Michigan Football vs. Ohio State: Q&A with Buckeyes Expert

Michigan football is trying this Saturday to break a three-game losing streak to Ohio State. Answer some of our Buckeyes questions is Austin Layton of Scarlet and Game.

‘The Game’ has a certain feeling about it this year with it being the first time Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer will be pitted against each other as head coaches of fierce rivals.

Ohio State has held up its end of the deal in this rivalry by consistently being one of the Big Ten’s top teams; Michigan… not really. That’s changed though this season, and Saturday’s game has the look of the start of something special in the history of this series.

Helping us prepare for the game is Buckeyes expert Austin Layton of FanSided’s Scarlet and Game.

Q. What’s your take on Ezekiel Elliott calling out his coaches after losing to Michigan State?

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I don’t have a huge issue with it. I think most of Buckeye Nation agrees that the play calling was awful against Michigan State. There has also been frustration around the underachieving offense all season long which clearly has been on the team’s mind as well. Urban Meyer mentioned that he agreed with Elliott’s comments, but that it was the wrong time for him to say them.

I agree with that and don’t think Elliott should have said those things to the media, because some people take it that he’s a cry baby. But at the same time I am glad he did say those things, because it puts the coaching staff and their poor decisions under fire.

Q. Where do you think Ohio State’s defense will have the most success against Michigan?

Jake Rudock and Michigan’s passing attack have impressed me so far as an outsider. I think that Ohio State’s secondary gives up some plays through the air that could prove to be problematic. So with that in mind I think the Buckeyes will be more effective in stopping Michigan’s run.

Joey Bosa is due for a big game to prove the NFL Draft scouts right and he is running out of opportunities to do it. He had a bad game against the Spartans, but I look for him to be motivated on Saturday, along with the rest of the linemen. Linebackers such as Joshua Perry and Raekwon McMillan are also big-time playmakers against the run.

Q. Let’s say this really is a resurgence of Michigan football. Which do you think you’ll like more: close games and a balanced rivalry, or Ohio State dominating (like it has for the past 10 years)?

That’s definitely a good question. I can say this: it’s certainly a lot easier and less stressful to watch when Ohio State is dominating the rivalry. That being said, when there is one team dominating any rivalry, it loses the flare.

I want Ohio State vs. Michigan to be as big as it can possibly be, and I do have to admit this year has a much different feel than in years past. I definitely have a lot more pre-game nerves building up, but I think that the competitive nature is a good thing. I always think back to 2006 when it was No. 1 vs No. 2, and how that was rightfully billed “The Game of the Century.” If we can get back to that level, I think that would be pretty cool.

Q. Hypothetical question, but if Michigan beats Ohio State, will you still be pulling for Michigan State to beat Penn State?

Definitely. If Ohio State can’t go to the Big Ten Championship, then I certainly don’t want Michigan to be there.

Q. What’s your final prediction?

As much as it pains me to say it, I don’t expect the Buckeyes to win. Their entire season has been a disappointment to me personally. They had about 99 percent of their National Championship roster coming back but somehow managed to look worse.

I thought they would get better as the season went on, but nothing ever really improved. If we play like we did against the Spartans, this one could get ugly, but I do expect a better performance than last week.

Next: Buckeyes players to watch

If I had to predict a score, I’d say 21-10 Michigan.

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