The Ohio State Buckeyes and TTUN should have their top skill position weapons available for "The Game" on Saturday at "The Big House." That's what FOX Sports' Joel Klatt predicts for Big Noon Kickoff, anyway.
Klatt believes the Buckeyes will have receivers Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith back in the lineup after several weeks of DNPs for the former. Klatt also believes the Wolverines will have running back Jordan Marshall in the backfield.
"On the injury front, both programs are dealing with injuries. On the Ohio State side, it's nickel back Lorenzo Styles. Obviously, the two big ones, wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, didn't play last week. I remain optimistic that both of those guys will be on the field. … I think the question for me is more about effectiveness than availability," Klatt said.
"On the Michigan side, it does feel like running back Jordan Marshall, who hurt his shoulder against Northwestern, I think, is probably going to be on the field. I'm optimistic that he will play. Again, effectiveness rather than availability. I think it's more of a pain tolerance deal with Jordan Marshall."
Klatt wasn't so sure about TTUN tight end Max Bredeson, though. Bredeson is "needing a scooter to get around and a boot still on his foot, yet claimed he was going to try and play," per MLive's Aaron McMann.
" I think a bigger question is tight end Max Bredeson. I know he doesn't touch the football a lot, but when you try to lean into the physical nature, you're going to rely on the guy that epitomizes physical nature. That's Max Bredeson. If you watch Michigan at all, you would know that Bredeson is as important a player to their offense as anybody. It's because of his threat as a blocker. Wherever he's going, the ball follows. He was in a boot and on crutches after the Maryland game," Klatt said.
Ohio State enters Ann Arbor with a chance to finish the 2025 season undefeated, while ending a six-year draught of winning games against the Maize and Blue.
They'll enter it with their two biggest threats for Julian Sayin. TTUN will be with one of Bryce Underwood's biggest weapons, but might be down a pass-catching threat.