Ohio State vs. Michigan roundtable preview: Breaking down The Game across enemy lines

We participated in a roundtable preview and discussion with other Michigan and Ohio State writers on The Game. Here’s where it all went.

5 bold predictions that will happen regardless…

Pete Fiutak

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Chase Young won’t be neutralized, but he’ll be slowed down just enough – he’s not going to totally dominate.
  4. Justin Fields will throw three picks. He’ll be a bit off all game long, but …
  5. 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

  1. Michigan scores first
  2. Chase Young forces a fumble on a sack
  3. Patterson and Collins connect for two touchdowns
  4. Justin Fields rushes for a touchdown, and throws for two more
  5. Lavert Hill intercepts Fields

Brandon Knapp

  1. Patterson fumbles the ball three times, losing it twice

  2. Chase Young gets three sacks

  3. Ronnie Bell gets over 100 receiving yards AND scores

  4. Neither team attempts a field goal

  5. Michigan runs for over 200 yards

Phil Harrison

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

  1. Both teams drive the field and score on their first drives and score.
  2. 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.
  3. Chase Young doesn’t get home more than twice.
  4. Michigan doesn’t put up gaudy numbers, but it manages more offense than any other team has against Ohio State all-season long.
  5. The Game is tight, late due to an inexplicable Justin Fields mistake.
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