Michigan's first quarter was fantastic.
The second quarter? Not as much.
The Wolverines held Ohio State to -6 yards of total offense
and stunned the Buckeyes on their way to an early 14-0 lead. But a dropped
interception and more missed opportunities have allowed the Buckeyes to get
right back into things.
First half observations from
Michigan-Ohio State:
Early script
Michigan's early script was pretty solid offensively. The
Wolverines dialed up new look after new look during the first quarter and used
plenty of them on a 13-play, 77-yard touchdown drive to go up 7-0.
John O'Korn -- starting
for an injured Brandon Peters -- has had his problems, though,
overthrowing receivers, putting the ball on the ground, taking sacks.
Michigan was able to overcome it all in the first quarter.
But it obviously can't live that way the rest of the afternoon.
O'Korn has to settle down and manage the offense. Otherwise,
this is going to be a long second half.
Defensive hiccup
Josh Metellus dropped a sure interception near the Ohio
State goal line with the Wolverines up 14-0 in the second quarter. J.T. Barrett
made Michigan pay one play later with a 21-yard touchdown scramble and the game
hasn't been the same since.
Michigan's defense had problems in the second quarter
defending Ohio State's run-pass option -- especially on an easy 25-yard
touchdown strike to Marcus Baugh midway through the second quarter.
This is the same stuff Penn State used to carve Michigan up.
Attack the middle of the field, challenge Michigan's safeties.
The second quarter was a nightmare for Michigan's safeties.
They have to be better in the second half.
Close won't do it
Not in this game. Metellus can't drop an interception.
Michigan allowed a Barrett snap to sail over his head and couldn't pick up the
recovery.
The Wolverines are handicapped enough as it is with their
quarterback situation today, they have to take full advantage of every Ohio
State miscue if they're going to win this game.
Coming close won't be good enough today.
Barrett's ball
Ohio State out-gained Michigan 124-41 in the second quarter
and Barrett was a huge reason for that.
Ohio State's quarterback now has 64 yards on 11 carries,
including a touchdown run. Barrett's only 3 of 7 for 30 yards -- but 25 of
those came on a touchdown pass.
Once Ohio State started to let its quarterback do his thing,
the game changed.
Contact Nick Baumgardner: nbaumgardn@freepress.com.
Follow him on Twitter @NickBaumgardner.
Source : Freep
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