Buckeyes Preview 11/23/17: Ohio State @ Michigan Wolverines

By Jason Disantis, @JasonInCLE


Ask the nation what the greatest rivalry in college football is and depending on what part of the country you’re in, you could get a couple different answers. But as you scour the country there is one answer you can find almost anywhere, and only one answer is known as “The Game.”

The No.9 Ohio State Buckeyes (9-2, 7-1 Big Ten) travel to Ann Arbor this Saturday to take on the Michigan Wolverines (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten).

This game means a lot to both teams but for two very different reasons.

Ohio State sits at No.9 in the nation and although they will be playing Wisconsin for a Big Ten championship in two weeks, they still have an outside chance of making the playoff by winning out and getting some help.

The Wolverines are out of any championship hunt, but the opportunity to play spoiler to Ohio State would ease the pain of this season and give them a positive to end on. It also would also restore some respectability to “The Game” as they have lost five straight to the Buckeyes and 12 out of the last 13 games.

“We haven’t beat these guys in a while, nobody on this team has a win against (Ohio State),” Michigan safety Tyree Kinnel said this week. “It starts to get old when you don’t win.”

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was brought in to bring respect back to the Michigan program, and although he has once again made them relevant, his 1-4 record against Michigan State and Ohio State looms over him. And coach Harbaugh is well aware of his record.

“The record is what the record is,” Harbaugh said. “Well aware of what the record is against Michigan State and Ohio State, we’re 1-4. The record [against] all other opponents is 23-3. We know what the records are.”

The best chance for Harbaugh to start to turn that record around may not even play. The Wolverines offense has started to show signs of life after making a switch to recently named starter Brandon Peters. Peters left last week’s game against Wisconsin due to a concussion. Reports say Peters is progressing and could be cleared in time for the game.

Even though Ohio State has its eyes set on a Big Ten and possibly National Championship they understand the importance of this game on its own. The week Ohio State plays the Wolverines no one utters the name “Michigan” and all “M’s” go missing in Columbus.

“The rivalry is not a one-week deal,” said coach Urban Meyer. “It’s in your blood and in your DNA.”



Senior quarterback JT Barrett will be playing his last game against Michigan and is looking forward to heading the Ann Arbor one last time.

“I don’t think it’s going to be pleasant,” Barrett said. “I’m pretty sure they’re going to hate me. You got to learn to love the hate. I like being hated sometimes. I don’t mind it. They hate us anyway.”

Ohio State center echoed Barrett’s sentiments when speaking about his leader.

“He’s a competitor. He’s one of the greatest competitors in college football right now,” Brice said. “Again, go ahead, bring on the hate. It is a rivalry.”



What: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines
When: Saturday November 25, 2017 at 12:00 ET
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Watch: FOX
Spread: OSU -12
Over/Under: 50
Money Line: OSU -460, UM +385

Buckeyes Preview 11.25.16: Michigan Wolverines @ Ohio State Buckeyes

By Jason Disantis, @JasonInCLE

It's called "The Game" for a reason.

"The ❌agnitude of The Ga❌e is what you co❌e to Ohio State for."

The current Buckeyes know the historical significance behind this rivalry. pic.twitter.com/o6bssIsO8y

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 24, 2016

It's a rivalry that spans the course of over a century.

They first played in 1897 and since then have battled 112 times.  In 2000, ESPN ranked "The Game" as the greatest North American sports rivalry.

In 2006 they played the "Game of the Century" as no. 1 ranked Ohio State beat no. 2 ranked Michigan 42-39.  And while Michigan leads the all-time series, Ohio State has won 11 of the last 12 meetings.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer understands the magnitude of "The Game."  During this week the word "Michigan" is never mentioned.

"I'm very biased and I'm very respectful of all rivalries, but I grew up in the 70's and this was a time when Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes had two programs that were at the top of the food chain," said Meyer.  "What I remember and what I make perfectly clear to our players is the amount of respect that I learned in this rivalry from those two great coaches was real."

This Saturday the no. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) will host the no. 3 ranked Michigan Wolverines with National and Big Ten championship hopes on the line.

Looking at the stats these teams are as close as you would expect out of a 2 and 3 matchup.  Ohio State is scoring 43.8 points per game while Michigan posts 42.3.  The Wolverines give up 10.9 ppg with the Buckeyes allowing 13.  Add to those numbers less than 50 yards difference in total yards posted and allowed and you have the making of a game for the ages.

Even the best player on each team are alike in that they are do-it-all playmakers for their teams.

Jabrill Peppers is in the Heisman discussion and with a big performance could be the first defensive player to win the award since another Wolverine defensive back, Charles Woodson.  Peppers will return kicks and have his share of snaps on offense along with lining up all over the field on defense.

Ohio State H-back Curtis Samuel will look to break a couple big plays as he has done all year for the Buckeyes.  Samuel has displayed a tremendous balance to his game gaining over 600 yards rushing and receiving for the Buckeyes along with 7 touchdowns on the ground and 7 through the air as well.  He will have his work cut out for him as Michigan will come to the Shoe with the best defense Ohio State has faced all season.

For Michigan a win would give them a divisional championship and send them to Indianapolis for a shot at their first Big Ten championship since 2004.  If they won the Big Ten championship they would lock up a place in the college football playoff and go on for a chance at a national championship.

Ohio State's path to a national title is actually more promising than their shot at a conference championship.  The Buckeyes would need to win this weekend and then hope for Michigan State to beat Penn State to get a shot at a Big Ten championship in Indianapolis.  But even if Penn State wins, the fact that the playoff committee has the Buckeyes ranked no.2 means a win against the no.3 team in the country would make it very difficult to leave Ohio State out of the four-team playoff.

"The Game" has more than just bragging rights on the line this year.  Michigan is finally back to relevancy after a long layoff filled with losing seasons and multiple coaches.  They've quickly put themselves back among the elite in college football after bringing in Jim Harbaugh.  And while Michigan looks to build on a season that has them back in the national picture, Ohio State will try to continue as one of college footballs most successful programs since Urban Meyer was named head coach.

Personally as an Ohio State fan the rivalry with Michigan has lost a lot of its luster.  Part of it was how bad the Michigan program had become, and part of it was a renewed rivalry between Meyer and Alabama coach Nick Saban.  But with coach Harbaugh leading the Michigan program there is no doubt that they are back, and so is the greatest rivalry in college football.


What:  Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines
When:  Saturday November 26, 2016 at 12:00 PM ET
Where:  Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Watch:  ABC

Leadoff with Lee 12.30.14 #Harbaugh #Michigan #Manziel #BlackMonday

By @cleeverizon

- Former 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh will become the head coach of his alma mater, the University of Michigan. He'll be signing a reported 6-year, $8 million dollar annual contract and becoming the highest paid coach in college football history. Michigan will also pay the consulting firm of Korn Ferry $80,000 for helping conduct the "search" for the new coach. This is the same firm that was used when they hired Brady Hoke, and we all know how that ended. The official press conference is scheduled at Noon today and I also expect Harbaugh to address the Michigan fans prior to the men's basketball game, ala Urban Meyer. The average Big Ten head coach salary in the 94-95 season was $132,800. Harbaugh made $50,000 in 2002 as quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders.

- Johnny Manziel had a "social gathering" at his apartment Friday night. Saturday morning he was set to seek treatment for his hamstring injury and was not able to be reached via phone. Browns security staff went to Manziel's apartment to search for him after he didn't return calls or show up to the team facility. Ultimately, Manziel was fined a undisclosed amount of money for his tardiness. In a season ending interview yesterday, "Money Manziel" apologized to Jimmy Haslam and his teammates. It was initially reported Justin Gilbert and Josh Gordon attended Manziel's "social gathering". Manziel shutdown rumors yesterday and told reporters neither of the players were in attendance. Justin Gilbert was inactive Sunday because he was late for a team meeting. The Browns suspended Gordon after he failed to show up for Saturday's walk-through. He'll finish with just five games active this season, which could prevent him from being eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2016. The Browns nearly traded Gordon prior to the 2013 deadline and could shop him again this offseason. This means the Browns now have control of Gordon as he will then be a restricted free agent in the 2016 season and can match any offer made to him by any other team.

- Yesterday was #BlackMonday aka the time when most teams inform their head coaches they have been fired. The following #NFL head coaches and general managers were fired: Chicago Bears fired head coach Marc Trestman, offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer and general manager Phil Emery. They hired consultant Ernie Accorsi to help them in the search of a new coach and general manager. The New York Jets fired Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik. Ryan is rumored to be the leading candidate for the Atlanta Falcons head coaching job, which became vacant after firing head coach Mike Smith. The Falcons hired, you guessed it, Korn Ferry to identify potential candidates for the position.

- Per Eric Garafalo, 49ers assistant Eric Mangini is slated to interview with the Raiders for their head-coaching job, source says.

Leadoff with Lee 12.18.14

By @cleeverizon

- Despite Kevin Love recording his 14th double-double of the season and Lebron scoring 21 and another 21 from Dion Waiters off the bench, the Cavs fell 127-98 to the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta shot 64% from the field and every player shot 50% or better while hitting 16 3-pointers. The Cavs struggled defensively and were sluggish on their rotations, giving the Hawks open looks. After the post game interviews with the media, Kyrie Irving was putting in extra work, shooting jump shots as Lebron James watched him intensely. Irving knows he needs to step his game up and be the true point guard of the team instead of Lebron being the point-forward. The Cavs play the Brooklyn Nets at home on Friday.  I'm sure Coach Blatt will work hard in practice today with the team to improve defensively.

-Milwaukee Bucks rookie forward, and 2nd overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Jabari Parker suffered a season ending torn ACL Tuesday night in a 96-94 Bucks victory over the Phoenix Suns. With Parker's injury, 5 out of the top 7 players rookies drafted in the 2014 NBA Draft are out for the season.

- The Cleveland Indians signed RHP Gavin Floyd to a 1-year, $4 million dollar deal. Floyd can make an additional $6 million dollars in incentives, for a potential total of up to $6 million dollars for the 2015 season. Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco and Gavin Floyd will all be in the starting rotation. Zack Mcallister, TJ House, Danny Salazar and Josh Tomlin will battle for the 5th spot in the rotation. Regardless who the last starter is, this will add depth to the Tribe's bullpen.

- Jason Kipnis underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a damaged extender tendon in his left ring finger. Kipnis was injured while he was performing off-season strength and conditioning activities in Chicago.

- 49ers GM Trent Baalke announces that the team has decided to release DT Ray McDonald from his contract. Police said Wednesday, that they are investigating the San Francisco defensive lineman Ray McDonald on suspicion of sexual assault. This is the second time in recent months that McDonald has been the subject of a police investigation. Last month, the Santa Clara County district attorney's office announced that it declined to file charges against McDonald in a domestic violence investigation stemming from his August 31, 2014 arrest.

- Multiple reports are saying 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh will be fired at season's end. Several media outlets have said the University of Michigan are prepared to offer Harbaugh a 6-year, $49 million dollar contract. $8.17 million dollars a year would make Harbaugh the highest paid head coach in college football.

- Jim Tressel hired Cardinal Mooney high school graduate Bo Pelini to become the head coach of Youngstown State University. The former Nebraska head coach will make $150,000 per year at YSU. Nebraska still owes Pelini $1.8 million dollars a year until February 2019. Not a bad way to make good money at a FCS school and bring credibility back to the program.

- Mount Union QB Kevin Burke won NCAA Division III's highest honor, the Gaglardi Trophy (equivalent to the Heisman trophy) for a second time. He's the first ever two-time winner.

- Here's how the Cleveland Browns rank in fan voting for this years NFL Pro Bowl: