Ohio State vs Michigan: 5 reasons Wolverines defeat Buckeyes

Many people are writing off Michigan’s chances against Ohio State. But there are plenty of factors to suggest The Game will go in favor of the road team.

Michigan and Ohio State are two of the most prestigious teams in college football, and their rivalry pre-dates time. The traditions that come with this game are fun to partake in too, like crossing out the M on every sign, and referring to Michigan as “The Team Up North.”

As far as this year is concerned, these two are head and shoulders above the rest. Michigan has averaged 42.3 points per game and given up 10.9. Ohio State has averaged 43.8 points per game while giving up 13. It’s hard to think of the last time these two were so evenly matched besides 2006, and yet a lot of people are writing off Michigan.

It’s understandable, though. They’re playing in Columbus, which gives the Buckeyes a natural advantage, this match-up has been incredibly one-sided for the better part of 15 years, and Urban Meyer is one of the two greatest college football coaches ever. But if Michigan has proven anything all year, it’s that they have the squad capable of taking down the Buckeyes. A lot has to go their way, but here is why Michigan will beat Ohio State on Saturday.

5. Don’t write off John O’Korn

A big reason why Ohio State is a touchdown favorite is because of the Wolverines’ quarterback situation. We don’t know who will start under center, and likely won’t know until the players come out of the tunnel. But we saw last week what Michigan’s offense looked like under John O’Korn instead of Wilton Speight, and it wasn’t pretty.

But as unflattering as his statline was – he accounted for less than 80 yards – he played in blizzard-like conditions. He still completed 20 of his 34 passes, didn’t turn the ball over, and gained 30 yards off of a scramble that led to the eventual game-winning score.

It’s not like the weather isn’t a legitimate excuse, either. J.T. Barrett had much more favorable conditions up in East Lansing, yet still struggled mightily. And given that it was O’Korn’s first start all year, he was going to look shaky. However, Wilton Speight only narrowly beat him out for the starting job, so it’s not like there’s a big difference between the two.

Obviously, Speight is a big upgrade over O’Korn, since he can escape from pressure as well as throw a mean deep ball. But playing a back-up quarterback shouldn’t mean anything to Ohio State. They won a national championship with a third-stringer, and lost to Michigan State at home against a back-up. As long as Michigan’s line keeps their quarterback up right, they should be able to execute their style of offense.