Post by doc on Nov 30, 2021 19:23:03 GMT
While I'm swallowing my own vomit as I type this I have to give credit where credit is due; congratulations to Michigan and their fans for their impressive win over my Buckeyes on Saturday. They clearly won the battles at the lines of scrimmage and were disruptive enough on defense to never allow the Buckeye offense to get rolling. I thought CJ Stroud played a decent game but without much support from the run game, the Michigan defenders could simply sell out for the pass and obviously sacks are going to occur in those situations. And nothing is more frustrating than knowing your opposition is going to run the ball and there's nothing you can do about it - that was the most frustrating part of game on Saturday. Michigan had their way against the Buckeye defense.
I thought the game was won at the end of the first half and first series of the second half. Ohio State needed to score TD's on those series' and they walked away with 3 points. The three running plays to start the second half may have been the worst 3 offensive calls of the season, truly baffling. So with the potential of taking a 27-14 lead, Ohio State trailed 14-13 and the rest is history.
At the same time, I have to admit I wasn't as confident going into this one as I have been in recent years. Obviously, the win streak over Michigan was going to eventually end. It sucks that it dashes OSU's playoff hopes but in reality, the Buckeye defense wasn't and hasn't truly been championship caliber all season long. I definitely expect big changes within the coaching staff on that side of the ball. Another streak that had to eventually end was the Buckeye's win streak in B1G Ten play which I believe hit 30 consecutive games. Streaks like that don't happen very often. And finally, Michigan was clearly sick of hearing all the chatter from the Ohio State side of the rivalry - it took a leader like Aiden Hutchinson to finally end the streak - that kid made himself some money on Saturday, not that he wasn't already high up on the draft board.
It's going to be strange not going to the B1G Championship in Indianapolis this weekend - we've made it an annual event in recent years. At the same time, we already knew we couldn't go because one of friend's daughters is getting married - I guess that was an omen of bad things to come!
So congrats to our resident Michigan fan, James Howell, and all the other Wolverines out there. I realize I'm a 'homer' just like James is and after 8 years of predicting Michigan's return to prominence he finally got it right this time. As much as I've enjoyed the streak - and hope another one begins next year - the reality is college football is better when teams like Michigan, LSU, USC and heaven forbid Notre Dame are good. And while I always hope Ohio State is in the playoff there's a good chance none of the 4 teams from last year will be in it this year. I was listening to a coach earlier this season and he said don't be surprised if we see some different participants this year as a result of the super seniors from COVID. I guess he was right!
My guess is Ohio State will have some opt outs during bowl season - we may have seen the last of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and some of the senior linemen. I've enjoyed watching them play and wish them all the best. I guess it's time to see what the next crop of receivers will be able to do.
Enough rambling - I love football season and it's sad when it ends with such a thud. I'll enjoy watching the bowl game - wherever it may be - but the next year can't go fast enough. It will be a long 365 days until the Buckeyes get the opportunity to hopefully start a new streak over the Wolverines.
I thought the game was won at the end of the first half and first series of the second half. Ohio State needed to score TD's on those series' and they walked away with 3 points. The three running plays to start the second half may have been the worst 3 offensive calls of the season, truly baffling. So with the potential of taking a 27-14 lead, Ohio State trailed 14-13 and the rest is history.
At the same time, I have to admit I wasn't as confident going into this one as I have been in recent years. Obviously, the win streak over Michigan was going to eventually end. It sucks that it dashes OSU's playoff hopes but in reality, the Buckeye defense wasn't and hasn't truly been championship caliber all season long. I definitely expect big changes within the coaching staff on that side of the ball. Another streak that had to eventually end was the Buckeye's win streak in B1G Ten play which I believe hit 30 consecutive games. Streaks like that don't happen very often. And finally, Michigan was clearly sick of hearing all the chatter from the Ohio State side of the rivalry - it took a leader like Aiden Hutchinson to finally end the streak - that kid made himself some money on Saturday, not that he wasn't already high up on the draft board.
It's going to be strange not going to the B1G Championship in Indianapolis this weekend - we've made it an annual event in recent years. At the same time, we already knew we couldn't go because one of friend's daughters is getting married - I guess that was an omen of bad things to come!
So congrats to our resident Michigan fan, James Howell, and all the other Wolverines out there. I realize I'm a 'homer' just like James is and after 8 years of predicting Michigan's return to prominence he finally got it right this time. As much as I've enjoyed the streak - and hope another one begins next year - the reality is college football is better when teams like Michigan, LSU, USC and heaven forbid Notre Dame are good. And while I always hope Ohio State is in the playoff there's a good chance none of the 4 teams from last year will be in it this year. I was listening to a coach earlier this season and he said don't be surprised if we see some different participants this year as a result of the super seniors from COVID. I guess he was right!
My guess is Ohio State will have some opt outs during bowl season - we may have seen the last of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and some of the senior linemen. I've enjoyed watching them play and wish them all the best. I guess it's time to see what the next crop of receivers will be able to do.
Enough rambling - I love football season and it's sad when it ends with such a thud. I'll enjoy watching the bowl game - wherever it may be - but the next year can't go fast enough. It will be a long 365 days until the Buckeyes get the opportunity to hopefully start a new streak over the Wolverines.
