Michigan 30 Ohio State 24 – Game 12 Recap

GAME 12 PROJECTION vs. RESULTS

Final Score: 30-24, Michigan by 6 over Ohio State
SP+ Projection: Michigan by 6.1 (-0.1)
CD Projection: Michigan by 6 (!)

FIVE FACTORS

GAME 12 RECAP vs. Ohio State

Michigan’s offense vs. Ohio State’s defense shifted more than any other matchup when compared to the past two seasons. The Wolverines finished with a 46% success rate for the game, and averaged 5.8 yards/play. The Buckeyes succeeded in reducing their explosive play exposure. But, in the 2nd half when the game was decided, Michigan rushed for 122 yards and 5.8 yards per rush. The Wolverines posted a 64% success rate in the 3rd quarter, and 50% in the 4th. JJ McCarthy chipped in a 16-20 passing performance for another 148 yards and a touchdown to Roman Wilson.

Defensively, the Wolverines battled back-and-forth with a star-studded offense from Ohio State. All-world wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. caught five balls for 118 yards and a touchdown, while Emeka Egbuka also found the end zone. However, even though the Buckeyes established a much clearer commitment to rushing the football, they could not top Michigan. Tradition dictates the winner of the rushing battle wins The Game when Ohio State and Michigan clash. The Wolverines triumphed 156-107 on the ground.

The final slice of Michigan’s complementary football masterpiece came from the kicking game. Tommy Doman averaged 52.0 yards per punt, and James Turner looked rock solid on three field goals from 50, 38, and 37 yards. Jake Thaw also deserves a shout out for catching Ohio State’s punts in the air, often in heavy traffic. Michigan gained nearly a point of EPA per possession with their field position advantage.

Sherrone Moore continues his career ascension in Ann Arbor. He flourished as the offensive line coach and led his unit to back-to-back Joe Moore awards as the best in the nation. He added play calling duty in 2022 and improved the offensive output by 4.1 points per game. Now he lives forever as THE guardian of victory for stepping in during Jim Harbaugh’s November suspension. Enjoy the rivalry win boys, back to work on a B1G Championship tomorrow. Onward!

THE GAME – Michigan vs Ohio State Football – Looking Back – 2003

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games

By the early 2000s, the landscape had changed in the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. Ohio State had suddenly claimed a National Championship, and reversing the Buckeyes’ momentum would be a tall order.

Enter John Navarre. Standing every bit of 6 feet, 6 inches, Navarre possessed a quiet persona, and had excellent leadership qualities. The other leader was running back Chris Perry, who fought through plenty of adversity during his time in Ann Arbor. At one point, head coach Lloyd Carr advised him to transfer, but a heart-to-heart conversation with his mother convinced Perry that his best move was perseverance. Perry matured significantly in the 2002 season, and by 2003, he was ready to produce serious results.

The fifth and final installment of this year’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State takes us back to 2003 for the 100th game in the series. Despite the Wolverines’ offensive firepower, it was their defense that established the tone. Michigan safety Ernest Shazor’s tackle of Ohio State tight end Ben Hartsock prevented an easy first down, forcing the Buckeyes to punt. Then the Michigan offensive line seized the momentum. Perry gashed the Ohio State defensive line for sizable gains, and suddenly the Wolverines were at the Ohio State 3-yard line, facing a 3rd down and goal to go. Steve Breaston, usually a receiver, lined up at quarterback and scored a 3-yard touchdown to give the Wolverines the early lead. The Wolverines extended that lead when Navarre connected with Braylon Edwards for a 64-yard touchdown pass highlighted by a broken tackle. Once Edwards freed himself from the defender, he went all the way for the touchdown to give Michigan a two-score lead. Navarre and Edwards connected for a 23-yard touchdown pass later in the second quarter to give Michigan a 21-0 lead. The Wolverines had a comfortable cushion, or so they thought.

Ohio State kept plugging away, and after Lydell Ross scored on a 2-yard run early in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines’ lead was only a touchdown. Undaunted, Michigan went back to basics. Perry completed a drive that lasted almost four minutes by scoring on a 15-yard run to make the final score Michigan 35, Ohio State 21. After another eight minutes, Michigan claimed victory over the Buckeyes, along with the 2003 Big Ten championship. For his efforts, Perry was named to both the All-America team and the All-Big Ten team. He was joined on the All-Big Ten team by Navarre, Edwards and offensive lineman Tony Pape.

The next season, the Wolverines welcomed a bumper crop of recruits, including running back Mike Hart, quarterback Chad Henne and offensive tackle Jake Long. But, for now, it was enough to revel in the 2003 Big Ten championship, a hard-earned victory that reestablished Michigan as the ultimate power in the Big Ten. Thank you to ABC Sports, WJR, and YouTube poster Jordan Swavel for the broadcast of this game. As always, we own nothing and we do not profit from this blog post, which is provided strictly for the enjoyment of readers.

THE GAME – Michigan vs Ohio State Football – Looking Back – 1998

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games

The fourth installment of this year’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State takes us back to 1998. The late 1990s became the modern “golden era” of Michigan football, punctuated by Michigan’s victory over Washington State in the Rose Bowl, clinching a perfect season and the AP National Championship. On top of that, Charles Woodson won the Heisman Trophy and the regents chose to add 5,000 seats to Michigan Stadium, reestablishing it as the largest collegiate stadium in the country.

Unfortunately, problems frequently develop when celebrations last too long. The hunger that fueled the relentless drive Michigan felt the previous season was replaced by a dangerous feeling of satisfaction.

Michigan had suffered the usual departures due to graduation, and Charles Woodson left to continue his football journey in the NFL. The 1997 team had achieved impressive success, but it was a very different team that began the 1998 season.

The Wolverines opened the 1998 campaign with a pair of losses, but Ray returned by midseason, and dominant victories over Penn State and Wisconsin proved that Michigan was playing solid football again, just in time for the trip to Columbus.

The Wolverines were greeted by a typically ornery crowd at Ohio Stadium, to put it kindly. Ohio State jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on touchdowns by Michael Wiley and Dee Miller, putting Michigan in a deep hole. The Wolverines fought back gamely in the second quarter as Jay Feely kicked a 27-yard field goal and Tom Brady connected with Tai Streets for a 3-yard touchdown pass, but Michigan trailed at halftime, 21-10. Ultimately, Michigan lost, 31-16. A season that appeared to hold so much promise provided Michigan with a sobering reality: Glory is fleeting.

Still, there was reason for Michigan to be proud of its performance, even in defeat. After starting the season with two losses, the Wolverines rededicated themselves and persevered, producing some impressive victories along the way. The season ended with a 45-31 win over Arkansas in the Florida Citrus Bowl, the first of four consecutive wins over SEC opponents in bowl games. As the 1998 campaign ended, hopes were restored, and the following year would, once again, begin with considerable promise.

Thanks to ABC Sports, YouTube, and YouTube poster SteelBuck 6 for the highlight video of this game. We claim no ownership and do not profit from the video on this blog post.

Michigan Wolverine Football Podcast — The Big One that Matters More – Game 12 Ohio State Preview

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Phil @pcallihan and Clint @Clint_Derringer preview the game vs Ohio State – SP+ analysis, commentary, and prediction. With RB Blake Corum, QB J.J. McCarthy, OL Trevor Keegan, OL Zak Zinter, LB Michael Barrett, DL Kris Jenkins, and Jim Harbaugh.

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Podcast Archive

Podcast Summary

  • Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio State Buckeyes game.0:00
    • Michigan Wolverines prepare for season-defining game against Ohio State Buckeyes.
    • Clint Derringer and Phil Callihan are excited for the Michigan-Ohio State game, with both teams undefeated and a lot on the line.
    • The game is special for both teams, with Michigan having won the last two and Ohio State struggling in recent years.
    • Zak Zinter and Mike Sainristil reflect on their team’s 2021 loss to Ohio State and their determination to prove themselves in 2022.
    • Clint Derringer predicts a more balanced offensive game plan for Michigan in 2023, building on the success of 2021 while avoiding the long runs of 2022.
  • Ohio State Buckeyes’ impressive season and upcoming matchup with Michigan Wolverines.7:53
    • Michigan is favored in the upcoming game against Ohio State by 6.1 points, with a 64% win probability.
    • Michigan’s defense is strong, but they’ll need to contain Ohio State’s superstar offense.
  • Michigan-Ohio State rivalry and allegations of program misconduct.12:13
    • Michigan and Ohio State’s obsession with each other’s distractions is mutual, despite Jim Harbaugh’s absence.
    • Clint Derringer suggests that Ohio State is involved in leaking information to the media to create a PR firestorm, despite being right in the middle of it themselves.
    • Ryan Day’s job security is at risk if he loses to Michigan for the third time in three years, with a significant portion of the Buckeyes fan base ready to move on from him.
  • Ohio State-Michigan rivalry and coach Ryan Day’s pressure.17:08
    • Michigan players tend to perform better under pressure than Ohio State players.
    • Phil Callihan observes that Ohio State coach Ryan Day is under pressure to perform against Michigan, particularly after his team’s close win over Notre Dame.
    • Callihan notes that Day’s emotional response to the win was unexpected, given his reputation as a great coach, and suggests that he should act more confident and composed in big moments.
    • Phil Callihan expresses frustration with Ryan Day’s perceived whining and lack of accountability as Michigan’s coach.
    • Callihan predicts that Day will face pressure from the media and fans if Michigan wins on Saturday.
  • Ohio State-Michigan football game with analysis of players and strategies.24:19
    • Clint Derringer believes Michigan’s defense will be able to contain Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. but may struggle with stopping Blake Corum.
    • Derringer thinks JJ McCarthy is more likely to make positive plays than Kyle McCord, and Donovan Edwards provides a versatile weapon for Michigan’s offense.
    • Clint Derringer highlights Michigan’s strong performances against common opponents, while Phil Callihan and Kris Jenkins discuss the potential impact of the home crowd on the game.
  • Michigan football team’s chances against Ohio State.29:38
    • Blake Corum is excited to play in his last game at the Big House, where he’ll be facing Michigan’s rival team, with his brothers and best coaches.
    • Phil Callihan is concerned about the team’s ability to beat their opponent three times in a row, despite their preparation and the JJ factor.
    • Phil Callihan believes Michigan has the advantage heading into the game due to their starting 11 on each side of the ball.
    • Ohio State fan questions program’s elite status after close calls and inconsistent play.
  • Ohio State-Michigan football game with analysis of key players and matchups.36:13
    • Clint Derringer believes Ohio State is lethal when they get out in front of their opponents, but their confidence can waver when the game is close.
    • Ryan Day is focusing on highlighting to his team that they are capable of winning tough games, despite recent struggles in close contests.
    • Michigan’s interior defensive line is expected to cause problems for Ohio State’s offensive line, particularly in the third and fourth quarters.
    • Clint Derringer highlights Marvin Harrison Jr. as the key matchup for Michigan’s defense.
  • Michigan Wolverines football game against Ohio State Buckeyes.43:34
    • Phil Callihan expresses concerns about Michigan’s special teams and the impact on the game.
    • Michigan will win by 6 points, with their defense sealing the victory.
    • Sharon Moore’s coaching abilities are being considered for Coach of the Year, given his success as offensive line coach and play caller for Michigan.
  • Ohio State-Michigan rivalry and upcoming game.49:29
    • Trevor Keegan: Respect between Ohio State and Michigan creates high stakes and excitement for the rivalry game.
  • Preparation for a championship football game.50:30
    • Michigan Wolverines focus on preparation for championship game.