Ohio State Football: Predictions for ‘The Game’

Over a half-century of watching Ohio State and Michigan battle I have come to expect the unexpected. Players from both teams stepped up big time in ‘The Game’ and made a name for themselves.

I expect that to be the case once again but you can’t predict which one will so I’ll just have to go by what I have seen so far this season.

The Wolverines have been playing as well on both sides of the ball as most teams in the country the last four games. The Buckeyes’ offense and defense are among the best so I expect this to be a slugfest early.

More from Ohio State Football

• Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season
• Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect time
• How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12
• Ohio State Football: We need to see “Killer Ryan Day” at South Bend
• Ohio State Football vs. Notre Dame Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 4

This will be a physical contest and whoever takes control of the line of scrimmage will have the advantage. Ohio State has done that in every game so far this season and I think it will be more of the same.

However, ball security will also be key and Michigan has to feel good about that situation. The Buckeyes coughed the ball up too many times last week and that can’t happen tomorrow. Turnovers will often doom a road team in a close game.

Quarterback play will be key and I think Justin Fields has the edge. Not because he is that much better than Shea Patterson, just because he won’t be avoiding Chase Young & Co. and throwing into the backend of a defense led by Jeff Okudah and Jordan Fuller.

I see this as a battle for three quarters. Then the Ohio State lines will take over and skill position players will make enough plays for the Buckeyes to pull away.

I have Ohio State winning 38-17.

There you have it, our Scarlet And Game predictions for Week 14. It is ‘The Game’ we have been waiting for.