It has become “official”. Michigan and Ohio State will be undefeated going into their rivalry game to finish their seasons.

Espn is calling this game Armageddon and we shall see if that holds up.
I'm pulling for the Big Blue but am definitely not saying they are going to win.
Both are 11-0 and ranked 1 and 2 in the AP Poll, the Coaches Poll, and the BCS Poll. Both had huge wins, and on the road, early in the season against BCS contenders. Michigan beat Notre Dame in South Bend 47-21 and Ohio State beat Texas 24-7. The winner is going to the national championship game in Glendale.
Most of us are not going to be watching this cause we will be attending N.C. State
at UNC. But if you can, enjoy this game, it's the biggest rivalry in college football and the
first time since 1973 both teams are undefeated going into the game. This might be the greatest one ever. Michigan leads the overall series (57-39-1) I believe, but we know Tressel leads Carr in their series (4-1). GO BLUE!!!

Michigan Playmakers:

Chad Henne is one of the best quick drop pocket passers in college football. Efficient and has a very strong arm. Lacks foot speed often but has shown it. His favorite target is Mario Manningham with the deep ball and Adrian Arrington in Mario's absence. Steve Breaston is his short ball man. Chad has stepped it up in the biggest games of the year for Michigan. (Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa) That might show he could come out unphased and firing.


Michael Hart although not the biggest of backs is argued to be the best in College Football. He follows a great offensive line of zone blockers. Probably the best vision in the country helps him to find holes and his small stature enables him to fit through the smaller ones. Lacks foot speed and the ability to break the long TD. But also very efficient averaging over 4 yards a carry through the entire season. Said he loves the atmosphere in Ohio and the shit talking that they give him as he takes the field.


Mario Manningham is easily top 4 of the best receivers in college football. Very quick off the line and his break out speed is also spectacular (probably 2nd behind you know who on the other side of the ball this game). Has great fly, wheel, and post routes and his Henne's favorite target. If healthy, he is going to make a huge difference on the field for Michigan, as well as a large motivational difference.


It's very honest to say Steve Breaston doesn't belong on the playmakers list as he has not had any huge plays for Michigan this year. But the possibility of his strikes is never overlooked in the opponents' gameplans. He can have huge kickoff and punt returns as his vision for finding gaps is wonderful and he has pretty good speed. Also, he is extremely efficient on the short pass plays as the ball is thrown along the line of scrimmage and he turns it into 6-7 yards plays pretty consistently. Look for this game for him to have some breakouts.

Ohio State Playmakers:

With a win Troy Smith all but secures the Heisman Trophy. On top of making spectacular plays he has one of the strongest arms in college football. Along with that great footwork and incredible pocket instinct. Used his footwork more against Michigan in the previous two games and probably will be using it November 18th. Troy is 2-0 against his rival and will not want to leave with a loss.


The fastest man in college football. Ted Ginn Jr. is really going to disrupt the special teams for this game as Michigan is going to have to adjust to avoid giving him the ball, or how to contain him. Ginn is also a very likely target at wide receiver and as we saw against Indiana, he can throw the reverse option pass.


Anthony Gonzalez is said to be the most efficient receiver for this Ohio State receiving squad. With incredible speed and route abilities he is the most likely target for Troy Smith to throw to. His size is also a huge positive.

The Notable Names:
Lamar Woodley: All American defensive end for Michigan. Smaller guy with great strength and speed and experienced moves. Will be a factor for getting pressure to Troy Smith.
Leon Hall: All American cornerback for Michigan. Great speed and always has great position with the deep ball. Needs to play to his potential to stop Ginn and Gonzalez.
Ron English: Michigan's new defensive coordinator. Has made Michigan the top run defense after taking over for Jim Hermann this year. A very intense coach that will need to keep Michigan's defense firing and schemed to stop the pass and Troy Smith's scrambling abilities that they have not been able to stop in the past.

Antonio Pittman: Running back for Ohio State. Underrated back who isn't given much attention as the passing game of the two heisman candidates is glorified. But this back is amazing and a surprise run-first strategy could shock the Wolverines with this great back.
Jim Tressel: Not so much a notable as he is the head coach. But 4-1 vs. Lloyd Carr as he has broken that curse that John Cooper bestowed upon Ohio State vs. Michigan. Jim Tressel seems like the best coach out there for keeping a team focused and settled for a huge game like this.

ABC 3:30 November 18th.......

11/11/2006 10:36:07 PM

This is the national championship game. Best two teams in the nation, period. It sucks that they can't play on neutral field.

11/11/2006 10:45:30 PM

actually the national championship is in january in glendale

11/11/2006 10:47:21 PM

I don't think this game will be as close as everyone thinks. I'm looking for a Louisville-WV repeat.

11/11/2006 10:47:53 PM

^guess he missed your point packman

11/11/2006 10:47:57 PM

words

11/11/2006 11:38:11 PM

good post, managed to get me even more excited about this game.

i don't think michigan can score enough points to match OSU, just my opinion.
Hart will be the key to the game for mich.

11/12/2006 12:50:20 AM

Quote :

"I don't think this game will be as close as everyone thinks. I'm looking for a Louisville-WV repeat."

you say that as if wvu got blown out or something

11/12/2006 12:55:53 AM

Buckeyes roll...Blue comes back to earth with a THUD

11/12/2006 1:37:52 AM

go bucs!

11/12/2006 10:52:42 AM

what if this game sucks?

11/12/2006 1:26:34 PM

michigan will win this game. they have a better defense and a more stable pro style offense.

11/12/2006 1:30:30 PM

Quote :

"a more stable pro style offense."

whew, good thing for Ohio State that this is a college game

11/12/2006 1:31:22 PM

^

[Edited on November 12, 2006 at 1:33 PM. Reason : ^]

11/12/2006 1:32:19 PM

hahaha

11/12/2006 2:22:20 PM

You did make a thread, just like you said you would. It's too bad you gayed it up by including "Armageddon" in the title. Yeesh.

11/12/2006 3:38:34 PM

well i think ohio stats offense is better for taking advantage of a regular college defense but i like michigans better to go up against a big time dominant defense like the two in this game. when theres more pressure a pro style quick drop passing attack is more effective. sure smiths mobility will help with the pressure but that will cause more chaos which i think will lead to some turnovers. michigan wins a close one.

11/12/2006 3:41:45 PM

yepp, ohio state just has a quick strike offense against weak defenses... michigan's offense grinds down any defense starting with the run... michigan, having a better defense than any team ohio state has played will force them to drive down the field and eliminate the big plays... well hopefully, thats the correct prediction... and thats how michigan can win this game

11/12/2006 3:46:29 PM

Replying to hcn just to bump your thread? Ouch

11/12/2006 3:49:50 PM

bump

11/12/2006 3:52:36 PM

bttt so everyone can see how gay it is.

11/12/2006 3:54:15 PM

Quote :

"bump"

11/12/2006 8:47:36 PM

so... here's the hype videos that have come out


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCGMC2_190M&search=Michigan%20football%202006%20State

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_kPGnzCbNs&NR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUeOETzx1nU&mode=related&search=Michigan%20football%202006%20State

11/13/2006 1:11:26 AM

Wolverines.

11/13/2006 6:45:52 AM

The only outcome that would make me happy:

Michigan: 84
Ohio State: -3

So I'm guaranteed to be disappointed.

11/13/2006 7:46:41 AM

Michigan wins by 2 TD's

11/13/2006 8:41:07 AM

i dont know how any NC State fan could NOT hate ohio state

11/13/2006 2:32:51 PM

espn classic right now. i think 1978 game

11/13/2006 2:40:06 PM

^^just b/c OSU won both games shouldn't make you hate them.

11/13/2006 3:36:28 PM

how about because their massive bandwagon base is only rivaled by UNC bball and Cowboys NFL ball?

how about because they have 1 title in the last 35 years and they act like they're the best program in the history of college football?

fuck THE gay ohio state university

11/13/2006 4:06:59 PM

that just sounds like whining to me.

11/13/2006 4:07:50 PM

it is whining

so fucking what

fuck that gay school

actually its more bitching than whining imo

[Edited on November 13, 2006 at 4:08 PM. Reason : .]

11/13/2006 4:08:10 PM

..and what does that have to do with nc state fans? thats just generally whining....not explaining why specifically nc state fans shouldnt like them.

are you saying state fans should be bitter about any team that has a bigger fanbase than us?



[Edited on November 13, 2006 at 4:18 PM. Reason : f]

11/13/2006 4:16:09 PM

GO BLUE


Three of my cousins have graduated from Ann Arbor

I'll be watching this one at Duffy's in Chicago

11/13/2006 4:21:19 PM

so anyone think that I'll be able to leave the n.c. state @ unc game early b/c state will be up 35-7 in the 4th so that I can speed home and catch all of this game

11/13/2006 4:23:06 PM

I think that no matter what the loser of this game will be #2 in the nation and winner #1 and this will be round 1, where round 2 will be the national championship game...

Rutgers/Boise State's schedule sucks and both michigan and OSU are better than all the 1 loss teams

11/13/2006 4:24:20 PM

Why did we sign up for tickets to go to Kenan Saturday???

I wish I could see this game....maybe Ill have someone tape it.

Oh and for the record I am a huge NC State fan and I actually want tOSU to win. So fuck me too I guess.

11/13/2006 4:40:57 PM

I don't think there's as much of a bandwagon fan base as you think. Do you know how many people go to that school? It's fucking HUGE! thus, they have tons of alumni all over the nation. I like ohio state and it's because my mom is alumni and I'm from ohio. Plus, my grandparents lived in columbus for years and we'd go to games all the time. I think most people have similar ties.

if you want to talk about bandwagon, lets talk about notre dame.

11/13/2006 4:50:14 PM

I don't think ND has a huge bandwagon. If you're an Irish Catholic from New England (like I am) or the NYC area you like Notre Dame. That's just the way it is and always has been. My grandfather, my father, myself, and my brother are all huge ND fans. We went to every game they played inthe Tri-State area, which was a lot until recently. Their fanbase is comprised of alumni and Irish Catholics mostly. Sure, there are some bandwagoners like with everyone, but it's not as easy as saying "you didn't go there, so you're a bandwagon fan."

[Edited on November 13, 2006 at 4:56 PM. Reason : x]

11/13/2006 4:56:13 PM

ehhh, not sure if I jive with that. I mean, that's the reason I think they're bandwagon and all, but whatever...

11/13/2006 5:04:21 PM

Quote :

"are you saying state fans should be bitter about any team that has a bigger fanbase than us?"

you shouldnt pull for a team that beat you the last 2 times you played them

Quote :

"I think that no matter what the loser of this game will be #2 in the nation and winner #1 and this will be round 1, where round 2 will be the national championship game... Rutgers/Boise State's schedule sucks and both michigan and OSU are better than all the 1 loss teams"

yeah except if USC wins out they will definitely be in the NC game

11/13/2006 5:10:47 PM

If USC and ND win out until they meet, the winner will be in the NC game. I don't see a Mich/Ohio State rematch.

11/13/2006 5:24:04 PM

If Notre Dame beats USC and theres a 1 loss SEC team that wins the SEC, I think they would go ahead of ND

11/13/2006 5:47:36 PM

Jesus PackGuitar, you have a lot of time on your hands....I enjoyed the game review though Good job

11/13/2006 5:55:49 PM

Go Buckeyes, can't root for the wolverines since they had to go and put the boots to ncsu in the only state bowl game i've ever been able to go to...

[Edited on November 13, 2006 at 7:57 PM. Reason : TreeTwista10's got NOTHING on my ability to hold a grudge...]

11/13/2006 7:52:43 PM

Quote :

"Jesus PackGuitar, you have a lot of time on your hands....I enjoyed the game review though Good job"

haha, yea im a huge michigan fan... i can see it comes off as too much time though

11/13/2006 10:34:05 PM

http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncf/index

watch the bob ufer clips,,, that guy is an amazing broadcaster

11/14/2006 12:33:51 PM

OSU has more similarities to NC State. Michigan is more like a UNC. State fan should back the buckeyes.

11/14/2006 2:24:19 PM

OSU has this shit on lock

no way big blue wins

11/14/2006 2:28:40 PM

Go BLUE! Henne will Bomb Columbus!

11/14/2006 2:36:38 PM