush. That's less than 30 rushing yards per game. Check how those stats stack up against other defenses over the past decade.

My point, anyone who thinks that OSU is easily better, as you say, or will easily cover the spread in this game, hasn't watched much college football this season and doesn't understand where value lies when betting. I like Michigan plus 7.

[dave11486]

I think Ohio State -7 is too much and all I do is watch both these teams play. I am not saying that Michigan will win because I don't believe they will, but if this game were played 10 times, Michigan would cover around 7 of 10 in my view.

[Wassymac]

No brainer play on Michigan IMO. Toss up game...take the points.

[pags11]

with Razz on this one...

[nosuzieno]

Excluding OSU win at Texas and Michigan at Notre Dame, weak weak schedules to compare stats with...

[maritime]

Less than 30 yards per game rushing defense is damn good no matter what your schedule was.

[Dark Horse]

I don't really get the hype. Michigan played one good game against ND, and has been average since.

The winner of this game will lose to USC for the championship. Not saying that USC is great. Just that even in a rebuilding year they are better than Ohio St or Michigan. Trojans played a tough schedule while rebuilding, so people wrote them off.

Anyway, enjoy the game.

[dave11486]

Bring on USC...wouldn't mind taking out that garbage.

[Razz]

Excluding OSU win at Texas and Michigan at Notre Dame, weak weak schedules to compare stats with...

You cannot simply ignore a 14-point victory over Wisconsin.

[Razz]

Michigan has been damn impressive on the road, 4-0 straight up and against the number, with three of the wins against Notre Dame, Penn State, and Minnesota. The former is ranked in the top 10 (though not a great team), and the latter two are very difficult venues in which to win.
Also, Michigan lost four games last season. They are either 2-0-1 or 3-0 ATS in those revenge games (depending on if you say they were -13.5 or -14 against Wisconsin), with the last coming this week against Ohio State.
Just thoughts. I think Michigan is the better all-around team, but the Horseshoe and coaching disadvantage could be the difference in the winner of the game - hopefully it won't affect who gets the money.

[austintx05]

I don't really get the hype. Michigan played one good game against ND, and has been average since.

The winner of this game will lose to USC for the championship. Not saying that USC is great. Just that even in a rebuilding year they are better than Ohio St or Michigan. Trojans played a tough schedule while rebuilding, so people wrote them off.

Anyway, enjoy the game.

I just fell out of my chair. Ohio St will win by 3 TD's at least ot USC. USC has had a tough schedule? The toughest part of their schedule upcoming. They lost to Oregon St, barely beat Washington at home and their only quality win was vs Arkansas when McFadden was not even 100%. This is not the same USC team of old.

While most like Michigan +7, lets not forget they are going to have to score to stay within that number. As much talk as Michigan's defense is getting lets not forget that Ohio St is allowing almost a full TD less than Michigan. Wolverines have not had to defend a mobile and accurate QB like Troy Smith this year and given the fact that Ohio St has won 27 out of their last 29 games in the Shoe, laying less than 7 to me is the play on this game. Every year there is a team that just is better and dominates every game they play, especially big ones. Last year is was Texas , this year it is Ohio St. Michigan struggled to beat Ball St. Say what you want about pulling starters, but the fact that the last game Michigan played aggressively in was at ND, they have slept walked the whole season and I do not think you can just flip the aggresive switch on especially with Lloyd Carr at the helm. Don't think for a second that the OSU defense isn't chomping at the bit to prove themselves to be the better defense.

Call me crazy but I see Ohio St winning this game by 10-14 points.

[dave11486]

Call me crazy but I see Ohio St winning this game by 10-14 points.

Not crazy at all, but it will take mistake free football from the Bucks. Both will turn the ball over, but who will do it more. Hopefully Michigan.

[Razz]

Michigan struggled to beat Ball St. Say what you want about pulling starters, but the fact that the last game Michigan played aggressively in was at ND, they have slept walked the whole season and I do not think you can just flip the aggresive switch on especially with Lloyd Carr at the helm.

This makes sense to me, but it's hard to explain. I'll try though:
That's exactly why I think Michigan is going to win this game. I think the whole country is overvaluing Ohio State and ignoring Michigan just because they don't care about blowing teams out. Meanwhile, Michigan has just been lying in wait for this game. Every time they have been motivated to come out against a real team (ND, Wisky, PSU) they have been dominant defensively and solid offensively.

[Dark Horse]

I just fell out of my chair. Ohio St will win by 3 TD's at least ot USC.

Are you giving me 21 pts if Ohio St and USC meet for the championship?

[austintx05]

Sorry but Michigan's performance vs Wisconsin was very short of dominant. That score was misleading.

[austintx05]

Sure I will, because it won't happen.

[dave11486]

The Buckeyes would dominate every side of the ball in a game against USC.

[Razz]

Sorry but Michigan's performance vs Wisconsin was very short of dominant. That score was misleading.

Well, I don't know what you would classify as dominant, but Michigan outgained the #9 team in the nation by 98 yards, including holding one of the top running games in the nation to 12 rushing yards.
Three picks thrown by Henne and a meaningless late drive were the only reason the score was close at all.

[Razz]

The Buckeyes would dominate every side of the ball in a game against USC.

As would Michigan, Wisconsin, LSU, and a handful of other teams.