Hate Week!

Let's sing some songs

Hate week is officially upon us! The Ohio State-Michigan series continues to be one of the greatest rivalries in all of sport. It was just a short five years ago that The Game featured #1 vs. #2 and vaulted Ohio State into the National Championship game against Florida. Obviously that season didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to (thanks banquet circuit) but that game will live in Buckeye lore as one of the greatest games ever played.

This year’s contest has quite a different feel to it than years past. Over the last 5 seasons it has been Michigan sporting the underdog label. Not this year.

Ohio St. is reeling from a 2 game losing streak and is struggling to find its’ way on both sides of the ball. Early lines on this game favored Michigan by 8.5 and that will probably only go up as the game nears. The Buckeyes are being lead into battle by a first-year interim coach and everyone’s favorite (NOT) offensive coordinator, Jim Bollman, is still calling the plays. The Buckeyes will have to be on top of their game to escape Ann Arbor (is a whore) with a victory and continue its’ ridiculous streak of 2,900+ days of dominance.

Usually the Buckeye defense can be counted on to shut down the run and generally disrupt the plans of an opposing team. Unfortunately the Silver Bullets have been a little out of whack this season. Teams have been able to put up ridiculous run totals on OSU which has caused the secondary to be pretty vulnerable as well. Michigan is not an offense without problems but they have more than enough weapons to cause the Buckeye’s fits. Containing the scrambling ability of the Nard dog will be a top priority on Saturday. If, and that is a big if, the Buckeyes can halt those back-breaking QB runs they stand a chance of coming out on top.

I don’t think anyone really fears Robinson’s ability to throw the ball. Sure he has the occasional nice throw but the running and screen games will be the big focus for OSU. Michigan (sucks) does have a couple backs capable of housing it so our linebackers will have to shed those second tier blocks and be able to plus those holes. After watching the Purdue and Penn St. games, I’m not so sure they will be able to accomplish that goal. Shazier should get another start (thank god for that) but he can’t do it alone. Sabino, Klein and Sweat will have to be up to the challenge or else the Wolverines (there are no more living Wolverines in the state LOL) will control the clock.

Herron has one last shot at the Wolverines

On the offensive side of the ball, Bollman will HAVE to dial up some passing plays that Braxton can handle. I think Miller has a bright future for the Bucks but right now he is in a little over his head. Obviously Braxton’s biggest weapon lies in his legs so let’s keep the calls at two reads and run. I repeat Bollman… TWO reads and run. In fact, that should be the slogan on Miller’s little play calling wristband. When Braxton sits back there for too long, bad things happen. I hope that this game plan is straight forward and simple: Don’t be too predictable, run Boom Herron and mix in some high probability passing plays to Posey and Stoney. I know it sounds easier than it really is but our athletes are just is good, if not better, so let’s get it done!

During this game you can usually throw the records out the window when trying to figure out what’s going to happen. I want to believe that the Buckeyes have another Wisconsin game in them on Saturday but I have a sinking feeling that this one has 35-17 written all over it. Michigan and its huntin’, milita-lovin’ fans have been beaten down for 8 years now. They can smell blood in the water this season and I can’t blame them considering what has transpired in Columbus. With every credible Buckeye source on the planet reporting that the Urban hire is imminent, they better get this one on Saturday. The window may close pretty quickly if the reports are true.

If Fickell can somehow pull this one out it will go a long way in healing the wounds that 2011 has left on all of us. Unfortunately I don’t think it’s going to happen. Don’t confuse that last statement with whether I want it to happen. I want nothing more than to continue Michigan’s hilarious streak of mediocrity but my mind is winning the battle against my heart (first time for everything). I’m going with my score above of 35-17 in favor of scum. Prove me wrong Buckeyes… prove me wrong. Please.