Ok Ok, I am a realist and recognize PSU is and should be favored. You have a 40 point per game offense, a Heisman candidate and lead the nation in scoring defense. This is not an attempt to say Michigan should be favored etc. I was just reading a few posts and thought it would be fun to lay out a counter point to some of the talk that the Wolverines only have a 12% chance to win, that it should be a slaughter etc.
Full disclosure, I am a third generation Michigan alum and totally biased in a Maize and Blue kind of way (who better to play devil's advocate to the common opinion on the game?). I would say there are ample reasons to take the Wolverines' chances seriously this Saturday.
Reasons to fear the Maize and Blue
1. The last two years our D-line has won the battle against your O-line. Barkley has had 59 and 69 yards against us due to this. McSorley was sacked 6 times last year and looked.. ahh.. not very..hmmm.. let's just go with "horrible" against us last year. Our D-line is getting better numbers this year. It is not unreasonable for Michigan to win this battle again. If our D line dominates your O-line, it will be extremely difficult for your offense to get anything done, no matter how good Barkley and McSorley are. This really could happen, it is not a fantasy.
2. If it turns into a low scoring game, kickers could make the difference. Quinn Nordin may be the best in the conference. I give Michigan a strong edge here.
3. Michigan's run game showed some life last week. A strong run game is a good cure for our other offensive problems
4. John O'Korn could improve (he really can't get much worse). He was a 3000 yard passer as a freshman at Houston. He has some passing skills. He is not playing well right now, but he has only been the starter for two games. Rudock improved markedly throughout the season as Harbaugh worked with him. If we can get modest production from the QB, it should be enough to win a low scoring game.
5. McSorley likes 50/50 balls.. these work great when a talented receiver goes against an average DB who does not know how to find the ball. Our DB's have been very good at turning around and locating the ball. If the QB throws up a long back shoulder throw, it will get picked. He seems to have dialed it back a little this year but who knows what he will do under the lights.
I get it, there are just as many or more reasons to think Michigan will lose. I am just saying that we are not as far apart as people are saying. Well at least maybe we weren't before we lost our #1 WR and QB. That being said, we are one pass away from having the same record as you (either a drop at Iowa for you or a catch against Sparty for us). I think these two teams are more evenly matched than some think, due to the strength of our defense. Granted QB has been a mess the last two games for us. If it does not improve, we are done, not just for this game, but for the year.
If O'Korn does improve, watch out. I think we have a couple advantages that could help us sing The Victors in Happy Valley. Looking forward to Saturday. The atmosphere should be great and hopefully it will be a fun game to watch. Here's hoping both teams stay healthy.
Full disclosure, I am a third generation Michigan alum and totally biased in a Maize and Blue kind of way (who better to play devil's advocate to the common opinion on the game?). I would say there are ample reasons to take the Wolverines' chances seriously this Saturday.
Reasons to fear the Maize and Blue
1. The last two years our D-line has won the battle against your O-line. Barkley has had 59 and 69 yards against us due to this. McSorley was sacked 6 times last year and looked.. ahh.. not very..hmmm.. let's just go with "horrible" against us last year. Our D-line is getting better numbers this year. It is not unreasonable for Michigan to win this battle again. If our D line dominates your O-line, it will be extremely difficult for your offense to get anything done, no matter how good Barkley and McSorley are. This really could happen, it is not a fantasy.
2. If it turns into a low scoring game, kickers could make the difference. Quinn Nordin may be the best in the conference. I give Michigan a strong edge here.
3. Michigan's run game showed some life last week. A strong run game is a good cure for our other offensive problems
4. John O'Korn could improve (he really can't get much worse). He was a 3000 yard passer as a freshman at Houston. He has some passing skills. He is not playing well right now, but he has only been the starter for two games. Rudock improved markedly throughout the season as Harbaugh worked with him. If we can get modest production from the QB, it should be enough to win a low scoring game.
5. McSorley likes 50/50 balls.. these work great when a talented receiver goes against an average DB who does not know how to find the ball. Our DB's have been very good at turning around and locating the ball. If the QB throws up a long back shoulder throw, it will get picked. He seems to have dialed it back a little this year but who knows what he will do under the lights.
I get it, there are just as many or more reasons to think Michigan will lose. I am just saying that we are not as far apart as people are saying. Well at least maybe we weren't before we lost our #1 WR and QB. That being said, we are one pass away from having the same record as you (either a drop at Iowa for you or a catch against Sparty for us). I think these two teams are more evenly matched than some think, due to the strength of our defense. Granted QB has been a mess the last two games for us. If it does not improve, we are done, not just for this game, but for the year.
If O'Korn does improve, watch out. I think we have a couple advantages that could help us sing The Victors in Happy Valley. Looking forward to Saturday. The atmosphere should be great and hopefully it will be a fun game to watch. Here's hoping both teams stay healthy.
