Tempo, The Game wrinkles and taking more deep shots: Ohio State-Michigan mailbag

Answering more subscriber questions about The Game and the Buckeyes

Ohio State receiver Brandon Inniss and quarterback Julian Sayin during a win against Rutgers. (Photo courtesy of Ohio State athletics)

COLUMBUS — We’ll plan an Ohio State-Michigan Mailbag for basically every day this week, since we have so many of your questions and, you know, it’s The Game. Doug answered the Monday questions. I’ll pick up the ball today, and we’ll continue until Friday. Let’s get to it.

I feel like Ohio State has been playing slow all year to conserve plays and keep their players fresh. Any chance they come out against Michigan and run tempo? — ArgeSarge

The Oklahoma and USC games, as well as the Oregon and Texas games last year, show the blueprint for scoring on UM and quickly building a big lead to make them one-dimensional. Spread ‘em out, run a little tempo, tire them out with the quick game, and then hit them with a big play. I was 100 percent certain that was going to be the game plan last year, and it wasn’t. Which game plan do you think we’ll see, what we typically do (slow, methodical) or the USC/OU one? — Ryan K

I ended up rewatching the full 2024 OSU-Michigan game on Sunday. I was reminded that the Buckeyes did play with some tempo on the opening drive, marching it down inside the 15 before Will Howard couldn’t connect with Emeka Egbuka on a third-and-5 throw and the offense had to settle for a field goal. Also, the best the offense looked in that game was the two-minute drill at the end of the first half, when the offense had to move fast and threw eight times on a nine-play drive, culminating in a game-tying Jeremiah Smith touchdown.

So, you both are onto something.