Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State Football: Predicting second half of the season

By Alex Austin

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: Johnnie Dixon III of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball after a catch against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: Johnnie Dixon III of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball after a catch against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 20: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during warmups prior to playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 20: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during warmups prior to playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

November 30 – Michigan

Reasons for Optimism: “The Game”. No matter what the two teams’ records are, this game will always be a hard-hitting affair with plenty of excitement. Buckeye fans will remember recent history in the rivalry.

Seven in a row, 15 of the last 16 and Jim Harbaugh has yet to win a big game as a head coach. Momentum is riding with the Buckeyes and Ryan Day does not want to start his coaching tenure with a loss against the hated rivals.

Ohio State boasts a top-ranked defense similar to Wisconsin’s that held Michigan to 14 points. While fans up North will argue their defense should be among the best in the Big Ten, the Wolverines are giving up too many big plays to really make a push for a top unit (see 25 unanswered points to Illinois).

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Michigan has giant question marks on both sides of the ball, while Ohio State has few issues in all three phases of the game.

Reasons for Concern: This is the biggest game of the year for both teams. Regardless of record, talent level or coaches both teams will come to play.

I expect 110,000-plus screaming fans in Ann Arbor and every person wearing maize and blue will be hungry for that illusive win against the Buckeyes.

Ryan Day picks up right where Urban Meyer left off and begins his tenure with a dominant win. Ohio State could be looking at a perfect regular season, a rematch in the Big Ten Championship game with Wisconsin and a top spot in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Next. Buckeye offense better off with Fields than Burrow. dark

There will be too much on the line for the Scarlet and Gray not to have their biggest game of the season. Prediction: Ohio State 34 – Michigan 13 

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