Colin: Where does this year’s version of “The Game” rank among all time OSU v Michigan matchups? You don’t often see top 5 matchups in this rivalry, let alone a battle of two unbeatens.

Baver: Yep. It appears that there have only been 11 games where both teams entered the game ranked in the top 5. The ‘10-Year War’, (Woody vs Bo, 1968-1977), saw 6 of those 11 matchups. Tomorrow’s game will be only the 5th time in last 25 years where both teams will enter the game with top-5 rankings. In my book, the only Ohio State-Michigan matchup I can rank ahead of tomorrow’s is the epic #1 vs #2 game in 2006. Though, the wounds from last year’s loss in Ann Arbor are still quite fresh, so maybe my opinion is skewed.

Colin: Michigan destroyed OSU last year in Ann Arbor. How does this year’s UM squad compare to that one? 

Baver: I think it’s fair to say that this year’s UM defense isn’t much of a drop off from last year’s. But don’t get hung up with the numbers that point toward Michigan’s 2022 defense actually being better than their 2021 defense. The level of competition in UM’s 11 games so far this year is a far cry from the schedule they faced in their 14-gm season a year ago. Offensively, I do think the Wolverine’s O-line will repeat as the Joe Moore award winner that goes to the top O-line in CFB. In my opinion, it’s without a doubt the best run-blocking O-line in CFB. 

Colin: Can the revamped OSU defense stand up the UM ground & pound attack? 

Baver: Unfortunately, I think this is now more or less a theoretical question…..i.e. one that will go unanswered. I don’t see Corum being close to 100%, assuming he plays at all. Same goes for Michigan’s #2 tailback, Donovan Edwards, who has a reported hand injury. If I’ve overstated Corum’s injury, he’s certainly capable of doing a fair amount of damage against this Buckeye D.

Colin: Moving to offense, what do you make of Ohio State’s shockingly inconsistent running game?

Baver: There were two moves that clearly looked like the right ones early on. One was replacing OL coach Greg Strudrawa with UCLA OL coach Justin Frye. The other was getting true interior guys back at the LG and RG spots after playing exterior linemen at those positions a year ago. But once mid-season rolled around, the run blocking was again sub-par by OSU standards. And Treveyon Henderson’s struggles have been quite puzzling, as injuries can explain only so much. When he has been healthy, he has not been his former self. And Miyan Williams going down was obviously a huge blow. But like most fans, my faith in first-year back Dallan Hayden has grown. And ready or not, Hayden is likely getting thrown right into the middle of this historical rivalry tomorrow.

Colin: As of Friday morning, it’s looking like 50 degrees, dry, and moderate winds for The Game. Is Mother Nature a converted Buckeye fan?

Baver: Ha…..I had heard some Buckeye boosters were working on her…..it seems they’ve had some success.

Colin: For the Buckeyes to win, what players need to step it and get it done? 

Baver: I think the output you’ll get from 5 guys could vary quite a bit, those 5 being: CJ Stroud, Julian Fleming, whoever lines up at RG on offense, JT Tuimoloau, and Denzel Burke. And I think it goes without saying that CJ Stroud is the biggest key here.

Colin: On the injury subject, who likely plays and who doesn’t for both squads?

Baver: For Michigan, I tend to think Blake Corum gives it go, but almost certainly less than 100%. I think UM’s #2 guy Donavan Edwards will play, but I don’t expect him to be 100% either. I do think he is healthier than Corum, and Edwards is a RB Buckeye fans should not sleep on. Some are saying UM’s #1 TE Luke Schoonmaker will be a game-time decision. And edge rusher Mike Morris, who is likely UM’s top NFL prospect for ’23, sounds like he’s good to go.

For the Bucks, I doubt we see Miyan Williams. I think Day downplaying his injury is simple gamesmanship; hope I’m wrong. I think Henderson plays, but can he play a full game? RG Matthew Jones is questionable. Enokk Vimahi is the #2 RG, who subbed-in when Jones went down against the Terps. We could also see backup RT Josh Fryar slide into the RG spot as well, if needed. I doubt we see Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but it’s a possibility.

Colin: Final thoughts and a prediction please? 

Baver: Ryan Day’s only chance to avenge a loss was in the 2020 CFB Playoff Semis against a Clemson team that had edged OSU the prior year. Clemson HC Dabo Swinney did some Dabo-like things prior to the game, and his team got smacked by Day’s Buckeyes 49-28. And it was more lopsided than the final score indicated. An opposing head coach providing extra motivation to a team that has the 4 and 5-star power like OSU’s is not advisable. 

Likewise, I think the comments from Jim Harbaugh, Michigan players, and their former OC Josh Gattis do Michigan no favors in this one. I think this provides a lot of motivation for a team that has far more talent on its roster than UM has on theirs. And since then, other non-Michigan talking heads have questioned Ohio State’s toughness. More fuel to the fire.

A healthy Blake Corum and Miyan Williams would/could make this a higher scoring game, like we’ve seen in recent years. The average total pts scored over the last 10 rivalry games is 69. That would seem like a lot of points with the possibility each team could be missing its top 2 running backs. But I’ll take the home team, one that hasn’t lost at home in this series in 22 years.  

I’ve got: Ohio State 34 Michigan 23.

Go Bucks!!!

Over time, and partially thanks to legalized sports betting (one of a couple important and enjoyable freedoms Ohio citizens cross the state line for), I’ve come to enjoy college football and this rivalry more and more. One thing I’ve come to learn in more recent years is that, like the venom the Red Sox have for the Yankees, but not so much the other way around, OSU hates Michigan way more than the reverse. Kinda like the cat with the pinned back ears that pounds the hound dog’s nose from the ottoman, when the silly, dense, oblivious mutt just wanted to say “hi.” Sure, there’s some vitriol, some deep-rooted hate on the streets of Ann Arbor, but the passion and loathing is definitely a bit lopsided. Maybe that’s because Michigan has the slight upper hand on the series, though Ohio State has easily dominated the last 20 years. My niece, a UofM student, is more excited about the results of the student/campus blood-drive competition between the universities than the final score of the game.

Last year’s win at the Big House in Ann Arbor was huge for Michigan and coach Jim Harbaugh, but he needs to turn that tide from the last couple decades to really leave his mark and cement his legacy in Schembechler Hall. I’ll take the Wolverines with the points, this game a regular exception to my “don’t bet on the local team” rule, but I’m not gonna foolishly predict an ass-kicking or even a victory. Here’s to a good game and the ongoing rivalry, and the boiling blood of my friends in Columbus. ❤️

Go Blue!