Yes, Jim Harbaugh wants to beat Ohio State, quit asking

Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh is now 0-5 against Ohio State after the loss today. It doesn’t mean that he isn’t trying though.

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Ann Arbor, MI. — Back in 2014, Michigan hired head coach Jim Harbaugh to come in and revive the once-dominant program in college football history. Some goals were to win their rivalry games, win conference championships, and win national championships. So far, the only thing Harbaugh has been able to do is defeat Notre Dame once, defeat Michigan State three times, and win one bowl game. What about beating Ohio State? He’s now 0-5 against them after losing 56-27 today.

Losing big in back-to-back years is embarrassing to not only himself but to the coaching staff and the players. After losing 62-39 last year, it seemed that Michigan had changed their approach to the game and would be able to put up somewhat of a fight against the best Ohio State team Harbaugh has ever seen. This year though seemed eerily similar to last years loss. Poor offense execution despite early success, the defense isn’t able to make a stop, and overall just simply getting outplayed by the Buckeyes.

In the end, Ohio State dominated the game for the most part and Harbaugh is left wondering what he has to do to defeat the Buckeyes. Losing to Ohio State isn’t what he wants to do. He knows he was brought here to do great things, and one of them was to beat Ohio State, something Michigan hasn’t done since 2011.

Harbaugh was asked after the game how much does losing to Ohio State every year affects him and how badly does he want to win it eventually.

“I thought our team was well prepared, thought they were playing good football,” Harbaugh said. “I thought it was a good football fight. It got away from us. Give them credit for playing well.”

Yet, he was asked again if he wanted to win this game.

“We really wanna win the game,” Harbaugh said. The reporter asked a third time if he wanted to win it personally, “Yea,” said Harbaugh.

Harbaugh wants to win this football game and you can see it anger him that he lost once again. Just because Harbaugh is losing this rivalry to the Buckeyes doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about the game, or doesn’t see it as important as the others. He cares about it like the players and the other coaching staff members do, possibly more. He was brought to Michigan to do big things, one of them was beating the Buckeyes, and you can’t do big things if you can’t beat Ohio State.

Harbaugh is frustrated that he’s on the losing end once again, you can tell by his responses to questions today and his posture. He doesn’t gameplan an entire year to lose this game. Harbaugh’s team was just outplayed by the Buckeyes once again. Ohio State isn’t a bad team, they’re undefeated and are going to go to the College Football Playoffs, with two Heisman players on their team. They aren’t a low-tier school from the Sun Belt, they’re the number one team in the nation and they proved why today.

The entire Michigan fanbase is tired of losing to Ohio State. Harbaugh knows it, the other coaches know it, the players know it, everyone knows it. If anyone believes for one second that Harbaugh doesn’t want to win this game then they are truly mistaken for who he is as a coach and as a person.

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5 Takeaways from Michigan’s 56-27 loss against Ohio State

Michigan football lost to Ohio State in The Game with the final score of 56-27. Here are my five takeaways from the huge loss.

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Ann Arbor, MI. — Michigan had all the momentum headed into their game against Ohio State this year. Four game winning streak, the offense was clicking and the defense was stout, coming in as the fourth-ranked defense in the country.

That didn’t matter in the end because Ohio State was the number one team in the country, and had the number one defense. While the Buckeyes had issues at first, they would slow down the Michigan offense in the end, while their own offense never really seemed tested all game long. Once again the team with the most rushing yards won the game and Ohio State dominated in that category, outrushing Michigan 264 to 91.

Check out my five takeaways from the 56-27 loss to the Buckeyes.

1. Shea Patterson did everything he possibly could

Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson played as best as he could today, going 18/43 for 305 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Despite the fumble in the endzone in the second quarter, he played with everything he could against the toughest defense he’s ever gone against. Patterson was expected to struggle as his receivers went up against a great Ohio State secondary and a monstrous defensive line, yet he didn’t face pressure much and was able to throw to some open receivers. What killed Patterson in the second half was drops by his wide receivers as most of the throws hit the receivers in the hands but just couldn’t come down with it.

Patterson was able to overcome a lot this season, from fans booing him in the home opener, to dealing with injuries he played his best football this season in Ann Arbor. He finished the year throwing for 2,828 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions, his best year ever in college. While he won’t get his name called early in April, Patterson is showing he could still be drafted in the NFL.

2. Chase Young wasn’t an issue for Michigan

The huge question headed into this game for the Michigan offense was how they could deal with the best defensive player in the country, Ohio State defensive end Chase Young. Well, Michigan handled him with ease honestly. They held him to just two QB hits overall. That’s right, no recorded tackles or sacks. Young applied pressure on two passes but never recorded a tackle or sack.

Keeping Young out of the game was huge for the offense and something they executed very well at doing. He faced left tackle Jon Runyan Jr. one-on-one and dealt with right tackle Jalen Mayfield with help from right guard Michael Onwenu.

With Young out of the game, for the most part, it kept Patterson upright and gave him time to throw the football around, but Michigan still couldn’t find an answer on the ground. Young can be a force on the rushing defense too, but him being restricted in the passing plays was a big help for the Michigan passing game.

3. Running game Didn’t have an answer

Michigan started out the season strong on the ground and was able to run the rock with ease at times against some opponents. Today against Ohio State, it wasn’t even an option as the passing game was working well once again. You would think that Ohio State would eventually allow a big run or multiple three/four-yard gains by the Michigan running backs with the passing game working with ease, but you’d be wrong.

Freshman running back Zach Charbonnet had just four carries for seven yards. Hassan Haskins had 12 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Giles Jackson doesn’t even play wide receiver and he had more yards on fewer carries than Charbonnet, finishing with three for 26 yards and a touchdown. All together Michigan only put up 91 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns.

Michigan’s offense is known for its ground and pound attitude, and with offensive coordinator Josh Gattis coming in, that would change. With their success early on in the season, it seemed like it would still be a point of emphasis and a staple of the team, but with the passing game improving they weren’t needed as much. When they needed it most today though, they couldn’t seem to get anything working.

4. Jim Harbaugh now 0-5 against the Buckeyes

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh just can’t seem to find an answer. In 2015 it was his first year without his group of guys and he got blown out. In 2016 a questionable spot by the officials changed the outcome. In 2017, injuries and poor play was the reason why Michigan lost.

In 2018 Michigan came in favored and got embarrassed. 2019 was almost a repeat of 2018, except Michigan wasn’t favored to win by any means. Ohio State had its best team in years and once again dominated the Wolverines. Harbaugh has beaten Michigan State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State, all of the major players in the Big Ten, except for just one.

Harbaugh is in year five at Michigan and doesn’t seem to have an answer for what he can do against Ohio State. This is the longest winning streak by the Buckeyes in the history of the games between the two teams. If Harbaugh wants to achieve anything at Michigan, he has to go through Ohio State. People expected a win by year five, but now year six will be the next chance he has at them.

5. Don Brown just can’t stop Ohio State

Last year after the 62-39 beatdown that Ohio State gave Michigan, defensive coordinator Don Brown was upset with himself. This year was supposed to be different and while he held OSU to fewer points, the offense wasn’t able to put up as many as this year’s OSU defense was better than 2018’s.

While it wasn’t Brown’s fault the Wolverines could only find the endzone three times, he put pressure on them to be perfect in the second half as his guys allowed 318 yards and 28 points in just the first half alone. Deep throws by Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields were an issue for the defense, and so was running back J.K. Dobbins who had 211 yards and four touchdowns on 31 carries, along with two catches for 49 yards. Fields finished the game going 14/25 for 302 yards and four touchdowns, along with 25 rushing yards on six carries.

Ohio State finished the game with 577 yards on offense in on just 77 plays, averaging 7.5 yards per play. Brown simply didn’t have an answer for what Ohio State was doing once again in back-to-back years. While only one crossing route killed the defense, everything else seemed to be an issue. Brown wasn’t able to rebound this year like he did with Penn State last year. Once again the Buckeyes know exactly what to do on offense against him and Michigan.

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Halftime Analysis of No. 1 Ohio State vs No. 13 Michigan

Michigan football is down 28-16 against Ohio State at halftime. How are the Wolverines faring halfway through the rivalry game?

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Ann Arbor, MI. — After defeating Indiana last week 39-14, Michigan now takes on the best team in the country and their arch-rival, Ohio State. Not many people predicted an upset by the Wolverines, as this Ohio State team is the best they’ve had in years, some think possibly ever.

Michigan won the coin toss and chose to receive. They were able to drive down the field with some ease, and they were able to score first off a 22-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Giles Jackson, but the extra point was missed by kicker Quinn Nordin and Michigan was only up 6-0 early on.

Ohio State answered back with their running back J.K. Dobbins doing the heavy lifting, running four times for 51 yards and a touchdown and catching a 28-yard pass. He was the main offensive weapon for that entire drive and Ohio State took the 7-6 lead.

Both teams struggled to get much going, until late in the first quarter when Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Olave as Ohio State extended their lead to 14-6.

Michigan didn’t cave into the Buckeyes demise as in just three plays Michigan scored off a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. The big 41-yard catch by tight end Sean McKeon helped set up the touchdown as Michigan was back in the game, down 14-13.

Despite facing a 2nd and 18, Fields found a wide-open wide receiver Garrett Wilson for a 41-yard gain that would set up another touchdown run by Dobbins, this one from seven yards out as Ohio State goes up by eight once again, 21-13.

Michigan was driving down the field and on the Buckeyes 12 yard line before quarterback Shea Patterson fumbled the football and turned it over. The first turnover by either team and a costly one for the Wolverines. That wasn’t the only mistake by Michigan as they forced a fourth down on the OSU possession after the fumble, but an offsides penalty gave OSU a first down. Two plays later, Buckeyes score on another run by Dobbins, Buckeyes up 28-13.

Michigan would move down the field with some ease as Patterson kept slinging the ball around with rare pressure. Despite the offense moving, they came up short as Peoples-Jones dropped a touchdown late in the second quarter, and Michigan would have to settle for a field goal and cut the lead at the half to 28-16.

POSITIVES:

Michigan hasn’t really felt the pressure from Ohio State defensive end Chase Young. He’s accumulated nothing on the stat sheet so far as he’s gone up against left tackle Jon Runyan Jr. one on one, then dealt with right tackle Jalen Mayfield with help from right guard Michael Onwenu.
Patterson is throwing the ball well today, with only one poor pass that was too far out of bounds for wide receiver Nico Collins to catch and stay in bounds. He’s 14/19 for 250 yards and a touchdown. He’s made the correct reads on the RPO plays and has been playing well once again, but that fumble will be huge on him.

NEGATIVES:

Michigan hasn’t been able to get the running game going so far. Sure Jackson had the 22-yard touchdown run, but none of the actual running backs have found the holes that were open, or have made any big plays. Running back Zach Charbonnet has three carries for eight yards and he’s the leading carrier at the position. Michigan could only put up 35 rushing yards total in the first half. History shows whoever dominates the ground game usually wins it. Ohio State is hammering the Wolverines in that category right now 118-35.
Michigan has had issues with stopping Dobbins as he is the heart and soul of the team’s offense. So far in the first half, he has 103 yards and three touchdowns on just 17 carries, along with a 28-yard catch on third and long. Michigan must figure out the answer to stopping him or else he will run all over them just like Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor did back in Week Four.

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Michigan players: Beating Ohio State is season-defining

Michigan football will try and upset the Buckeyes on Saturday, as the Wolverines know this is a season-defining game for them.

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No matter the record, no matter the history, no matter what is going on, every year the biggest game for Michigan is against Ohio State. The same goes for the Buckeyes as they treat it just as serious as the Wolverines, if not a step further.

Michigan has been on the losing end of the rivalry for the past 15 years, winning just once in 2011. Despite the lopsidedness in recent years, both teams still want to go out and win this game more than any other on their schedule. It’s the Superbowl for both teams and even if they ever both come into the game 0-11, that one win would mean even more knowing that it was against their rival and that 12th loss would sting more than the rest.

This year’s win could be a huge defining game for both teams. If Michigan wins, it’s easily their best win on the season as they would beat the best team in college football and have the Buckeyes only loss be to them would be something they could throw at them, even if they win the national championship.

If Ohio State wins the game, they go undefeated and secure a playoff spot for themselves and defeat another ranked team to boost their strength of schedule argument and once again proclaim that they own the Wolverines.

The players on Michigan know just how much of a season-defining game this can be for this team, and how important it is to their season every year.

“I believe this game is a big part of our season, put the icing on top of our season,” linebacker Khaleke Hudson said. “It’s huge for us. Feel like we don’t got nothing to lose, we’re going out there with just a dawg mentality. Just try to go out there and try to ruin anything they got planned on going while still staying to our task. Staying true to what we want to do for the rest of our season. Just going out there and trying to be the best team.”

“We always want to win the game, (go) against this team with a win,” wide receiver Nico Collins said. “This is probably the most important time of the year in November. Those are the ones you remember.

Not only do the players know it’s a big game for them, but they also know how important it is to Ohio State, their players and the coaching staff.

“Absolutely, I think this is a huge part of both of our programs, is this matchup,” offensive lineman Ben Bredeson said. “I think any time you beat Ohio State or they beat us, it’s considered a good season at the respective school. Obviously, there’s other games on the schedule, but we all know which one’s the most important.”

“Yeah, to me, I think it does, probably them, too,” tight end Nick Eubanks said. “It probably defines their season as well. We know what type of game this is. We know what we need in this game. We’re looking for the results on Saturday.”

What kind of results will be on the stat sheet when the clock it’s all zeros after the fourth quarter happens? Only time will tell on that answer but both teams will be hoping their team scored more after 60 minutes as their seasons could drastically change after this game, win or lose.

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Playing spoiler to Buckeyes season on the minds of Wolverines on Saturday

Michigan football takes on Ohio State this week with OSU heavily favored. The Wolverines are ignoring that and looking to play spoiler.

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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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2019 Michigan Football Week 14 Rooting Guide

Michigan football takes on Ohio State this week in their annual rivalry game, what other games should you pay attention to on Saturday?

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After winning against Indiana last week 39-14, Michigan got a sudden surge in confidence from people around the country. While the Wolverines wouldn’t jump in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, Ohio State would jump a spot to take the number one ranking. Michigan was able to get some help last week by having Penn State and Oregon lose, but now they need some more help.

While all your focus will be on the biggest game of the year for the Wolverines, there will be other games that you should pay attention too, especially if the Wolverines win on Saturday. Check out these three games that could help the Wolverines shoot up the polls if they upset the Buckeyes.

Game 1: No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 15 Auburn

Two weeks ago we saw Alabama starting quarterback and possible number one pick Tua Tagovailoa go down for the season with a hip injury. His backup, Mac Jones, started last week and while the Crimson Tide won with ease with him, it was against Western Carolina, an FCS school.

This game against Auburn will be a completely different game for Jones, and he might struggle against the Tigers. If Jones has issues in the game, Auburn can win this game. If Auburn wins, Alabama would be eliminated from the playoff picture and while Auburn would move up the polls, Michigan beating Ohio State is a better win and they would have one less loss than the Tigers.

Root for: No. 15 Auburn

Game 2: No. 12 Wisconsin vs. No. 8 Minnesota

The battle for the Big Ten West as the winner takes on Ohio State for the Big Ten Championship next week. For Michigan’s sake, they want Minnesota to attend that game. Wisconsin winning would knock Minnesota possibly below the Wolverines, but then they would block a possible Michigan playoff bid if they beat Ohio State next week if they lose to Michigan.

Minnesota winning means Wisconsin falls, and if Minnesota loses to Ohio State after they have lost to Michigan, Minnesota would fall and Michigan would possibly jump them.

Root for: No. 8 Minnesota

Game 3: No. 7 Oklahoma vs. No. 21 Oklahoma State

This one is iffy as next week Oklahoma plays Baylor. Baylor and Oklahoma are above Michigan, and if both still are next week if Michigan wins this week, Michigan will get blocked by the winner for a playoff case.

On that note, Oklahoma State needs to pull off the upset to push the Sooners down. Pushing them down moves Michigan up if they win and if the Wolverines do win and all of these things happen, Michigan will easily be in the top 10 and could possibly be in the top eight.

Root for: No. 21 Oklahoma State

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What Ohio State is saying about Michigan before their matchup

Michigan football takes on Ohio State this week in their annual rivalry game. What did OSU head coach Ryan Day say about the Wolverines?

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Michigan’s biggest game of the year is finally upon us, Ohio State. The Wolverines come into this game with nothing to lose as their Big Ten title hopes are gone and the playoff chances slim, while the Buckeyes undefeated season and playoff hopes are on this game. Michigan is going to want to be the only team to give the Buckeyes a loss this year, and if it can help them knock them out of the playoff race as well, that’s just the frosting on the cake.

Before the game happens though, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and his players spoke to the media this week. Day started by talking about Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown and his defense, then later transitioned to coaching with him at Boston College years ago.

“He actually coached against me when I played, then coached my brother at UMass, then we coached together at Boston College, now get an opportunity to coach against each other in a huge rivalry game, which makes it hard,” Day said.” Nothing but respect obviously for his background and what he’s done defensively over the years. One of the best guys in the business.”

Day then spoke about how dominant the rivalry has been for the Buckeyes since the early 2000s and how prepared the Buckeye teams have been for years.

“Again, if you’re working on it all year, then you’re prepared, whether you’ve worked on it the spring, the pre-season, certain periods that you set aside just to work on the team up north,” Day said. ” You talk to guys all the time about what it means, so they understand coming into the game what to expect. It’s always on the schedule that way. We have the countdown in the building. I think everyone understands the importance of it, that’s the first thing.”

“When you’re talking about the game itself, it goes back to the fundamentals: taking care of the football, executing the game plan, giving them a good plan they can execute,” Day said. “Being on the road is a little different than being at home. We have to handle that, being loud, the crowd noise. We’ll handle that today, make sure we pipe in the crowd noise during practice, show composure there. It’s going to come down to winning the one-on-one battles in the end.”

Day brought up defensive end Chase Young and what Michigan might do to try and stop him.

“They’re sound, they do a good job. I think at the end of the day it comes down to players,” Day said. “I don’t think they’re going to do anything that we probably haven’t seen. Maybe they will. But I think at the end of the day it’s going to come down to execution and guys winning their one-on-one battles.”

Day than later transitioned to talking about Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson and why he’s playing his best football of the season right now.

“I don’t really know,” Day said. “I’m not there, so I don’t know the dynamics of what’s going on. It’s hard to tell when you don’t know people. I do see him being more confident. I see a group that feels like they’ve found an identity. They got really good receivers, by the way. Those receivers are talented. Offensive line is giving them time. I don’t know exactly what made them all click, but it seems like it’s going well right now for them.”

The players would speak later and linebacker Tuf Borland would speak about how Michigan lines up scheme-wise and the challenge they face this week.

“Schematically, big bodies, multiple tight ends packages,” Borland said. “They have the ability to run the ball right at you but then they also have playmakers along the perimeter, a quarterback. Just multiple ways they can attack the defense.”

Linebacker Pete Werner spoke about what he learned immediately about the rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State.

“Everything is different,” Werner said. “The big thing that strikes me is the preparation. You have to prepare harder than that team, you have to work harder than that team. That all starts in practice. Preparation, there are just so many things to take into account to win this game. We’ve beaten them with preparation in the past, and that’s what showed in the outcome of the game.”

Werner added in some comments about co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison and linebackers coach Al Washington, both coaching at Michigan last year, how impactful they’ve been, and how much this game means to them.

“Oh yeah,” Werner said. “I can already tell. This is the game they’ve had checked on their calendar since the time they’ve been here. They have something to prove. I’ve learned so much from them. Some of the best coaches I’ve ever been around. I’ve become so much of a better player because of them too. This game is going to mean a lot. We’re going to prepare harder than we ever have and that starts with them.”

Werner then gave praise to Patterson and how dangerous he can be to opposing defenses as he goes up against him this week.

“He’s one of those guys who is kind of tricky,” Werner said. “He’s got a lot of different options, he scrambles very well, throws a great ball and if you’re (caught) lacking around, leave a guy open, he’s going to make a play from it.”

Safety Jordan Fuller brought up the Michigan wide receivers and how much of a challenge they will be for the secondary this week.

“We definitely look forward to it,” Fuller said. “After watching the film and just knowing them from prior years, they’re definitely a very talented group, one of the most talented groups we play all year, so we definitely have our hands full with them. But I’m confident in our group as well. So we’re going to prepare hard and try to get a bead on the kinds of stuff they like to do. But we definitely have our hands full. It should be fun.”

“They have guys that have great hands, that can go up and get the ball but also, when they have the ball in their hands, they can they can make something happen with it,” Fuller said. “They can attack you in every which way. So that’s something you’ve got to be prepared for.”

Michigan takes on Ohio State at noon EST on FOX as they play in the Big House in Ann Arbor, MI.

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3 Things to Watch for Against Ohio State

Michigan football takes on Ohio State this week as they look to pull off a huge upset. What are the three main things to focus on?

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Michigan is fresh off a 39-14 win over Indiana last week. This week has more substance and grit as they take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the annual rivalry game that the Buckeyes have had control of for the past 15 years, with Michigan getting just one win within that time frame.

Michigan is 9-2 with another chance for a 10 win season once again, as a win would be Harbaugh’s fourth season with at least 10 wins at Michigan. Michigan needs to do everything it can to pull off this upset as the Buckeyes are coming in undefeated and the best version that Harbaugh has ever seen in the past four games. If Michigan wants to ruin anyone’s season, it’s Ohio State’s and their opportunity is right in front of them.

Check out my main three things to watch this week against Ohio State.

1. Is containing Chase Young possible?

Michigan’s offensive line has its biggest challenge this year as they are going up against Ohio State defensive end Chase Young. Young is having a phenomenal year, getting 38 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and one pass deflection. Michigan hasn’t played any defensive ends like Young all year long.

He will bring a challenge to not only the offensive line, but the tight ends and they will need to help the tackles in making sure Young can’t get past them and in the backfield. If Michigan is able to even keep Young somewhat out of the game, that’s a big win for them. He came off his two-game suspension by getting nine total tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Young is out for blood after the suspension and with the Wolverines up next he’s going to want his best game of the season against them. Michigan State was the only team to really quiet Young down this year, holding him to four tackles, one for loss and a half a sack. The Wolverines need to find out what MSU did and do something similar to that in order to keep him on a leash. If Michigan can’t control Young, he will be feasting on them all day long.

2. Michigan’s receivers vs. Ohio State’s secondary

The most interesting battle for this game is the matchup between the Michigan wide receivers and the Ohio State secondary. Ohio State has the number one overall defense and when it comes to their passing defense they are number one in that category as well. They’ve allowed 1,388 yards, six touchdowns, and have 14 interceptions. They allow an average 126.2 yards a game and the completion percentage of opposing quarterbacks is 51.9 percent.

Michigan’s wide receivers might be a problem for the Buckeyes secondary as it could be the best group they’ve matched up with all season long. You have Nico Collins who wins a majority of the 50/50 balls and is a huge deep threat for the Wolverines, Ronnie Bell who can quickly get open and get past the defenders, Donovan Peoples-Jones who can make some tough contested catches, and Tarik Black who can hurt you deep or short.

That isn’t all though. There are three freshman wide receivers who’ve had an impact on the offense. Cornelius Johnson can beat you deep with his speed, or make you miss a tackle or two. Mike Sainristil has been making low catches, high catches, almost everything near his direction he has a chance at catching, and Giles Jackson who could be the fastest offensive player on the team as he can be lined up in the slot, out wide, or even at running back, and run right by everyone.

Ohio State has some cornerbacks that are projected to get drafted in the NFL this year and that will certainly be the toughest secondary the Wolverines have gone up against all season long. Will the receivers still be able to get open? Will the secondary struggle against the depth of the Wolverines? That won’t be decided until the game kicks off.

3. Which Shea Patterson will show up?

Michigan starting quarterback Shea Patterson has had an impressive career in his two years at Michigan. Last year, Patterson struggled in his debut against Notre Dame, but then fixed his mistakes and played well up until Ohio State and Florida in the bowl game.

This year the struggles weren’t just for a game to start the year, on the first play of the season Patterson scrambled and fumbled the football, along with injuring his oblique. Patterson did fine in the first half of the season. Fine though, was just that. He was horrendous when holding onto the football, fumbling six times in the first six games, losing four of them. He was able to pass the ball with some success, but not many passes were thrown deep and he never threw for over 300 yards.

Then once the second half of the season started against Penn State, the first half was tough for Patterson, but in the second half he and the rest of the team found their groove and since then the fumbling issues have subsided. Patterson has fumbled the ball four times, three times against Notre Dame in a downpour. Patterson hasn’t had much fumble issues, when the weather is fine, in the second half of the season. Patterson also started taking shots downfield, using his legs more to run, throwing for over 300 yards in two straight games, and setting new records at Michigan.

So going up against Ohio State, what version of Patterson will we see? The one that could still produce and score for the team, but coughed up the football and gave the defense more chances to win, and wasn’t using his receivers to their full potential? Or will he play like he has since that loss to Penn State, like a man on a mission who has found the answers to the questions he had earlier in the year and has the comfortable playstyle to do what he wants?

This game could define his legacy in Ann Arbor, and with an undefeated record at home, Patterson could leave the Big House for the final time without ever losing in front of the Wolverine fans.

Contact/Follow @WolverinesWire/ @BKnappBlogs

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5 Players to Watch Against Ohio State

Michigan football takes on Ohio State in the season finale as the Wolverines try and pull off an upset. Who are the five players to watch?

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Michigan’s biggest challenge of the year, Ohio State, is this week as the Wolverines look to try and pull off something nobody has been able to do this season, beat the Buckeyes. Michigan is coming off a 39-14 win over Indiana. Ohio State is coming off a 28-17 win over Penn State that made the Buckeyes look human.

Ohio State’s playoff hopes are on the line this week as a loss would put them up in the air. A win in the Big Ten championship off a loss to Michigan would put them right back in the fight. A loss could still be something as if they beat Michigan, then lose in the title game next week, their season could be over. Beating Michigan gives them a cushion if they lose the conference championship game next week.

Michigan would love nothing more than to ruin the Buckeyes playoff hopes and undefeated season. For that to happen, they will need everyone to help out and contribute to their absolute best. Check out which five players to watch for Saturday’s game below.

1. QB Shea Patterson – MICHIGAN

When you talk about Michigan’s recent success, it all starts with the quarterback play by Shea Patterson. Patterson has been playing the best football he’s ever played lately, throwing for 1,001 yards, 12 touchdowns and an interception in his team’s four-game winning streak. Patterson is taking control of the offense and doing things we haven’t seen until recently.

He’s taking shots downfield, letting his receivers go up and grab the football where the defender can’t grab it. He isn’t running as much as he was earlier in the year, but that can certainly change this week when going up against the best defense in the country. Patterson needs to keep playing with the hot hand that he’s had recently if he wants to keep his record in Ann Arbor without a loss.

For Ohio State’s offense, their quarterback who is in the Heisman race this year…

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What would a win over Ohio State do for Michigan and Jim Harbaugh?

Michigan football is looking to get its first win over Ohio State in eight years. What would the win do for the program and the school?

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November 26th, 2011. Eight years ago on the day. 2,922 days ago. That was how long it’s been since Michigan has beaten Ohio State. It’s the longest the Wolverines have gone without a win against the Buckeyes, with 2,562 being the previous record from 2004-2010. The number will grow to 2,926 before Saturday as well.

Playing in a rivalry game that you haven’t won in almost 3,000 days is horrendous and makes some question if it’s even a rivalry game between the two teams. Despite the length, it isn’t the longest in the rivalry history as Michigan once was on a nine-year winning streak on Ohio State that lasted from 1901-1909 as in 1910 it ended in a 3-3 tie. The length of the streak was 3,269 days for the Wolverines.

Another win by Ohio State would put them close to breaking that record if they are able to win in 2020, extend it to 2021 and get on a nine-game winning streak of their own.

But that’s a topic for another day. Today, it’s about if Michigan is able to beat Ohio State this season. What would a win this year over the Buckeyes do for the Wolverines?

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh had an interesting take on what a win would mean on Saturday, depicting the game as a battle of two states for one title.

“It’ll be the state championship between two states,” Harbaugh said. “It’d be big, it always is.”

Harbaugh winning this game would be his first in the five years he’s coached at Michigan. His 0-4 record doesn’t showcase the drama with the series, like in 2016 when the officials gave Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett a first down on a fourth-down run in double overtime that was very close but looked short and ended up being called for a first down. Ohio State would score on the next play and win the game.

The game was close in 2017, despite Michigan coming in with an 8-3 record as the Buckeyes won 31-20. 2015 and 2018 were blowouts, with the most recent one being stuck in the heads of Michigan fans around the world.

So what would a win this year mean for the players?

“Just being able to go out there and continue to building off everything we’ve been able to accomplish this year,” defensive tackle Carlo Kemp said. Obviously, getting 10 wins in the season is remarkable. Being able to play in this game, being able to represent all the historic players and the tradition of Michigan in this game, there’s a huge opportunity. To win this game, obviously, would be incredible.”

The players want this win desperately and so do the coaches, the university and the fans. The win gives the Wolverines bragging rights for an entire year, help quiet the Harbaugh critics out there and be a huge boost to the program and university itself.

Players know it too, and linebacker Khaleke Hudson added what the win would mean for Harbaugh and to finally get a point in the win column against Ohio State.

“I believe it would mean a lot for him,” Hudson said. “It would mean a lot for Michigan going forward with all aspects. With recruiting, going forward into next season, having confidence, just keep this thing going. I feel like it would be a great win for him.”

Ohio State is undefeated and is looking like the best college football team right now. They are going to the Big Ten Championship game next week with their opponent unknown right now, and before the updated College Football Playoff rankings are released tonight, they are the second-ranked team that has an argument to be ranked number one with their win over Penn State last week.

Out of the four teams Harbaugh has played before, this team is the best one yet as he has yet to take on an undefeated Buckeyes team in his tenure. With this Ohio State looking like the best team they’ve had in years, possibly ever, a win over them would speak volumes for Harbaugh and the Wolverines.

A win would shoot the Wolverines up the playoff rankings next Tuesday and suddenly question them as a playoff contender despite not reaching the conference championship game. This win would be bigger than any of the Ohio State wins that Urban Meyer had against the Wolverines, as he never went up against any undefeated Michigan teams.

Michigan winning this game not only can shake up this year’s postseason games, and end the streak that’s lasted almost 3,000 days, it could be a shifting of the tides in the rivalry and within the college football landscape. While Michigan has somewhat been back on the map with Harbaugh as head coach, this was one of the biggest hurdles he has yet to overcome. This win would put Michigan smack in the middle of the college football map.

He’s beaten Michigan State (even started a winning streak against them), he’s beaten Notre Dame, he’s won a bowl game. But those things aren’t as important as the next three: Beating Ohio State, winning a Big Ten title, and appearing/winning the College Football Playoff.

To get to those final two, you gotta get through Ohio State. While the Big Ten title can’t happen in 2019, a win over the Buckeyes this season could propel his program to get a boost and prepare to capture it in 2020. That would mean they have to get through Ohio State again, and start a winning streak of their own against the Buckeyes.

This win just isn’t a season-defining game for the Wolverines and Harbaugh, it’s a career-defining game. If he beats Ohio State at their absolute best, it would be the biggest win in his career, bigger than winning the NFC title with the San Francisco 49ers. The next biggest would be a Big Ten title win or a College Football Playoff win.

For now, the focus is on the Buckeyes and Harbaugh is looking to finally pull one out for the Wolverines as it could change the future of the rivalry and college football overall.

Contact/Follow @WolverinesWire/ @BKnappBlogs

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