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Photo: Isaiah Hole
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — With big rivalry games, they often say you can throw the record books and stats out the window, and to some degree that’s true. But usually, that’s more so meant that a 7-4 Michigan team can upend an undefeated Ohio State rather than a middling 6-5 team (albeit a one-game difference) surprising the 10-1 Buckeyes in Columbus.
The OSU defense has been stout all year, but that’s been the case for much of the past three years. One big difference is that the Michigan offense has sputtered and only really put one good game together thus far this year — this past weekend against a not-so-good Northwestern.
But the narrative most years has been that Ohio State — which did rattle off an impressive string of victories in the rivalry — is just going to be better, and it’s just going to win. Meanwhile, Michigan’s shortcomings get emphasized, even when they’re not necessarily accurate. Such as in 2022, when it was surmised that then-QB J.J. McCarthy couldn’t throw the ball. The Wolverines ended up winning that game, in large part because of two long passing touchdowns.
This year feels a little more daunting, however. Michigan is 129th out of 134 teams in passing while OSU has the No. 4 pass defense — the second-best Michigan will have seen all year. Still, redshirt junior quarterback Davis Warren is confident that the coaching staff will put together a game plan that allows for the Wolverine aerial attack to work come Saturday in Columbus.
“Coach Moore has shown that, and I know as a group, just as a passing attack, we’re ready for the challenge, and we’re prepared, and we’re gonna be ready for the opportunity, and just go out there and play with detail and have fun and cut it loose,” Warren said. “I think that’s something that, especially in 22, J.J. did a great job and we did a great job…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/long-past-preparation-ohio-state-194152679.html
Author : Wolverines Wire
Publish date : 2024-11-25 19:41:00
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