Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

most watched regular season college football game ever aired on Fox. Peak of 19.6 million viewers. Not bad for a noon game. Put this on prime time, it probably gets peak of millions more.


https://twitter.com/FOXSportsPR/status/1596995854778654721?s=20&t=7g2q5_XqDn6fLQ9XnHJS4w

That’s why you throw the analysis out for this game.  So many anomalies.  

If I told you before the game JJ would only complete 50% passing and only 12 completions- would you like that?

Or, if I told you that Stroud would complete 67% of his passes, 350 yards, no picks, no sacks, with 5 minutes left in the game - would you think OSU was already DOA?   

https://theathletic.com/3938850/2022/11/26/ohio-state-ryan-day-michigan/


Well summarized. 

I actually hated that article. Day has been pretty conservative in those situations all season. While I am of the opinion that he should be more aggressive, claiming the team thought he was scare feels more like vibe speak than anything based in reality. He clearly thought his defense could buckle things down. A bad assumption, but not one that signaled fear or whatever. Based on this line of thinking Tressel teams must have gone 6-6 every year.

I actually hated that article. Day has been pretty conservative in those situations all season. While I am of the opinion that he should be more aggressive, claiming the team thought he was scare feels more like vibe speak than anything based in reality. He clearly thought his defense could buckle things down. A bad assumption, but not one that signaled fear or whatever. Based on this line of thinking Tressel teams must have gone 6-6 every year.

Not really. Tressel ‘s whole philosophy was conservative. Run, punt, play D.
Days philosophy has been based on explosive plays, risk taking in the passing game, throwing downfield. 

I am not a coach 2nd guesser- but with what was at stake, where they were on the field, and where the game was/ it was hard to believe he made that choice.  And then they punted it into the end zone for a net gain of 13 yards.  And of course the air went out of his team and the stadium, and UM went on it’s only sustained drive. 

Not really. Tressel ‘s whole philosophy was conservative. Run, punt, play D.
Days philosophy has been based on explosive plays, risk taking in the passing game, throwing downfield. 

I am not a coach 2nd guesser- but with what was at stake, where they were on the field, and where the game was/ it was hard to believe he made that choice.  And then they punted it into the end zone for a net gain of 13 yards.  And of course the air went out of his team and the stadium, and UM went on it’s only sustained drive. 

Yeah, but Day consistently punts in those situations. It's nothing new. He's putting his own personal vibe check on the game, which is something I always hate from sportswriter. While I disagree with punting in plus territory generally, it wasn't some sort of pivotal moment where the team stopped playing.

Yes.  I saw that story.   And watched and rewatched the film.   

Can’t really tell- there are some signs that Mitch Rossi was expecting the snap, and the punter seemed surprised to get the ball.  So- maybe it was a fake punt???

Either way- it is 4th and 5 ( after being 1st and 35 due to absolutely bone headed personal foul by Gee Scott), you are at uM’s 38 yard line, you are down 24-20, midway through 3rd Q, you have arguably the best QB in CFB as well as WR, Michigan would be on especially high alert for a fake, and if you do punt it- high risk of a touchback so net gain of 13 yards.  

The friends of mine who were there all said- with Stroud out there begging Day to go for it- they felt the air leave the stadium, and could visibly see the despair in the body language on the OSU bench. Remember- at that point in the game Stroud had completed 70% of his throws, no interceptions and no sacks.  

There was an easy risk/return decision there- and Day turtled.  And UM saw it- and players said as much afterward.   Michigan only had one long, sustained TD drive in the game- and it happened right after that decision.  

Ok, don't judge me too harshly for this, but from an outsider's point of view.....

The OSU/Mich game hasn't been fun to watch for like, a long time.  It so often carries big implications with it that I want to enjoy it.  I remember when I used to.  I should.  

Just that Michigan has been hard to watch for a while now.  Winning a bunch of games is amazing for Michigan fans, no doubt, just as an outsider their brand of football isn't too exciting.  And more often than not it failed against the high-octane Buckeyes. 

But THIS game was fun as hell.  I don't care who the winner is going forward, just make it like this every year please.  

Ohio State:  I'll sling it down the field and score quick on your arse.  

Michigan:  Yeah, well, me too.  

Happy Gilmore:  Uh-oh.....Michigan learned the explosive play.