Okay. The Game is here.
There’s been tons of buildup, tons of talking, and now it’s time to have both teams settle it on one of the best college football feasts you’ll ever see. There’s usually some gray skies involved, mixed in with a little scarlet, gray, maize, and blue. There’s a side of blood, sweat, and tears, with historic implications at stake.
Jim Harbaugh and Michigan are looking to finally get the Ohio State monkey off their back, while Ryan Day and the Buckeyes would like to claim dominance on the rivalry once again.
But here’s the problem: Michigan looks like an improved football team with quiet confidence and an appetite for finally breaking through. Ohio State has been the better team all season, but this rivalry was built on the hungrier and more opportunistic team delivering the knockout punch.
It won’t be easy, and here’s three reasons the Michigan Wolverines could provide some issues for the Buckeyes on Saturday.
Next … Revenge is a dish best served …
This revenge tour seems different
That’s because it’s not being publicized in the media or on t-shirts. The rivalry with Ohio State is not being disrespected by the Michigan players like the last few years. Maybe, just maybe, the Wolverine program has figured out that it’s best to do the talking on the field.
This team seems to have a better group of players in the leadership circle, and have a quiet confidence about them. But make no mistake. Michigan was embarrassed last year and has been ready and waiting for this one. You are going to see a lot of emotion out of the gate from the maize and blue sideline.
Ohio State better be ready for Michigan’s best shot Saturday afternoon. And it’ll be as relentless as can be.
Next … A peaking team
Michigan is finding its stride
It’s a little too late to win the East Division, get to Indy, or find its way into the College Football Playoff, but this Wolverine squad is different than the one that got beat to a pulp by Wisconsin. It’s much better than the one that struggled against Army.
The offense is starting to click, the defense is looking like Don Brown defenses of the past, and the play-calling now seems to mesh with the talent and abilities of the playmakers on the team.
Earlier in the year I say Ohio State would have given Michigan a shiner to the eye as large as the Big House itself. Now, it has the look and feel of a donnybrook that’s going to be a Lord of the Rings Journey.
Next … The setting
The Big House, a big crowd on edge
Michigan Stadium is an iconic venue to be sure. But it’s also a venue known to be a rather tame atmosphere until something positive for the home team happens.
You can throw that out the window in this one.
The Michigan faithful are tired of hearing about Ohio State. They’re tired of losing to a team whose fanbase is quick to rub their noses in every single defeat. They’re tired of being the brunt of jokes, and this extremely hostile and pro-Michigan crowd is going to make life very difficult on the Buckeyes’ communication.
It’ll also give that added boost of adrenaline and emotion to a team trying to make its season matter after expectations were shattered early on. This is going to be one crazy and wild atmosphere in Ann Arbor Saturday.
