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Scarlet Sunrise: Ohio State needs answers with Wolverines coming to town

by:borrismart•11/19/18
urban meyer

Good morning, Ohio State fans, and welcome to the Scarlet Sunrise! Football will always be our focus, but every day we’ll cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Ohio State football, recruiting, basketball and more. 

Time for The Game

It’s Monday of Thanksgiving week, which means the most important week of the year is here for Ohio State football. The Buckeyes have won six consecutive games against Michigan and 15 out of 17 since Jim Tressel showed up, but Urban Meyer’s iron grip on the rivalry is looking tenuous at the moment. Ohio State needed overtime and a botched 2-point conversion attempt to beat Maryland, a team that likely won’t finish with six wins this season.

The defense can’t stop giving up a slew of big plays, and the issue appears to be a combination of scheme and execution. If that happens against Michigan, it will force the Buckeyes to try to turn the game into a shootout while facing one of the nation’s top defenses. The good news, however, is that Ohio State’s offense is clicking on all cylinders right now. With the exception of a pick-six, Dwayne Haskins was exceptional against Maryland and looked clinical during a game-tying touchdown drive in the final minute. Will the Buckeyes be able to move the ball against Michigan? They might not have a choice the way Ohio State’s defense is playing.

Here’s our analysis from the overtime win:

Instant reaction from the victory over Maryland

What we learned from Ohio State’s win

Which players earned our Buckeye Leaves

EQ Room Discount Code

Get a head start on rivalry week by hitting the Lettermen Row Equipment Room! This week, we’re running a 30 percent discount on all merchandise for Scarlet Sunrise newsletter subscribers. If you’re not a subscriber, click here to get Scarlet Sunrise delivered to your email each morning. And to get 30 percent off on Lettermen Row shirts and hats, enter THEGAME into the discount code option on the check out page.

College GameDay coming

Ohio State-Michigan is the best atmosphere in college football, but it will get an even bigger boost this week. College GameDay announced it will broadcast from Columbus on Saturday. GameDay has previously set up shop at The Game in 2016, 2007, 2006, 2003 and 2002.

Buckeyes open as underdog

For the first time since 2004, Ohio State will be a home underdog against Michigan. The Wolverines opened as a 3.5-point favorite when lines were released Sunday. The good news for Ohio State fans is that Urban Meyer is 6-0 at Ohio State as an underdog.

Ohio State photos

Birm put together another big photo gallery from the win over Maryland so be sure to check that out.

Buckeyes fall in polls

The Buckeyes fell in both polls following the lackluster win against the Terrapins on Saturday. After needing overtime to dispose of Maryland, Ohio State fell to 10th in both the Coaches Poll and AP Top 25. Ohio State was also 10th in last week’s College Football Playoff rankings but could move up in this week’s list because of No. 9 West Virginia’s loss to Oklahoma State.

Ohio State hoops rolls again

Ohio State basketball moved to 4-0 with a dominant 89-61 win over South Carolina State on Sunday. Lettermen Row contributor John Brice offered some postgame observations in his Three Points post.

Counting down

  • The Game: 5 days
  • Big Ten championship: 12 days
  • Early signing period: 29 days

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