Poll: OSU or Michigan

[CatManTrue]

Alright, next weekend in Columbus OH will determine which team we will face in the Big Ten Championship: Michigan or OSU.

Which team would you rather face? We have lots of history with both programs - and recently some pretty competitive games - so I’m curious which team that you would rather face in Indy (and why).

 

[PURPLE Book Cat]

Really? We match up much better against the Wolverines.

 

[CatManTrue]

Really? We match up much better against the Wolverines.

Why? OSU’s defense is exposed often and we have a running game now, and our defense is designed to prevent the big play, stop the run, and rush the passer.

Plus we already lost to Michigan in a game where we were dominated in the second half... I could see the argument both ways.

 

[FloridAlum]

OK, I voted for Ohio State simply because I think Michigan has been playing much better recently.

 

[corbi2961]

Really? We match up much better against the Wolverines.

I also want to play Michigan but I don't think we match up better with them. I think we have more similarities with Michigan and therefore the game is more likely to be close. OSU is more explosive but also has more weaknesses for us to exploit. I want to beat Michigan but think we have a better chance of winning against OSU.

 

[zeek55]

Ohio State's defense has been a mess all season. Gives up big plays across the board.

Their OL has been off and on, but they do have a good passing game.

I think we'd beat Ohio State solidly based on how our two teams have played the last 4 weeks.


Michigan is harder to gauge; I think we can get into a close low scoring game like we played against Iowa or the previous Michigan game. Their defense can be stifling against the pass. They play at a more consistently high level than Ohio State across the board.


Either is beatable the way those two teams played. I just prefer Ohio State because they can play really flat and uninspired during games, and they might be flat after a win against Michigan.

Michigan is basically a toss up. I can see us in a battle that comes down to the final drives.

 

[BigCatFan19]

Ohio State strengths would start with a vertical passing game that will stretch the defense. Post patterns, Seem Routes, and Fades. I think our defense backs will need to healthy to handle that talent in a dome stadium.

 

[EvanstonCat]

Really? We match up much better against the Wolverines.

Don't care. This is about justice and revenge. Payback is a ***** Buckeyes.

 

[zbag51]

I have no actual football reasons to choose dOSU. But I am good friends (sorry, they are family friends) with several dOSU fans. I want to beat them head to head.

 

[olsh]

Rather see Michigan beat Ohio State as a general rule every year ..... but feel like we have a better shot of beating Ohio State than Michigan. Ohio State is sloppier and I think more likely to have a let down without a real path to the CFP.

But most importantly, I hope we are healthy in the secondary and capable of playing our best game defensively, which I think is going to be the most important factor.

 

[HappyNUyear_rivals517720]

I demand a recount

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

I voted OSU because a) I can't stand the thought of losing again to Mich b) OSU looks like a paper tiger, and c) it will mean Mich would have lost yet AGAIN to osu

 

[Figrating]

UM 'cause I hate them slightly more.

 

[ubercat]

OSU, because I want to see Urban's head explode.

 

[HappyNUyear_rivals517720]

OSU, because I want to see Urban's head explode.

I believe he’s lost hair this year, every time he pulls on it.

 

[RazzmaChas]

I definitely want OSU. For me, it's completely personal. I grew up in Ohio and have family that went to OSU and many friends that are fans.

I would just love to watch the social media build up and then complete meltdown after we beat them.

Plus, watching Buckeyeman, and Buck-I-Guy in complete disbelief on national TV would be priceless.

As an aside, I saw a lot of NU//OSU games in Columbus growing up because those tickets were always easier to come by and less expensive.

 

[Kawacko71]

Alright, next weekend in Columbus OH will determine which team we will face in the Big Ten Championship: Michigan or OSU.

Which team would you rather face? We have lots of history with both programs - and recently some pretty competitive games - so I’m curious which team that you would rather face in Indy (and why).

We get to sit back as they play for the privilege to play the '
CATS.

 

[stpaulcat]

Ohio State's defense has been a mess all season. Gives up big plays across the board.

Their OL has been off and on, but they do have a good passing game.

I think we'd beat Ohio State solidly based on how our two teams have played the last 4 weeks.


Michigan is harder to gauge; I think we can get into a close low scoring game like we played against Iowa or the previous Michigan game. Their defense can be stifling against the pass. They play at a more consistently high level than Ohio State across the board.


Either is beatable the way those two teams played. I just prefer Ohio State because they can play really flat and uninspired during games, and they might be flat after a win against Michigan.

Michigan is basically a toss up. I can see us in a battle that comes down to the final drives.

If what you say is true, we likely play Michigan, regardless of what we might want..

 

[stpaulcat]

OSU, because I want to see Urban's head explode.

I just want to see it reshape into a normal head.

 

[leathercat]

Definitely OSU. Hopefully would help in one of the hotbeds of recruiting....Ohio

 

[pipernavajo123]

I confess. I, a devoted Michigan fan, and outsider, voted for Ohio state. Forgive me for trying to influence the vote.

Ohio state will win big this week. Absolutely no chance they lose.

 

[zeek55]

If what you say is true, we likely play Michigan, regardless of what we might want..

Yeah, I think Michigan is very likely to win this week because they're playing at a much higher level defensively, but Ohio State has a chance because of the talent they have and OSU is the home team.

It feels like Michigan is a 3-6 point favorite. But at this level, that's nowhere near a certainty.

 

[BigCatFan19]

The projected weather in Columbus for Saturday's game is rain. This could be a factor or not

 

[DaCat]

My heart says dOSU, beating them would be sweet and bring back fond memories of Noah Herron and Jeff Backes and co.

Then my heart says Michigan, because it would really destroy the hopes and dreams of Harbag who would be looking ahead confidently to the playoffs. It would also avenge our only B1G loss in the past 15 games to date. It'll be right in so many ways to beat them in the championship game.

 

[Smolmania]

If Blue wins, their fans will descend on Indy in droves. I’m still hoping that some rooms in the dt hotels open up, and believe that Buckeye fans will be less likely to make yet another trip bc their team has been so spotty this year

 

[BigCatFan19]

If Blue wins, their fans will descend on Indy in droves. I’m still hoping that some rooms in the dt hotels open up, and believe that Buckeye fans will be less likely to make yet another trip bc their team has been so spotty this year

Under normal circumstances NU fan base would hard to mobilize to Indy in 1 week. However, 3 weeks as created a major difference in attendance as we all know. I know that the East Representative will receive 10k tickets to the game. But the Hotels and Downtown will be Purple - Trying to find a room this past weekend was problematic and they are filling up fast.

Paint the town Purple
Go Cats !!!

 

[Noah121]

I have no preference, as I think that the way that we are playing, both teams are beatable.

The revenge factor is in play against both teams, since both of them have had our number in the last decade, sometimes in the most frustrating games (#GameDay13, #BleedingFlag13, #M00N14).

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

We match up with Ohio State better

 

[Deeringfish]

UM is going to destroy tosu. They don't even deserve capitol letters. So it will be UM even though I would rather play tosu.

 

[hdhntr1]

Why? OSU’s defense is exposed often and we have a running game now, and our defense is designed to prevent the big play, stop the run, and rush the passer.

Plus we already lost to Michigan in a game where we were dominated in the second half... I could see the argument both ways.

Also, Patterson is the kind of QB we tend to have trouble with. See also Book.

 

[CatManTrue]

Also, Patterson is the kind of QB we tend to have trouble with. See also Book.

We did pretty well against him in the first game. His scrambling ability hurt us in the second half, but Haskins isn’t exactly immobile himself.

Also wouldn’t a win over OSU mean that Fitz finally would have beaten every team in the B1G, including Rutgers & Maryland?

 

[Just Gary]

I rather beat Michigan because beating them would do more for our program. Michigan would come in ranked #4. OSU losing to UM would pretty much depress all the Buckeye fans until next fall. But us beating Michigan in the championship game would hurt that fanbase for at least a decade. We would get much more respect beating UM, get a bigger boost on the poll, and would end up ranked higher in the final rankings.

 

[BigCatFur]

I voted for Michigan simply because I am hoping it might increase our chances getting OL guys like Keegan and Myles Hinton who have offers from both schools.

 

[Williesfan]

I would rather face OSU however Michigan is going to TCB.

 

[NU 71 72 74]

Really? We match up much better against the Wolverines.

Exactly, plus we know them head to head this year. tOSU too much speed and size at WR and if they happen to "show up" it could be trouble. We have a fine chance to beat blue.

.02 and, Go Cats !!

 

[LPk_cat]

Really? We match up much better against the Wolverines.

On BTN yesterday, Corey Wootton's said that we match up better with Michigan and that the individual talent on the dOSU team was a greater problem.

 

[stpaulcat]

On BTN yesterday, Corey Wootton's said that we match up better with Michigan and that the individual talent on the dOSU team was a greater problem.

Either is going to be a difficult win, but if we play physical and CT has an accurate passing day, it is possible we beat either of them. I picked OSU to play, because Michigan has really come together as a team, although what you say is true--if OSU is psyched, they will burn us with their talent, as did ND.

 

[zeek55]

On BTN yesterday, Corey Wootton's said that we match up better with Michigan and that the individual talent on the dOSU team was a greater problem.

The problem is that Michigan plays like a team that's more than the sum of its parts. Ohio State doesn't.


It really comes down to which matchups matter.

Bowser could put up 200 yards on Ohio State with how good our OL run blocking has been and how bad Ohio State's front 7 tackling has been.

Against Michigan's far more stout front 7 that probably gets cut in half to 100 yards.


Conversely, our defense is much better built to keep Michigan's offense in check, while Ohio State's has much better "big play" potential.


A win against Michigan probably looks like a 24-20 kind of game, while a win against Ohio State probably looks like a 35-28 kind of game.

 

[CatManTrue]

On BTN yesterday, Corey Wootton's said that we match up better with Michigan and that the individual talent on the dOSU team was a greater problem.

Well to contradict my former Sargent Hall cafeteria compatriot, I admit that I want OSU.

While we may match up better against Michigan on paper, Fitz has rarely beaten them (any theories?) and their comeback from 17 points down may have lingering psychological effects on this team.

Plus it’d be a pleasure to send Urban Meyer off into the B1G sunset with a loss, and clinch our first Rose Bowl since 1995 with the one “power” we didn’t beat that season... or in any season where we’ve ever won a championship. Last time I checked, We’ve never beaten or even played OSU in the same season that we won a B1G championship. Ending that narrative would help us significantly in recruiting the Buckeye State.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Well to contradict my former Sargent Hall cafeteria compatriot, I admit that I want OSU.

While we may match up better against Michigan on paper, Fitz has rarely beaten them (any theories?) and their comeback from 17 points down may have lingering psychological effects on this team.

Plus it’d be a pleasure to send Urban Meyer off into the B1G sunset with a loss, and clinch our first Rose Bowl since 1995 with the one “power” we didn’t beat that season... or in any season where we’ve ever won a championship. Last time I checked, We’ve never beaten or even played OSU in the same season that we won a B1G championship. Ending that narrative would help us significantly in recruiting the Buckeye State.

Beating either team would be a game changer in recruiting. It wouldn’t just be the Buckeye State.