Ohio State Football: Bad weather gives Buckeyes an advantage

The Ohio State football team heads to Ann Arbor for The Game where weather may be a factor, but it actually could be an advantage for the Buckeyes.

Ohio State and Michigan are set for a major showdown in Ann Arbor on Saturday, but bad weather is expected throughout the day. Any time the weather is a factor in a game it adds a new wrinkle that is tough to mimic in practice.

However, both the Buckeyes and Wolverines have had to overcome precipitation and winds to win games this season. In the rain, the team who is able to run the ball more efficiently and effectively usually wins the game.

This has also been the case in The Game as the last eighteen winners have won the rushing battle. Entering the 116th edition the running game advantage favors Ohio State. However, it is being played in Ann Arbor so anything can happen.

Historically games in Ann Arbor are tough, close games. Ohio State versus Michigan is always a war, but in recent years the margin of victory is closer in the Big House.

The Ohio State rushing attack is led by J.K. Dobbins and Justin Fields but also features a nice dose of backup Master Teague from time to time. Dobbins carried a workhorse load against Penn State last week and will likely do so again on Saturday.

Fields had a lot of success creating and extending plays with his legs, but did go down on a late fourth down play. He was able to jog off on his own power, but it was concerning for a minute. His health will be paramount on Saturday.

The Buckeyes are the more balanced team and have proven they have the ability to beat teams either through the air or on the ground. So if both teams have to become one-dimensional due to the weather, I still feel good about Ohio State being able to find success.

On the other hand, Shea Patterson and the Michigan offense has been playing very well as of late, but have relied heavily on big plays in the passing game. If those are taken away by either the weather or the Buckeye secondary, it could get interesting for the Wolverines.

Michigan running back Zach Charbonnet will need to have patience and run downhill to have success, but the key will be the play of the Michigan offensive line. It’s the best group Harbaugh has had, but the rushmen for Ohio State is Larry Johnson’s best.

This game will be a battle in the trenches and old school football. If the forecast holds, we will see shades of Woody and Bo through Ryan Day and Jim Harbaugh. Whichever team controls the line of scrimmage, wins the turnover battle and rushes for more yards will emerge victorious on Saturday.