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Ohio State Football: 5 predictions for Michigan game

By Frank Teriaca

Ryan Day will love having Kyle McCord entering the Ohio State football program next fall, and McCord might be the quarterback of the future. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Ryan Day will love having Kyle McCord entering the Ohio State football program next fall, and McCord might be the quarterback of the future. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 14: Chris Olave #17 and Binjimen Victor #9 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after a safety in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 14: Chris Olave #17 and Binjimen Victor #9 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after a safety in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Special teams come up with a big play

Sometimes in the biggest games a special teams play can have a huge impact. Look no further than last year’s rivalry game when Chris Olave blocked a Michigan punt in the third quarter and Sevyn Banks returned it for a touchdown, propelling the Buckeye rout over the Wolverines.

Special teams coach Matt Barnes has done a pretty good job thus far this season. We all remember the Maryland game with the onside kick recovery. Earlier in the season Sevyn Banks got a blocked punt of his own in the Miami game.

Buckeye kicker Blake Haubeil has been terrific all season long, going 8-10 on field goals including a 55 yarder against Northwestern. He has also been perfect on extra points making all 71 of his attempts.

It’s hard to predict what kind of special teams play will make an impact but I’m sure one will occur. So I will give it a try here. I’m going to predict that punt returner Garret Wilson is going to return a punt for a touchdown.

All season long wide receiver Garret Wilson has earned the opportunity for more playing time. With 21 receptions and four touchdown as a true freshman, Ryan Day and Matt Barnes have believed in him enough to take over punt returning responsibilities.

With a 52 yard return against Miami and a 24 yard return against the Wisconsin Badgers he nearly busted for a touchdown, I’m predicting Wilson finally gets one into the endzone in this game.

Big time players perform in big time games. I truly believe that Wilson is a big time player who is only scratching the surface of what he is going to become. Who knows, it could be the difference in the game.

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