Staff Predictions: Michigan football at Ohio State

Michigan is looking for back-to-back wins over Ohio State for the first time since 1999-2000 … which is crazy. But that’s where we are headed into this year’s classic, one for which the Buckeyes have been preparing all year.

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Word has it the program even hired a team of meteorologists to try to predict the weather months in advance, and that a group of boosters considered installing a dome over the ‘shoe (some would call it a “lid”) to protect their players from the elements.

Yes, several called OSU’s toughness into question last year when they and their fans blamed snow flurries, illness, climate change, aliens — anything and everything for the complete emasculation that took place last Nov. 27 when the Wolverines ran for 300 yards in a 42-27 win.

One Ohio State writer tried to bait head coach Jim Harbaugh into admitting he felt the same. He didn’t bite.

“That wasn’t me. Yes, absolutely [they are tougher],” he said. “This is … you’ve got two teams that are like two superheroes going at each other. And that’s why we’re so excited about being tested. To find out what we’re made of.”

Fact is, they can be better and still lose (see: 2016). There are a lot of intangibles that go into this one beyond just snow flurries — which we never would have considered a hindrance until our soft Buckeye neighbors brought it up (isn’t this the Big Ten? Woody would be embarrassed and ashamed of you).

But we do know Michigan is heading to Columbus banged up but confident, ready to prove the rivalry is truly back.

Congratulations to Clayton Sayfie, who ended a long losing streak in winning last week. We’re happy for the young buck. This week’s winner receives Ryan Day’s book, “Born on Third Base and Trying to Find My Way Home — One man’s quest to escape Columbus for the NFL,” and anything you want for $15 or less from the As Seen on TV store (As seen on TV!).

The picks:

CHRIS BALAS: Michigan can absolutely win this game … as long as the Wolverines are healthy enough to piece together a decent running game. We’ll find out in the first quarter or so if that’s the case.

But the Wolverines are better in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and they’re confident. Win this one, and OSU comes back to Ann Arbor next year facing a three-game losing streak.

Michigan comes close, but the Buckeyes pull out a close one when the official they call “Funeral Home Freddie” calls a late, phantom pass interference penalty to keep a drive alive. Ohio State 30, Michigan 27

JOHN BORTON: This is one tough call, made infinitely tougher by the injury uncertainties on both sides. If Blake Corum can go (like Blake Corum) and Michigan’s offense line is right, slight edge to the visitors. But incredibly bad timing on injuries, OSU’s intense revenge motivation, and location, location, location swing this one. Ohio State 35, Michigan 24

CLAYTON SAYFIE: This is the game of the day, the game of the year, the game of the decade — call it what you will. Whatever the outcome is this Saturday, it promises to be three-and-a-half hours of some of the most exciting football in the 150-year history of man’s inhumanity to man. All the blue chips will be out there at Ohio Stadium for what will be an epic clash of Big Ten titans. One that a Bob Ufer would love to have called, that’s for sure.

Now to the pick you’ve all been waiting for, since I won staff predictions last week, not a small feat. Michigan is banged up, and it’s a big unknown as to how effective some of the Wolverines who will give it a go at less than 100 percent will be. That gives us some pause, of course, though Michigan still has a great shot of beating Ohio State for a second-straight season.

It’ll start up front, where the Wolverines should have an edge on each side of the ball, and will take some extraordinary effort from some others (running backs, quarterbacks, receivers, linebackers and defensive backs). Michigan has been saving some wrinkles for the Buckeyes, and that will help too.

Overall, with the the health of Michigan’s team, plus the tough environment that is Ohio Stadium and a Buckeye team that is full of talent, we’re not quite there to picking Michigan. Ohio State 31, Michigan 30

ANTHONY BROOME: We have reached the pinnacle of the 2022 season. Win The Game, and go back to Indy. Go back to Indy, and you are probably heading back to the College Football Playoff. Undefeated vs. undefeated. Strength on strength. This is what the entire season comes down to.

Michigan is not as healthy as it wants to be heading into this one, but few are this time of year. We will not know the status of a handful of stars until warmups on Saturday, but truth be told, it does not feel right for this group’s season to end with a whimper and without its best effort. The Wolverines have the ingredients to repeat their success from last year’s game, especially up front on both sides of the ball. If U-M can get OSU into a bar fight, it has the wherewithal to win this football game. It has to be a coming-out game for J.J. McCarthy and some other supporting cast members.

If Michigan can keep OSU at 30 points or below, it wins this game. This will be a legacy game for Jesse Minter, much as it was for Mike Macdonald last year. Win this one, and the mental spiral in Columbus will be a sight to behold. Jake Moody gets to play the hero again. Michigan 30, Ohio State 28

DOUG SKENE: Winning in Ohio Stadium is very difficult.  In order for Michigan to win they must be a able to run the football to 150 yards or more and control the clock.  It’s also critical that red zone trips turn into TDs and not field goals.  With Blake Corum’s health in question and Michigan’s lack of a strong passing game, I have a hard time seeing how Michigan can pull out the win against this talent rich Ohio State team. Ohio State 35, Michigan 21