Ohio State @ Michigan Preview.
#9 Ohio State (7-1)(9-2) @ Michigan (5-3)(8-3)
Saturday; 12:00 / FOX
Ohio State -12
The Buckeyes are unbeaten against Michigan ever since Urban Meyer arrived in Columbus. Ohio State has been at or near the top of the college football pack in each of those five years. They have been in the playoffs three times in the four year history of the playoffs, including the very first playoff National Champion.
Michigan; on the other hand, has been through a transition the past several years. They bottomed out during the Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke eras. In 2014, they called on one of their own to lead the program past Ohio State and to the top of the Big Ten. The building is still in progress under Jim Harbaugh this year with the young Wolverines.
Ohio State has won 12 of the previous 13 meetings between these two and it appears they have an edge again this year. The Buckeyes have already won the Big Ten East and still has a glimmer of hope for another playoff appearance. Veteran quarterback; J.T. Barrett has had both spectacular and mediocre play this year. He has passed for 2638 yards and 32 scores. His favorite targets are K.J. Hill; (49 receptions), and Paris Campbell; (35 receptions). Barrett also adds significantly to the rushing game along with leading rusher, J.K. Dobbins and Michael Weber. This offense can be very explosive, reflective on their 7.1 average yards per play and 44.9 points a game.
The Buckeye defense has a very strong front, allowing only 114 rushing yards a game and a little under 20 points a game. Their secondary can be leaky.
No one will confuse Michigan with an explosive offense. It has been a struggle all year. They have been playing third string quarterback, Brandon Peters after losing Wilton Speight early in the season and a stretch with ineffective play from John O'Korn; who may have to play since Peters is on concussion protocol. The quarterback dilemma have contributed to Michigan falling from first in the Big Ten in scoring offense to seventh. They also have had problems with the offensive line, allowing 29 sacks.
Their one bright spot offensively has been their running game; and they really will need it to produce Saturday. Michigan rotates three backs, led by Karan Higdon; (874 yards), Chris Evans; (594 yards) and Ty Isaac (548 yards) bolster one of the top rushing attacks in the conference. They have been stopped by the better defensive fronts it has faced this year.
The Michigan front seven can be very disruptive. Chase Winovich, Khaleke Hudson and Maurice Hurst has 16, 15.5 and 13.5 tackles for loss respectively.
How will the Wolverine offense navigate through the fierce defensive front of Ohio State? The embattled offensive line will get a stern test. They must stay away from third down and long situations.
Ohio State appears to have enough material to win this game rather comfortably. The question is will they have the proper motivation. It's Michigan. They will.
Ohio State 45-20
