The world of Ohio State football is very strange and twisted. There are no wins, no successes, no expectations, and no fun like there would be in a normal program. Why is that?
For 1,829 days, nothing has made sense until this Saturday.
There is a big, empty space. Not a single bird chirped or a flower bloomed. The sun may have come up a few times, but who cares?
Since November 30, 2019, Ohio State has not beaten Michigan in college football. That is a problem for this team.
The Buckeyes were in a national championship game in 2020 and missed a field goal that would have won the championship 99.9% of the time in 2022. But none of that mattered because TTUN (That Team Up North, for those of you living rich, fulfilling lives) is taking up all of The Ohio State University’s mental space for free.
How bad is this? It is likely that Ohio State will win, and some fans will always be very upset about it.
Michigan, on the other hand, went from winning the national title to barely making it; they needed a win over Northwestern last week just to get into a bowl game.
It is true that the Wolverines are only 6-5, but if they have a great day on Saturday, everything will be fine in their world.
Michigan vs Ohio State: How to Watch and Game Preview
Date:Â Saturday, November 30, 2024
Game Time:Â 12:00 pm ET
How To Watch:Â FOX
Venue:Â Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
Teams:Â Ohio State (10-1), Michigan (6-5)
Why Michigan Will Win
There is stress and this. Michigan is supposed to be wiped out.
In this rivalry, it is never okay to lose, but the Wolverines just won the national title, so they are still feeling great.
This Ohio State football team is painfully tight. They play every play like the world is going to end if it is not positive in a Beat Michigan way.
Even though this Michigan team is not even close to the ones from the last few years, the defense is still great against the run.
The team is 7-1 when the running game is just barely average (like, run for 115 yards), and despite all the talent on the other side of the ball, the jaw-dropping performance against a strong team was…
Ohhhh. Iowa? Okay, that is fine, but even the good wins have been hard. But…
Why Ohio State Will Win
For all the pressure and all of the pain Ohio State has endured, several of the key parts – like QB Will Howard, and S Caleb Downs, and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, and RB Quinshon Junkins, and WR Jeremiah Smith – weren’t around for any of this.
Michigan is miserable on offense.
Don’t let the almost 400 yards put up on Northwestern fool you. There’s no downfield passing game whatsoever, and the ground game is hit-or-miss.
This Wolverine team has to bash away for at least 4.5 yards per carry in this, and be at least +2 in turnover margin, and own third downs on defense, and it’s not going to do any of those three.
Yes, the Ohio State offensive line is banged up, and yes, the still-strong Michigan defensive line will win its share of battles, but …
Michigan vs Ohio State: Who Will Win?
This one is about Ohio State’s defense.
Last week, I told you that Will Howard would have a great day in Indiana’s win.
He completed 22 out of 26 passes for 201 yards, scored two touchdowns, and had a pick that was not his fault. He also scored a touchdown on a rushing play that had nothing to do with smoking.
He will, in fact, throw two interceptions early on.
The Ohio State defense will throw a great game after giving the Wolverines a 10-0 lead. Then everyone will go crazy and social media will crash.
Ohio State will go into halftime with a 14–10 lead because Howard will settle in and the midrange passing game will work. Then the relief will start around the middle of the third quarter.
It will be amazing how well the Buckeye defense plays in the second half.
Michigan vs Ohio State Prediction, Betting Lines
Prediction:Â Ohio State 38, Michigan 10
Line:Â Ohio State -20.5, o/u: 43.5
ATS Confidence out of 5:Â 4
Must See Rating:Â 5
