GBMW: Doc4blu -- Parallels or Perpendiculars, or Paradoxes?

Parallels or Perpendiculars, or Paradoxes?

As stated in the look back to the famous 1969 upset discussed here yesterday, there will be, at some point this week, an urge to draw similarities between Saturday’s game and the great upset of 1969. In anticipation of such, the strategic move might be to hold back and adopt the philosophy of beware and tread slowly on the path to such a conclusion.

Consider the following observations if you will and draw your own conclusion(s).

Coach Bo had a squad of more than modest talent. The 1969 squad was motivated, focused on Ohio State every second of the year, had sufficient reason for revenge, and was playing the best ball of the season going down the stretch.

Coach Bo knew Woody Hayes like a primary reader book. The Buckeye playbook was simple (T formation 16 and 17 and 26 and 27 mostly) but the execution was phenomenal. Bo knew he could gamble and run his strength at Woody’s strength getting a predictable response from the cantankerous Woody. Woody was more stubborn than Bo, and Bo knew this well as the physical first half turned into a psychological third quarter.

Michigan played that game nearly mistake free, Ohio State did not, missing extra point opportunities and suffering a crucial interception. The Michigan defense was capable of stuffing the running game of one of college footballs most storied attacks. The 1969 team tackled well. In fairness, the game was much simpler, very much so, forty years ago. Both Ohio State and Michigan regularly shut out several opponents each year. Shutouts are much more difficult to achieve against today’s offenses.

Michigan had special team contributions that placed the score over the edge. The great return to the three-yard line was the dagger that stayed for years. Woody never forgave Bo for the indiscretion of beating his best team ever. That started a true war of wills between the two giants. From that time on THE GAME was exactly that, no sugarcoating the fire and hatred, and intense competition between the two programs.

Consider this carefully, Michigan was playing for the Rose Bowl in 1969, Ohio State was shut out by conference (Western Conference, aka Big Ten) rule.

So, which of the above descriptors is most accurate for Saturday’s match-up?

As an aside, thank you to those who have expressed kind words on some of the recent GBMW articles. Courtesy and kindness are still alive and well.

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Written by Doc4Blu