Del Olaleye's college football report
The time is now for Michigan to beat Ohio State
Nov 21, 2018, 7:15 am
Urban Meyer and Ohio State are vulnerable. Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Now or Never for Harbaugh
If he’s not going to beat Urban Meyer now, then when it is ever going to happen? Ohio State is 10-1 but is as vulnerable as they have ever been in Harbaugh’s tenure at Michigan. Meyer can barely stand up straight from play to play and that normally solid Buckeyes defense has appeared to be a sieve in multiple Big Ten games against lesser opponents. That defense is coming off a game where they gave up 44 of the total 51 points scored in an overtime win at Maryland. Michigan on the other hand has had a pretty easy run during Big Ten play. Since coming back from down 17 points at Northwestern the Wolverines have made easy work of their Big Ten schedule including dominant wins over Big Ten East rivals Wisconsin and Penn State by a combined score of 80-20. Those two games were at the Big House. Saturday’s game is at The Horseshoe where Michigan hasn’t won since 2000. Harbaugh’s hasn’t beaten Ohio State since he was hired at Michigan and the Wolverines overall losing streak is at six. Harbaugh was hired to beat Ohio State. This is his best shot.
Big 12 Pettiness
Texas defensive end Breckyn Hager told the world that Oklahoma still sucks this week because that is what Texas people do. The Big 12 responded with issuing a public reprimand of Hager and added that they expected a public apology from Hager. Hager obliged shortly afterwards. As you might imagine Texas people weren’t thrilled. That will only be footnote in this year’s edition of the rivalry if things go the way I want them to. If things break right in Morgantown on Friday and Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday, Hager may get a chance to prove himself right in a rematch against Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game. In what would be the biggest game in the rivalry since 2008, Texas would have chance to beat Oklahoma twice in the same year and win their first conference title since 2009. An Oklahoma win would put the Sooners in line for a possible CFP berth if favorable things happen in other games around the country. “OU Sucks,” “Horns Down.” Whatever. Just give me a rematch.
Chad Morris is No Fun
I thought he was fun. Dabo Swinney hired him at Clemson to run the offense and he helped turn that program from an afterthought into a national power. When he was hired at SMU he sanctioned the use of the hashtag #PonyUptempo as part the social media campaign for the Mustangs football program. All that goodwill is now undone. Not really, but I’m less of fan. Morris decided to suspend starting defensive backs Ryan Pulley and Kamren Curl because they “fraternized” with the spirit squad of the Mississippi State Bulldogs before this past Saturday’s game. The fraternization included taking pictures and coming back out of the locker room to exchange information with members of the squad. The Razorbacks aren’t very good and they’re not going to bowl so the two starters are done for the season. I get why Morris did it. He’s in his first year at Arkansas and he’s trying to instill his culture at the program. All that coach stuff and blah, blah, blah. In modern basketball, shooters are taught to shoot their shot no matter the situation. “Shoot your shot” is the way the phrase goes. Pulley and Curl are clearly shooters.
College Football Playoff Game of the Week
#4 Michigan at #10 Ohio State.
It means everything to Michigan and Ohio State is unfamiliar position of spoiler. The time is now for the Wolverines. Go get it done #goblue
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The Astros didn’t leave Seattle with a series win, but they may have gained something just as important: a reminder that resilience still runs deep in this group.
After a grueling extra-inning loss on Saturday, one that included the loss of Isaac Paredes to a hamstring injury, Houston regrouped on Sunday and hammered the Mariners 11-3. Christian Walker provided the turning point with a much-needed go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, while Taylor Trammell added a two-run double and a solo shot of his own. With Chas McCormick back from the injured list but still finding his footing, Trammell is quickly making his case as the best option in center field moving forward.
Manager Joe Espada continues to juggle a lineup that’s been in constant flux. Rookie Cam Smith, who had a clutch two-run double in Sunday’s win, has struggled as of late, going just 2-for his last 24. While his ability to get hits in clutch situations has been extremely valuable, the lack of a consistent spot in the batting order may be taking its toll. Giving Smith a stable home in the cleanup spot, even temporarily, might be a helpful reset.
Then again, the cleanup role hasn’t been kind to everyone.
Last night, Christian Walker, batting 4th, went 0-4, 2 K
- Walker for the season, batting 4th: .167 BA, .498 OPS
- Both are MLB worst (min. 75 AB batting 4th, 51st of 51)
- His 210 AB batting 4th are 6th most in MLB
- He's hitting .317 w/ .887 OPS when batting anywhere but 4th
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 19, 2025
Walker has been markedly less effective when hitting fourth this season, a trend that continues despite his strong Sunday performance. Sometimes, the data is clear: the four-hole might not be for him. He's literally been the worst cleanup option in baseball this season. Hit him fifth.
Behind the plate, Victor Caratini continues to impress, while Yainer Diaz is back in a cold stretch. Since the break, Diaz is just 1-for-14, raising questions about his timing and confidence as the summer grind deepens.
On the mound, the biggest developments are happening off the field. Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti both completed three-inning rehab outings with Double-A Corpus Christi, while Luis Garcia threw two innings in a rehab start with Low-A Fayetteville. The trio’s return could mark a major turning point for the Astros, especially as Lance McCullers continues to struggle in his own comeback. McCullers lasted just 2 2/3 innings in Saturday’s loss, allowing four runs and showing little of the form that once made him one of the rotation’s anchors.
There’s been hesitancy to replace McCullers with someone like Arrighetti while he’s still building back arm strength, but the argument grows thinner each time McCullers falters. If healthy, even a three- or four-inning version of Javier or Arrighetti could give Houston more consistency at the back of the rotation.
Despite the weekend loss, the Astros still hold one of the best offenses in baseball, second in batting average, 12th in OPS, and 11th in slugging. The pitching staff remains stout, ranking sixth in ERA and second in WHIP. This team is far from unraveling.
With reinforcements on the way and a lineup that’s still capable of putting up crooked numbers, the Astros aren’t panicking. If anything, Sunday’s blowout win showed they’re ready to weather whatever’s next.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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