It’s the most important day of the year every year. Nothing compares to it. Not election day, not your birthday, not your anniversary, nothing.
It’s Ohio State and Michigan, and everything else takes a back seat.
This year’s game is a rarity in that the Wolverines have a chance to make it to the Big Ten Championship Game for the first time in school history. They could tie recent Big Ten addition Nebraska in number of appearances. They would still be two behind their little brother, however.
Michigan is currently a 4.5-point favorite and with a win could almost certainly lock up a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
A win for Ohio State, meanwhile, sends them to the Big Ten Championship Game, but even with a win, they will probably top out at the Rose Bowl.
That, of course, should be fine for all involved since it ruined Michigan’s dream season.
Let’s get to picking.
Brandon Zimmerman
Our whole lives we’ve been told that when it comes to The Game, no stats or win/loss records matter. Both teams are going to play out of their minds while giving it their best effort of the season. As a Buckeye fan, this should make me feel good as we head into Saturday, but it doesn’t. For the first time since I can remember, I am going into this game fully expecting a loss.
I’m not one of those negative fans who thinks OSU is horrible no matter what they do on the field, it’s simply a matchup nightmare. Michigan is going to do what they always do. They are going to line up and smash you in the mouth with the run game. Against an Ohio State defense who acts like they’ve never seen a hand-off before, the Wolverines will and should continue to do just that. As we’ve seen, this could lead to a long day.
The Ohio State offense will score points. They will score more points than any offense has scored against Michigan this year. They will be somewhere in the 400-500 yard range of total offense. Unfortunately, they will come up short of overcoming the major defensive liabilities. The Rose Bowl is a pretty darn good consolation prize though.
Michigan 41, Ohio State 27
Adam Borland
I’ve gone a lot of different directions with my input on the staff picks this season. For TCU, I compared the team to the animal mascot. I suppose I could tell you that the wolverine is a ferocious creature that is known to have strength out of proportion to its size. It’s also not really found in the state of Michigan anymore. But, those aren’t terribly relevant to The Game.
On a couple of occasions, I’ve written about the game from an emotional standpoint. “The Buckeyes are going into this one angry because of such and such.” Well, they’ll undoubtedly be emotional this week, going against their rival. Urban and company put a tremendous amount of focus on this game every year, and this season probably even more so.
Since I’m a stat nerd, I’ve thrown around fun facts and interesting statistics in many of the other weeks. This week, you’ve probably already heard most of those. Heck, I already wrote about a lot of them in my weekly statistical projection post on Wednesday.
Instead, I’ll just say this: Michigan is a very good football team. Their defense is arguably the best in the country. Their offense isn’t terribly exciting, but when you hold teams to less than two scores in most games, it doesn’t need to be. With that said, despite what the national media and even a large portion of the Buckeye fanbase might tell you, Ohio State is a pretty good football team too. In order to beat the Wolverines, they’ll need to have their best game of the year, and I’m of the belief that they do. I think it’s a close one and that I’ll need oxygen by the end of regulation, but that the Buckeyes come out on top.
Ohio State 24, Michigan 23
Caroline Rice
THE Game is here and the Buckeyes are excited and motivated for this game. I really think Ohio State has a chance…when I try to forget the inconsistent performances and the fact that they are underdogs.
I don’t think Michigan is an unstoppable team, they didn’t look good against Penn State, or Indiana. Yes, they are a good team, but so is Ohio State. It just depends on which Ohio State team shows up. The offense and defense are never clicking at the same time, and that needs to happen in this game.
It’s hard to say whether or not the Buckeyes can play their best game against their toughest opponent, but I like to think that I’m an optimist.
There’s just something about this week that brings out the best in Ohio State and I think we will see that on Saturday.
It’s also Senior Day for these guys, so there’s going to be a lot of extra emotions involved. Ohio State does not want to lose their last game at home in The Shoe. Now I know they never want to lose, but I really feel like they have more to play for than just a win this week.
Ohio State 24, Michigan 21
Chip Minnich
Everything points to the Wolverines ending their long-standing misery within the confines of Ohio Stadium since November 18, 2000. To put it in context, Bill Clinton was winding down his presidency, Drew Henson was Michigan’s quarterback, and John Cooper was finishing up his tenure as Ohio State’s head coach.
The pressure to win this game is squarely on Michigan, however. Michigan is the higher-ranked team, the Wolverines are favored, and Ohio State has been wobbly both offensively and defensively most of the season. If Ohio State can keep this close, and by close, I mean around 10points into the fourth quarter, it seems plausible that some self-doubt may creep into the minds of the Wolverines.
Ohio State is in the unfamiliar role of being the underdog in Ohio Stadium. This is the first time since the 2004 meeting that the Buckeyes are underdogs at home against Michigan, and Urban Meyer is drawing upon every slight, perceived or otherwise, to have his team prepared to ruin the Wolverines’ dreams.
Ohio State cannot give up on running the ball. It will take patience, but the offensive line should be able to spring J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber for drive-sustaining runs in the critical fourth quarter. How well Thayer Munford and Isaiah Prince fare in pass protection is also crucial.
It may be purely wishful thinking, but I see Ohio State doing just enough to squeak by in a close one, perhaps even on the last play of the game. Here’s to you, Blake Haubeil.
Ohio State 31, Michigan 28
Michael Meihls
I have no doubt in my mind that the most talented team playing in The Game this year will be in Scarlet & Gray. On paper, this may be the best team Ohio State has ever brought into a matchup with Michigan.
However, the game isn’t played on paper. Michigan is playing the best football we’ve seen out of Ann Arbor this century. Based on the eye test alone, Michigan is playing, as a team, better than Ohio State is this season.
Initially, I took Michigan to win this game. As this week as went along, I’ve found myself buying into Ohio State winning. Between being an underdog under Urban Meyer, to Higdon’s “guarantee,” and my fandom, I have started to believe in OSU more and more.
We know Haskins can pass as needed. Can OSU run the ball to control the clock? I think they can. Can the OSU defense be able to stop Michigan? I don’t think so, but I think they can slow TTUN down.
I still have all the faith and will be cheering my head off this weekend for our Buckeyes. It would not shock me one bit for the good guys to win Saturday. However, as sick as it makes me feel, my head still says Michigan. Now I need a shower.
Michigan 38, Ohio State 35
Michael Citro
There has been absolutely no empirical evidence that the 2018 Ohio State Buckeyes can beat that team up north. The Buckeyes have struggled to run the ball against even the most mediocre defenses (although they’ve been better the last few weeks), the offensive strength happens to be what the Wolverines are most adept at stopping, and the OSU defense has been a sieve. Michigan has a special defense, a good running game, and a dual-threat, play-making quarterback. There’s no reason to think Ohio State can win this game or that it should even be close.
Then again, Urban Meyer will be coaching in a rivalry game as a home underdog against a ranked opponent. Let’s get weird.
Ohio State 26, Michigan 24
Tom Orr
The emotions of Michigan Week seem to have followed their normal course in Columbus. The week starts with pessimism, and then as kickoff inches closer, everyone gets more and more confident that the Buckeyes are going to thrash the Wolverines.
That’s fine, and the Buckeyes certainly could win this game. But there are also a bunch of reasons to think they won’t.
The offensive line has never gotten to the standard set by previous years’ OSU lines. The defense can’t seem to stop giving up huge plays – they’re 123rd in the nation in explosive plays allowed.
To win this game, OSU will need to be able to run the ball against a stout Michigan defense. And they might.
They’ll also need to consistently hold Michigan to field goals in the red zone and not allow long touchdowns. And they theoretically could.
But the odds are better than 50/50 that one or both of those things won’t happen.
Either they won’t be able to run, will get one-dimensional like they did at Purdue, and will turn it over. Or they’ll continue cosplaying a Big 12 defense and the offense won’t be able to keep up.
The need for personnel changes in a few spots has been obvious all season, but the Buckeye coaching staff has been too stubborn to make those moves.
This is the week they’ll pay for it.
Michigan 27, Ohio State 20
Tony Gerdeman
Michigan has almost won this game several times since Urban Meyer took over, but their lack of a quarterback has doomed them several times. They no longer have that lack, which means they have somebody who will be capable of making plays when Michigan needs them to be made.
Much better Ohio State teams than this had difficulties against much worse Michigan teams than this, which is bad math for the Buckeyes this year.
The further I get away from the Maryland game, however, the more I can convince myself that Ohio State will win this. This is the best passing offense Michigan has faced this year, and the Wolverine run defense is softening. But there is still the other side of the ball for the Buckeyes, and it is that side of the ball which has made this season the up-and-down affair it’s been.
While Michigan’s offense is the kind the Ohio State’s defense prefers to see, they still have to execute. That’s been a tall task this year for the Buckeyes.
If OSU can protect Dwayne Haskins, the Buckeyes will win. If Chase Winovich isn’t able to go, that will help, but it will also likely cause UM defensive coordinator Don Brown to bring more blitzes. Can the Buckeye offensive line and Haskins handle those blitzes? I’m not so sure.
Michigan 34 – Ohio State 27
Jeez, you guys call yourself Buckeye fans? The name calling on BOTH sides is beneath you.
Calibuck, Hank and bucknaked turn in your fan card and go cheer for Bama. You 3 bring shame to buckeye nation!
I find it humorous that all of these negative Nancy’s keep claiming for sure losses. I remember “OSU will lose at PSU without Bosa”, OSU will be destroyed by MSU (until we beat them, then it was “MSU is a crappy team”). All I hear is OSU will lose lose lose. Of coarse this team has not lived up to expectations. Some of it is the players fault and a lot of it the coaches, but that doesn’t mean we quit on them as fans. When they are down is when these kids need us fans the most. The great thing about college football is every team has a chance to win, except for the 2 or 3 cupcakes Alabama schedules every year. OSU can beat the crap out of this Michigan team IF they stop the penalties and get disciplined. Coaches need a practical game plan that is to the teams strengths. Can Michigan beat this team? Absolutely! They have a real good chance, but to concede to our rivals before the game even starts shows how weak minded some fans are. This team could get embarrassed, but I’ll save the complaining for after the game and support them thru the battle.
And if you don’t want to support them thru the battle, then turn in your OSU fan card and go cheer for a more perfect team.
Put down the crack pipes.. Insanity is believing OSU can beat Michigan with a crappy, comical defense. OSU HAS ZERO DEFENSE!
Michigan wins and beats the spread. Take that to the bank. I’ll be at the game.
UM 49
OSU 28
Calibuck, it’s a shame you can’t delete this post. You sound really dumb.
Winovich is the heart and soul of that defense. Dude lights that fire. They will begin to doubt themselves if OSU can hit a few big plays early. UM is the better team, playing on the road without their leader and best player. Could get interesting…
GO BUCKS!
I have confidence in Urban and the players, not Schiano or Davis. Leave Davis in the locker room, tied up in the corner and bring Schlegel in as a temporary LB coach. Take Schiano’s damn chart away from him when he gets on the field and make him coach on instinct.
When the season is over after the Rose Bowl(the playoff people will find a way to keep us out), Urban needs to fire that worthless OL coach and hire Jeff Uhlenhake, make Hartline permanent WR coach, move Schiano out politely(send him back to Rutgers even up for Ash). Make Ash and Grinch co-DC’s, with Ash coaching corners and hire Schlegel as LB coach. He has the same mentality and philosophy as Zach Boren, rip their heads off.
Hire J.T. Barrett as QB coach when Day goes to USC.
GO BUCKS!!!!!MICHIGAN SUCKS!!!!!! KSA!!!!
Key factors
Location. OSU
Swagger and confidence. MI
Were due to win. MI
More talented. OSU
Most balanced. MI
Key battle. MI DL to OSU OL
Key difference. MI qb to OSUs inept back 7
Oh Really. Mi has not played a top 30 pass O.
Hidden reality. OSUs ability to dominate for 15 to 20 minutes every game and outgained all.
Scary Stat. MI average of minimal O plays allowed.
Game name. Well coached old school to inconsistent sloppy and explosive and dominant play coached.
Experience. MI hasn’t been in a scrape for a long time. OSU has had many white knuckle games.
Key to game. OSU keeping it close MIs ability to stuff the run, keeping emotions under control, and turnovers.
Who will win? OSU will.make too many mistakes, MI is not the best we’ve been made to believe, but OSU will pull out another classic kardiac tester. 30 to 28.
Michigan’s going to win and win BIG! And here’s why: this Ohio State team hasn’t shown much fire all year so it’s my opinion there’s no way in hell they want to practice all next week and play another game, so losing to Michigan gets them off the field and onto the couch. Michigan is a hungry team that has goals, leadership and toughness. Ohio State has poor leadership, isn’t a hungry team and lacks a killer instinct. Michigan 52 Ohio State 21
Sounds like you’ve finished leadership fundamentals 101. True MI will enter with swagger and confidence and a balanced well coached approach. They will be on the road where the dont excel and will face by far the most talented O and a competent, deep and explosive pass attack. OSU is more talented and their ability to dominate on both sides will surprise MI and keep this game uncomfortably close and the heat and pressure moves those in the wings helmets, btw. OSU has the favor now being there and doing that. Well wait and see.
And you finished naive positivity 101 right? We had a leader but he left the team, school and teammates behind remember? Do you think Chase Winovich will leave his team in the rear view mirror ala Nick Bosa? I bet he’s on the sideline with his team, hurt or not.
I bet Chase W. would have done the same thing Bosa did if he were a projected top 5 pick who got hurt with a serious injury the 3rd game of the year and no one told him when he could return. Chase getting hurt last week is a huge difference from getting injured early in the season. He may play or not. We will find out tomorrow.
Yeperoooo. Either way hes not going to be the force he Hope’s to be.
Nick ‘the deserter’ Bosa was a team captain for God’s sake! Do you people have any self awareness, any concept that football is the ultimate team game? These were his brothers, they went to war together, ate, worked out, spent hour upon hour together. They count on each other to be there thru injury, defeat. They play for each other, not for the fans or the school or the coaches. Bosa left them, deserted, left town and school. Don’t you think that affected team morale, team unity, team spirit? Wise up people!
Bucknaked, you’re missing a lot of brain cells
Chase stayed because hes experienced only losses to OSU. Dont blame Nick at all. Our DL is better than theirs and are back 7 is more talented but not as well coached. If I the basis of your rant is that MI has more heart than OSU, well ok. Re read my post 4 or 5 times after u take a few deep breaths. The respond logically and factually. Thanx
Minnowvichm is going to get his ass handed to him in just a few hours……….Like that tadpole Mike Hart, he’s going to be crying before he reaches the tunnel.
Are you kidding me? We’ve got heart? Did Nick ‘the deserter’ Bosa show heart and stay here til the season ended? Did you watch the Maryland or Purdue games? Our d-line isn’t even close to being as good as theirs and if our back 7 is so talented why are they so lousy? Bad coaching is part of it but our lbs are laughing stocks and db’s and safeties get beat repeatedly. Now you like logic and facts right? Tell me wise one, how many of our defensive players will be 1st team all big ten? And how many Michigan defensive players will be? Dremont might be but he will be the only one. They will have multiple players 1st team all big ten.
How much you want to lose? I’ll take that bet Bucknaked.
hmmm…how did that fantasy turn out. Sit on the sidelines next time please.
Martell starts the second half and brings the good guys back from the brink to win the game!
Only if Haskins gets hurt. We all know Urban goes down with his qb no matter how bad he plays.
Get ready! Haskins lays his claim to Buckeye immortality. I see where Bill Conley describes Haskins “truly on of the greatest quarterbacks to ever wear the scarlet and gay'” “A seasoned veteran, a thoroughbred.” Guys like Haskins find a way to will their teams to victory. He will lift the Buckeyes to a great victory for the ages. Ohio State 35 Michigan 20.
Like Purdue
Hank, that’s a lame reply. But it still made me laugh…
That’s like 6 weeks ago and we did out gain them.
I have had many feelings about this game, from a 63-3 type of game to Michigan, as the Ohio State offense can not protect Hasking nor run the ball and the defense can not stop anything at all a la Maryland model to a more optimistic view based on the fact that Ohio State has drastically enhanced their run game as of late and Michigan seemed susceptible to the run. With a good game plan, Ohio State could control the game enough to keep their defense off of the field, and put enough of a scare in Michigan for their QB to make a couple of mistakes. I keep coming back to that defense though, and I just don’t see it. Too many things have to go our way and only a solid defensive game for them will do the job. Mix in a little home field cooking and balance it with a much hungrier Michigan squad.. .So I am going with Michigan by more than 10 points
Wee, you’re normally more level headed. Not a chance the varmints beat the Buckeyes by 10 points. I seriously doubt they beat the Buckeyes at all. BUT………if you’d like to make that wager………….I’ll take it.
…and you would be wrong.
Our buckeyes will need the fans to make a lot of noise on every down and make this a home field advantage. If you are going to the game, scream and yell every time tsun touches the ball. Do not let up until the clock strikes 00:00. OSU 35 TSUN 28
My son says Buckeyes 35 TTUN 31. As we all know, the Buckeyes have lost exactly once EVER when scoring at least 35 points.
I don’t think The Game will be so high-scoring though it certainly could be with the Buckeye offense and ironically the Buckeye defense.
The Game often comes down to intangibles like penalties, turnovers, and special teams.
I sayone of the above (I’m going with a turnover at a crucial moment as Patterson is at least likely to one).
Buckeyes 31
TTUN 24
MEH……….What a day for the Buckeyes to finally put it all together and dump their best performance of the year onto the hopes and dreams of one of natures most disgusting animals (second only to wild pigs), the varmintrines.
Watch this Buckeye defense show up and shut down furballs offense, and decimate that so-called vaunted defense.
The Buckeyes enter this game relaxed knowing that 75% of their fans and, 85% of the rest of the Country believes _ichigan will beat them.
A funny thing is going to happen on the way to the M Go Blow coronation ceremony…..they are going to get beaten soundly by a superior roster. It’s coming and there’s just not a damned thing TTUN can do about it. We know it and THEY know it.
Ohio State 42
Varmints 28
Thank you Mr. Mills – I like what you are cooking! Yeah, it seems like most of the Buckeye nation are sadly embarrassed to be 10-1. Damn, (shhh) how is that even possible to say embarrassed and 10-1 in the same sentence? Anyway, other than the Clemson debacle – I can’t recall an Urban Meyer coached OSU team not playing well in a big game (didn’t tOSU dominate Alabama and Oregon, took down Notre Dame and USC, beat those guys up north what 5-6 times)? This guy can coach and I believe he and his team will be ready. The good guys 31 the bad guys 27
Yeah. But dont forget OK at home last year, our home game against VT, and MSU stealing the 2015 season from us. However this is MI and we are at home and the more talented team.
That Whore Up North isn’t in the same league as Oklahoma last year. There’s always a chance the Buckeyes could lose, and there’s just as much a chance they win.
Yep, agree, but Urban has had some big chokes while at OSU, and I was responding to a post that Urban doesnt lose big games. MI does not have the OL, speed, mobile qb and skill depth or creativity that OK has.
Urban had his choke this year, and he’s not having another in Conference. This team in the earlier video’s were loose and relaxed, and that’s a really good sign. The looser the guys the better they will respond. The seniors leading the way are going to break the varmints pathetic little hearts. I can feel it already, and I’m pumped.
Oklahoma
Even better – you called a beat down. Very prophetic. The other guys who predicted the score going the other way – as Mr. T. once said, “I pity the fool!” Go Bucks!