thisnumbersdisconnected
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1. Establish the rushing game: This will allow Michigan to control the flow and set up the defense to be vulnerable to big yards in the passing game. Michigan is averaging 362.8 yards per game. Only 128.8 of those per-game yards have come on the ground. That is good for 100th in the nation. But Michigan has the talent to control the line of scrimmage. It's going to take a better effort than they've made this season, but this is Ohio State, and it's the "Big House."
2. The quickest way to neutralize a talent disadvantage is to swipe a few key takeaways. This is another area where the Wolverines are struggling to succeed. Michigan has 23 takeaways on the season. This is a solid number. However, Michigan is not doing a good job of protecting the ball themselves. They've turned the ball over 19 times. Ohio State is +7 in takeaways, but they've given the ball up 13 times themselves.
3. Segueing from that point is the fact that quarterback Devin Gardner hasn't thrown a pick in three games. He hasn't thrown a lot of completions, either. Last week against Iowa, Gardner completed just 13-of-28 passes for 98 yards. The Wolverines are going to need Gardner to be far more efficient in this game. They have to sustain drives and keep the Buckeyes offense off the field. He's got the proven ability to do it. This is a big enough game he needs to step it up a notch. Statistically speaking, a breakout game should be in the offing for Gardner. If he can do that this week, he'll leave the entire nation impressed.
And Ohio State wondering why they can't catch a break. The answer: They're overrated. They don't deserve one.
2. The quickest way to neutralize a talent disadvantage is to swipe a few key takeaways. This is another area where the Wolverines are struggling to succeed. Michigan has 23 takeaways on the season. This is a solid number. However, Michigan is not doing a good job of protecting the ball themselves. They've turned the ball over 19 times. Ohio State is +7 in takeaways, but they've given the ball up 13 times themselves.
3. Segueing from that point is the fact that quarterback Devin Gardner hasn't thrown a pick in three games. He hasn't thrown a lot of completions, either. Last week against Iowa, Gardner completed just 13-of-28 passes for 98 yards. The Wolverines are going to need Gardner to be far more efficient in this game. They have to sustain drives and keep the Buckeyes offense off the field. He's got the proven ability to do it. This is a big enough game he needs to step it up a notch. Statistically speaking, a breakout game should be in the offing for Gardner. If he can do that this week, he'll leave the entire nation impressed.
And Ohio State wondering why they can't catch a break. The answer: They're overrated. They don't deserve one.
