The Game Preview: 117th Meeting

Ohio State and Michigan are set to pay homage to The Greatest Rivalry in Sports on Saturday as both are peaking at the right time ahead of a colossal battle. 

Scarlet and Gray. Maize and Blue. It’s a game so big, and it needs no introduction. No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Michigan — The Game is back, and with the eyes of the world watching. At noon on Saturday, under fair skies and crisp air, the Buckeyes and Wolverines will collide on the gridiron in Ann Arbor for the first time since 2019. 

The last time Ohio State visited the Big House, the Buckeyes left with a 56-27 victory. But that doesn’t matter anymore. Dismantling Michigan State and routing Maryland doesn’t matter anymore. Only Saturday matters with everything is on the line in the Greatest Rivalry in all sports. 

CJ Stroud and his trio of wide receivers lit up the Spartan secondary as they have been doing all season. The Wolverines, however, present a more formidable challenge on the perimeter and in the trenches. Keeping Stroud comfortable and protecting the pocket will be a strong indicator of how this showdown will play out. 

Key Matchups

If the Ohio State offensive line plays as well as they have over the last few games, the Buckeyes will use its weaponry to carve the Michigan defense. But if Hutchinson and Ajabo can pressure Stroud and get him out of rhythm, it will force the Buckeyes to retool and attack differently. 

TreVeyon Henderson has been sensational all year, as have all the featured running backs in this game. The running game will be another reference point to watch during Saturday’s matchup. 

Michigan leans on its tandem of backs Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins and depends on their success to open up the passing game. The Wolverines are an efficient passing offense, but those numbers are due to the credible presence of both running backs. Their attack will play into the hands of the Ohio State front. 

Ohio State’s plan has to limit the production out of the Michigan backfield and force Cade McNamara to use his arm. If this is the case, it will allow the defensive line to pin their ears back and unload the Rushmen package. Unlike TTUN, Ohio State earns their sacks by committee instead of a star edge rusher, which has been to its advantage in 2021. 

Game Plan

Ryan Day is coaching an offensive juggernaut this year, but Ohio State has to win The Game for it to mean something. A fast start similar to last week for the Buckeyes will more likely than not mean a long day for the Wolverines because they are not built to play from behind despite averaging nearly 37 points per game. 

The Wolverines have hit its share of explosive plays this season, but the offense gets its points efficiently and calculated by and large. A few teams forced Ohio State into those kinds of games this year, and the Wolverines are capable, but The Game is a whole different beast that breeds a new level of laser focus. 

The Game was canceled last year due to COVID-19, and neither team forgets that. However, it hurt more in Columbus, which adds to the build-up and anticipation of this meeting. Is it Saturday yet? It’s time for war. 

Image courtesy of The Ohio State Buckeyes Athletics.