A year ago, it was Michigan who drew back the curtain on Ohio State's biggest weakness: its secondary. As a result, a game that should have been a blowout was a near-classic.
To replicate last year's feat, Michigan would have to walk up the same mountain from the other side - attacking the defensive line. Last year's team had a few stars (Ryan Shazier, Bradley Roby), but it wasn't deep or solid across the board. This iteration is much better, but it is inexperienced, and if Michigan is able to get inside their heads, they can gut out the pressure yards and prevail. But do they have the calm head and steady hand? Can they play mistake-free and in control?
The evidence says no. This might turn into a long afternoon if Michigan can't contain tOSU, and the field down in Columbus will always have the memory of this game, long after the players and fans have left the stadium. Let it be a good one.
Must Reads
How to witness
TV: 12:00 p.m. ET on ABC.
Radio: WWJ, AM Radio 950, Sirius Radio, Channel 132, and XM radio, Channel 202.
Online streaming: Available on Watch ESPN.
The numbers
J.T. Barrett has the school record for total touchdowns (42), and he's tied for first nationally in points accounted for - alongside one Marcus Mariota. Nine Buckeye receivers have caught touchdown passes, and five tailbacks have scored rushing touchdowns. (Compare that to four and four for Michigan.) In 11 games, the Buckeyes have a 1,000-yard rusher, an 800-yard rusher, two 600-yard receivers, and a pair of H-backs who have averaged 900 all-purpose yards each.
Michigan, meanwhile, has a top-ten rushing defense and total defense. They also don't commit too many penalties. Outside of that, here are the categories Michigan ranks outside of the top 60 nationally: passing efficiency defense, rushing offense, passing offense, first downs, second downs, third downs, fourth downs, turnovers, scoring, punts, punt returns, punt return defense, completing passes, getting yards from completed passes, not turning over when throwing passes, and obviously winning. We're not a top-fifty unit at stopping sacks or tackles for loss.
Also, Devin Gardner leads the team with 12 touchdowns. De'Veon Smith is next with 6.
Three names to know
Michael Bennett and Joey Bosa will be terrors for Michigan's line, and J.T. Barrett will manufacture some highlight-reel plays.
A Recommendation
Bleed Maize and Blue. Remember this game. Remember the fire of wanting to get to the top. And remember the team in our way. Feed on it.
Thu, Nov 27, 2014 | ||||
7:30 PM ET ESPN |
LSU | at | Texas A&M | |
7:30 PM ET FS1 |
(5) TCU | at | Texas | |
Fri, Nov 28, 2014 | ||||
11:00 AM ET ESPNU |
Northern Illinois | at | Western Michigan | |
12:00 PM ET CBSS |
Houston | at | SMU | |
12:00 PM ET ABC |
Nebraska | at | Iowa | |
12:00 PM ET FS1 |
Western Kentucky | at | (24) Marshall | |
12:00 PM ET ESPN2 |
UCF | at | South Florida | |
1:00 PM ET ESPN3 |
Toledo | at | Eastern Michigan | |
1:00 PM ET ESPN3 |
Ball State | at | Bowling Green | |
1:00 PM ET ESPN3 |
Buffalo | at | Massachusetts | |
1:00 PM ET ESPN3 |
Akron | at | Kent State | |
2:30 PM ET CBS |
Arkansas | at | (17) Missouri | |
3:00 PM ET ESPN3 |
Navy | at | South Alabama | |
3:30 PM ET ABC |
Stanford | at | (8) UCLA | |
3:30 PM ET CBSS |
Colorado State | at | Air Force | |
3:30 PM ET FOX |
(13) Arizona State | at | (11) Arizona | |
8:00 PM ET ESPN |
Virginia | at | Virginia Tech | |
8:30 PM ET ESPNU |
East Carolina | at | Tulsa | |
Sat, Nov 29, 2014 | ||||
12:00 PM ET SECN |
(16) Georgia Tech | at | (9) Georgia | |
12:00 PM ET ESPN2 |
Kentucky | at | (22) Louisville | |
12:00 PM ET ESPNU |
Illinois | at | Northwestern | |
12:00 PM ET ABC |
Michigan | at | (6) Ohio State | |
12:00 PM ET FSN |
North Texas | at | Texas-San Antonio | |
12:00 PM ET BTN |
Purdue | at | Indiana | |
12:00 PM ET CBSS |
Rice | at | Louisiana Tech | |
12:00 PM ET ESPN |
South Carolina | at | (21) Clemson | |
12:00 PM ET FS1 |
West Virginia | at | Iowa State | |
12:00 PM ET ESPNN |
Cincinnati | at | Temple | |
1:00 PM ET PAC12 |
(25) Utah | at | Colorado | |
12:30 PM ET ESPN3 |
NC State | at | North Carolina | |
12:30 PM ET ESPN3 |
Syracuse | at | Boston College | |
12:30 PM ET ESPN3 |
Louisiana-Lafayette | at | Troy | |
2:00 PM ET ESPN3 |
Texas State | at | Georgia State | |
2:00 PM ET ESPN3 |
Idaho | at | Appalachian State | |
2:00 PM ET ESPN3 |
New Mexico State | at | Arkansas State | |
3:30 PM ET FOX |
Notre Dame | at | USC | |
3:30 PM ET ABC/ESPN2 |
(7) Baylor | vs. (Arlington) |
Texas Tech | |
3:30 PM ET ESPN |
Florida | at | (3) Florida State | |
3:30 PM ET ABC/ESPN2 |
(10) Michigan State | at | Penn State | |
3:30 PM ET BTN |
(18) Minnesota | at | (14) Wisconsin | |
3:30 PM ET CBS |
(4) Mississippi State | at | (19) Mississippi | |
3:30 PM ET ESPNU |
Rutgers | at | Maryland | |
3:30 PM ET CBSS |
San Jose State | at | San Diego State | |
4:00 PM ET FS1 |
Kansas | at | (12) Kansas State | |
4:00 PM ET SECN |
Tennessee | at | Vanderbilt | |
4:00 PM ET ESPNN |
Connecticut | at | Memphis | |
4:30 PM ET PAC12 |
BYU | at | Cal | |
6:00 PM ET ESPN3 |
Louisiana-Monroe | at | Georgia Southern | |
7:00 PM ET ESPNU |
Wake Forest | at | Duke | |
7:00 PM ET ESPN2 |
Pittsburgh | at | Miami (FL) | |
7:45 PM ET ESPN |
(15) Auburn | at | (1) Alabama | |
8:00 PM ET ABC |
(2) Oregon | at | Oregon State | |
10:15 PM ET ESPN2 |
Utah State | at | (23) Boise State | |
10:30 PM ET FS1 |
Washington | at | Washington State | |
10:30 PM ET ESPNU |
Nevada | at | UNLV |