Saturday Spotlight
(2) Ohio State Buckeyes at (5) Michigan Wolverines
Ohio State: They couldn’t be playing better at a more opportune time. It’s almost as if they turned the page significantly and have looked like a completely different football team. Last Saturday against the Michigan State Spartans was the best I’ve seen them play under Ryan Day ever. I know that might be stretching things, but I haven’t seen them put it all together that since he became head coach. Let me start with the defense for a quick moment. Their goal was to completely erase Kenneth Walker III and they accomplished their goal by holding the best running back in the country to six carries, 25 yards, and no touchdowns. I can admit their defense has been shaky at times this year and I haven’t been completely sold on them. The biggest highlight of the game was the offense without question. They hung up 49 points on the scoreboard by the half! You read that correctly. Also, C.J. Stroud became my favorite to win the Heisman Trophy after his performance in that game. When the Buckeyes play like this, there’s not a single team in the nation that can beat them. Everything is clicking for them when it begins to matter the most. In the second half of the season, they’ve been one of the best teams in college football. Today, they will make a trip to Ann Arbor for the first time in two seasons.
Michigan: They’ve been better than expected in 2021. As every team experiences, they’ve been tested at times. But they were able to overcome it. Since they lost to the Michigan State Spartans in October, they have won their last three games including a win in Happy Valley over the Penn State Nittany Lions, a place that’s given Jim Harbaugh some horrors over the years. What’s carried the Michigan Wolverines this year has been their power running game that’s been one of the best in the game. They average 43 rushing attempts per contest and they rank second in yards as they average 218 per game. It’s been the duo I now refer to as “Thunder and Lightning” and that’s Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins. It also helps when you have an offensive line that’s improved significantly and plays downhill at all times. Let’s now discuss the quarterback. Cade McNamara has quietly put together a nice season for this team. He completes a little over 64 percent of his passes and has thrown 14 touchdown passes to only two interceptions. I’m also noticing he’s become a quiet leader for them. In other words, they go as far as Cade takes them. The defense as expected is still one of the best in the country. They play collectively well as a unit. They’re back home today with a trip to the Big Ten title game on the line.
Ohio State X-Factor: Haskell Garrett– He’s the piece that holds it all together for the Buckeyes defense. Let me put it to you this way. Nobody from the interior of the defensive line should be moving as quickly off the snap as he does for a man his size. Haskell plays with the leverage of a defensive end because he has that quick first step. The motor is non-stop on this kid. Even when he appears to be blocked, he still does all he can to make his way to the football.
Michigan X-Factor: Aidan Hutchinson– If there was a game when you needed your big named guys to step up, this is one of them. He’s one of the five best defensive players in the country. Although he’s listed as a defensive end, Aidan can play inside as a defensive tackle. At 6’6 and 269 pounds, he has the speed of a linebacker. He can get to the quarterback with pure bull-rushes or stunts on the defensive line. If the Buckeyes don’t circle in on him, he will take this game over.
Final Thoughts: How great is it to have this rivalry back? I still remember when I had the chance to break this game down back in 2016. This matchup has that feel to it. Coming into this game, Ohio State enters averaging 47 points a game and 7.98 yards per play. On the other side, Michigan allows only 16 points per game and 4.7 yards. Talk about strength facing strength. Neither team has seen what the other can do so I expect this to be a collision course. Michigan must pressure Stroud. Make him a runner. If you do what Michigan State did last weekend, this game will be over at the half. One matchup I’ll be paying close attention to is the Wolverines’ secondary against this trio of Ohio State receivers (Wilson, Olave & Smith-Njigba). This is hands down the toughest test Harbaugh’s defense will face this year. It’s key for Ohio State to show why they’re one of the best run defenses in the country. Bottling up the run as you did last weekend will be crucial. A trip to Indianapolis is on the line in this one.
Prediction: Ohio State 34, Michigan 24
