Michigan vs. Ohio State, break it down?

I've watched both teams play in person. It will be a battle.

I give the following...

1. Ohio State offense over Michigan offense...slightly. Both have explosive RB's and WR's. I give Troy Smith a slight edge over Chad Henne due to his mobility.

2. Michigan's team speed on defense is amazing. Their D-Line is better than Ohio States and their LB's are just as fast. Maybe can't tackle as well, but they swarm the ball. DB's i rate as a push. I like Michigan's defense over OSU....slightly again.

3. I like Ohio States special teams. Rivas is just too streaky in my mind. He's had a good year, but you can't overlook his past. Punting is a wildcard because neither team has had to punt much. I give that edge to OSU though because of past history. Both returners are amazing. Breston and Ginn...need to say no mroe. Slight edge to OSU.

4. If I had to pick one, i like Hart over Pittman and Wells. Of course it helps to be behind that massive offensive line of Michigans.

5. OSU. The mobility of Smith just adds a deminsion and the speed of Ginn can vertically stretch the field.

6. Michigan. They look like an NFL line. Their size is amazing.

7. Michigan again. That D-Line is not only fast, but is big.

8. OSU. Lurniatis is an amazing player. If he can carrol Hart, then the OSU DE's can go after Henne. He's the key to OSU's defense.

9. Push. Nothing really stands out for either team at that position to me. They're good, but not great.

10. Tressel gets the nod bigtime. Face it, he owns Michigan, and Carr always seems to lose the big games in the 2000's.

11. Ohio State. It's in the shoe with 110,000 screaming fans.

FINAL

Ohio State 20

Michigan 17

It will be a classic.

1. Overall offense-As much as it pains me...Ohio St.

2. Overall defense-MICHIGAN!

3. Special teams-Ginn Jr. is probably the most dangerous/explosive returner in the country. For that reason I would suggest that OSU has the advantage, but not by much over Michigan's Breaston who is no slouch himself.

4. Rushing-This is where I think there's a toss-up. I think Hart may have a slight advantage but not by much over Pittman.

5. Passing-OSU has the "proven" edge in this category with Ginn Jr. Gonzalez and Ullery...that being said...Manningham, Breaston, and Arrington have a HUGE up-side...will they live up to it?

6. O-Line-Michigan but again these two schools will always be close in this category. Although Jake Long is the best of the best!

7. D-Line-Michigan...Trying to avoid the cliche's of the "experts", I believe that this UNIT is one of the finest in the country. They can change the face of a game all by themselves! Woodley is as scary a defensive end as I've seen in a while with Julius Pepper's Type potential.

8. Linebackers-Last year, clearly OSU! This year, with the exception of Laurinaitis, I think Michigan has the edge. Burgess, Crable, and Harris are just so fast to the ball...I think they'll be the difference makers.

9. Defensive backfield-Here's another toss-up in my opinion. Both groups are quite strong, but facing the OSU receiver's may give OSU the advantage in this area.

10. Coaching-Tressel has certainly proven his "worthiness" since coming to OSU. I would have to give OSU the nod here.

11. Confidence-IT"S A RIVALRY GAME! Both of these teams bring very proud traditions to the table. They never go into this game thinking that their going to lose. Obviously someone has to...but not because of a lack of confidence.

12. QB-Troy Smith is the X-factor. If Mich can spy him enough to keep him "contained" the game is theirs for the taking...however...Michigans achilles heal has always been an Athletic QB (please see 2005 Rose Bowl against Texas-Vince Young).

Prediction: I've got to go with BIG BLUE! 27-24

1. Ohio State

2. Even

3. Ohio State

4. Even

5. Ohio State by a ton

6. Ohio State

7. Michigan

8. Michigan

9. Ohio State

10. Ohio State

11. Ohio State

27-10 Buckeyes.

1. OSU only because smith is better than henne

2. Mich Doesn't give up yards OSU doesn't give up Points and its the points than matter-OSU

3.OSU-Tedd ginn!!!

4.MICH only because Hart never fumbles and OSU has had some problems fumbling

5.OSU too many weapons (Robiskie!)

6.MICH

7. MICH best in country no doubt

8. OSU

9.EVEN

10. I think this is the biggest factor. I expect Tressel to open up the Play book in the first half Like he did against ND last year. (A reverse pass Ginn to Gonzalez wouldn't surpise me). OSU

11. This is what scares me about MICH. They know they are the underdog and pulling this upset would be beautiful for them. I give it to them because they have alot to prove.

OSU Edges it out 27-24

1) ohio St. - too many weapons

2) Michigan - run stoppers a plenty

3) push - kicking is avg for both teams, and what ginn takes in athletic ability, breaston makes up for expirence and awareness.

4)michigan - hart is a flat out beast

5) ohio st. - again to many weapons and smith is playing out of his mind

6)michigan - hosses who know how to get the job done

7) michigan - fast skilled expirenced team

8)ohio st. - laurenitis is insanely fast and will pick off navare once saturday

9)ohio st - they dont have to go up against the ohio st. recieveing core

10)ohio st - tressel has never lost to carr, and carr isnt known for his great game scemeing

11)push #1vs#2 neither team would be undefeated if they didnt have confidence.

12) OHIO ST 24

MICHIGAN 17

1.) ohio, but only cause of troy smith, so barely

2.) michigan

3.) ohio, not cause of ginn, cause stevie wonder can match him, but because of the overall special teams of ohio

4.) michigan, harts amazing and i dont really expect to see pittman or the rest of the scarlet and grey breakin any big runs on the michigan defense

5.) ohio, once again because of smith, i think the receiving core of both teams is about even

6.) michigan, which will allow hart even more ease with the ohio state defense

7.) michigan, puttin pressure on smith and pittman

8.) michigan in a close one

9.) hmm, this one is very close, but ill give it to ohio

10.) id like to say lloyd here, because i have the same hat as him and it makes me feel cool, but i guess ill give it to ol' sweatervest mcgee just cause hes done a good job with the ohio program since taking over

11.) hmm, both 11-0 and going in as #1 and #2 in the biggest rivalry game in all of sports? who wouldnt have confidence? ohio has been #1 all year, and michigan has carried themselves with a confident swagger unseen in previous years, maybe excluding 97, but i beleive that both teams are equally confident and are all fired up for the biggest game of their lives, ive been fired up for this game since last year, and i dont even play.

Final Score?: 24-21 michigan

GO BLUE!

They are equal across the board EXCEPT for QB and coaching. Those go to OSU. Score, OSU by 7, OSU 28 - um 21

Michigan wins it!!!!! 24-21 GO BLUE!!!

I would give it ALL to O-H-I-O St.

Bucks are #1 for a reason enough said.

LET'S GO BUCKS!!!!

Plan and simple Michigan will take it....Go blue!!!