5 not-so-bold predictions for Ohio State football vs. Michigan

Those who write or talk about sports love to make predictions. Here are five of mine for the Buckeyes’ matchup with Michigan. I’m not exactly going out on a limb with these.

Ignoring the elephant

As they have done all season, the Fox Sports announce team of Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt will not mention Michigan’s cheating scandal. I’m quite sure they have been directed to do so by the folks above them because they are afraid of Michigan suing for…telling the truth.

It is very fair for Johnson and Klatt to point out, and is well within their duty as journalists, that Michigan is in the process of responding to a NOA for cheating from the NCAA. That is fair and very accurate. But the threat of being dragged into court by the cheaters is probably enough incentive to ignore the elephant in the room for now.

Usual prediction

Desmond Howard will predict a Michigan victory and make some snarky remark about the Buckeyes. Howard’s entire schtick is playing to his Michigan fan base. He doesn’t have any credibility because he is not the least bit objective. Why ESPN keeps him around is a complete mystery because he adds little, if anything, to their kickoff show. They have let go of far better people than this guy.

For every action, there’s an overreaction

As they’ve done all season, the Buckeyes will start slow. The defense won’t be able to get off the field on third down and the offense will struggle to gain traction. OSU fans will overreact and pronounce the game over and Ryan Day should be fired. Then, adjustments will be made on both sides of the ball and we will all relax a bit as the Buckeyes slowly take over the game.

Yellow zebras

Davison Igbinosun will get a pass interference or defensive holding penalty, but the officials will ignore an even more blatant foul by Michigan. Igbinosun has generally deserved his penalties, but can we get things called both ways?

After flagging him twice on Indiana’s opening drive, the officials ignored an egregious hold on Jeremiah Smith in the end zone that probably cost the Buckeyes a touchdown. Later, tight end Bennett Christian was literally tackled by the safety when trying to get into his route. This has gone on all season, so I would not expect a change on Saturday.

A welcome sight

When the game ends, the Ohio State coaches, players, and fans will see a welcome sight: a scoreboard that shows the Buckeyes winning by a comfortable margin. Those on the Ohio State staff said the Buckeyes woke up in a bad mood last Saturday because they were sick of hearing about Indiana. If they were mad about that, think of how furious they’re going to be after Michigan has rubbed its nose in the cheating for a solid year.

This is a fierce rivalry and I don’t doubt the Wolverines will put up a fight for a while, but it won’t be enough. The Buckeyes will get the game well in hand and cruise through the fourth quarter.

I told you when this article started that I’m not exactly going out on a limb with these predictions. Except for that last one, I don’t care if any of the others come true. But that last one, that last one is something we have waited too long to see.