Ohio State Football: How ‘The Game’ could be affected by no spring football

Ohio State football fans never stop thinking about ‘The Game’. With spring football being cancelled, Michigan is further behind the eight-ball. The Buckeyes have a veteran core group of players returning which could give them an advantage over the Wolverines.

The Ohio State football team will host the Michigan Wolverines in late November in the biggest game of the year for both schools. Throughout the year the Buckeyes have their eyes turned towards this game.

Ohio State, on paper, was always going to be the favorite in the 2020 edition of The Game. Riding a huge win streak, back-to-back dominating performances and playing at home gives the Buckeyes several large advantages.

Add to that list Michigan’s inability to have spring football.

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The quarterback is the most important position on the football field and Ohio State has one of the best in Justin Fields. Already a Heisman favorite, he has shown he has what it takes to be a tremendous starting quarterback.

Michigan is in a very different situation. The Wolverines have a quarterback battle going on heading into spring practice between Dylan McCaffery and Joe Milton.

Both have been with the program for at least two years, so they should know the program at this point. Having an offensive coordinator in his second year should help both guys understand the system.

The issue is that the only way to tell which quarterback gives the Wolverines the best chance to succeed is by watching them on the field. This wasn’t possible after spring football was cancelled.

Whichever quarterback steps up to lead Michigan will have to figure things out throughout the regular season which can create some scary moments. The Wolverines will have to start from the very basics on offense in order to build a rhythm.

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes know exactly what they are getting in quarterback Justin Fields and will be able to start the season several levels ahead of the Wolverines. This should carry over into November, giving Ohio State yet another advantage.