The Portland Buckeyes

Tressels,

I want the Bucks to beat Michigan BADLY this weekend. I don’t want to see the Bucks play a good game, but come up short. I don’t want to see a moral victory. I want to see them win BIG. I want to beat Michigan because of Tim Biakabatuka. I want to beat Michigan because of The Slip. I want to beat them because of wide-left FG attempts in the Eighties. I want to beat them to make the winter seem shorter. I want to beat them to make beer taste better. I want to beat them because of their annoying fight song. I want to beat them because of their ugly helmets. I want to beat them for Charles Lovett Palmer III, Charles Lovett Palmer IV and Charles Lovett Palmer V. I want to beat them because of Charles Woodson. I want to beat them because of Braylon Edwards. I want to beat them for my Uncle Garth. I want the Bucks to pull a “Woody Hayes” & go for 2 even if they are up big late in the 4th quarter. I want Michigan fans to know that OSU is no longer an automatic win – as it was during the Cooper era. I want Michigan fans to quit their annoying counter that Michigan State is their big rival. I want to beat them, so people wearing Michigan apparel in Columbus put that crap in the closet. I want to dash Michigan’s hopes of salvaging their season. I want to beat them for Mr. Kingsboro who annually led us as kids in Script Ohio on the playground @ Tremont Elementry the Friday before the Michigan game. I want to beat them for the Portland Buckeyes. I want to beat them because of Prescott Burgess and Mario Manningham. I want to beat them for Tino. I want to beat them because of Mike Hart. I want to beat them for Austin and his proud singing of his “Ohio State Football Song.” I want to beat them, so we can go win the Rose Bowl (keep your fingers crossed). I want to beat them for Jason “Mr. Green Jeans” Blackburn and his Buckeye-fanatic wife who go to every game — home and away. I want to beat them for (or because of) apple bottom jeans. I want to beat them because of the little dog that bit my friend John after the IU game a few seasons ago. I want to beat them for the Congo van. I want to beat them for kids playing football at Northam Park until early late-Fall sunsets. I want to beat them for 1711 Cardiff Road. I want to beat them for displaced Buckeye fans who think of home. I want to beat them for our gracious host in Phoenix for the 2002 Championship Game. I want to beat them for bragging rights to the biggest rivalry in College Football. I want to beat them for Nels and his generous tailgates. I want to beat them for the Dougherty brothers and their outstanding fried turkey. I want to beat them for those long-time fans who revere the Rose Bowl as the ultimate College Football game — and always will. I want to beat them for my cooking, pacing friend who hosted me for the Penn State game in 2007. I want to beat them because of my frustration trying to get a hot dog in Evanston. I want to beat them for memories under the Buckeye tree in my grandma’s side yard. I want to beat them for family reunions using football Saturdays as the catalyst. I want to beat them for the Buckeye necklaces my Aunt Penny made. I want to beat them to make the Friday night Tommy’s wait shorter. I want to beat them for “Jake’s Place.” I want to beat them for Steiny-gate. I want to beat them for Mike’s sloppy joes. I want to beat them for Brandon Saine taking the time to sign an autograph for every kid in Mrs. Emery’s third grade class. I want to beat them for the kids at Children’s Hospital who unexpectedly received a visit from Troy Smith and Antonio Smith a few years ago the night before the #1 vs. #2 Michigan game.

This list could have no end…

For this game, forget everything you know about these teams up to this point. It doesn’t matter. The numbers don’t mean anything. The previous wins and previous losses have no affect on the outcome of this one game. This game IS the season. All the other games just give us things to cheer about. They are a nice distraction — reasons to get everyone together despite errands and bills. They are comforting traditions — like Buckeyes from the tree in Grandma’s sideyard, running around the stadium with family early gameday Saturdays and the Sunday morning Dispatch.

This week, I’ve been conflicted with simultaneous feelings of masochism and paranoia.

I find myself hoping that Michigan is not this bad. Is there something wrong with me? Oddly, it gives me no pleasure having the sworn enemy viewed as a museum. A place where people can go to view artifacts from a great war that took place a long time ago. An antagonist preserved at 72 degrees and 50% humidity. No real threat of modern-day escape.

However, I can still vividly remember when things were all too real. When Buckeye wide receivers prematurely guaranteed victory. When Jonathan Wells mistakenly cut a run back to the middle of the field and was caught from behind. When pompous Heisman poses were struck.

I find myself projecting these images to 2009 and become uneasy. I know there is something wrong with me.

On paper, the Michigan defense wouldn’t seem formidable. They are near the bottom in most statisical categories. UM’s ineffectiveness can be partially credited to talent and partially to scheme. Michigan is under its third defensive coordinator in three years. Remember how confused Ohio State seemed the first year under Tressel’s staff? You can see the same thing with this year’s Michigan defense. Too frequently, UM defenders are out-of-position and miss their assignment. 50-yard touchdowns are not uncommon. The 3-4 defensive scheme can open up the running game for opponents. Ohio State has topped 200 yards rushing the last four games, so Michigan will need to have an inspired performance. From a talent standpoint, UM starts two freshmen and two walk-ons on defense. That probably shouldn’t happen at Michigan.

But, nothing is a given this weekend. For this game, I have a feeling that Michigan’s defense plays sound assignment football and rises to the occasion.

Brandon Graham is the key. Ohio State needs to block this guy. Purdue’s defensive end (Ryan Kerrigan) single-handedly disrupted the Ohio State offense and he’s no Brandon Graham. If the Wolverines need any extra motivation, I’m sure Graham (and the rest of the UM defense) would like to extend a warm welcome to Justin Boren.

It will be very interesting to see what the Bucks want to do on offense. In theory, Ohio State could dictate how competitive the Michigan defense will be. I think Ohio State will try to establish the run early. Why not? The Ohio State offensive line, fullback and running backs are coming together. If the run is working early, then Tressel won’t go away from it. Both, Boom and Brandon could easily top 20 carries.

Also, if the Bucks get up early (probably through a mix of run/pass), then Tresselball will be in full effect. We could have a repeat of the 2007 Michigan game, but without the poor field conditions. Terrelle stat line in the second half could be 0/0 passing for 0 yards and 0 interceptions. Hold on and hope the lead is sizable enough. One note of consolation — in The Game, Coach Tressel has shown a greater tendency to “open it up.” (This is obviously a relative term.) I personally would love to see a constant blend of bad intentions with Terrelle, Boom, Posey, Dane and Saine. If you’re going to put the pedal to the floor, this is the time to do it.

So, I’m not sure what to expect from the Ohio State offense. It’s kinda up to them, but I think Ohio State will get Michigan’s best game.

Michigan has shown signs of life on the offensive side of the ball this year. Forcier really burst onto the scene with a lot of moxy and come from behind victories; but, looked more like a freshman QB as the year progressed. For Michigan to have a shot, I think it will be up to Forcier to force the action.

Reports indicate that Michigan’s best running back, Brandon Minor, could be out for this game. So, Tate is probably their best threat. Purdue showed others the blueprint for attacking the Buckeye defense — quick screens, slants and underneath routes that keep the chains moving and loosen up the defense.

This will not be the easiest task. Michigan lost their best offensive player when their starting center (Molk) went down with an injury. His replacement looks more like someone who would hang out at Sabo’s Camping than the weight room. But, we’ve seen the Michigan offensive line rise to the occassion in the past. They need to play a perfect game against the OSU defensive linemen. I would expect a four-man defensive front and an active backfield.

Just like last week, if neither team is turning over the ball nor gaining yards, Ohio State will slowly lose a game of field position. Michigan’s punter (Mesko) can outkick Thoma – who is struggling recently. Hopefully, it’s not purely a game of field position.

Writing has helped me feel a lot less conflicted. We are almost to the resolve.

In the end, I know there is one Saturday a year where we can count on things momentarily being as they should be. We have the simplicity of good versus evil. Good guys and bad guys are clearly marked. And, this one will go as it should.

Touchdowns: Posey, Saine, Dane, Boom

OSU 31 Michigan 17

Go Bucks! Beat Michigan! Thaddeus Gibson for Heisman!

Large Father

Written by Matt Johnson, Nov. 20th, 2009