Rematch? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Rematch
It was inevitable, almost a fore gone conclusion that the loser of the biggest game in the history of mankind would want a rematch. Just like boxing, when many rematches are written into the contract, the Wolverines and their fans are clammoring for one now, after losing to Ohio State by ‘only’ three points. Well, color me against that idea with a bright shade of not a chance. The Wolverines are a good football team, and they played hard in a tough environment, no doubt about it. Are they a better team than the Buckeyes? No way, not 9 times out of 10.
Sure, give the Wolverines 10 shots at Troy Smith and they might stop him once, but even then I’d think twice about it. Just face the facts Michigan Fan, Tryo Smith owns you, Jim Tressel owns you, and the Buckeyes own you. For now at least. Like any great rivalry this one has many ups and downs throughout it’s 100 year history. Right now is a time of upswing for Ohio State, as it was for Michigan during the long departed John Cooper era in Columbus.
The Buckeyes racked up over 500 yards of offense, and led all but 6 minutes of the game, after teh Wolverines took the opening kick-off down the field for a TD. The Bucks quickly built a 21-7 lead. Michigan impressively cut the lead to 21-14, before Ohio State went the length of the field right before halftime, making the score 28-14. That’s the point. Ohio State moved the ball at will. Anytime the Wolverines mounted a challenge, Ohio State imposed it’s will. Even when Michigan DID have the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead, the Buckeyes held them to a 3 and out.
Looking closer at the game, I would even venture to say the Buckeyes played about as poorly as they could have, and STILL scored 42, and dominated the box score. Few times will a team go -3 in the turnover battle in a game of this magnitude and win. The Buckeyes did, and won impressively. Only a late TD kept the score from being double-digits, a testament to Michigan’s never say die attitude. I commend them for that.
What I don’t commend is this farce of a defense Michigan supposedly had. Sure, I know the Buckeyes could spread the field with 4 or 5 wides, debilitating the so-called advantage the Michigan front 7 had, and they did just that. What wasn’t supposed to happen were two long TD runs, one by Chris Wells and one by Antonio Pittman, on a defense that had allowed under 30 yards rushing per game. Ohio State nearly hit the 200 yard mark, and that is a weakness on this team. Not against the Wolverine Defense.
Back to the rematch arguement. I said last week that no matter who won a rematch would be unfair to the winner of the game. After watching the game I think a rematch would be unfair to the fans of college football. Ohio State played poorly and put 42 on Michigan. They won’t play that poorly in the National Championship game, and there is no way Lloyd Carr will out-coach Master Tressel in a gam of that mignitude. And that’s if Carr doesn’t spontaneously combust before the game due to the pressue. Yea, I know, the BCS is supposed to match the two best teams, and thos two teams might just be the Wolverines and Buckeyes. If that’s the case, I welcome the opportunity to throw 50 on ‘Big Blue’. I just don’t Michigan fan would want to be embarrassed again.
Plus, I want to see Pete Carroll face as the Buckeyes trounce USC, or Charlie Weis face if we get to whop Notre Dame again. College Football, I love this game!
Technorati Tags: Ohio State, Michigan, Buckeyes, Wolverinies, BCS National Championship Game, Rematch, Notre Dame, USC, Pete Carroll
November 20th, 2006 at 6:45 pm
A lot of pundits are saying that Michigan deserves to play in the 2006 National Championship against the Ohio State University in spite of losing to them in the regular season finale. I disagree.
Sure, Michigan gave a good account of themselves against Ohio State in a vehemently hostile environment. Sure, the game was a monster matchup considering they were both 11-0, and considering the historic rivalry between the two teams. Sure, they both tore apart each other’s championship calibre defenses. However, consider for a moment that Michigan never lead OSU in the entire game. Consider that Michigan trailed by at least a touchdown almost throughout the game. Consider that Troy Smith and Jim Tressel have had Michigan’s number for the past four years. Do you really want to see a Ohio State Michigan matchup? I certainly don’t.
If USC wins out, then there is no doubt in my mind that they should play for the National Championship. A Jim Tressel-Pete Carroll matchup is as good as it gets! Things get interesting if they don’t. It might then be a tossup between a one-loss SEC team (either Florida or Arkansas is such a possibility at this time), Notre Dame, and Michigan. Arkansas doesn’t quite make the cut because of the sound thrashing USC gave them in their home opener. Notre Dame too was whopped by Michigan at home. So the run is really between a possible one-loss Florida team and Michigan. If Florida puts on a show in its last two games vs. Florida State and Arkansas respectively, then, in my mind, the Gators will have earned their championship berth.
Go Trojans!
November 21st, 2006 at 3:27 pm
Many sports analysists say don’t forget about Michigan. They’re the only team that contains a “quality loss” dropping their only game to Ohio State. They proved they could stay with the NO. 1 Buckeyes and they were absolutley strong enough to give OSU a well deserved scare. Some analysists are going with No. 5 Arkansas. They are the only ubeaten in conference play. The SEC hasn’t been really ranked the easiest conference this year. Face it! Arkansas had a rough schedule and managed to remain on top.
I see it differently. If Notre Dame can prove they are good enough and beat USC, Ohio State needs to drown in worries about a possible match-up with the IRISH. Notre Dame has proved to have a killer offense lead by Brady Quinn. I think with a little luck; they have a shot at the National Title.