Michigan at Ohio State: Game Preview and Prediction

Date: Saturday, November 24
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
Network: FOX

It looks like the rivalry is back! This century has been dominated by the Buckeyes, especially since Urban Meyer arrived on the scene in Columbus. Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh has a huge Buckeye monkey on his back and this looks like the best chance he has had to remove that it. The Wolverines with a win will be just one win against Northwestern in the Big Ten championship away from a berth in the college playoffs. Let’s take a look at how each team can pull out the victory in this game.

Why the Buckeyes will win?

Michigan has a great defense, but they have not faced an offense as good as Ohio State. The Buckeyes have weapons led by quarterback Dwayne Haskins and a receiving corps as good as Michigan has faced this season, probably better. Remember this Michigan sputtered against Northwestern and its drives stalled way too often against Indiana. Also, is winning at home against Wisconsin and Penn State – and on the road against Michigan State – that big a deal? Michigan has played to the level of its competition this year, so if you are a Buckeyes fan expect to see the Wolverines best game in this matchup.

The Buckeyes defense will certainly not be the reason for the Buckeyes winning. What could do the trick is the Buckeyes offense. If the Buckeyes can be successful both on the ground and in the air Ohio State could just outscore Michigan. Combine that with home field advantage and you have an upset. The problem with this scenario is that I believe that Michigan’s defense is too good to give up more than 20 points to the Buckeyes.

Why the Wolverines will win?

The Wolverines defense has been suffocating this year and if they can deal with the Buckeyes multiple weapons on defense this game could be over quickly. The Wolverines have played to the level of competition this year, but when they have played better teams they have been dominant. The Wolverines need to pressure Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins. If they do that they can make the Buckeyes offensive weapons a lot less dangerous. With all that being said they will have to score at least 24 points to win this game because Ohio State is explosive.

Prediction

Rivalry games are always hard to predict, but at this point in the season I tend to almost always pick the team that can control the game on the ground and play defense, so even though they are on the road I am going with the Wolverines in this one, but I do believe the game will be closer than most people think.

Michigan 27  Ohio State 23