The Wolverine Now

eyes have averaged a 37-point margin of victory in their last four games, there is a hint of fallibility in this team. "When you talk about a team scoring 48 points per game that has rolled most of its opponents, you should be convinced, but even against Illinois, it was a two-score game at one time, and there are definitely moments Ohio State loses focus and looks mortal," Maks said. "Urban has really downplayed the winning streak and the significance of it because I think he understands better than most that there are issues on special teams, defensively, and that a team that thinks highly of itself is ripe for an upset. "He's not going to let them get ahead of themselves and celebrate before the game is over and Ohio State has more points than Michigan." The Wolverines have nothing to show for their 2013 season except a single good win over Notre Dame. Ohio State has everything to lose. Those contradictions are not lost on Meyer and his program. So while fans in Ann Arbor are sleepwalking through the week, ready for the year to be over, OSU refuses to be caught looking past The Game. "There are plenty of history lessons in this rivalry in which Michigan has upset Ohio State and ruined their year, and I think the Buckeyes are very wary of walking into Ann Arbor and overlooking Michigan," Maks said. "Urban Meyer just wouldn't have that." ❏ TheWolverine.com Radio On Demand: Talking Ohio State Click this icon to play or stop the podcast! Scouting OHIO STATE'S Offense Scouting OHIO STATE'S Defense Offensive Strength — When the U-M coaching staff points to a Defensive Strength — The Buckeyes feature four of the Big Ten's unit that would represent the future of Michigan's offensive line, in top 10 sack producers, including sophomore Noah Spence, who terms of experience, they might look no further than Ohio State. The ranks second in the league with 7.5 QB takedowns. Overall, the Buckeyes' starting five has totaled 140 combined starts, including Scarlet and Gray are the conference's most proficient at hitting the 37 apiece from senior left tackle Jack Mewhort and senior left guard quarterback, racking up 36 sacks this year, including 20 the past Andrew Norwell. With strength and experience up front, OSU has four games. OSU has also notched 38 tackles for loss in its last four opened bus-sized holes for its running backs; the contests. Scarlet and Gray rank first in the Big Ten in averagDefensive Weakness — Ohio State's ing 314.7 rushing yards per game. secondary likes to take risks, but the Offensive Weakness — Like Michigan State's Buckeyes show one unexpected weakdefense, Ohio State's offense is almost a perfect ness — in the red zone, opponents have unit. The Buckeyes rank in the top three in the been able to pass through the Scarlet Big Ten in eight of 10 offensive categories, sitting and Gray for touchdowns. Ohio State outside in time of possession (fourth, 32:05) and allows a greater proportion of passing passing yards per game (fifth, 216.2). However, touchdowns inside the 20-yard line the Scarlet and Gray are the league's most efthan any team in the Big Ten, 14 total, ficient passing team (164.9 rating) and have the and an average of one every 2.2 trips. biggest passing touchdown to interception marPlayer To Watch — Junior cornergin in the conference (plus-27). back Bradley Roby: A 2012 All-AmerPlayer To Watch — Senior tailback Carlos ican, Roby has already told teammates Hyde: The 6-0, 235-pound bruiser ranks fourth all and coaches that he will enter the time at Ohio State with 38 touchdowns, including NFL Draft after the season. The 5-11, 15 this season. Hyde sat out the first three games 192-pound cornerback has been one of the year due to an off-field incident in the sumof the league's most productive covermer, but since his return he has been one of the men during his career, recording eight conference's most dominant ball carriers, averaginterceptions and 35 passes broken up. ing 133.0 yards per game (one of six Big Ten backs Ohio State senior tailback Carlos Hyde has carried 138 This year, he has 12 passes broken up with 1,000 yards — 1,064) and an incredible 7.7 times for 1,064 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, and three picks, and is third on the team posting a remarkable average of 7.7 yards per rushing with 55 tackles. yards per carry. Player To Watch — Junior receiver Devin attempt. Player To Watch — Freshman defenphoto courtesy Ohio State Smith: One of two Smiths playing the receiver sive end Joey Bosa: One of the nation's position — the other is junior Corey, though they are not related top 50 players in the class of 2013 (No. 47 per Rivals.com), the 6-6, — the 6-1, 198-pounder is one of the top No. 2 targets in the confer275-pound Bosa took a little while to become acclimated, notching ence, catching 40 balls for 591 yards and seven touchdowns. A bigonly two tackles for loss in Ohio State's first five games. However, play threat with seven grabs this season of 20 yards or more, Smith over the past three games, he has, arguably, been the Buckeyes' top teamed up with QB Kenny Guiton to record the longest pass play in pass rusher, recording three sacks among five tackles behind the line school history, going for 90 yards against Cal. of scrimmage. Key Matchup — Michigan defenses have always taken great pride Key Matchup — It's the epitome of strength against weakness. The in being able to shut down an opponent's best player. After allowBuckeyes feature the most fearsome front four in the Big Ten, and a ing OSU quarterback Braxton Miller to go off for 335 yards of total front seven, led by junior linebacker Ryan Shazier, that has averaged offense and three scores in 2011, the Wolverines limited him to 246 6.8 tackles for loss per game. Michigan's offensive line would call that yards and one touchdown in 2012. Miller is better than he was then a good day, after hemorrhaging 48 tackles for loss and 20 sacks in the and will be looking to return to 2011 form. The Maize and Blue know past four games. U-M knows it has to avoid the "play-kills" that have they have to keep him in check to have a chance. stymied drives while Ohio State will be gunning for them. — Michael Spath — Michael Spath THE WOLVERINE • Page 2

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