re: Possible LSU-Michigan Citrus Bowl in the works...

With their good nose tackle and a decent LB out, Michigan's D is not what it was the first half of the year. That said, they kept MSU and Penn State rushing in check. That hurry up spread is a killer. Buga could certainly bust some big runs, but Michigan is much more prepared for that type of offense. I knew deep down the Indiana game was a sign of things to come from the OSU game. The mgoblog guy gets into some of the technicalities.

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The 3-3-5 wasn't a constant and may have been a misguided attempt to save the DL's legs since they had been whittled down to the starters over the course of the year, but as potential game-changing responses to the Ohio State approach to footballin' go… well, it did change the game.

Michigan did need to have something in their back pocket. I spent big chunks of the preview speculating about what might happen if and when Michigan was forced to abandon the defense it has played for much of the season. Playing man coverage with a deep safety against a team with a heavy QB run game and a superior tailback is only viable if you can win one-on-one battles up front.

Michigan has won those all year, but when Ryan Glasgow got knocked out of the lineup, Indiana exposed the remaining guys with tempo and a bunch of stretch plays, but they were still individually dominant against inside zone. Ohio State runs a lot of inside zone. Michigan got ripped on it.

Since OSU uses their quarterback as a runner extensively, Michigan spent most of he day with one fewer guy in the box than Ohio State had blockers. Often they lined up with one DL between Ohio State's tackles. After a reasonable start they got gashed towards the end of the first half, just in time for adjustments.

There were no adjustments.

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LINK

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Have you watched some recent LSU bowl performances? Hell, even our win against Iowa?

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I don't look back beyond the current year as the teams and circumstances are totally different. Not saying that LSU will suddenly become world beaters, but based on this year, Michigan is good but not great and I see this as being a good match-up for LSU if they come to play.

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There were several years where I was begging to play Michigan in a bowl game because I was extremely confident that we would win. This year I'm begging to not play them.

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So, you only want to play teams where you are "confident" that we will win? Is that really how people watch football games these days? The pussification of America is worse than I thought. Whatever happened to wanting to challenge yourself against good teams.