Staff Predictions: Michigan at Ohio State 

Michigan puts its three-game win streak over Ohio State on the line Saturday in Columbus, and for the first time since 2021, the Wolverine have nothing at stake …

RELATED: Does Michigan improvement vs. Northwestern, offensive adjustments provide hope vs. OSU?

Nothing tangible, anyway. No championships … no trips to Indianapolis for the Big Ten title game, and no potential playoff. But knocking off the Buckeyes at their place and keeping them from the title game would be sweet in its own way, especially with a rebuilding team. And it would also be a huge favor to the servers across Indy, including a few who told us how refreshing it was to not be invaded by Buckeyes fans (true story — one may have even used the word “cretins”). 

The walls at St. Elmo’s are covered with photos of some of the greats to have eaten there over the years, including our great John Borton. Word has it there’s now a separate room wall near the restrooms of Buckeyes fans not allowed back on the premises.

The last three years have definitely brought out the worst in OSU fans, who have always been a rare breed anyway. They’re still stuck in the first of the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance), and it appears most will never get past the second. The only way out will be to get back to their days of dominance over the Wolverines that — go figure — included vacated seasons, coaches actually leaving in disgrace (unlike U-M’s, who left on top and was coveted by NFL teams), and more denial. 

There will be likely be no asterisks on Michigan’s championships, no matter how badly the OSU fans wish it. Everyone in the country knows the Wolverine flat out bullied Ryan Day’s soft, Louis Vuitton-wearing Buckeyes the last three years. If the Wolverines had a few more horses, we might predict it again. This OSU team and program is still soft, and it’s going to be 27 degrees at kickoff (though we’ve heard most waived their “no playing in weather of 30 degrees or less” clause for a few extra Gs).

Unfortunately, it appears U-M will be shorthanded, and the guys up front on offense haven’t lived up to the standard this year. They showed signs last week, however, and we know they’ve got more ability than they’ve shown this year. We know the defensive line can bring it, and if the O-line figures it out … well, dare to dream. If the Wolverines do somehow pull what would be the most improbable upset in this series, fans might well put Ryan Day on their shoulders after all … to carry him to the pungent Olentagy River and make him swim home to pack his bags.

No matter what happens Saturday, it appears Michigan is reloading to be a player on the national scene again, thanks in large part to a much-improved NIL game. Better late than never. 

Congratulations to Anthony Broome, last week’s staff picks winner. A few predicted a comfortable Michigan win, and he was closest. This week’s victor gets the press box seat at the Pinstripe Bowl — the rest get to freeze their butts off with photo passes to watch the U-M reserves battle a crappy .500 team. The picks: 

CHRIS BALAS: The 1980 USA Hockey Team, Jim Harbaugh’s first Stanford team vs. USC, 1969 Michigan vs. Ohio State … do you believe in miracles? 

Not this week, unfortunately. But just the thought of Davis Warren winning this game in Columbus where guys like Chad Henne, Tom Brady, etc. have failed brings a smile to the face. He’ll play well if the line allows, but it won’t be enough. Ohio State 34, Michigan 13.

JOHN BORTON: Sherrone Moore’s transition season consists of two more games. Get him while you can. Unfortunately for Michigan, Cryin’ Ryan’s Buckeyes will do precisely that, this time around. Ohio State 31, Michigan 13

CLAYTON SAYFIE: Unless Ryan Day screws it up, Ohio State has a great chance to beat Michigan for the first time in nearly 2,000 days. The Wolverines have a shot to pull off the upset, but the offense hasn’t been good enough to make me a believer. The defense can make this competitive for a while but can’t do it all themselves. Ohio State 34, Michigan 10

ANTHONY BROOME: This isn’t as much of an anticipated game in the Michigan fanbase as it has been over the last three years, but the chance to piss the Buckeyes off and send their fanbase into chaos yet again is enough to get up for. If Michigan can find a way to win this one, it would not be the most satisfying, but it would be the funniest one yet. Something tells me the Wolverines will gear up for a four-quarter fight, but OSU is more talented and finds a way to make the big play. U-M has a chance here, especially if it can run the ball the way it did against Northwestern. Ohio State 21, Michigan 16

DOUG SKENE: It’s fun to imagine what a win in Columbus would mean for this team. A redemption for what will be a forgettable season. A way to shut up the haters that have been critical all year long (yes, old fat former players like me).  The positives are endless. It would also be fun to watch the meltdown of Buckeye fans again and the final game coached by Ryan Day as I’m not sure poor fella would make it home alive from the lunatic fringe fans in Ohio. It’s fun to dream.

However, reality is this is a good Buckeye team, not a great one. One that’s plenty talented enough and playing well enough to drop a bomb on Michigan. The Michigan defense must be stout early and keep it close. They’ve got to get pressure and hits on the Buckeye QB early in the game. Michigan’s O-line must block the OSU front with the same execution they showed in the second half of the Northwestern game. If they can do those things, look out.  It’s fun to dream. OSU 35, Michigan 17