Tag: Ohio State

Preview: Michigan vs. Ohio State Notes and Prediction

ROSTER NOTES

• Ohio State players recruited by Michigan are too numerous to list. A huge chunk of the Buckeyes’ roster was targeted by Michigan.
• Ohio State players from the State of Michigan include: S Cameron Martinez (Muskegon), LS Bradley Robinson (Troy Athens), RB Cayden Saunders (Northville), WR Kai Saunders (Northville), OT Grant Toutant (Warren De La Salle)

LAST TIME THEY PLAYED…

• On November 27, 2021, Michigan beat Ohio State 42-27 at Michigan Stadium
• Michigan established a 59-51-6 lead in the rivalry
• Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud completed 34/49 passes for 394 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions
• RB Hassan Haskins ran 28 times for 169 yards and 5 touchdowns
• RB Blake Corum had 6 carries for 87 yards, including a 55-yarder
• QB J.J. McCarthy completed his only pass for 31 yards and had 2 carries for 12 yards

PREDICTION

• Ohio State 35, Michigan 24

Preview: Michigan Defense vs. Ohio State Offense

In case you missed it, I previewed Michigan’s offense vs. OSU’s defense here (LINK).

RUSH DEFENSE vs. OHIO STATE RUSH OFFENSE
Michigan is #2 in rush defense (79.6 yards allowed/game) and #2 in yards allowed per carry (2.79). Last week was a “season worst” effort when they gave up 148 rushing yards to Illinois on 4.35 yards per carry. Of course, that was without defensive end Mike Morris, one of Michigan’s best run defenders, who suffered an ankle injury two weeks ago. The leading tackler is inside linebacker Junior Colson (73 stops), followed by linebacker Michael Barrett (46) and defensive end Kris Jenkins (43). Despite the outstanding overall defense, Michigan is tied for #76 in tackles for loss per game (5.46), and the leader is the dinged up Morris with 11 so far this year. Offensively, Ohio State is hurting – literally – in the backfield. Sophomore TreVeyon Henderson (571 yards, 6 TD) may not play, and junior Miyan Williams (783 yards, 13 TD) will probably be slowed up. A large chunk of the carries may go to freshman Dallan Hayden (5’10”, 195), who has 46 carries for 248 yards and 4 touchdowns over the past two games. Quarterback C.J. Stroud (6’3″, 218) is athletic but has just 77 yards rushing and 0 touchdowns so far this season. Up front the offensive line is bookended by left tackle Paris Johnson, Jr. (6’6″, 310) and right tackle Dawand Jones (6’8″, 359), both of whom are outstanding players. The interior line is not quite as impressive, but the line is solid and more athletic than last year.
Advantage: Michigan

PASS DEFENSE vs. OHIO STATE PASS OFFENSE
Michigan is #5 in pass defense (161.7 yards allowed/game) and #2 in passing efficiency defense, still just behind Illinois. They have given up just 7 touchdowns through the air, which is tied with Georgia at #1 nationally. They’re #22 in sacks with 2.82 per game. The pass rush was hurting last week without Morris (7.5 sacks) being available, so it will be important for the defense to get him back on the field. Michigan essentially has four starter-quality cornerbacks in D.J. Turner II, Gemon Green, Will Johnson, and Mike Sainristil, and Green should be back closer to full strength after getting a concussion a few weeks back. Safety Rod Moore leads the team with 3 interceptions. Offensively, Ohio State is extremely dangerous throwing the ball. Stroud completes 66.4% of his passes for 35 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, and he leads the nation in passing efficiency. Altogether, OSU is #17 in passing offense (289.2 yards/game) and #3 in yards per attempt. It’s a pick-your-poison type of situation at wide receiver, but sophomore Marvin Harrison, Jr. (6’4″, 205) is the cream of the crop with 65 catches for 1,037 yards and 11 scores. Emeka Egbuka (6’1″, 205) and Julian Fleming (6’2″, 205) have 8 and 6 touchdowns, respectively, and tight end Cade Stover (6’4″, 255) has 31 catches for 386 yards and 5 scores. The offensive line gives up just 0.64 sacks per game, which is tied for #2 in the country, so it’s going to be difficult for Michigan to get home without an elite pass rusher.
Advantage: Ohio State

Preview: Michigan Offense vs. Ohio State Defense

RUSH OFFENSE vs. OHIO STATE RUSH DEFENSE
Michigan is #4 in rushing offense (243.8 yards/game) and #12 in yards per carry (5.51). Starting running back Blake Corum managed to hit the 100-yard mark yet again (18 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD), but he only ran the ball once in the second half after taking a hit to the knee. That compounded the problem of not having backup Donovan Edwards, so Michigan was forced to use freshman C.J. Stokes, walk-on Isaiah Gash, and a small dose of redshirt freshman Tavierre Dunlap. Stokes has potential but needs to develop physically, and Gash is a limited runner and pass catcher. Up front right tackle Trente Jones is rumored to be returning from injury this week, while the status of left guard Trevor Keegan is in question. Defensively, Ohio State is #15 against the run (107.9 yards allowed/game) and they give up the 8th fewest yards per carry (3.08). Senior linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (6’2″, 239 lbs.) leads the team with 105 tackles with a distant second place from fellow senior ‘backer Steele Chambers (6’1″, 232), and third place is junior safety Lathan Ransom (6’1″, 205). The Buckeyes are #18 in tackles for loss per game (7.0), and once again, Eichenberg leads the way with 12, followed by defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (6’4″, 270) with 9. This is an advantage for Michigan if everyone’s healthy, but if Corum isn’t close to 100% and Michigan is forced to use Stokes, Gash, and Dunlap extensively, it’s going to be trouble.
Advantage: Michigan

PASS OFFENSE vs. OHIO STATE PASS DEFENSE
Michigan is #99 in passing offense (208.8 yards/game), tied for #45 in yards per attempt (7.8), and #30 in passing efficiency. Some of those numbers are misleading, because the passing game started off great this season and has tailed off in recent weeks. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has not completed even 53% of his throws in any of the past three games, and he’s averaging 6.3 yards/attempt during that stretch. Reliable Ronnie Bell (48 catches, 651 yards, 2 TD) leads the team in tackles, but the #2 receiving target, tight end Luke Schoonmaker (30 catches, 315 yards, 2 TD) has missed the past two games due to injury. Speedster Roman Wilson has just 3 catches for 19 yards over the past four weeks (one of which he missed due to injury). The Wolverines rank #19 in the country in giving up sacks at just 1.09 per game. Ohio State is tied at #22 in sacks per game (2.82), led by sophomore defensive tackle Michael Hall, Jr. (6’2″, 290) and sophomore defensive end Jack Sawyer (6’4″, 267) with 4.5. Tuimoloau has really taken off during the second half of the season, notching 6 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and all 4 of his sacks in the past five games. Overall, the Buckeyes are #11 in pass defense (175.5 yards allowed/game), tied at #24 in yards allowed per attempt (6.4), and #28 in pass efficiency defense. Senior nickel safety Tanner McCalister (5’11”, 195) leads the squad with 3 interceptions.
Advantage: Ohio State

All-Time Leaders: Top Performances Against Ohio State

On this Thanksgiving Day, let’s give thanks for all the awesome performances Michigan players have had on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

SINGLE GAME PASSING YARDAGE LEADERS

1. 451 yards – Devin Gardner (2013)
2. 375 yards – Tom Brady (1998)
3. 328 yards – Chad Henne (2004)
4. 305 yards – Shea Patterson (2019)
5. 303 yards – Drew Henson (2000)

Hit the jump for more.

Michigan 42, Ohio State 27

Please use the Amazon links here to make your holiday purchases (LINK):

Holy Mary, Mother of God. I don’t think I have been that anxious about a Michigan victory since the Wolverines beat Washington State following the 1997 season. I predicted an Ohio State win (shame on me), but I thought Michigan had a chance. What I did not expect is, well, an ass-whooping. When I say an ass-whooping, I don’t mean on the scoreboard or really physically (although there was some of that). I just mean it was like Michigan did whatever they wanted to do the whole game. Run the ball? Yes. Trick plays? Yes. Get after the QB? Yes. Stop the run? Yes. Prevent big plays? Yes. This wasn’t a fluke victory whatsoever. Michigan looked like the better team from start to finish.