3 bold predictions for Michigan Football vs Ohio State

The Game is almost here, and for the fourth time in the last five years, a lot is on the line for both teams. This decade has provided us with some massive matchups between the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes, and on Saturday, the stakes are high and a new chapter in this iconic rivalry is about to be written.

After losing to USC, things looked bleak for Michigan. Since then, however, the Wolverines have rattled off five straight wins and sit at 9-2 overall (8-1 in Big Ten play). Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff hopes are both still alive.

There’s no question about it, Ohio State has been the best team in college football this year. The Buckeyes are once again a well-oiled machine and are coming into The Game with a perfect 11-0 record. Ohio State will be in the CFP no matter what, but Michigan has a chance to steal its Big Ten Championship spot. It will take a special performance, but if the Wolverines found a way to win last year, anything is possible.

When these two teams get together, it’s always exciting. This year’s edition is shaping up to be another crazy football game, so let’s make some bold predictions ahead of the contest.

Michigan’s offense is clicking at the right time, as the Wolverines have racked up nearly 1,000 total yards in the last two weeks combined. The run game has especially been strong, and Jordan Marshall is good to go for this game. Michigan has been able to run the ball against Ohio State the last four years, and that is why the rivalry has flipped. The offensive line is much better than last year’s, and it has been paving the way for a bruising run game. The Wolverines will run for more than 250 yards and win the rushing battle once again.

Ohio State’s offense is going to be a little overwhelmed this weekend, as this is the first tough opponent the Buckeyes have played in a while. The schedule has been very easy for them, and going up against this Michigan defensive line in the frigid cold will be challenging.

The Wolverines have been great at forcing turnovers this year, and Julian Sayin hasn’t had to face much pressure. Michigan needs to create pressure to force him into some mistakes, and that will happen, resulting in at least a couple turnovers for the Heisman hopeful.

This is going to be another fantastic football game between these two bitter rivals. It will be close throughout, and that’s what Michigan needs. If the Wolverines can hang around into the third quarter, the pressure on the Buckeyes will really start to mount.

Ohio State is going to have a late 24-20 lead, but Michigan will get the ball in the final two minutes with a chance to win. Bryce Underwood will lead a legacy-defining drive that ends with a touchdown in the final seconds, giving Michigan its fifth straight win over the Buckeyes.