Ten Questions

It’s all about The Game, but there are a few other tilts worth keeping an eye on. Here are the questions I can’t wait to be answered…

1. Will Ohio State’s offense add another chapter in the bad Michigan defense story?
It’s not a huge mystery why Michigan has lost four in a row, six of their last seven, and needs a win over Ohio State to go to a bowl game. Here are some hints:

82nd in pass defense
84th in rush defense
80th in pass efficiency defense
76th in sacks
84th in scoring defense

The game plan for Ohio State is simple tomorrow, and Buckeye fans looking for high octane offense are going to be disappointed. Michigan’s offense can score and their defense is under-sized and highly susceptible to the run. The plan for Ohio State is ball control using the short passing game and heavy doses of run left, run right, run up the middle. The game may be close at the half but Ohio State will simply overpower and run over the Wolverines come the 4th quarter.

Michigan QB Tate Forcier is pixie-like in stature, has small hands (which usually ends up with him fumbling at some point) and hasn’t gotten much help from his offensive line this year. What he does do very well is throw on the run. Because of that, it will be important for the OSU defensive ends to keep Forcier in the pocket and running backwards as much as possible.

Ohio State is favored by 12 and I like them to win by 10.

2. Will the Boren brothers go “Hanson Brothers” on the Wolverines?

One of the few dramatic storylines this week is former Wolverine and current Ohio State Offensive Guard Justin Boren playing against his former team. His departure from Michigan was not quiet with him talking about erosion of family values and so forth.

Justin has been credited for added toughness to the Ohio State offensive line and I’d argue between he and his brother, Freshman Fullback Zach Boren, they’re both responsible for the resurgence of the OSU run game.

Michigan will certainly be gunning for both Boren brothers and I recommend they go a little Hanson on them.

3/4. Who’s going to represent the Pac-10 in the Rose Bowl?
Runner-up game of the week goes to Oregon playing at Arizona in a night game. Actually two great Pac-10 night games with Cal playing at Stanford also.

Oregon and Arizona both control their Rose Bowl destiny, that is of course until one of them loses Saturday. The key matchup will be the Oregon ground game vs. the Arizona rush D. I like Oregon in that matchup.

Despite the game being played at Arizona, the Ducks are favored by 6. Ducks win.

The Cal-Stanford game is very intriguing. Both teams run the ball well and neither team defends the pass. Cal has the better rush defense, at least statistically, so at least on paper that gives them the edge.

If you happen to be at a Cal-Stanford party Saturday night- here are two fun facts for you to drop: Stanford is #1 in the nation in kickoff returns and #2 in sacks allowed.

Stanford is favored by 7; I like Cal in the upset.

5. How stoked are you for Florida/Alabama this weekend?
Actually Florida plays Florida International and Alabama plays Chattanooga. Florida is favored by 45 and there is no line for Alabama because they’re playing a high school team.

You’re welcome.