Ohio State Football: It’s time for war as The Game returns

The Ohio State football team and Michigan Wolverines will have the whole world watching on Saturday as The Game returns at the pinnacle of the sport with everything on the line, as it should be in the greatest rivalry in sports.

It’s back— The Game. The greatest rivalry in all sports resumes after a year off due to covid. The Ohio State football team enters the Top-5 showdown 10-1, coming off a massive win over then No. 7 Michigan State 56-7. The Buckeyes displayed one of the most impressive and efficient performances in college football history in the first half.

Michigan is one of the most complete teams in the country, with a record of 10-1 as they welcome archrival Ohio State to the Big House for the first matchup since 2019. Everything is on the line in Ann Arbor on Saturday, as it should be for an Ohio State-Michigan game.

The winner will head to Indy and play for a Big Ten Championship and likely clinch a berth in College Football Playoff with another victory. It would present a 5-peat opportunity for the Buckeyes to win the Big Ten. Or it will be the first trip for the Wolverines since the championship game’s installation in 2011.

This year’s game will be the most meaningful matchup in the series since the double-overtime classic in 2016. C.J. Stroud leads the high octane Ohio State offense looking to solidify his Heisman candidacy with the eyes of the world watching.

However, the key to The Game is not through the air but on the ground. The Buckeyes’ trio of WRs Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba all eclipsed the 100-yard marks against the Spartans last weekend, hoping to pick up where they left off. The running game is paramount in this rivalry, and a fresh TreVeyon Henderson should get between 20-25 carries in a physical battle in the trenches.

The story of the back end of the season for Ohio State is the resurgence of the Silver Bullets. Matt Barnes’ scheme change has reignited the defense and has not allowed a 100-yard rusher since September. This game will be strength on strength as the Michigan offense features two tailbacks Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins.

The tandem has collectively rushed for over 1,800 yards propelling the Wolverines to run for 218 yards per game. Through the air, Michigan throws for an average of 229 yards per game in a balanced attack that began run-heavy.

Defensively, both teams are similar despite taking different roads to get to the way each unit is playing right now. The Wolverines have been consistent for the most part all season. In comparison, the Buckeyes started poor but have improved every week since the loss to Oregon.

Holding Michigan State to seven points is an excellent feat as the Silver Bullets now give up 19 points per game compared to TTUN’s 16.3. I do not anticipate this being a low-scoring affair, though. Two years of fevered anticipation, especially out of Columbus, will make this one of the games of the year.

The Game has storylines galore, but none bigger than the Ohio State offense (1st in the FBS) against Michigan’s defense, and can the Wolverines find ways to score with the Buckeyes? The red zone will be a key to The Game – Ohio State has solved its struggles inside the 20 with the unit operating at juggernaut status.

Stay tuned for more coverage of The Game leading up to kickoff Saturday at Noon in Ann Arbor. It’s time for war.