Next two games define the season

[damfran]

Not trying to be overly dramatic...but this is how I see it, bowl game result being put aside for now.

I'd say most of us were right around the 8-4 and 9-3 predictions last August...and now 10 victories are possible. I'm not saying it's make or break, but these two games sure will go a long way in defining,...and differentiating this team from the last 3 years.

I am excited to even have them be in this position with 2 (home) games to go and relish the chance to show that they have taken a very formidable step toward the program they want to be, rather than just a baby step in that vein. November conference games seem to be exponentially more important as the schedule plays out, and I am quite curious as to how prepared this team will be the next two weeks.....I am also ready to keep a keen eye on the coaching / play calling the next two games, kind of the staff's final exam in my opinion.....still trying to find an offensive identity.

Again, I compare games to a book where no two games are the same, and the really good ones have unpredictable endings....the uncertainty and excitement of the future can almost be as exciting as the games themselves

......and I'm really excited to read these last two books. See 'ya at The Game

 

[bphillips4gg]

ALL I care about is the last one. Beating Nebraska would be great, but I NEED this team to beat Ohio. I cannot listen to another fucking year of "such and such days since Michigan beat Ohio". I can't. I refuse to believe that this team isn't the team that SHOULD win that game. Sure, Ohio has a great defense and Miller is starting to play well. That said, there is no reason that this Michigan team should lose to them.

I just hope that Denard brings his A game the next couple of weeks. I've started losing faith in him. He's single-handedly won some games. He's also single-handedly put the team in the position to need him to single-handedly win them. Senseless interceptions, overthrowing wide open receivers and fumbles can't happen anymore.

 

[wheels002]

Regardless of what happens the next 2 weeks you have to admit this year has been a success. You can see that the whole attitude of this team is different. Our defense may not be the most talented but they fight. Our offense needs work. I have said it before we seem to be stuck between what we want to do and what we can do.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

I know I'm in the minority when I say this - but some part of me really doesn't care what happens against Nebraska. I know I know - that's bad - but at this point my expectations have been satisfied and all I want more than anything in the world is to beat OSU.

 

[wolverine304]

I think most of us don't mind if we lose to nebraska as long as its a close a game. But definitely want to blow ohio out.

 

[Michchamp]

finishing 0-2 would be very disappointing, regardless of who we play in the bowl, and how that goes. I don't think they would be blowout losses. not with this defense.

still, given where we've come from, going 8-4 is not really grounds to complain about the job Hoke & his assistants have done.

 

[tinselwolverine]

Objectively, I'm expecting Michigan to beat Ohio.*

Don't know about Nebraska, but M has a real good chance.

 

[Michchamp]

since we are favored vs. Nebraska, I'm guessing we'll also be favored against ohio.

does ohio still have guys suspended? would be irritating if they got them back just for our game.

i hate ohio.

 

[azian6er]

you know -watching both NU and TSIO, I really like our chances in both games. being at home of course is a huge plus.

I think our D can def. shut down nebraska. Look what we did to both teams with mobile qbs - Illinois and Northwestern. Both solid wins.

Same goes for TSIO - mobile QB - shut him down.

NOW i would be scared if I were NU - they played a mobile QB northwestern team and got beat - at home.

Im feeling good about these games.

 

[hungry]

finishing 0-2 would be very disappointing, regardless of who we play in the bowl, and how that goes. I don't think they would be blowout losses. not with this defense.

still, given where we've come from, going 8-4 is not really grounds to complain about the job Hoke & his assistants have done.

Wouldn't complain or gloat

 

[hungry]

since we are favored vs. Nebraska, I'm guessing we'll also be favored against ohio.

does ohio still have guys suspended? would be irritating if they got them back just for our game.

i hate ohio.

I think one guy got suspended for the entire year. I don't think he's ever played a down, though. I can't remember his name.

Sweat and Hankins both went down in the Purdue game. I'd like to hear injury updates on them and anyone else that plays for that team if anyone knows them.

 

[michiganmania]

8 wins is great and all and they are sitting in a better position than I expected this team to sit with brand new coaching and new systems to learn, however, UM vs OSU is always the defining game for Michigan. I am pissed that Tressel is gone to be honest. I hate that he left OSU with such a good record against us and wanted Michigan to gain the upper hand against him and cost him his job as opposed to him losing his job the way he did...I want to see Michigan cleats on OSU's throats from the get go and just throttle them the whole game...Fuck OSU!!!

 

[Michchamp]

thread title should be "Next two games define the season FOR SOME PEOPLE, BUT NOT FOR OTHERS."

 

[uofm06marine]

I do believe that the next two games will be huge for he program, the team, and the fans. However, with that said, "O$U is the game."

IMO this is a must win. We need to get this monkey off of our backs. Plus, I am flying up from NC just to see this game in person. We better win.

 

[GoBlueInAtlanta]

since we are favored vs. Nebraska, I'm guessing we'll also be favored against ohio.

does ohio still have guys suspended? would be irritating if they got them back just for our game.

i hate ohio.

I think one guy got suspended for the entire year. I don't think he's ever played a down, though. I can't remember his name.

Sweat and Hankins both went down in the Purdue game. I'd like to hear injury updates on them and anyone else that plays for that team if anyone knows them.

Latest I've seen:

Ohio State Buckeyes
Player Injury Status/Updated Notes

Corey Brown DB Ankle Ques Sat - 11/14/11 Brown did not play in Week 11 after re-aggravating a high ankle sprain. He remains questionable for Saturday's game against Penn State.

J.B. Shugarts OL Knee Ques Sat - 11/14/11 Shugarts did not play in Week 11 after he suffered a knee injury during Week 10. He remains questionable for Saturday's game against Penn State.

DeVier Posey WR Suspension Ques Sat - 11/15/11 Posey is eligible to play in Saturday's game against Penn State after serving his suspension for receiving improper payments for work he did not perform.

Jaamal Berry RB Suspension Out indefinitely - 11/3/11 Berry has been suspended from the team after being charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct stemming from an incident on October 21st. The university said that he violated the school's student-athlete code of conduct, and will remain suspended from the team until the charges against him have been resolved.

Adam Homan RB Knee Out indefinitely - 10/22/11 Homan will miss an indefinite amount of time due to a knee injury.
Jordan Whiting LB Knee out for season - 10/13/11 Whiting is suffering from a knee injury and will miss the remainder of the season.

Verlon Reed WR Knee out for season - 10/6/11 Reed will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL.

Nathan Williams DL Knee out for season - 10/12/11 Williams is dealing with a knee injury and missed Week 3 against Miami. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

 

[Michchamp]

so they will have Posey back.

After watching the way their passing game has stunk it up this season, I was thinking that his suspension was a lot more serious than others.

I'm assuming Fickle is going to rest up any players listed as questionable so he can throw everything he's got against us in the desperate hope that will get him some additional consideration for the full-time gig after the season.

 

[TheVictors]

I think the season has already been defined by the change in attitude, more aggressive playcalling on D and overall ... wait for it, PROGRESS ... during the season. I will agree with the OP in saying this -- under Rich Rod, based on precedence, these next two games wouldn't even be competitive. So in one sense, losing both but being in the game would be a step forward. Winning one or both, well that would be very impressive!

 

[hungry]

so nothing on Sweat or Hankins. I guess I'll watch them play PSU and see if those guys play.