Football Friday Preview: OSU vs. Michigan
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Michigan Wolverines (5-6, 1-6 Big Ten)
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vs.
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No. 8/9 Ohio State Buckeyes (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten)
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Saturday, November 21
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12:00 p.m. ET
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Michigan Stadium – Ann Arbor, MI
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| TV: | ABC Sports with Sean McDonough and Matt Millen in the booth. Holly Rowe is the sideline reporter. |
| Radio: | WBNS-AM 1460 The Fan in Columbus is the flagship station for the 73-station Ohio State Radio Network. The Jim Tressel Pregame Show airs 30 minutes prior to kickoff. “Big Daddy” Paul Keels will call the play-by-play and will be assisted by former Buckeye Jim Lachey in the booth and Marty Bannister on the sidelines. |
| Weather: | Mostly cloudy skies and a game time temperature of 49 degrees. |
| Latest Line: | Ohio State is a 11.5-point favorite. The Over/Under is 47.5 |
| Series History: | Michigan leads the all-time series with Ohio State by a 57-42-6 count. Since 1951, though, the Buckeyes hold a 30-26-2 lead, including victories in seven of the eight games during the Jim Tressel era. Ohio State has won the last five meetings with Michigan. |
| Last Time Out: | The Buckeyes won 42-7 in Columbus, last year. |
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2009 STATISTICS
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OFFENSE |
OHIO STATE
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MICHIGAN
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Statistical
Average |
Big Ten
Rank |
NCAA
Rank |
Statistical
Average |
Big Ten
Rank |
NCAA
Rank |
||
| Scoring Offense |
30.0
|
4
|
38
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31.3
|
1
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27
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| Total Offense |
369.1
|
8
|
65
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391.4
|
5
|
56
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|
| Rushing Offense |
194.2
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3
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22
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195.8
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2
|
21
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|
| Passing Offense |
174.9
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11
|
102
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195.6
|
9
|
90
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| DEFENSE |
OHIO STATE
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MICHIGAN
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|||||
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Statistical
Average |
Big Ten
Rank |
NCAA
Rank |
Statistical
Average |
Big Ten
Rank |
NCAA
Rank |
||
| Scoring Defense |
12.4
|
2
|
6
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28.1
|
9
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84
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| Total Defense |
258.3
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1
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5
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400.2
|
9
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89
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| Rushing Defense |
83.7
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1
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4
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164.7
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10
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84
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| Pass Defense |
174.6
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2
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16
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235.5
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8
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82
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Entering “The Game,” Ohio State is looking to make it six wins in a row over rival Michigan. And they should have a fairly easy time in doing so.
The Buckeyes have gained more than 200 yards rushing in four straight games. Last Saturday against Iowa, OSU relied heavily on their ground attack while racking up 229 rushing yards on 51 carries and three touchdowns. Brandon Saine tallied 103 yards and two scores on just 11 tries, while Boom Herron carried the ball 32 times for 97 yards and a score.
Ohio State won’t have to get too fancy on offense this week, considering that Michigan’s defense is not very good, particularly against the run. Last week, Wisconsin rolled up 469 yards of total offense against the Wolverines, including 229 yards rushing and 28 first downs.
Michigan’s defense is at or near the bottom in the conference in most statistical categories including: ninth in total defense (400.2 ypg), ninth in scoring defense (28.1 ppg), 10th in rushing defense (164.7 ypg), and ninth in pass efficiency defense (133.6).
Just like with any other game, it’s critical that the Buckeyes keep the mistakes to a minimum by not turning the ball over.
Offensively, the Wolverines are fifth in the conference in total offense (391.4 ypg), ninth in passing offense (195.6 ypg), first in scoring offense (31.3 ppg), sixth in passing efficiency (128.5), but are 10th turnover margin (-.73).
Ohio State’s defense, meanwhile, is at or near the top of all statistical categories, which bodes well for the Buckeyes. While I don’t see it as a blowout like last year, it really won’t be close, either.
Ohio State 31, Michigan 14
