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Michigan vs. Ohio State this year has some hefty implications with it. Michigan needs all the help they can get to reach the College Football Playoffs and are most likely playing for a New Year’s Six bowl game, while the Buckeyes are almost a CFP guarantee if they are able to win at least one of their final two games.
Ohio State is coming in 11-0 and has a lot of pressure on them to win this game and finish the year undefeated. Not only finish undefeated but beating Michigan for the eighth year in a row and walk into the Big Ten title game as a playoff team no matter what.
While Michigan most likely won’t reach the playoffs, they can ruin the chances of the Buckeyes reaching there. They can also ruin the perfect season for the Buckeyes, making them see that the only loss was to Michigan. Playing as a spoiler can be another added layer to the game this year as Michigan would love nothing better than to put a damper on Ohio State’s season.
“This is something that’s not only important to them, but important to us,” tight end Nick Eubanks said. “This is going to be a physical game and we’re looking forward to the outcome. We can control the outcome. That’s one thing we’re looking for Saturday.”
Michigan is coming off a four-game winning streak after losing a heartbreaker to Penn State, and since that loss to the Nittany Lions, the Wolverines have rebounded well. The defense is playing tighter and the offense is finally hitting on all cylinders. Michigan knows they are playing well, and they know how good Ohio State is too.
“We know Ohio State is a great team — we’re a great team also,” wide receiver Nico Collins said. “We’ll see how it is on Saturday. Our goal is to end our season with a win. (I’m sure that’s their goal), too — we’ll just see who wants it more on Saturday.”
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