I posted this below, sorry.
Pass efficiency defense ratings of OSU opponents (out of 119):
NI 108
Tex 78
UC 29
PSU 19
Iowa 34
BGSU 83
MSU 110
Indiana 116
Minny 93
Ill 28
NW 81
M 11
Troy Smith vs PSU and Illinois combined: 25/45 223 1 TD 3 INT
Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Also interesting that M's pass efficiency defense is 11th even though it is a perceived weakness. This despite the fact that every team has tried to throw it on M because nobody has been able to run it.
Fire away.
Can't focus, can't think straing, can't work . . . this is INSANE!!!!! GO BLUE!!!!
This game seems to be won every year on two things:
1. Which team is more physical
2. Which team scores touchdowns instead of field goals.
I feel very positive about #1, less so about #2. We can't afford a game like 2002, where we dominate the yardage but settle for short field goals (or like 1996 for OSU).
UM. You know what is at stake here on Saturday. Do not be intimidated by tosu & brutus. I hope for a resounding win for the Wolverines.
Columbus delenda est!
I'm excited, nervous, confident and terrified all at the same time.
I can't imagine what I'm gonna feel like by the time Friday rolls around.
kmf-
Where are you hearing these whispers? I haven't even read a thing about that on the hype-driven, entertainment before reporting, gossip column as a website WWL.
I find it strange that you would say that Michigan hasn't had good quartback coaching, considering that every new quarterback breaks most of the records that the guy immediately preceding him set.
Jim Tressle drinks wine coolers!
Good call Matt, the comment about poor QB coaching and the team not having faith in Henne is ridiculous.
Great post though, Brian. This game is like nothing any of us have ever experienced.
another interesting tidbit about Michigan's pass defense: They faced something like 60 more pass attempts than any other relevant team in the country. Again this is obviously the result of not being able to run against Michigan.
As I (and many of you, probably) start shopping for tickets, does anyone know where the student section at the horseshoe is? I'd really like to avoid it (if I'm lucky enough to find a ticket). I've searched for the info online without success.
Go Blue!
You wearing your M-cape down there again, Brian?
I set up an e-vite to gather friends for the game. I invited my dad who did not go to Michigan, but responded thusly:
The only thing bigger in history was the invasion of Normandy. We won that one and we'll win this one. Of course I'll be there. Go Blue!!!
He he arrived in Normandy just a few days after D-Day, so I would say he knows what he's talking about.
Number of times "Worst State Ever" shirt worn on game day? Eleven. Number of Michigan victories? Eleven. Guess what I'm wearin on Saturday for # 12? The shirt will not fail me.
oxfordblue
Along similar lines, for some reason, I hung the 2003 student section shirt on a door handle right after Henne threw his INT in the Notre Dame game. Hasn't moved since.
KMF - you're clearly a "troll" as they call such people. Or you're SofJ posting under an alias. First, while OSU has a solid D, to say their run D is "unstoppable" is a ridiculous comment.
There are no whispers and to say that Tom Brady was Michigan's last great QB and the coaching is suspect is crazy. Case in point: any coaching staff that can turn John Navarre into an NFL-caliber QB is doing something right.
Henne has done just enough to win but if you question his skills, just take a look at the game Michigan played on September 16, 2006. Despite an early mistake, Henne was solid and the final score was M 47 ND 21.
Oxford, I pray for your safety. :)
M 246
OSU 2 (We give one up because our first stringers are dunking the Gatorade on Oyd)
Both OSU and UM allow 5.5 yards per pass attempt. Our secondary is just as good as theirs. Our run defense is better than theirs. This Michigan team has currently allowed less rushing yards per game than ANY college football team since 1959! Yeah, go ahead and read that sentence again.
kmf, say what you will about Henne, but he has brass balls, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
I've already got adrenaline coursing through my veins. I can't imagine the high I'd be one right now if I was on that team.
Last, can ESPN fuck up any MORE stastical comparisons between our two teams??? First they have a graphic that shows we've only played 1 Top 25 team to OSU's 3 (WRONG!). Then they have OSU with 6 National Titles to Michgan's 2. Even the most stringent lists out there have Michgan with 6 National Titles! Fucking hacks.
The DC Wolverine nation is heading for C-bus Thurs. a.m. If someone knows where the student section is located, please post that info asap.
Where are Wolverines gathering to tailgate? We need to travel in packs to protect ourselves from the urine-hurling sweatervested knuckle draggers.
GO BLUE!
Beat tO$U
Student section is in both endzones, but primarily the closed end of the horseshoe. In the lower levels.
Michigan gets one (count it: one) #1 vote in the AP poll and Buckeye fans start believing that Michigan is jinxed (see the first comment here:
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/ac...&pb=1#comments)
What about the other sixty-four #1 votes?
alan branch didn't play much against iu----wise conservation of star or one more thing to obsess about???
He got his ankle dinged but should be fine. Precautionary is the word. Everyone is expected to play at this point... some people are a little dinged but I don't think anyone's seriously hurt.
This is for any M fans that will be in C-Bus, I don't have tickets but will be at the Frog Bear and Wild Boar for the Friday Pre-party.
Pre-Game party for Wolverine alumni and fans at Frog Bear & Wild Boar Bar
(Friday, Nov. 17, 9 p.m.)
Alumni Association True Blue Away-Game Tailgate (Saturday, Nov.18, 12:30
p.m.)
Game watching location - Frog Bear & Wild Boar Bar (Saturday, Nov. 18,
3:00 p.m.)
Post-game Festivities - Frog Bear & Wild Boar Bar (Saturday, Nov. 18,
after the game)
Actually, the bulk of the South endzone (formerly known as the "open end") is OSU students. I sat there for half of the '04 game, and still wonder if the couple from Michigan in front of me A) sat through that for a full game (I got a sideline pass at halftime), or B) made it out alive if they did.
So I'd avoid the endzones if you want to avoid the students. Though the far west side of the South stands (to the right while facing the big scoreboard and right by the M tunnel) is usually visitors seats for a section from top to bottom. There is also normally a visitors section in the opposite corner, to the left of the M bench, with the M band sitting in the very corner of the endzone.
Not to worry, folks. Ohio State fans will be all class this year.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAHAHAA!! ROTFLMFAO!!
'Hospitality' awaits in Columbus for our fans
To the Daily:
There are no two greater teams than Ohio State and Michigan, or any two universities with more loyal fans. The students of Ohio State look forward to welcoming University students to Columbus and Ohio Stadium for the greatest rivalry in college football this coming Saturday. The student body of OSU has taken the initiative to promote good sportsmanship by forming the new Sportsmanship Council.
As students, we feel we are the foundation of OSU, and our actions help shape our university's reputation. The Sportsmanship Council is trying to create a friendly, welcoming environment for all fans - not just Buckeyes - but for all visiting teams and their supporters as well.
Being a Michigan resident and a student at Ohio State University, I have a unique perspective on this great rivalry. If you are planning to travel to Columbus, I hope you take notice of our community's hospitality. For the first time, Ohio State and Michigan will meet on Nov. 18 as the number one and two teams in the BCS rankings. We're going to cheer for the Buckeyes with all our might, and we know you will do the same for the Wolverines. But before, during and after the game, the OSU fans want Wolverines to feel welcome in our town, our campus and our stadium. We invite you to join us in cheering loud and showing the nation that, together, we are proud to be the best teams and the best fans in the land!
Amanda Graver
Ohio State University student
Where is this True Blue Alumni tailgate located and can we convince mgoblog readers in Columbus to join us there? In need of a Michigan friendly tailgate.
i love my sister. she is a Michigan alumnae. she lives in columbus. she works for wendy's. she will be in the wendy's corporate box for the game. i hate my sister.
GO BLUE!!!
John,
http://alumni.umich.edu/events/
f...tailgateMap.pdf
A couple blocks north of the stadium. It has the disadvantage of being near Lane Ave., which is usually a zoo if I recall. But we tailgated near there a couple years ago without much incident.
"Visitor" gates are clearly signed: "Arbeit Macht Frei." There is direct, one-way rail service to these entrances from the UM tailgating ghett... er, zone.
In truth, I applaud the OSU student sportsmanship initiative and I'm confident that the University and the City are serious about correcting the public relations disaster that fan behavior has become.
I've spoken to numerous fellow OSU fans who will be there on Saturday, and any Michigan fan who is subjected to dickery will have some help. We're sick and tired of it.
I still remember the 2000 Game in C-bus where we (the 'Band') had to wait in the stadium for nearly an hour after the game to let the rioting subside. Then, our journey to the buses was between two rows of Ohio state troopers. very gladiator-esque, yet no bomb-sniffing puppies. Or kittens!
4 of us are going to the game and are looking for the official mgoblog sanctioned tailgate location. We usually get a meal at the alumni tailgate before venturing out into the fires of mordor to find the gameday locale. Any help is appreciated.
UM CAUP '91:
If you don't mind me asking, where did you see the stat that U-M's rushing defense has allowed fewer yards per game than any team since 1959?
Not that I don't believe you, just curious for the attribution in case I need to use it later in the week for other stuff I'm doing.
Bingo. OSU = Pure evil. Heck, most of their fans that visit here don't even bother to hide their wickedness.
"Troy Smith vs PSU and Illinois combined: 25/45 223 1 TD 3 INT"
You realize that OSU stopped passing the ball in the Illinois game. They just stopped. It was some kind of weird coaching decision. Someone counted them up, and there were 20 plays on 1st and 2nd down in the second half of that game, 17 of which were runs, and 2 were screen passes. There was simply no effort to stretch the field, and the Illinois defense responded accordingly. This was the only game this season where we saw Tressel-ball re-emerge (run on first and second down, pass on third and long).
As for the PSU game, you realize that was in the wind and rain, right? One of the two interceptions bounced off the receiver's hands. And Troy Smith made a bunch of good passes that were just dropped. If you watched that game, I don't think you'd conclude that Troy had a bad game.
I can't say whether we're going to win this one against you guys, but if you think Troy doesn't play well against good defenses, you're mistaken.
You guys have some experience against him at this point, no? Michigan questioning the play of Troy Smith is like an OSU fan saying Tim Biakabatuka can't run the ball. It's like getting punched in the face, and then saying "you can't lay a glove on me".
It was some kind of weird coaching decision. Someone counted them up, and there were 20 plays on 1st and 2nd down in the second half of that game, 17 of which were runs, and 2 were screen passes.
Sounds... familiar somehow. I'm not sure why.
I live in Columbus... and will be there on Sat. Planning to go to the UMAA tailgate at the Fawcett Center (only $5)... if there is going to be a meeting of people, I'd love to know about it!
Student tickets are in the south stands or in the low, odd-numbered sections... can be on any deck. (e.g. 5A, 7C, etc.).
Also, for those of you coming into town on Friday night - the Michigan Marching Band traditionally plays at Pickerington H.S. on Friday night. In the past, they do this in conjunction with a HS sporting event. Downside = you pay $6 to watch their girls b-ball team or the like... but hearing the MMB in Columbus the night before the game might be worth $6.
Go blue!
m@, same thing happened with the band in '02 and '04. Ugh.
I made this video right after our last trip, largely for the 100,000 fans who passed by us, and in response to their total ignorance of Big Ten tiebreaker rules.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6...h?v=6FeR-J6MY-
4
Jeremy, nice video. Excellent choice for the music too.
I don't know if the 29.9 yards per game is an NCAA best since 1959, but it is by far a Michigan record.
The only one in the ballpark was the 1971 team, which allowed 68 yards per game. The Bucks would have to run for almost 500 yards to get the overall 2006 U-M rush defense per game up to 1971's level.
The NCAA record for rush defense was set by Penn State in 1947, 17.0 yards per game. So it might well be true that 29.9 is the best in over 40 years.
Jeremy, the best part of your video is the guy who flips off the camera and then immediately has to explain himself to the cop and immediately gets all defensive (judging by body language). High comedy.
I found the rushing YPG info in the Official NCAA Football Record Book. You can refernce it yourself online. I think Page 67 has every year's best rushing defense listed. The last team to have a lower RYAPG is Syracuse in 1959. Arizona's Desert Swarm defense in 1993 allowed 30.1 YPG, and our RYAPG will almost certainly rise above that average after the OSU game (this assumes OSU gets more than 32 yards rushing on 11/18).
A great place to find out everything you ever wanted to know about DETROIT AND MICHIGAN ,.,
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