Paul Finebaum makes his prediction for Michigan vs. Ohio State in The Game

You can’t mention college football’s greatest rivalries without starting with The Game. Michigan and Ohio State‘s annual meeting is one that brings national intrigue annually, and is the one game both fanbases are desperate to win above all others every season.

SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum was blunt when revealing his pick to win 2022’s rendition of The Game. Sorry, Michigan fans.

“Oh, that’s easy. It’s in Columbus and that’s all you need to ask me because Ohio State is going to win,” Finebaum said on ESPN. “They owe Michigan for last year, and that’s when we’ll get back to talking about Ohio State being the best team in the country, or not.”

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Before last season, it had been a decade since the Wolverines had claimed victory in The Game. Despite eight consecutive victories by the Buckeyes between 2012 and 2019 (there was no meeting in 2020), Michigan still leads the all-time series 59 wins to 51 losses (and six ties).

2021’s 42-27 victory over Ohio State willed Michigan into its first Big 10 Championship since 2004 and a spot in its first-ever trip to the College Football Playoff. Even sweeter for Michigan, it ended Ohio State’s four-year reign as conference champions.

Historically, the two bitter rivals have competed against one another 14 times while both ranked in the AP Poll’s top-five, including 2021. The home team is 12-1-1 in those games, with the exception being in 1975 and a 10-10 tie two years prior.

The Buckeyes have dominated the series since the turn of the century (17-4), though, and Finebaum believes history will continue to repeat itself despite Michigan’s explosive offense an impressive 6-0 start to the season. Ohio State remains unbeaten as well, and the prospect of both squads going into The Game undefeated is something everyone can get behind as the season progresses.