Michigan Football: 3 keys to Wolverines beating Ohio State

The turnover battle might just determine the winner

Since the loss to Notre Dame, Michigan football has been outstanding in big games. The Wolverines beat Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State in succession and a big reason why was turnover margin.

Michigan Wolverines

Against Wisconsin and Penn State, two games Michigan won by an average of 30 points, the Wolverines were 5-0 in turnover margin. Penn State turned it over three times, Wisconsin did it twice and Michigan had zero giveaways. That’s impressive.

Against Michigan State, the Wolverines were minus one thanks to a pair of fumbles. That’s actually the biggest reason why the Spartans only lost 21-7, despite not gaining 100 yards of offense.

Like any team, in some of its worst games, Ohio State has had turnover issues. Last week, against Maryland, the Buckeyes were minus-2 in turnover margin and it nearly led to a loss against a 5-5 Maryland squad.

Ohio State also turned it over three times at home against Nebraska, which also nearly led to an upset loss. And in the game against Purdue, Ohio State did lose the turnover battle and not surprisingly, it lost the game.

Of all the stats in football, turnover margin is the most important. At plus-8, Michigan leads the Big Ten. Ohio State is plus-4 for the season and so whoever wins that battle, will have a good chance to win “The Game” and the Big Ten East.