Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Michigan and Peters looked better than expected against Wisconsin. My guess is Wisconsin will lose to the East Champion. Peters handled pressure better than I thought he would until the sack that took him out of the game. Once he left Michigan had no chance.
Probably the most frustrating part of this game was the Michigan touchdown that the refs missed on replay. They gave Michigan a make up call on the 3rd down on Wisconsin's next drive, when they reviewed a catch and called it incomplete with no real evidence, but ending a drive vs taking away a touchdow doesn't really even out.
Predicting a big loss to OSU next week, maybe closer game if Peters is able to come back from his injury.
Both William Speight and Brandon Peters are out with injuries, the formerly benched John O'Korn will start, and the only Michigan backup quarterbacks remaining haven't ever taken a snap in a college football game. Throw in an offensive line that's simply not up to the task and it's shaping up to be a bad day for whomever Michigan puts out on the field as QB.
Ohio State got it's wake-up call three weeks ago in Iowa and since then is highly motivated to annihilate its remaining regular season opponents and thus obtain higher consideration by the CFB selection committee. This week's opponent being Michigan just ups the motivation factor for the Buckeyes.
Michigan's only chance would seem to rest with its defense. If they put Ohio State offensive in check, keep the game a low scoring affair, then funny things can happen - see Pitt/Miami. The first several Ohio State possessions early in the game will set the tone.
But I don't hold out any hope for the Wolverines today. They haven't beaten a team with a winning record all year, they are probably at their lowest point offensively in several years due to QB injuries, they're facing a top ten ranked and highly motivated historical rival, and you'd have to go back to October 1, 2016 for their last signature win.
On paper this is a surefire loss for Michigan. They should lose. The games are played for a reason, however. A win against OSU will brighten a disappointing season. Go Blue!
What does Michigan need to do to beat Ohio State? The rivalry has been very lopsided given Ohio State has won 15 of the last 17 meetings, including the last 3 in Ann Arbor. How impatient are fans given Harbaugh is 1-5 vs. Michigan State and Ohio State?
The game against Ohio State went about as expected. The gameplan/playcalling were good for Michigan. Offense did a good job moving the ball early, and kept OSU off balance. O'Korn missed some basic passes, but played as predicted, with heavy pressure from the weak link of this team- pass blocking. D had trouble stopping JT Barrett, but most teams do. OSU looks to have it's QB situation next year is good shape, as their back-up came in and executed well. Michigan kept it a game for 3 quarters, but lost to a better team as expected.
What does Michigan need to do to beat Ohio State? The rivalry has been very lopsided given Ohio State has won 15 of the last 17 meetings, including the last 3 in Ann Arbor. How impatient are fans given Harbaugh is 1-5 vs. Michigan State and Ohio State?
Better QB and better O-line play. I'm guessing it'll be 2019 before the teams are close at a talent/experience level.
Next game: Michigan vs South Carolina in the Outback Bowl in Tampa. I haven't seen enough of South Carolina to know how good they are. It'll be interesting to see who is playing QB for Michigan. I think Michigan has a reasonable chance to win this one and end the season 9-4. That would be right in the middle of my 8-10 win prediction that I made after watching this team's non-conference play.
A disappointing end to a disappointing season. 2 turnovers in the second half giving the ball to South Carolina within the red-zone, and two more in the second half with Michigan within the 5 yard line going with an opportunity to score. And a final turnover on the final drive to kill the final Michigan drive. Turnovers were the big difference in this game, just like the State game this year. South Carolina's defense looked good, but Michigan made a lot of defenses look good this season. The defense mostly played well, blowing coverage once, giving up a big play for a touchdown. We'll see what happens in the off-season. The offense was the weak link all season. Here's looking forward to a better 2018.
Next year will probably be worse than this year for Michigan. They go into next season without an established quarterback, an ineffective O-Line, and a below average receiving corps. The defense is good, except when they play a good offense, giving up 42 points to Penn State, 24 points to Wisconsin, and 31 points to Ohio State.
Next year, Michigan plays in South Bend at Notre Dame the first game of the season; if Michigan couldn't beat South Carolina at the end of this season, they're not beating ND on the road in the opener, with Michigan carrying the same or worse flaws as they have at the end of this season. The Northwestern game is an away game, and the Wildcats always are best at home. Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State will all be better next season, so count those as losses.
Barring the son of Krypton donning the winged helmut and the maize and blue and starting at QB next year, the Michigan Wolverines football regular season record for 2018 will be 6-6, and 1-7 against OSU and MSU over the past 4 years. Not as bad as the Rich Rod era, but still stuck as the best also ran in the Big Ten.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
