Every now and then we like to get the debate going here on Buckeyes Wire. We have a little roundtable segment we like to call our “Buckeye Battle Cry.” We throw out a hot-button topic and each of the three writers takes turns debating an answer.
There are varying perspectives for a trio that doesn’t agree very often, and sometimes the virtual mud flies. Other times (and rarely at that), there are rainbows, butterflies, and agreement among the group.
This time we are jumping on this love for Michigan. The Wolverines have looked fantastic, but against two very bad teams in the nonconference. Still, the media seems to be falling in love with what’s going on in “that state up north” — especially with quarterback J.J. McCarthy apparently being the second coming of Patrick Mahomes. We’re sure you’ve noticed too.
So the question this week: How worried should Ohio State fans be about Michigan this season?
This time Josh kicks us off …
Josh Keatley, Featured Writer
Follow: @JoshKeatley16
The Michigan Wolverines are a good football team and looked really good against Colorado State. Still, Colorado State isn’t exactly a world-beater and I won’t even count the Hawaii game, because that program is that pathetic. I have seen nothing from Michigan to make me shake in my boots other than their elite offensive line. J.J. McCarthy has an intriguing ceiling, but not the kind of talent to elevate a program.
My stance on the Wolverines is the same as it was in the spring and I honestly might even downgrade them after all the weird quarterback controversy. The look-ahead line in the spring had the Buckeyes as a two-touchdown favorite at most books and I always thought that was a tad high because again there is no denying that the Michigan offensive line is incredible and that alone should keep them in the game, but I do think Ohio State takes care of business come November.
Phil Harrison, Publisher/Editor and Featured Writer
Follow: @PhilHarrisonBW
Yeah, I tend to agree Josh. I still think this Ohio State team is a better team than the Michigan one that walks into the ‘Shoe with that braggadocious attitude we’ve seen since the first win in the rivalry in almost a decade. J.J. McCarthy might make the Wolverines more dangerous mystery, but I don’t buy into the hype with the competition we’ve seen Michigan go against so far.
Maybe we should give Michigan credit for a changing of the guard on defense because I truly believe that’s going to be the difference when these two match up at the end of November. This OSU team is no longer a glamour and glitter type of outfit but looks to have a running game and toughness to it that will be needed later in the year. That includes an attacking style of defense that won’t allow the Wolverines to do what they did against the Buckeyes last year.
Ohio State still has a lot more talent than Michigan and it’ll show when these two teams are chiseled and shined into a finished product on November 26.
What do you think Mark?
Mark Russell, Featured Writer
Follow: @MarkRussell1975
Am I buying into the media hype for the Wolverines? Absolutely not. As stated earlier, looking good against far inferior opponents is not all that difficult. Let’s see what happens once conference play begins.
However, the question posed was “How worried should Ohio State fans be about Michigan this season?” My answer to that is… I have concerns. Not because I think Michigan has a better team, but because they are a very good team and after last year’s upset win over the mighty Buckeyes, Harbaugh’s squad has a little bit of confidence.
Think of it this way. For those of you who have older siblings who beat up on you for years playing one on one in the driveway. And then one day, you won. From that moment on, you had confidence and things were never the same. You might not win every game, but you at least knew you could… and that’s a game changer.
The same thing happened in 2001. Ohio State wasn’t supposed to beat Michigan that year. Michigan was the far superior team and had roughed up the Buckeyes most of the 90s. But once Jim Tressel got his guys to believe there was no turning back and brought on a 20-year run of dominance.
Fans under 25 don’t remember anything but this being a one-sided rivalry. But those of us who are a bit older know Ryan Day had better not let the Wolverines get the upper hand this year or we could see the beginning of the rivalry swinging back in favor of TTUN.
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