So surprised at criticism concerning Michigan cancelling “The Game” to avoid “The Rivalry” when BUCKEYES routinely avoid rivalries with THREE (3) of its NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBORS: West Virginia, Louisville and Notre Dame! 

Dear Mr. Anderson:

This is what I have been saying for years.

Putting all of OSU’s eggs in the Michigan basket is a mistake!

With no in-state rival, OSU needs to foster rivalries with West Virginia and Notre Dame.

Then, when they face championship-caliber teams, they will be battle-tested.

Look at LSU’s gauntlet this year:

“L.S.U. finished its campaign at 15-0, having conquered Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Texas. It defeated Georgia for the Southeastern Conference championship in early December and then disassembled Oklahoma in one of the semifinal games that set Monday’s matchup in New Orleans. In the title matchup, the team rallied from a 10-point second-quarter deficit to defeat Clemson.”

Playing Wisconsin at home is a lot different than playing them in Madison.

Playing Penn State at home is a lot different than playing at night in Happy Valley during a “White Out!”

Not playing Iowa, nor Minnesota, nor Notre Dame, nor a triple-option team, nor having an in-state rival, makes for some pretty smooth sailing.

Actually, this is a wonderful forum because Ohio, the birthplace of football, has wonderful football programs all over the state!

I have family from North Canton and the Massillon area, and lived in Tiffin for twelve (12) years!

The discourse here is reasonable (for the most part) and very knowledgeable!

Here is where one can find reliable information and argument!

Thank you for your reply.

Are you trying to spell D-O-U-C-H-E?

I almost missed the insult.

Thanks for sharing.

To be fair, Michigan dropped its games with Arkansas and USC for the same reasons, so  it’s part of everyone’s modus operandi to keep real competition to a minimum.

Also to be fair, without an in-state rival, make  sure there is at least some competition with Notre Dame and either West Virginia, Louisville or Kentucky!

Kentucky is probably the easiest!

Aren’t you Ron Burgandy?

Isn’t that weird enough?

Thanks for your reply.

11-3 all time?

That’s crap.

These ARE Ohio State’s rivals—they are next-door neighbors.

Who does not play one’s next-door neighbors?

This is the definition of a rival.

These records should be in the twenties on both sides, for each team, which is the real reason for not playing them.

So glad the rivalry with Notre Dame is coming.

Hope it continues.

Is this the first regular-season Notre Dame game scheduled in the last 100+ years?

Riddle me this, Batman!

Why no rivalry games with that team-to-the-east, West Virginia; that-team-to-the-west, Notre Dame; that-team-to-the-south, Louisville?

I know there is a winning advantage to not playing one’s rivals, but parity-wise, and in the spirit of true competition, it’s kind of weak, don’t you think?.

Sorry.

Who would not want to hire one of the best college coaches ever?

However, they might balk at hiring Tressel, because they fear he would cheat, and jeopardize the program with the NCAA.

How can Ohio fans know what’s going on at Michigan even before the Michigan fan base?

@11W reported the Zach Charbonnet injury while all the Michigan media denied it!

Who will be Michigan’s QB versus Rutgers?

Is the rumor true that the Michigan wide-receivers are going to Boycott the Rutgers game?

Every Michigan fan wants Meyer as their coach! If they say they don’t, they are lying! Does OSU regret hiring Greg Mattison and Al Washington? Didn’t think so. Does Michigan regret hiring Ed Warriner? What Michigan fans are against Warriner’s hiring? None!

If I were scouting the Buckeyes, I would say this:

The cornerbacks are unstoppable: avoid them.

Dobbins is unstoppable, but he holds the ball high and may be susceptible to a punch-out from behind—never tackle him high.

The wide-receivers are world-class!

Fields is okay—always play him to run.

He can play under center anytime—especially at the goal line.

Number 75 LT can be beaten—put your fastest DL opposite him and stunt him all game—sorry!

Blitz every time #33 is in the game—he can’t pass-protect—sorry!

The linebackers are the weak link—susceptible to TEs down the seams, and crossing plays and slants.

Olave and Hill are killers!

I am sorry!

Please forgive me.

I should not have said that.

Last year, Fickell set the tone for dismantling Michigan’s defense—slants and bubble screens! OSU had it perfected by time of THE GAME.

Jim Tressel is an excellent coach—too bad honesty and integrity are his Achilles’ heel.

A nice stat-line for anyone!

I watched the game versus Florida Atlantic, but I don’t remember Justin Fields throwing the long ball. Was there a long completion on a post route or where a receiver had to fight for a contested ball?

Dude, I have been on this site just as long as you have been.

I may not have as big a mouth as you, but I have been here just as long!

Would you like me to start correcting your grammar?

Michigan defends the triple-option this weekend!

According to Urban Meyer, OSU will defend the triple-option in Week-13 in Ann Arbor!

https://twitter.com/michiganonbtn/status/1169743933389324289?s=12

Michigan defends the triple-option this week!

According to Urban Meyer, OSU will get it’s chance to defend the triple-option week 12 in Ann Arbor!

https://twitter.com/michiganonbtn/status/1169743933389324289?s=12

Mattison will play bend-but-don’t break, with a lot of zone concepts!

https://twitter.com/michiganonbtn/status/1169743933389324289?s=12

https://twitter.com/michiganonbtn/status/1169743933389324289?s=12

Here is Urban Meyer’s take on both Josh Gattis and Dylan McCaffrey:

https://twitter.com/michiganonbtn/status/1169743933389324289?s=12