On Saturday at 12:00 pm on FOX, the No. 9 Ohio State Buckeyes (9-2, 7-1) take the field in Ann Arbor to do battle with the Michigan Wolverines (8-3, 5-3). Ohio State is a 12-point favorite and has won five-consecutive games in this rivalry.
Will that winning streak continue for another year? Maybe.
Do we think it will? Possibly.
Here’s how we see things.
Tom Orr
I feel like I end up saying basically the same thing before every game, but I’m going to say it again this week anyway.
First, combine your dry ingredients. Then you mix in… oh, wait, sorry. That was last week.
The Game always comes down to line play. If you can run the ball and stop your opponent from running it, you win the game.
Really. That’s it. In 2012, both teams rushed for exactly 4.0 yards per carry and the Buckeyes won a 26-21 nail-biter.
In every single other year since 2002, one team that has run the ball for more yards per carry than its opponent, and every single time that team has won the game. Every. Single. Year.
I’ll give you a moment to formulate a guess about what this year is going to come down to.
Ohio State has a very solid offensive line. Michigan has a very solid to quite good defensive line. Ohio State has an otherworldly defensive line. Michigan’s offensive line is… okay-ish.
Sure, there are questions about which quarterback is going to start for Michigan. Sure, a Michigan team playing with nothing to lose against an OSU team with its playoff hopes on the line could be dangerous. Sure, it’s on the road. Sure, you can throw the records out in this rivalry. Sure, sure, sure.
It’s all window dressing. Run the ball and stop them from running the ball, and you win The Game.
Ohio State 24, Michigan 13
Brandon Zimmerman
As I mentioned on the Sons of Schmidt Podcast, I really appreciate the defensive line of the Wolverines. I believe they will give the Buckeyes running game a lot of problems in the first half. With that said, I don’t think they have the depth like the Ohio State defensive line has. If Ohio State sticks with the combination of Dobbins and Weber (NOT JTB!!), they will be able to pull away in the second half.
I know the common theme is that I am supposed to be afraid because the 90’s sucked, but screw all that noise.
Ohio State 45, TTUN 17
Caroline Rice
The Buckeyes are facing the typical Michigan offense, no matter who the quarterback is. But, the Michigan offense just isn’t enough to compete with Ohio State’s Rushmen. The Buckeyes have allowed under 100 yards rushing in five of the last six games. I don’t think this game will be any different if the Buckeyes play their best.
The Ohio State offense has really been kicking it into gear and even though they are facing a good defense, I think they will get it done. This is a season-defining game.
The Buckeyes are the more talented team, they just can’t underestimate the Wolverines here because this is always a tough game.
Ohio State 35, Michigan 17
Shannon Sommers
It doesn’t matter who is under center for Michigan because they will end up being buried under the center a lot. Michigan has an offensive line that only is successful against teams that are below .500. That being said, I have personally witnessed great Ohio State football teams that should have been dynasties get shellacked by sub-par Maize and Blue players who somehow turn into Superheroes.
I want to see Mike Weber become an Ohio State superhero and do to his home-state team what Charles Woodson and Desmond Howard have done to the Buckeyes. I want to see him for the rest of his life hear “Screw you Weber” and “Traitor!”
Ohio State 21, Michigan 14
Kyle Morgan
This is a classic matchup of offense versus defense, but if you dig a little deeper you will see that Michigan’s defense has struggled versus ranked opponents. But let’s not muddy this with football facts, there are more pressing matters to attend to.
If a couple from Ann Arbor get a divorce, are they still brother and sister?
Why do women from Michigan wear high heels? To keep their knuckles from dragging on the ground.
What do you call a football player in Michigan who has talent? An Ohio product
Maybe you’ve heard, Jim Harbaugh has lost the playbook for the game this weekend… Unfortunately, he wasn’t done coloring it yet.
But enough of the jokes. It’s time to get serious.
Also, the spot was good.
Ohio State 27, Michigan 13
Chip Minnich
I freely admit that this game has me nervous. A stretch of 2-10-1 will do that to you. Ohio State has the better talent; Michigan can play spoiler to the Buckeyes’ playoff hopes. I see it close until the fourth quarter, and Ohio State pulls away with the victory.
Ohio State 28, Michigan 17
Mike Meihls
My hatred for Michigan is only matched by my hatred for ranch and pickles on pizza. Their front 7 is good, everything else about that team is bad. The Ohio State rushing attack is better.
Ohio State 41, Michigan 10
Tony Gerdeman
Regardless of the quarterback situation, Michigan’s offense is still limited by its offensive line. If Brandon Peters can go, that only means the passing game will be a little more protective of the ball. That doesn’t mean it will be a more explosive or dynamic offense. If Peters can’t go, John O’Korn gives Michigan a more mobile option, but he has been ineffective for a while now.
The Ohio State offense — especially with tempo — is the kind of offense that gives this Michigan defense trouble. The Buckeyes have the ability to run the ball with any number of players — each of whom can be on the field at any point. The Wolverines can be attacked with misdirection, and their safeties are susceptible to big plays down the middle. Ohio State’s offense will eventually wear down the Michigan defense, and I don’t see the Wolverines being able to outscore the Buckeyes.
Ohio State 31, Michigan 17