Michigan Wolverines football at Ohio State Buckeyes

On By Littum

Angelique S. Chengelis, Connor Earegood, John Niyo and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News predict the outcome of Saturday’s Michigan-Ohio State game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio (noon, Fox/950).

Angelique S. Chengelis: Michigan finally scored some points last week against Northwestern, and the run game clicked in the second half, but it was against the Wildcats’ defense, not Ohio State’s. Big difference. Michigan’s defense has played well and kept the Wolverines in the game — they held Indiana to 18 yards in the second half — so that should keep things close early. There is plenty of pressure on Ohio State coach Ryan Day to snap a three-game losing streak in the rivalry, and the 6-5 Wolverines appear to be taking a nothing-to-lose, have-fun approach. Will that be enough? They’ll need some home runs, but that’s hard to imagine since the offense has been largely ineffective this season. Pick: Ohio State, 31-10

Connor Earegood: Three years ago, a euphoric crowd in Ann Arbor celebrated the end of a miserable streak. Michigan had finally beaten Ohio State, the first of three straight wins in The Game. This Saturday in Columbus, Ohio State fans may feel much the same way. The Wolverines don’t have the offense to keep up with the Buckeyes this year, nor is the defense good enough to stop a balanced Ohio State offense. There’s a reason the Buckeyes raised $20 million for this roster, and a No. 1 scoring defense and no. 10 scoring offense has so far lived up to the payroll. But it’s really about beating Michigan, which Ohio State will do to snap the skid. Pick: Ohio State, 41-28

John Niyo: Did Michigan rediscover its running game just in time to face Ohio State? More likely, they just took advantage of a bad Northwestern team (and a confusing defensive game plan from the Wildcats) to get a bowl. And now they get the punishment Ohio State has been waiting a few years to mete out. There’s always a recipe for a great upset in this rivalry, but it usually relies heavily on turnovers and explosive plays, and the Wolverines haven’t shown much ability to produce the latter. In 2022, that’s how JJ McCarthy & Co. beat the Buckeyes, but this offense doesn’t have the positioning ability or the player to repeat that effort in Columbus. They also likely don’t have the secondary to completely contain this offense. Pick: Ohio State, 34-13

Bob Wojnowski: In case you missed it, the 10-1 Buckeyes really, really want (and need) this one, and have upside pretty much everywhere, including the motivation to win the Big Ten and land a top seed in the playoffs. Oh yeah, and their pain from three straight losses in The Game is unrelenting. For 6-5 Michigan to have a chance, it must find a way to run the ball and rely on its tough defensive front to shut down OSU’s run and get pressure on QB Will Howard. The Buckeyes may be vulnerable on the offensive line, but not really anywhere else. Explosive receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith should find room to roam against UM’s secondary, and if Howard has time to throw, it’s over. The Wolverines have one of the worst passing offenses in the country, and Sherrone Moore has quite the task of getting her team ready. Ryan Day has been known to tighten up in big games, which may be the Wolverines’ best hope. Buckeye fans want blood, and they’re getting some, but not quite a bloodbath. Pick: Ohio State, 33-17