It’s Ohio State vs. Michigan week and although that means both fan bases are likely trading barbs and toilet papering each others’ houses, we in the media try to keep it a little more civil.
On that note, we worked with one of our sister sites Wolverines Wire to discuss this year’s version of The Game. We encourage you to read the original roundtable and breakdown of The Game for yourself, and if you’re a Michigan fan, we encourage you to follow and keep tabs on Wolverines Wire. There’s great content and insight I find helpful even for an Ohio State site because, well — let’s be honest, both programs are always keeping tabs on the other from afar.
But back to the arena.
From the Ohio State side, the discussion involved myself here at Buckeyes Wire. The maize and blue side of things were covered by the Wolverines Wire’s Isaiah Hole, Brandon Knapp and Matthew Lounsberry. Then, we had the sensible and unbiased mediator in the form of College Football News’ Pete Fiutak to bring it all together so that a scrum didn’t break out virtually.
So, off we go …
Michigan wins if…
Pete Fiutak, College Football News
It starts forcing mistakes right away and is fearless.
The pressure is ALL on Ohio State – it’s supposed to win this thing in a walk. Penn State had its chances last week to take control of the game – even though it was getting dominated – but didn’t have the ability to do it. However – even though the Nittany Lions beat the Wolverines – Michigan is playing better and at this point is the better team. Justin Fields was fine when hit with adversity, but it’s not like Ohio State was really in trouble. There’s still a bit of a “prove it” factor in the really, really big games with everything on the line.
Matthew Lounsberry, WolverinesWire
The key to a Michigan victory is keeping quarterback Shea Patterson upright and allowing him time to find his receivers. The Wolverines have weapons on the outside in Nico Collins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Ronnie Bell and others. If has time to throw, those receivers are talented enough to make big plays.
Additionally, defensive coordinator Don Brown must show he’s got answers for Ohio State’s explosive offense. Michigan’s defense was shredded last season. The Wolverines have shown different looks this season to combat some of the ways the Buckeyes attacked them last year, but Ohio State will have seen those adjustments on film. Brown has to have contingencies ready this season.
Brandon Knapp, WolverinesWire
Michigan has to own the football like it’s theirs and they don’t want the Buckeyes to play. If Michigan can control the TOP and not just by a few minutes, but by 10+ minutes then they can win this game.
Having the No. 1 defense on the field for as long as possible can drain them and eventually wear them down to where they can’t keep up to the Michigan offense. While Michigan’s offense will be tired too, that means the defense will be fresh and ready to stop the Buckeyes offense.
Phil Harrison, BuckeyesWire
It absolutely has to limit the Justin Fields in the running game.
If you know the history of this rivalry, the team that wins the running battle in late November almost always comes away the victor (no pun intended there). But it’s especially important for Michigan to make life difficult on not only J.K. Dobbins, but most importantly Justin Fields. That’s because unlike last year, things start with the rushing game for OSU this year. The Buckeyes are fourth in the country in yards per game behind just the three service academies and still looked to get things crankin’ on the ground against a stout Penn State defense by calling more QB-runs for Fields. You can bet it’ll be the same in this one, and those key chain moving plays are going to be huge.
Isaiah Hole, WolverinesWire
Michigan plays at a consistent high-level throughout the game. That means keeping Ohio State off-balance on both sides of the ball.
The Wolverines have to stay aggressive on defense, especially considering OSU is 83rd in the country in sacks allowed. Forcing Fields into obvious passing downs and getting off the field on third down will be imperative. In a game like this, despite the threats downfield, stopping the run is more important than the pass. OSU is more dominant in time of possession than a year ago, and it can run the clock if it wants to, given its diversity with Fields, J.K. Dobbins and Master Teague.
On the other side of the ball, the offense has to take what is given. It might not be much, given OSU’s stout defense, but Michigan has shown over the course of the last few weeks that it can run the ball well and pass it effectively. If the Buckeyes allow the pass, do that, but don’t become one-dimensional. They can’t rely solely on one aspect over the other, there has to be balance, unless there’s a yet-undiscovered fatal flaw that can be exploited. Perhaps the X-factor on that side is QB Shea Patterson and his ability to keep the ball on the zone-read. We haven’t seen it much lately, but it feels like Michigan has been holding that back for this game.
Finally, Michigan cannot turn the ball over, and probably will need at least one to win the game. A single turnover in a game like this could be devastating, and Michigan needs to win that battle this time around.
NEXT: Ohio State wins if…
Ohio State wins if…
PeTe Fiutak
It swags up and acts and plays like it’s the best team in college football. Ohio State is better than Michigan, Ohio State is better than LSU. Ohio State is better than every team in the country, and it needs to have the same sort of mindset and attitude that it had going into last year’s game.
Matthew Lounsberry
The Buckeyes will win this game if they continue to play the way they have all season. That might sound awfully simple, but Ohio State has scored the most points in the country, and allowed the fewest points in the country this year. The Buckeyes were dominating Penn State last week, 21-0, before being hit with the turnover bug. If Ohio State plays clean football on Saturday, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where they don’t wind up on top.
Brandon Knapp
They play as they have in the first nine games. Against Penn State, we’ve seen some kind of weakness in the Buckeyes and if that was against Michigan, the Wolverines could’ve won the game. Penn State was playing with their backup quarterback for most of the game and that was a gamechanger as well. Ohio State needs to get back to not turning over the football and just pushing the ball down Michigan’s throats and scoring over and over again as they did in 2018.
Phil Harrison
It limits the big play from Michigan. The Wolverines have gotten much better on offense because they have all of a sudden found the ability to utilize some of the skill players in space and on the outside. It no longer looks like a round beg trying to get into a square hole as Shea Patterson and his playmakers are starting to figure things out, and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis seems to have a better handle on what this team does well. OSU is much improved in that category compared with last year, and you know it all starts with Chase Young and that D-line getting pressure and push in the Michigan backfield.
Isaiah Hole
Its playmakers make big plays.
I’m, of course, talking about Justin Fields, J.K. Dobbins and Chase Young. None of the above have really been stopped all year, and if they can continue to move the ball at will and create havoc on defense, the Buckeyes could ultimately cruise in this game.
Honestly, it’s as simple as that.
NEXT: 3 reasons Michigan will win…
3 reasons Michigan will win…
pete Fiutak
- The lines are playing well enough to hold up. The run defense had one bad game against Wisconsin. That’s it.
- Shea Patterson is on. He’s looking and playing comfortable and he’s not making the big mistakes.
- It’s Justin Fields in a really, really, really big game. Let’s see.
Matthew Lounsberry
- Shea Patterson has regained his confidence and is playing his best football
- Michigan’s defense has been lights out since the Wisconsin game
- Nico Collins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Ronnie Bell form one of the top receiving trios in the nation
Brandon knapp
- Improved passing game
- The defense has adjusted from last year’s mistakes
- Home-field advantage
Phil Harrison
- Quiet confidence. There’s not the talk we’ve heard from this Michigan team in the past. The leaders on this team seem to have more respect for the rivalry and maybe that’ll translate to a better mindset and preparation.
- The improvement curve. I wasn’t sold on the couple of games we saw initially, but now there’s no doubt this team is better than the one that struggled against Army and Wisconsin. Not only does Don Brown have the defense rockin’ again, but the offense is hitting its stride and can create some mismatches on the outside.
- Revenge. It could be time. Though last year was pegged as the revenge tour, I get the sense it’s for real this time. Michigan is tired of hearing about Ohio State and more tired of being the brunt of jokes because of last year. Emotion will be high behind a home crowd ready to bust at the seams.
IsaiAh Hole
- Line play on both sides. The offensive line seems to have figured everything out from the early struggles and seem like it can protect Shea Patterson amply as well as open up cavernous holes for the running backs. The defensive line looked like a liability early on but has become a dominant force since the Iowa game. If the Wolverines can dictate the game up front, they’ll win.
- Homefield advantage. Know it’s been said already, but who’s the best team Ohio State has faced on the road? Indiana. Wisconsin and Penn State were both in Columbus and both teams limped into the Horseshoe. Justin Fields played well in hostile Nebraska, but the Huskers don’t belong in the same league as either of these teams at the moment. If the going gets rough, really for the first time all year, can Ohio State handle it in what could be a raucous environment? Also, the Wolverines are undefeated at home with Shea Patterson at QB. Speaking of which…
- Shea Patterson. He’s been lights out the past few weeks, and I have a sneaking suspicion he’ll be a much bigger factor in the run game as well. If he can play with the same amount of confidence as he has in recent weeks as well as keep the Buckeyes off-balance, the maize and blue have a shot.
NEXT: 3 reasons Ohio State will win…
3 reasons Ohio State will win…
Pete Fiutak
- Chase Young.
- The offensive line doesn’t get nearly the credit it deserves. It has the ability to line up and blast away.
- It’s Jim Harbaugh vs. Ohio State.
Matthew Lounsberry
- The backfield duo of Justin Fields and J.K. Dobbins has been unstoppable all season
- Ohio State’s defense has playmakers at all 3 levels, led by ‘Defensive Player of the Year’ Chase Young
- The Buckeyes have a mental advantage, having won seven in a row
Brandon Knapp
- Chase Young
- Justin Fields knows how to pick apart defenses
- Secondary will give Michigan receivers trouble
Phil Harrison
- Talent. It sounds simple, but Ohio State is just the better team across the board. The amount of skill on this team might be the best we’ve seen in a long, long time. There’s NFL guys all over the roster, and when things break down, OSU’s guys might be able to just go beat the other one in Maize and Blue on the other side of the ball more often than not.
- Coaching. Urban Meyer had a lot of tendencies towards the tail end of his career (Q-run anyone?) I think a lot of the success Ohio State has had this year is because Day is more unpredictable with his play calling. He’s aggressive, but he’s also calculated at times. Because of that, it’s often hard to get a beat on what the Buckeyes will do in certain situations.
- Justin Fields. Sometimes you just have the dude. Not to take anything away from Chase Young on the defensive line, but Fields is the key in this one. His ability to keep some of the defensive pressure honest, and take an assignment away for fear of what he can do with his legs is a huge bonus for Ohio State. He’s stronger than anyone knows, yet can run a 4.3. He’ll make more than a key play or two to keep drives going.
Isaiah Hole
- Ohio State is simply deeper and more talented across the board. I don’t think it’s by as wide a margin as some might suggest, but it is real and more talented teams tend to win.
- Ryan Day exploited Don Brown’s defense last year, and he very well could do it again. OSU just has too many options for Michigan to cover, and there’s a strong chance that the Wolverines cannot make the Buckeyes one-dimensional or stop them enough.
- While Michigan looks like it’s peaking, and while I hate this narrative, it’s certainly possible that the Wolverines just don’t play it’s A-game. We saw it all game against Wisconsin and in the first-half at Penn State. If Michigan starts slow, this game is all but over.
NEXT: 5 bold predictions that will happen regardless…
5 bold predictions that will happen regardless…
Pete Fiutak
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I’m going to get yelled at by the entire Ohio State nation all week for suggesting that the smart play – if you really care about the national title – is to sit everyone as soon as possible in what is actually a meaningless game in a big picture sense. Ohio State COULD win this and lose the Big Ten Championship and still have a shot at the CFP, but … it needs to win the Big Ten Championship more than it needs to beat Michigan.
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It’s gong to be close. Michigan is going to look the part and have a lead for a stretch, and it’ll be dead even throughout.
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Chase Young won’t be neutralized, but he’ll be slowed down just enough – he’s not going to totally dominate.
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Justin Fields will throw three picks. He’ll be a bit off all game long, but …
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Ohio State wins by ripping out Michigan’s heart on a late, tough drive. Michigan will look great, but it won’t be able to put the game away.
Matthew Lounsberry
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Michigan scores first
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Chase Young forces a fumble on a sack
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Patterson and Collins connect for two touchdowns
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Justin Fields rushes for a touchdown, and throws for two more
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Lavert Hill intercepts Fields
Brandon Knapp
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Patterson fumbles the ball three times, losing it twice
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Chase Young gets three sacks
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Ronnie Bell gets over 100 receiving yards AND scores
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Neither team attempts a field goal
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Michigan runs for over 200 yards
Phil Harrison
- Michigan will be leading into the second half – maybe that’s not too bold, but with how good Ohio State has been this year, it feels like a bold call. The Wolverines are going to play with emotion the right way this year and put things in doubt.
- Less than 50 points will be scored collectively – Yeah Ohio State leads the country in scoring, but we’re not going to have a shootout in this one. It’ll be more of a defensive struggle than many think, and it’ll be nip and tuck because of how good and prepared both defenses will be.
- Justin Fields will rush for over 100 yards – As simple as that sounds, Fields has not done that one time this year. The most yards he’s rushed for was 68 in the first game of the year against FAU. He’ll be needed more on the ground in this one to loosen things up.
- Michigan will rush for over 175 yards collectivel – That would be a lot for a team only giving up about 91 yards per contest. Ohio State got exposed a bit last week between the tackles, and I think the Wolverines look to exploit it with the combination of designed runs for Shea Patterson and via the traditional handoffs to Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet.
- Ohio State backup tailback Master Teague will rush for more yards than J.K. Dobbins – We said bold right? The Michigan D will gang up on the run (as it should) and Ohio State will have to use the bigger and more physical Teague to gain some momentum and wear down the Wolverine front seven.
Isaiah Hole
- Both teams drive the field and score on their first drives and score.
- Michigan looks like a completely different team on both sides of the ball, with a more diverse look on defense and with a lot of dynamic formations/plays on offense.
- Chase Young doesn’t get home more than twice.
- Michigan doesn’t put up gaudy numbers, but it manages more offense than any other team has against Ohio State all-season long.
- The Game is tight, late due to an inexplicable Justin Fields mistake.
