The 2023 edition of “The Game” is bound to be one of the most crucial and important games in the history of the rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan.
Whoever wins in Ann Arbor on Saturday will be almost guaranteed a spot in the College Football Playoff.
This year's game in Ann Arbor is almost an exact replica of the game last season, Ohio State is ranked 2nd and Michigan is ranked 3rd, both are 11-0, and both teams are fighting for the exact same goal. That goal is the opportunity to hold up the coveted CFP Championship trophy.
Both teams have had outstanding seasons from top to bottom. Michigan once again looks like RBU with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards dominating the competition. During the first few weeks of the season JJ McCarthy played himself into the Heisman conversation, but in the last few weeks he has slid out of them. A huge game against the Buckeyes could put him right back into the race.
Ohio State has been somewhat of a mystery this season, one game their offense is the best in the nation but the very next week they put up 20 points. Kyle McCord has had a very good first year as the Buckeyes starter, he has Marvin Harrison Jr to thank for a lot of his success. Harrison is on pace to have one of the best seasons an Ohio State Wide Receiver has ever had. Just like for McCarthy, if Harrison has a huge game against the Wolverines on Saturday he could lock up a spot in New York at the Heisman ceremony.
This rivalry is what Wolverine and Buckeye fans look forward to every year. The whole week is like Christmas to both fanbases. Usually, the game is a deciding factor on how each program views its season as either a successful one or a failed one. The past two games have been won by Michigan, which has put Ryan Day on the hot seat according to a majority of Buckeye fans.
I asked a few Buckeyes fans what the game means to them.
“It means something more, it’s the biggest thing I’ve had to hate in my life”.
“It’s bigger than quite frankly anything… It’s always beat Michigan”.
This will not be added to the “Harbaugh vs Day” chapter of the series, as Harbaugh was suspended for 3 games due to the sign-stealing allegations against Connor Stallions and other Wolverine staff members. Instead, Sherrone Moore will be the one to try and lead Michigan to a 3-peat against the Buckeyes.
Predictions
First off, I believe that this game will come down to which defense can make the most stops and who gets the ball last.
Both teams have held their opponents to 9 points per game which is good enough for the number one and two defenses in the country. Both Defensive Lines have been a major key to their success and whichever team’s DLine gets off to a hot start will be a big indication of how the game will go.
For the Buckeyes, The Linebackers need to play a perfect game. They have been the weakness of the defense, but on Saturday they need to have limited mistakes to be able to stop the Wolverine run game and across-the-field throws to Loveland. The Corners have been a lot better than they have been in previous seasons and will need to focus on not letting Cornelious Johnson have another breakout performance. If it wasn’t for Johnson's two 60-yard+ touchdown catches last season, Ohio State might have pulled out the win. Regardless if they are able to eliminate the option of throwing to Wilson and Johnson and force them to run early it will be a long day for Corum and Edwards.
For the Wolverines, you have two jobs, stop Marvin Harrison Jr and Emeka Egbuka from doing anything across the middle of the field. Ohio State relies on Harrison and Egbuka to take the load off Henderson, but to also move the ball down the field consistently. If you take that option off the board, then you confuse and make McCord worried early which would be an advantage winner for Moore and company.
If I had to choose between both teams I would choose the Buckeyes to overcome the drought. This will come down to which team wants it more, and who has the most to lose. This game is win or bust for the Buckeyes and possibly Ryan Day’s career at Ohio State. Michigan is coming off of barely beating a 6-5 Maryland team that has only won one game since they played Ohio State in early October. This game will be a battle to the end, I expect to see a fight or two out of frustration and as the tensions are at their highest. My final score would be 20-17 Buckeyes on a late Game Winning Field Goal by Jayden Fielding.