rowech
11-12-2006, 11:00 AM
Did the ratings for these teams for a board game called Second Season this morning and even had time to get the game in before the Bengals game. If it's anything like this, we're in for a hell of a football game.
Ohio State got out to a quick 3-0 lead on a 47 yard field goal with 11:15 in the 1st. Both teams exchanged some drives back and forth until Michigan broke through a bit, finishing off a touchdown drive with a 2 yard run by Hart with 12:30 left in the half. That's how we would actually head into the locker room....7-3 Michigan.
Ohio State, much like the first half, came out with some nice stuff after forcing Michigan to a three and out and then having Gonzalez break a 43 yard touchdown reception to give the Bucks the 10-7 lead with 10:00 left to play in the third quarter. Michigan, not to be out done, got a slow and methodical drive down to the OSU 5 but couldn't find a way into the end zone and had to settle for the 22 yard field goal with 4:15 left in the 3rd.
We would head to the fourth quarter tied at 10.
Both teams began playing very cautiously, not wanting to make the big play that would break the game. With no turnovers to this point, and relatively few penalties, it looked like a field goal would win the game. Then, Ginn showed up breaking of receptions of 36 yards and 13 yards after a very quiet day prior to that. However, a couple of penalties and a sack turned what looked like a TD drive into a field goal. The 41 yard field goal went through with 3:15 left in the game putting all the pressure on Henne to come up with something.
The Michigan offense, through some medium passes and some dump offs got the ball moving and then from the 27 yard line, Henne found Manningham for 24 yards to get down to the OSU 3 with 30 seconds left. With a timeout left, Michigan had all options available to them. Call a run or pass and so long as they didn't turn the ball over, they would be able to stop the clock and kick the field goal to send it to OT. Michigan, decided to put it in the hands of the man who had controlled the game. OSU defense, caught between run and pass, ended up in safe defense but Hart found the way to the end zone, giving the Wolverines the 17-13 win on the next to last play of the game! What a classic!
Henne 23-33 for 264 yards
T. Smith 13-23 for 184 yards and 1 TD
Hart 27 carries for 89 yards and 2 TD
Pittman 16 carries for 69 yards
Breaston 6 receptions for 87 yards
Arrrington 4 receptions for 46 yards
Manningham 5 receptions for 73 yards
Ginn 4 receptions for 75 yards
Gonzalez 3 receptions for 58 yards and a TD
Michigan rush offense: 40 plays for 103 yards and 2 TD
Ohio State rush offense: 25 plays for 62 yards
Michigan pass offense: 33 plays for 264 yards
Ohio State pass offense: 23 plays for 184 yards
Game Notes:
1. Michigan, with Hart, and a nice passing game was able to really control the clock running 73 plays to OSU's 48. I also assumed Manningham would be fully healthy.
2. Michigan's D against the run is lethal. They acquire the outstanding 22 rush points, thus making ever player a 2 against the run. OSU did better than most at getting at least some yards on the ground.
3. OSU's special teams excel well beyond Michigan's, especially in the punting game. Ginn could have some chances to break something bit in the real game.
4. OSU must get a rushing game in the real game. If they can't run, and get forced into 3rd and longs, Michigan's D will shut them down and close things out.
5. Hart has the potential to have a big game. I've said all year OSU's one weakness is against running the ball....I know the stats don't bear this out but I do think they're vulnerable there.
6. Should be a classic either way. If I play these two teams again, I'm not sure I would get the same overall result but I know it would play out in a similar fashion. I really think this might be a perfect example of special teams, setting up shorter fields, making all the difference in the game. If that's the case, and the Bucks get something on the ground, I look for them to pull this one out.
Ohio State got out to a quick 3-0 lead on a 47 yard field goal with 11:15 in the 1st. Both teams exchanged some drives back and forth until Michigan broke through a bit, finishing off a touchdown drive with a 2 yard run by Hart with 12:30 left in the half. That's how we would actually head into the locker room....7-3 Michigan.
Ohio State, much like the first half, came out with some nice stuff after forcing Michigan to a three and out and then having Gonzalez break a 43 yard touchdown reception to give the Bucks the 10-7 lead with 10:00 left to play in the third quarter. Michigan, not to be out done, got a slow and methodical drive down to the OSU 5 but couldn't find a way into the end zone and had to settle for the 22 yard field goal with 4:15 left in the 3rd.
We would head to the fourth quarter tied at 10.
Both teams began playing very cautiously, not wanting to make the big play that would break the game. With no turnovers to this point, and relatively few penalties, it looked like a field goal would win the game. Then, Ginn showed up breaking of receptions of 36 yards and 13 yards after a very quiet day prior to that. However, a couple of penalties and a sack turned what looked like a TD drive into a field goal. The 41 yard field goal went through with 3:15 left in the game putting all the pressure on Henne to come up with something.
The Michigan offense, through some medium passes and some dump offs got the ball moving and then from the 27 yard line, Henne found Manningham for 24 yards to get down to the OSU 3 with 30 seconds left. With a timeout left, Michigan had all options available to them. Call a run or pass and so long as they didn't turn the ball over, they would be able to stop the clock and kick the field goal to send it to OT. Michigan, decided to put it in the hands of the man who had controlled the game. OSU defense, caught between run and pass, ended up in safe defense but Hart found the way to the end zone, giving the Wolverines the 17-13 win on the next to last play of the game! What a classic!
Henne 23-33 for 264 yards
T. Smith 13-23 for 184 yards and 1 TD
Hart 27 carries for 89 yards and 2 TD
Pittman 16 carries for 69 yards
Breaston 6 receptions for 87 yards
Arrrington 4 receptions for 46 yards
Manningham 5 receptions for 73 yards
Ginn 4 receptions for 75 yards
Gonzalez 3 receptions for 58 yards and a TD
Michigan rush offense: 40 plays for 103 yards and 2 TD
Ohio State rush offense: 25 plays for 62 yards
Michigan pass offense: 33 plays for 264 yards
Ohio State pass offense: 23 plays for 184 yards
Game Notes:
1. Michigan, with Hart, and a nice passing game was able to really control the clock running 73 plays to OSU's 48. I also assumed Manningham would be fully healthy.
2. Michigan's D against the run is lethal. They acquire the outstanding 22 rush points, thus making ever player a 2 against the run. OSU did better than most at getting at least some yards on the ground.
3. OSU's special teams excel well beyond Michigan's, especially in the punting game. Ginn could have some chances to break something bit in the real game.
4. OSU must get a rushing game in the real game. If they can't run, and get forced into 3rd and longs, Michigan's D will shut them down and close things out.
5. Hart has the potential to have a big game. I've said all year OSU's one weakness is against running the ball....I know the stats don't bear this out but I do think they're vulnerable there.
6. Should be a classic either way. If I play these two teams again, I'm not sure I would get the same overall result but I know it would play out in a similar fashion. I really think this might be a perfect example of special teams, setting up shorter fields, making all the difference in the game. If that's the case, and the Bucks get something on the ground, I look for them to pull this one out.