The Game is almost here.
We're just one sunrise away from the 109th meeting in the greatest rivalry in sports and the first of what should be many grudge matches between Urban Frank Meyer (the fit one wearing a headset) and Brady Hoke (the rotund one cheerleading on the sidelines).
The bulk of the national coverage has centered on the quarterbacks especially on the Wolverine side as Hoke and Borges remain mum on exactly how they'll use the tandem of Gardner and Robinson.
Borges asserts, "You don't know – nobody knows – until the lights go on."
Asked about his role and injury, Robinson willingly noted he's never caught a pass in a game before and when pressed about whether or not he's capable of throwing a pass he quipped, "You'll see on Saturday."
As much as I hate it, Hoke and company are playing this exactly as they should, forcing Meyer to prepare for a variety of possibilities, though considering tailback Fitz Toussaint is out, the likelihood Gardner takes the bulk of the snaps while Denard lines up all over the field remains high. In the estimation of many, this actually makes Michigan's offense more dangerous.
At the same time, it will hopefully provide the Buckeye defense a chance to punish Gardner for disrespecting the Buckeyes when he burned his scholarship offer letter from Jim Tressel.
To his credit, Gardner has been solid in his last three outings, completing almost 66% of his passes for seven touchdowns against three picks with another six touchdowns on the ground.
Speaking of ground, here's to hoping Simon, Hank or Shazier get the chance to decleat Gardner and drive his disrespectful bones through the turf and toward the Earth's crust.
PUTTING IT ON THE LINE. While the national media has chosen to focus largely on the quarterbacks, what will be just as big a factor, if not bigger, will be the battle in the trenches. That should be good news for the Buckeyes, especially on the offensive side of the ball where OL coach Ed Warinner has resurrected what had been an Achilles' heel for the Buckeyes thanks largely to the exploits of Coach Coo Coo Ca Choo.
In year one at Ohio State, Warinner has been so good that he has been named one of 29 nominees for the 2012 Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top assistant college football coach.
While I haven't even begun to research the competition, I can't imagine any one position coach in America has meant more to his team this season. In just one year, with the same talent Bollman had in 2011, the Buckeye offensive line has morphed from a sack yielding sieve into a position of strength on one of just two undefeated teams left in the country. The results are truly amazing:
- The Buckeyes sport the nation's 9th-ranked rushing attack at over 245 yards per game.
- The line has given up 22 fewer sacks compared to a season ago.
- Ohio State is 5th nationally with 36 rushing touchdowns, good for a 30-year high in Columbus.
- The team's 5.3 yards per carry currently ranks 2nd in school history.
- The Buckeyes have put together 27 drives of 70+ yards this year compared to 10 last year.
- Warinner helped Reid Fragel move from TE to RT and he's been nothing short of an all-conference performer.
Warinner will find out if he's one of five finalists on Monday with the winner set to be announced on December 4th.
THE LAST HURRAH. Seniors always play a huge role in shaping the personality of a team and their value to any elite program can't be understated. This year's crop of seniors have proved even more valuable than most, if for no other reason than the situation they found themselves in following the news that they would not only be sitting out the postseason but also playing for their third head coach should they decide to stay in Columbus.
The bowl ban was obviously the biggest punch in the gut to the 21 seniors on this year's roster and the fact they could've transferred elsewhere without penalty – but didn't – is something that Urban Meyer will never forget:
"Those kids could have all went wherever they wanted to go. I still remember that day when we walked in, and (AD Gene Smith) said, ‘You’re not going to a bowl game.’ I thought, ‘We’re not what?’ And then my mind started thinking about this year’s team."
"Those seniors, if I remember right, if I read the rules right, they (could) pick up and go without punishment. I called a team meeting. Within 15 minutes, we had one. I kept the seniors after. I had no idea who they were, and they didn’t know me, so it was a leap of faith."
"It’s tough. I usually get emotional talking about those guys. Now that I know them, I know exactly why they stayed. For the love of Ohio State. It’s really cool in this day and age to witness that. We’re forever indebted to them because they didn’t have to do what they did.”
No question those seniors deserve a ton of credit for not only sticking it out but for helping the team turn a corner and emerge, once again, as one of the truly elite programs in the country. Among the 21 are names like John Simon, Zach Boren, Nathan Williams, Etienne Sabino, Garrett Goebel, Orhian Johnson, Travis Howard, Zach Domicone, Reid Fragel and Jake Stoneburner.
A tip of the cap to all of them for all they've given to their teammates, the program and its fans.
What's your lifetime record vs. UM as a fan? I'm 18-18-1TO THE VICTOR GOES THE SPOILS? As per usual, The Game will be attended by a wave of blue chip recruits, many of which are undecided with both Ohio State and Michigan on their short list of potential college choices.
Basically, Meyer vs. Hoke extends far from the football field as both look to gain the upper hand in recruiting, aka the lifeblood of any college football factory.
Tressel did an outstanding job building a fence around Ohio. As noted by the Toledo Blade by way of Rivals, Ohio State locked up five of the top eight in-state recruits in six of the Vest's last eight classes (2004-2011), while Michigan signed just four top-five Ohio recruits over that time period.
But when the Buckeyes were slapped by the NCAA and Tress was sent packing, Hoke turned the tables:
UM signed two of the top five Ohio recruits in the 2012 class, including top-ranked offensive lineman Kyle Kalis from Lakewood, and is coming on heavier in 2013. The Wolverines have commitments from two of the top five and six of the top 15 Ohio recruits, including Trotwood-Madison linebacker Mike McCray, son of the former Buckeyes captain by the same name. In 2007, the Wolverines did not land a single player among Ohio’s top 40 prospects. In the 2013 class, they have nine.
No question Hoke seized his opportunity but since Urban's arrival, he has righted the ship:
Backed by eight of nine assistants with Ohio roots, he landed four of the top seven in-state recruits in the 2012 class — including five-star defensive end Adolphus Washington from Cincinnati — and the top two in 2013 (defensive back Cameron Burrows from Trotwood-Madison and athlete Jalin Marshall from Middletown). Ohio State’s 2012 class was ranked fourth by Rivals.com, while its 2013 collection is eighth. (Michigan’s hauls are ranked seventh and fifth, respectively.)
Saturday's outcome could go a long way in furthering the efforts of either man. Reportedly, upwards of 80 kids including current commits as well as prospects in the 2013, 2014 and 2015 classes will be in attendance including names like WR Shelton Gibson, LB Trey Johnson, ATH Chris Worley, ATH Marshon Lattimore, LB Raekwon McMillan and WR James Quick.
LET'S HOPE THEY'RE TRULY EXPERTS. The Vegas line continues to drop but still has the Buckeyes listed as a 3½-point favorite in most gambling houses. Knowing the home team typically gets about a three-point cushion, the oddsmakers see this one as a virtual toss up.
Across the college football media landscape, the pundits see things a little more clearly, picking the Buckeyes to win in many instances.
- Rittenberg sees the Buckeyes winning, 24-21, on a last-minute drive.
- Bennett projects a four TD performance from Braxton culminating in a 35-31 Buckeye victory.
- Mandel also thinks Braxton takes over as Ohio State prevails, 34-30.
- Notorious Meyer hater Matt Hayes, while noting Ohio State isn't really good at anything in particular, likes OSU to win, 23-21.
- Fellow TSN hack Steve Greenberg likes Gardner and Michigan to leave Columbus with a 20-17 victory.
- NBC Sports' John Tamanaha likes Ohio State's home-field advantage and offensive backs in predicting a 31-20 Ohio State win.
- CBSSports writers Dennis Dodd, Bruce Feldman, Jerry Hinnen, Matt Hinton and Chip Patterson all like the Buckeyes while Tom Fornelli is taking Michigan.
Ten out of 12 ain't bad.
MY NAME IS URL. While they normally have their Friday practice in Ann Arbor, Michigan will hold it in the 'Shoe this year... World map of most popular sport by region... Ranking the Sexiest BCS Conference Commissioners... 11 Adorable Rock History GIFs... OSU Fan Vows To Beat Cancer, Or As He Calls It, "Michigan"... 11W throwback: My post from 2007 on Five Unforgettable Version of The Game.
